Washington County, Alabama

Washington County was created on June 4, 1800 as a county of the Mississippi Territory by proclamation of Gov. Winthrop Sargent, making it Alabama‘s first established county [1]. It is named for George Washington. The seat has been Chatom since 1907, and the 2020 census counted 16,336 residents across 1,081 square miles in southwest Alabama.

History

The county originally covered much of present-day Alabama and Mississippi, and St. Stephens served as the capital of Alabama Territory. Earlier county seats were McIntosh, Wakefield, Rodney, a site near Millry, Barryton and New St. Stephens. The Chatom courthouse was dedicated in 1965. The MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians lives in the southern part of the county and was formally recognized by Alabama in 1979 [1].

Economy

Agriculture and timber drove the early economy, and turpentine from pine forests was a major cash crop. Salt domes discovered in the early 1950s near McIntosh led to salt mining and chemical production, and natural gas found in the early 1970s led Phillips Petroleum to build a refinery. Olin Corporation has produced chemicals in the county since 1952, and timber remains the main industry [1].

Geography and attractions

The county lies on the Coastal Plain, with the Tombigbee and Escatawpa rivers as major waterways. St. Stephens Historical Park covers 200 acres with a 90-acre quarry lake, and Washington County State Lake offers fishing and boating. The Washington County Museum is in the Chatom courthouse basement, and the school system oversees eight schools [1]. See Rivers of Alabama.

Alabama’s first county

Washington County was created on June 4, 1800, as a county of Mississippi Territory and is the oldest in Alabama. It was named for George Washington, and its original territory was later divided into 16 Mississippi counties and 29 Alabama counties. Chatom became the seat in 1907 and had about 975 residents. The county covers 1,081 square miles and had 16,336 residents in 2020.[2]

St. Stephens

St. Stephens served as the capital of Alabama Territory. St. Stephens Historical Park today covers 200 acres and includes a 90-acre quarry lake.[2]

Economy and geography

Agriculture was the base until the early 1900s, followed by timber and turpentine. Salt mining and chemical production began near McIntosh in the early 1950s, and Olin has produced chemicals there since 1952. Natural gas found in the early 1970s led Philips Petroleum to build a refinery. Timber remains the main industry. The county lies in the Coastal Plain with the Tombigbee River on its eastern border and the Escatawpa River rising within it; U.S. 45 and U.S. 43 are the main highways.[2]

FAQs

When was it created? June 4, 1800.

What is the seat? Chatom.

Sources

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

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