Morgan County, Alabama

Morgan County was created on February 6, 1818 and was originally called Cotaco, after a creek that flows through it [1]. On June 14, 1821 it was renamed for Gen. Daniel Morgan of Virginia, a Revolutionary War veteran. The seat was Somerville from 1818 to 1891 and has been Decatur since. The 2020 estimate was 123,421 residents across about 575 square miles.

Economy

Early settlers farmed, and cotton shipping and lumber were important. After the Tennessee Valley Authority built locks and dams in the 1930s the economy shifted toward manufacturing. Education and health care employed 18.7 percent of workers in 2020 [1]. See Tennessee Valley.

History

Northern Morgan County was contested during the Civil War because of its railroad bridge over the Tennessee River, and the Battle of Decatur took place in 1864. The Tennessee River forms the northern boundary and the Wheeler Lake section drains nearly all of the county [1].

Education and attractions

The county school system runs 14 schools, Decatur City Schools 24 and Hartselle City Schools eight, and Calhoun Community College, Alabama‘s largest two-year college, is in Decatur. Attractions include Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (35,000 acres), Point Mallard Municipal Park (750 acres), the Old State Bank, the Carnegie Visual Arts Center and the Princess Theatre [1].

Formation and name

Morgan County was created on February 6, 1818, from land acquired from the Cherokee through the 1818 Treaty of Turkeytown. It was first called Cotaco, for a creek, and was renamed on June 14, 1821, for Gen. Daniel Morgan of Virginia. Decatur replaced Somerville as seat in 1891 and is the largest city, with an estimated 54,344 residents. The county covers about 575 square miles and had 123,421 residents in 2020; Hartselle, Trinity, Priceville and Falkville are also incorporated.[2]

History and economy

Northern Morgan County was contested in the Civil War because of its railroad bridge over the Tennessee River, and the Battle of Decatur took place in 1864. Early settlers were mainly farmers, with cotton shipping and lumber important; in the 1930s TVA locks and dams made the river navigable and supplied cheap electricity, shifting the economy toward manufacturing, now the largest sector at 21.5 percent.[2]

Geography and education

The Tennessee River forms the northern boundary; the north lies in the Highland Rim and the south in the Cumberland Plateau. Wheeler Lake covers about 67,000 acres, and Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge covers 35,000 acres and hosts Alabama’s largest wintering duck population. Calhoun Community College, Alabama’s largest two-year college, is in Decatur.[2]

FAQs

Why was it renamed? To honor Gen. Daniel Morgan in 1821.

What is the seat? Decatur.

Sources

1. Encyclopedia of Alabama: Morgan County
2. Encyclopedia of Alabama: Morgan County

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue