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History

Current-day Monroeville was once the home of the Creek Indians, where the land was clashed over by France, Spain and England. In 1815, the Creek Indians surrendered the land at the Treaty of Fort Jackson and the county was created by proclamation of the governor of the Mississippi Territory. The county was once about one-third of the size of present-day Alabama and is often referred to as the “mother county.”

Monroeville, named Monroe County’s seat of government in 1832, was incorporated in 1899. Both Monroeville and Monroe County were named in honor of U.S. President James Monroe.

While the city of Monroeville currently encompasses a populace of less than 7,000 residents, Monroe County boasts a population reaching 25,000. Monroeville was declared “The Literary Capital” of Alabama in 1997, by joint proclamation of both houses of the State Legislature. Most notably, Monroeville is the birthplace of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Harper Lee, who wrote To Kill A Mockingbird. Lee’s fictional Maycomb was modeled after 1930s era Monroeville. Truman Capote, one of Lee’s childhood friends, was a fixture in the Monroeville community as well, serving as inspiration for Dill in the novel. Capote gained notoriety from Monroeville, evidenced through works including “A Christmas Story”, The Thanksgiving Visitor and The Grass Harp. Each of these pieces have distinct references to Monroeville and the courthouse clock.

Other famous Monroeville authors include Mark Childress (Crazy in Alabama, Tender and additional books), Mike Stewart (Sins of the Brother and other mysteries) and Cynthia Tucker (editorial page editor of The Atlanta Journal/Constitution).

Today’s Monroeville is well-known for its wood and wood product companies, such as the Alabama River Companies, Alabama River Newsprint, Georgia Pacific, Harrigan Lumber, Scotch, Temple, Rocky Creek and others. These corporations, along with Monroeville’s oldest industry, Vanity Fair Brands (now owned by Fruit of the Loom), generously support such charitable endeavors as Monroe Health Foundation, Monroe County United Way, the local “Peddlin’ for a Cure” event, Relay for Life, and others, which raise hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Monroeville is a great small town with a big heart for giving. The Monroeville Area YMCA, “Our Place” Family Center, and the Southwest Alabama Community Cancer Center are all heavily supported by donations from local industries and area residents.

While visiting Monroeville, make sure to partake in a historic walking tour or participate in the town’s 10k Volkswalk sponsored by the Monroeville/Monroe County Chamber of Commerce. Visitors can access a guided walking tour by contacting the Chamber.

Other famous historic sites throughout the county not to be missed include the Masonic Hall (circa 1823-1825 and visited by the Marquis De Lafayette), Burnt Corn (the site of the outbreak of the Creek Indian War of 1814), Rikard’s Mill (a restored gristmill and park north of Beatrice) and the River Heritage Museum on the Alabama River (the only river museum in the state and featuring many Native American artifacts).