Camden, Alabama Facts for Kids

Camden started as a new town in 1833. A man named Thomas Dunn gave land from his farm for it. The town was meant to be the main center, or "county seat," for Wilcox County. Dunn's old house, built in 1825, is the oldest house still standing in Camden.

The county seat was first in a place called Canton Bend. But in 1833, it moved to Barboursville. This name honored a politician from Virginia. In 1841, the town was officially made a city. A local doctor, John D. Caldwell, renamed it Camden. He chose this name to honor his own hometown in South Carolina.

Early Life and Buildings

Long ago, the area around Camden grew a lot of cotton. Many enslaved African Americans were forced to work on these cotton farms. The first businesses in Camden included a brickyard, a sawmill, and a window factory. The town also had an early newspaper called the Camden Phenix.

In 1844, people in Camden started a school for girls. It was called the Wilcox Female Seminary and Female Institute. Its red-brick building was finished between 1845 and 1850. Today, this old school building is home to the Wilcox County Historical Society.

The Wilcox County Courthouse is another important building. It is made of red brick and was finished in 1857. This courthouse replaced an older wooden one.

Camden During the Civil War

During the American Civil War, many people from Camden joined the Confederate side. In 1865, Union soldiers came through and searched the county courthouse. But before they arrived, local officials hid all the important county records. Some say they buried them in a coffin to keep them safe!

After the war, Camden faced more challenges. Big fires in 1869 and 1870 destroyed about two-thirds of the town. But the people worked hard to rebuild. By the 1880s, the town started to get back on its feet. The first bank opened in 1894.

Modern Growth and Resources

In the middle of the 1900s, Camden grew stronger. A large paper mill was built nearby in Yellow Bluff. Also, the Millers Ferry Lock and Dam was built on the Alabama River. This dam helps make electricity. It also created a large lake called the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir. This lake is now a popular place for fun activities like boating and fishing.

Geography of Camden

Camden is located in Wilcox County, Alabama. The U.S. Census Bureau says the city covers about 4.2 square miles (10.87 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a very small part being water.

Camden's Climate

Camden has a humid subtropical climate. This means it usually has hot, humid summers and mild winters. It gets rain throughout the year.

Population of Camden

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1850	800	—
1880	590	—
1890	545	−7.6%
1900	478	−12.3%
1910	648	35.6%
1920	700	8.0%
1930	697	−0.4%
1940	909	30.4%
1950	931	2.4%
1960	1,121	20.4%
1970	1,742	55.4%
1980	2,406	38.1%
1990	2,414	0.3%
2000	2,257	−6.5%
2010	2,020	−10.5%
2020	1,927	−4.6%
U.S. Decennial Census 2013 Estimate

The population of Camden has changed over the years. In 2020, there were 1,927 people living in the city. The city is home to people of different backgrounds. About 58% of the people are African American, and about 37% are White.

Education in Camden

Students in Camden go to schools in the Wilcox County School District.

Wilcox Central High School is a public high school.

There is also a private school:

Wilcox Academy is a private school for students from kindergarten to 12th grade.

Famous People from Camden

Many interesting people have connections to Camden:

Hank Aaron – A famous baseball player who is in the Hall of Fame. He was born in Camden.
Johnny Baker – A former football player.
Jo Bonner – A former U.S. Representative. He grew up in Camden.
Elizabeth Brown – A modern composer and performer.
Hank Harris – A former football player for the Washington Redskins.
Belle R. Harrison - A poet and writer.
Kay Ivey – The current Governor of Alabama.
Tom Jenkins – A baseball outfielder.
Elliott Jones – The first head football coach for Vanderbilt University.
Annie L. Key – A former member of the Ohio House of Representatives.
Ronnie McNeir – A singer and songwriter.
James A. Merriman – A doctor and newspaper editor.
Benjamin Meek Miller – A former Alabama Governor.
Jimmy Newberry – A pitcher in the Negro leagues and the Pacific League.
Adrian Pledger – A basketball player.
J. De Forest Richards – A former football player and banker.
Jeff Sessions – A former U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Senator. He went to school here.
Mathew C. Smith – A U.S. Army brigadier general, born in Camden.
Palmer Williams Jr. – An actor.

Transportation in Camden

You can travel to and from Camden by bus. Greyhound Lines provides bus service for people traveling between cities.

Camden, Alabama facts for kids

Contents

History of Camden