Brewton, Alabama facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brewton, Alabama
City
Brewton Commercial Historic District
Flag Seal
Location of Brewton in Escambia County, Alabama
Country	United States
State	Alabama
County	Escambia
Area
• Total	11.53 sq mi (29.87 km2)
• Land	11.30 sq mi (29.26 km2)
• Water	0.24 sq mi (0.61 km2)
Elevation	82 ft (25 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	5,276
• Density	467.07/sq mi (180.33/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code	36426-36427
Area code(s)	251
FIPS code	01-09208
GNIS feature ID	0157900
Website	http://www.cityofbrewton.org/

Brewton is a city located in Escambia County, Alabama, in the United States. It is the main city, also known as the county seat, of Escambia County. In 2020, about 5,276 people lived there. Brewton is in the southern part of Alabama, not far from the Florida Panhandle.

This city was once home to the Downing Industrial School, a special school for girls. Brewton was even named one of the "100 Best Small Towns in America" in a book by Norman Crampton in 1995.

History of Brewton

Sign for Brewton on State Route 41

The area where Brewton is now was first called Newport. Before railroads, people used barges to travel to and from Pensacola, Florida. They traveled on Murder Creek and Burnt Corn Creek.

In May 1861, Brewton officially started as a train stop. It was founded by Edmund Troupe Bruton. Around this time, people began to cut down and use the area's many trees for wood.

Brewton During the Civil War

During the American Civil War, the train tracks were damaged. Many small places that cut wood were also hurt or destroyed. After the war, the people of Brewton worked hard to rebuild their town. They started schools and opened new small businesses.

In the 1870s, countries in Europe needed a lot of wood. This helped many new wood and timber companies start up in Brewton. The Conecuh-Escambia river system became a major way to transport wood to ports on the Gulf of Mexico.

Becoming a Town and County Seat

Brewton officially became a town on February 13, 1885. The state government also chose Brewton to be the county seat for Escambia County, Alabama. This meant it was the main city for the county's government.

Brewton was once known as "the richest little town in the South." This was because a few wealthy "timber barons" made a lot of money from cutting down pine forests. These rich families, like the McMillans, Lovelaces, and Millers, built amazing homes. Many of their family members still live in Brewton today.

Over the years, the county built several courthouses in Brewton. The city also developed a strong education system. This included public and private schools. T. R. Miller High School was named after Thomas Richard Miller. He was a local timber baron who gave money to help build the school. Jefferson Davis Community College opened in Brewton in 1964. It is now called Coastal Alabama Community College Brewton.

Geography and Climate

Brewton is located at 31°7′4″N 87°4′16″W / 31.11778°N 87.07111°W / 31.11778; -87.07111.

The city covers about 11.5 square miles (29.87 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Brewton's Climate

Brewton has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has warm temperatures and rain throughout the year. The hottest temperature ever recorded was 109°F (43°C) on June 18, 1933. The coldest temperature was 3°F (-16°C) on January 21, 1985.

People of Brewton (Demographics)

Brewton first appeared in the U.S. Census in 1870. At that time, it was part of a larger area called a "Beat" or "Precinct." Starting in 1890, Brewton was counted as its own town.

2020 Census Information

In 2020, the U.S. census counted 5,276 people living in Brewton. There were 2,050 households and 1,249 families.

2010 Census Information

In 2010, there were 5,408 people in Brewton. There were 2,171 households and 1,412 families.

The population was made up of different groups:

• 54.1% White
• 42.6% Black or African American
• 0.7% Native American
• 0.4% Asian
• 1.1% from other races
• 1.0% from two or more races

About 2.2% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.

In 2010, about 25.6% of households had children under 18. About 41.1% were married couples living together. The average household had 2.36 people. The average family had 2.97 people.

The median age in the city was 42.4 years. This means half the people were older and half were younger than 42.4.

Former Town of Alco

Inside Brewton, there was once a separate town called Alco. It existed from the mid-1880s until 1897. The name "Alco" came from the Alabama Lumber Company. It was located southwest of Brewton, near where Burnt Corn and Murder Creeks meet.

Even though Alco is no longer a separate town, its name lives on. You can find Alco Baptist Church, Alco United Methodist Church, and Alco Road. Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery, a very old cemetery in Escambia County, also mentions Alco on its historical marker. Alco officially became part of Brewton on June 31, 1945.

Fun Things to Do and Special Events

Streetlight banner proclaiming Brewton as "Home of the Alabama Blueberry Festival"

Brewton hosts the yearly Alabama Blueberry Festival. This fun event takes place at Jennings Park and in downtown Brewton. Before 2006, it was held at Jefferson Davis Community College.

You can also visit the Thomas E. McMillan Museum. It is located on the campus of Coastal Alabama Community College Brewton. The museum started in 1979. It tells the story of life in Escambia County, Alabama. The museum has many interesting items. These include 10,000-year-old fossils and old cameras.

Famous People from Brewton

Many notable people have come from Brewton:

• Sharon Lovelace Blackburn – The first female federal judge in Alabama.
• Johnnie Byrd – A former member of the Florida House of Representatives.
• Grayson Capps – A talented singer and songwriter.
• Catherine Crosby – Crowned Miss Alabama in 2003.
• Kristi DuBose – A judge for the U.S. District Court.
• Wayne Frazier – A professional football player.
• William Lee Golden – A member of the famous music group The Oak Ridge Boys.
• William R. Harvey – A successful businessman and president of Hampton University.
• Deanna Jackson – A professional women's basketball player.
• Teddy Keaton – A football coach.
• Cliff Lewis – A former professional football player.
• Hank Locklin – A well-known country music singer.
• Jonathan Bell Lovelace – The person who started Capital Group Companies.
• Edwin L. Nelson – A former judge for the U.S. District Court.
• Anthony Redmon – A former NFL offensive lineman.
• William W. Seay – A soldier who received the Medal of Honor.
• Fred Snowden – A former men's basketball coach.
• Kevin Sumlin – A football coach.
• Davern Williams – A former defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants.
• Edward O. Wilson – A famous biologist who won the Pulitzer Prize twice.

Historic Places to See

Second Saint Siloam Missionary Baptist Church, 2014

Brewton has one site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is the Brewton Historic Commercial District. It's a special area with old buildings.

The historic Second Saint Siloam Missionary Baptist Church was founded on November 5, 1909. A group of people met to start a new church. The church building was dedicated on June 10, 1910. On April 1, 2010, this church was added to the Alabama Register of Historic Places.

Getting Around (Transportation)

The Escambia County Alabama Transit System (ECATS) helps people get around. They offer a dial-a-ride bus service. This service is available throughout Brewton and the rest of Escambia County.