Cherokee, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cherokee, Alabama
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Cherokee
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Location of Cherokee in Colbert County, Alabama.
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Alabama | |
| County | Colbert | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Mayor–council government | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 2.22 sq mi (5.74 km2) | |
| • Land | 2.22 sq mi (5.74 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | |
| Elevation | 518 ft (158 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 970 | |
| • Density | 437.73/sq mi (168.97/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (Central) | |
| ZIP code |
35616
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| Area code(s) | 256 | |
| FIPS code | 01-14152 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2406262 | |
Cherokee is a small town in western Colbert County, Alabama, United States. It is located near the Tennessee River and is part of the "Shoals" area, which includes other nearby cities. In 2020, about 970 people lived in Cherokee.
Contents
History
Cherokee officially became a town on December 7, 1871. Even though it is close to the Tennessee River, the town grew because it was a stop along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. This railroad was built in the late 1850s and early 1860s.
Geography
Cherokee is located along U.S. Route 72. It is west of Muscle Shoals and a few miles east of the Alabama-Mississippi state line. The Tennessee River flows to the northeast of the town.
Following US-72, Tuscumbia, which is the main city of Colbert County, is about 18 miles (29 km) to the east. Iuka, Mississippi is about 14 miles (23 km) to the northwest.
The U.S. Census Bureau says that Cherokee covers a total area of about 2.2 square miles (5.7 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Climate
Cherokee has a climate with warm summers and mild winters. Here are the average temperatures:
| Average Low | Average High | |
|---|---|---|
| January | 26 °F | 47 °F |
| April | 44 °F | 71 °F |
| July | 66 °F | 89 °F |
| October | 44 °F | 72 °F |
The town also gets about 60.6 inches of rain each year.
Population Changes
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 282 | — | |
| 1900 | 261 | — | |
| 1910 | 269 | 3.1% | |
| 1920 | 524 | 94.8% | |
| 1930 | 659 | 25.8% | |
| 1940 | 786 | 19.3% | |
| 1950 | 748 | −4.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,349 | 80.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,484 | 10.0% | |
| 1980 | 1,589 | 7.1% | |
| 1990 | 1,479 | −6.9% | |
| 2000 | 1,237 | −16.4% | |
| 2010 | 1,048 | −15.3% | |
| 2020 | 970 | −7.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2013 Estimate |
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The population of Cherokee has changed over the years. In 2010, there were 1,048 people living in the town. By 2020, the population was 970 people.
Education
Schools in Cherokee are part of the Colbert County School System. They serve students in the western part of Colbert County.
Cherokee Elementary School and Cherokee High School are both located on the northern side of town. The land for these schools, including the football field, was given by the Harris family.
The number of students in western Colbert County has gone down recently. Because of this, Cherokee Middle School closed after the 2006-2007 school year. Its students then went to Cherokee Elementary and Cherokee High Schools. The old middle school building is now empty.
Transportation
Cherokee has several ways for people and goods to travel.
Major Highways
U.S. Highway 72
US Highway 72 is the main road that goes through Cherokee. This important highway followed the path of the old railroad. It was once called the Memphis Pike and is still part of the Lee Highway.
Natchez Trace Parkway
The Natchez Trace Parkway runs north and west of Cherokee. It is managed by the National Park Service. This highway brings many tourists to the area.
Rail
The Memphis and Charleston Railroad was very important when Cherokee was first founded. It used to carry passengers, but now it is a key route for the Norfolk Southern Railway system. This railroad connects Chattanooga and Memphis. There is also a special track that goes to Cherokee Nitrogen to move chemicals like ammonia.
River
The Tennessee River was a very important way to transport things, especially during the American Civil War. Today, the river is used for fun activities like boating and fishing. It also helps transport goods and is important for local industries.
Air
The Northwest Alabama Regional Airport is about 23 miles (37 km) east of Cherokee. It offers flights to Atlanta, making it easier for people to travel by air.
Economy
The economy of Cherokee relies on several businesses and an industrial park.
Barton Riverfront Industrial Park
The Barton Riverfront Industrial Park is located east of Cherokee, near the Tennessee River. This park was built to bring new businesses to western Colbert County. It has helped the area's economy grow. The first company to open here was SCA Tissue North America in 2004.
Major Employers
Cherokee Nitrogen
Cherokee Nitrogen is located on the north side of town and is owned by LSB Industries. It was built in 1962 and makes nitrogen products, ammonia, and ammonia nitrate. An incident occurred at the facility in November 2012.
Nelson Brothers, a company that uses ammonia nitrate to make dynamite, is located next to Cherokee Nitrogen. Linde also sells Carbon Dioxide, which is a byproduct from Cherokee Nitrogen's operations.
SCA Tissue North America
SCA Tissue North America is a part of Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget. It was the first company to move into the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park. It has grown several times and is now the largest employer in Cherokee.
Vulcan Materials
Vulcan Materials' Cherokee Facility has been on the east side of town for many years. This company gets crushed limestone from a quarry here. This limestone is used all over Alabama and Mississippi.
UCM Magnesia
UCM Magnesia was a company in the Barton area that made high-quality magnesia powder. It closed in late 2012.
National Alabama
In 2007, National Steel Car planned to build a large factory here to make steel railcars. This was expected to be a major employer. The facility is now called National Alabama Corporation. Due to economic challenges, the company looked for other products to make.
The facilities that were once used by Navistar and FreightCar America are now empty.
Navistar used to lease space at the National Alabama facility. They made parts for railcars produced by Freightcar America. As of 2022, this facility is no longer in use.
FreightCar America (FCA)
FreightCar America also used to operate at the National Alabama Facility, making railcars. However, the company moved its production to Mexico, and the facility is now empty.
Fun Places to Visit
Cherokee and the surrounding area have many interesting places to explore.
Natchez Trace Parkway
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a very important historical road. Near Cherokee, you can find the Colbert Ferry site. This was the home of George Colbert and Levi Colbert, who were leaders of the Chickasaw Nation. The Chickasaw people lived here long ago before they were moved to other areas.
Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard
The Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard is a very unusual cemetery. It is a special place where only coon dogs are buried. Every Labor Day, a big celebration is held at the graveyard.
Stanfield-Worley Bluff Shelter
The Stanfield-Worley Bluff Shelter, located near Cherokee, is a very important place where scientists found signs of early human life in North America.
Barton Hall
Barton Hall is a historic plantation southwest of town. It was important during the Civil War. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places, but it is a private home and not open to visitors.
Bear Creek Watershed
Buzzard Roost and Bear Creek, west of Cherokee, are great places for fishing and water sports. An old wooden covered bridge used to cross Buzzard Roost, but it burned down in 1972.
Riverton Rose Trail
The Riverton Rose Trail follows Bear Creek from U.S. 72 to Riverton, Alabama. Before the Tennessee Valley Authority built the Pickwick Dam, Riverton was an important transportation spot on the Tennessee River. It was where the dangerous shoals began, which made river travel difficult. Today, most of Riverton is covered by the waters of Pickwick Lake.
Colbert Ferry
Colbert Ferry is located by the Tennessee River on the Natchez Trace Parkway. This was the home of George Colbert, who ran a ferry to help travelers cross the Tennessee River on the Natchez Trace.
Famous People
- Dominique Croom, a NFL wide receiver
- Bobby E. Denton, a member of the Alabama Senate since 1978
Images for kids
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Downtown Cherokee, 2007
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Cherokee Post Office, 2007
See also
In Spanish: Cherokee (Alabama) para niños
