Jemison, Alabama

Jemison is a town in Chilton County in central Alabama [1]. It is named for Col. Robert Jemison Jr., who ran the town’s first stagecoach line in the 1840s, and railroad engineer John T. Milner proposed the name in 1870. The spelling was Jamison until 1888 because of a post office misspelling. The 2020 census estimate was 2,658 residents.

History

The town grew along a stagecoach route between Birmingham and Montgomery and was called Langstonville or Langston Station in the 1860s. The South and North Railroad established a station in 1870, the first post office opened in 1871 and a depot was built in 1872. An 1890 campaign to rename the town Bristol failed. It incorporated in 1907 and, after its charter lapsed, reincorporated in 1919, with about 400 residents in 1910 [1].

Economy and schools

The railroad made Jemison a market center where farmers sold produce and cotton. In 2020 the largest sectors were education, health care and social assistance at 19.1 percent, transportation, warehousing and utilities at 15.2 percent and retail trade at 13.6 percent. Public schools belong to the Chilton County School District and include an elementary, an intermediate, a middle and a high school [1].

Landmarks and events

The Tomlinson House is listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. Jemison MayFest takes place the first weekend of May, and a Christmas parade and tree lighting is held in early December. U.S. Highway 31 runs north-south through town [1].

Name and railroad

Jemison is named for Col. Robert Jemison Jr., who ran the first stagecoach line based in the town in the 1840s; it was earlier called Langstonville or Langston Station, and railroad engineer John T. Milner proposed the Jemison name. A post office misspelling wrote it Jamison until 1888. The South and North Railroad established a station in 1870, a post office opened in 1871 and a depot in 1872, making Jemison a market center for local produce and cotton.[2]

Incorporation and population

The town was incorporated in 1907 and reincorporated in 1919 after its charter lapsed. The 2020 census estimate was 2,658, about 75.5 percent white and 21.6 percent African American.[2]

Economy and location

Education, health care and social assistance employ 19.1 percent of workers, transportation, warehousing and utilities 15.2 percent, retail 13.6 percent and manufacturing 10.1 percent. Median household income was ,927. U.S. 31 runs through town along a historic stagecoach route between Birmingham and Montgomery.[2]

FAQs

Who is Jemison named for? Col. Robert Jemison Jr.

When was it incorporated? 1907.

Sources

1. Encyclopedia of Alabama: Jemison
2. Encyclopedia of Alabama: Jemison

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