Lauderdale County was named in honor of Col. James Lauderdale who was born in Virginia about 1780. In the early 1800’s, Lauderdale, who moved to West Tennessee. Lauderdale County was established in 1818, a year before Alabama became a state, by an act of the General Assembly of Alabama Territory.
Florence, the county seat of Lauderdale County, was also established in 1818. At this time a group of investors, under the name of Cypress Land Company purchased from the government 5,515 acres of land comprising of the original town site, for $85,235.24
The first courthouse was built in 1822 and was used by the county until 1899 when it was remodeled and enlarged.
Among the older settlements in the county is Center Star, located between Killen and Rogersville. Other old settlements included Middleton and Elgin, the latter known first as Ingram’s Elgin Cross Roads.
Rogersville, lying some 23 miles to the east of Florence, was named for John Rogers, an Indian Trader, whose sons were fast friends of the great Sam Houston. The late Will Rogers is said to have been a descendant of this same family.
Lexington, Springfield, and Anderson lie to the north of the Lee Highway. Many of the settlers of that area came from Tennessee and the Carolinas.
The town of St. Florian was established in 1872 on the Jackson Highway. Hugh McVay, one of four Alabama governors from Lauderdale County is buried in the family cemetery at Mars Hill. The other three governors from Lauderdale County were Edward A. O’Neal, Robert M. Patton, and Emmett O’Neal.
Lauderdale County, boasting a $10 million yearly income from its farms and many additional millions from its payrolls, stands on the threshold of a great era of progress.
Limestone County derives its name from Limestone Creek. The County was created on Feb. 6, 1818 by the Alabama Territory legislature. It is comprised of a total area of 607.08 square miles. As of 2010 population was 82,782. This showed strong growth since the 2000 number of 65,676. Limestone county has the privilege of welcoming untold thousands of visitors entering our state from the north on Interstate 65.
A growing number of Americans agree with me that North Alabama is a great place to live and raise a family.
We have a rich history and culture. When I think of the people of Alabama, I think of the values we share like industriousness, community pride and the love of freedom and country. Together we can build on these traditions to make our home an even better place to live and work. Thank you for your support.