Belgreen, Alabama facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Belgreen, Alabama
Unincorporated community Census-designated place
Location of Belgreen in Franklin County, Alabama.
Belgreen, Alabama Location in Alabama
Country	United States
State	Alabama
County	Franklin
Area
• Total	1.23 sq mi (3.20 km2)
• Land	1.23 sq mi (3.18 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation	807 ft (246 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	170
• Density	138.44/sq mi (53.45/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	35653
Area code(s)	256
GNIS feature ID	0154979

Belgreen is a small community in Franklin County, Alabama, United States. It's known as a census-designated place, which means it's an area identified by the government for statistics, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city. Belgreen is located about nine miles west of Russellville. In 2020, about 170 people lived there. It's a small area with homes, a school, and a few local businesses.

How Many People Live in Belgreen?

Belgreen has been counted in the United States Census several times. A census is an official count of the population.

Belgreen was first listed in the 1880 U.S. Census. At that time, it was the main town, or county seat, for Franklin County. It wasn't listed again until 2010 when it became a Census Designated Place (CDP).

What is Belgreen's History?

Belgreen was the county seat of Franklin County from 1878 to 1891. The county seat is the town where the main government offices for the county are located, like the courthouse and jail.

A post office opened in Belgreen in 1879, but it later closed. Today, the Franklin County Career Technical Center stands where the old county courthouse and jail used to be. This is why the road between the Career Technical Center and Belgreen High School's Science Hall is called Jail Springs Road. The courthouse moved to Belgreen from Frankfort, which is about seven miles north. It stayed in Belgreen until it burned down, and then the county seat moved to Russellville.

Many businesses used to be in Belgreen. For example, a building that is now part of the After-School program at Belgreen High School was once a canning plant. There was also a second gas station and country store, and even a barber shop at the main four-way intersection.

Belgreen High School: A Community Hub

Belgreen High School is a very important part of the community. It has been located just south of Alabama Highway 24 for over sixty years.

How Did Belgreen Get Its Name?

There are a couple of stories about how Belgreen got its name. One story says a young lawyer, Richard S. Watkins, named the town after a young lady he liked named Belle.

Another idea is that the name comes from the French word "bel," meaning "beautiful," and "green." This would describe the local area. At first, the name was spelled "Bellegreen," then "Bellgreen," and finally "Belgreen." Some also say a man named Abner Judd named it for the beautiful woods and green hillsides.

Early Days of Belgreen School

The first school building in Belgreen was built around 1878 or 1879. It was made of logs, and the seats were rough tree stumps! This building was near where Hester's Store used to be. B.R. Fite was the first official principal.

The school moved to a second location in 1881. Two large rooms were built, with a meeting room upstairs for the "Woodmen of the World" group. Nate Redwine was the principal then. The school grew quickly in the early 1900s. There were so many students that some classes were held in the nearby Methodist Church and even in the old jailhouse!

The Guin Family's Impact

Mr. and Mrs. John R. Guin are given credit for starting Belgreen High School. They moved to Belgreen in 1902 and lived in the "old jail" building. Mrs. Guin taught school in her living room and later in the upstairs room of the jail. She is called the "mother of Belgreen school" because she was so kind to students and the community. She also served as the town's postmaster.

Mr. John R. Guin was also a teacher. He later became the superintendent of the Franklin County school system until he retired in 1931. He owned the first car in Belgreen and often let it be used as the community school bus!

School Buildings and Growth

In 1922, a vocational building was added to the school. This building was later replaced in the mid-1960s. The first graduation ceremony at Belgreen was held in 1925. Around this time, many smaller community schools closed, and their students came to Belgreen.

The original main school building was built in 1934. It was a brick building with five classrooms, an auditorium, and two offices. An elementary wing was added in 1937 with eight classrooms. This building was shaped like a "U," which was a popular school design in Alabama.

In 1940, a new building for home economics and agriculture was built.

Sports and Modern Improvements

Belgreen had a state championship basketball team for two years in a row, 1949–1950. During this time, a concrete gymnasium was built across the highway from the main school buildings.

Indoor restrooms were added to the school in 1952. A cafeteria was built in 1958. In the early 1960s, a tunnel was built under the highway. This allowed students to safely get from the main campus to the gym. More classrooms were added, and the gym was made bigger.

Belgreen High School became officially recognized by the Southern Association of Schools in 1960. The Franklin County Area Vocational Center, which offers technical courses, was built next to the school in 1975.

The old main building was used for almost 70 years before it was taken down in 2001. A new, modern two-level building was then constructed. Students and teachers moved into the new building in October 2002. In 2007, a new lunchroom was completed, and a new gymnasium was built next to the old one. The old gym is still used for practice and physical education classes.

Belgreen Today

Today, Belgreen is mostly known for its basketball program at the high school. The girls' team even won a state championship in 2002! The community stays strong because of the school and the surrounding area. The new school building in 2002 helped bring new interest to the area. There are also several churches and a community fire department nearby.

Local Landmarks and Features

• The Firehall: This building is home to the Belgreen Volunteer Fire Department. It's also used as a place where people can vote during elections.
• The Underground Lake: Locals tell stories about a hidden underground lake. Many people are curious about it. It's actually located under the hill where the Belgreen Church of Christ sits. The entrance is on private property. People say there are fish with no eyes in the lake!
• The Rock Cut: This is a section where a large rock formation was cut away to make way for Highway 24. It's actually the bottom of an ancient ocean! This "Rock Cut" is a well-known landmark used in local directions. It's special because it's cut in a cross-shape to allow for a four-way intersection.
• Cedar Creek: This is a local body of water popular for bass fishing. It's part of the Bear Creek lake system, managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Fishing tournaments are often held here in the summer.
• Glasgow Corners: This is a local intersection about three miles south of the school. It's often mentioned when giving directions in the area.
• Slickrock: This refers to public areas along Cedar Creek provided by the Tennessee Valley Authority. These include a swimming area, a campground, and a boat launch. They are most popular in the summer when the water levels are higher.

Notable People from Belgreen

• I. T. Quinn: A conservationist who worked to protect nature. He was a game commissioner for Alabama and Virginia and helped start the National Wildlife Federation.
• Oscar Tompkins: A member of the United States House of Representatives for the Houston County district.

See also

In Spanish: Belgreen para niños