Bellefonte, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bellefonte, Alabama
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The chimney of the local inn in foreground, with Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station in the background
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 Bellefonte, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Bellefonte, Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Jackson |
| Elevation | 745 ft (227 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
35752
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| Area code(s) | 256 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0113878 |
Bellefonte is a ghost town in Alabama, United States. It's found in Jackson County, not far from where the Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station is today. This old town is about two miles southeast of Hollywood, Alabama.
Contents
The Story of Bellefonte
Bellefonte was first settled in the early 1800s. It officially became a town on December 15, 1821. Back then, it had almost 200 people living there. Its name comes from French words: "belle" means "beautiful," and "fonte" means "fount" or "spring."
A Busy County Seat
From 1821 to 1868, Bellefonte was the county seat for Jackson County. This meant it was the main town where the county government was located. During the 1820s, a courthouse and a church were built in the town. A post office opened in 1830, making it easier for people to send and receive mail.
By 1844, Bellefonte had grown to about 400 people. It was an important place for the area.
Hard Times and Moving On
The town faced tough times during the American Civil War. It was badly damaged during the fighting. The post office closed in 1859, even before the war ended.
Bellefonte was also used as a supply spot during the Cherokee removal. This was a sad time when many Native Americans were forced to leave their homes.
In 1868, a big change happened. The county seat was moved from Bellefonte to Scottsboro. This meant that many businesses and people started to leave Bellefonte. The town quickly lost its population. By 1880, it was no longer listed on the official census records.
What's Left Today
By the 1920s, Bellefonte was completely abandoned. Today, almost nothing is left of the old town. You can still find the town's cemetery, where people were buried. There's also the chimney of what used to be the local inn. You might also see piles of scattered bricks, which are the only reminders of the buildings that once stood there.
Population Changes
Bellefonte was counted in the U.S. Census in 1860 and 1870. In 1860, it was the largest town in Jackson County, with 181 people. Most of these people were white, and a small number were "Free Colored" individuals. No enslaved people were recorded living in the town itself. By 1870, the population had dropped to just 72 people. This shows how quickly the town started to shrink after the county seat moved.
