Childersburg, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Childersburg, Alabama
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Downtown Childersburg
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Location of Childersburg in Talladega County, Alabama.
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Alabama | ||
| County | Talladega | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 12.58 sq mi (32.59 km2) | ||
| • Land | 12.33 sq mi (31.94 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 420 ft (128 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,754 | ||
| • Density | 385.53/sq mi (148.86/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
35044
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| Area code(s) | 256 | ||
| FIPS code | 01-14464 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0116045 | ||
Childersburg is a city in Talladega County, Alabama. It became an official city in 1889. In 2020, about 4,754 people lived there.
Childersburg has a very long history. It was a village of the Coosa Nation even before 1540. The Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto visited the area around that time. It's said that one of De Soto's crew members got sick. The Coosa people kindly took care of him in the area that is now Childersburg. Later, during World War II, an important factory called the Alabama Army Ammunition Plant was built near the city.
Contents
Exploring Childersburg's Location
Childersburg is located in western Talladega County. It sits along the Coosa River. You can find it at these map coordinates: 33°16′31″N 86°21′11″W / 33.27528°N 86.35306°W.
The city covers about 32.6 square kilometers (12.6 square miles). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. Major roads like US Routes 280 and 231 pass through Childersburg. These roads connect the city to places like Birmingham and Sylacauga.
A Look at Childersburg's Past
Native American groups have lived in the Childersburg area for thousands of years. In the 1500s, people from the Kymulga-phase culture lived here. They were part of the larger Mississippian culture.
In the fall of 1540, the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto and his team stayed here for about a month. This makes Childersburg one of the "oldest occupied settlements in America." By the 1700s, the Abihka people, who were part of the Muskogee (or Creek) tribe, lived in this area.
During World War II, a big factory was built in Childersburg. It was called the Alabama Army Ammunition Plant. This factory made explosives like TNT. It also secretly produced "heavy water" for the Manhattan Project. This project was important for developing the atomic bomb. In 1940, Childersburg had about 500 people. But when the plant was built, over 14,000 workers came to the area.
Who Lives in Childersburg?
Childersburg has grown quite a bit over the years. In 1890, about 777 people lived here. By 1950, the population had jumped to over 4,000 people. This big jump happened after the ammunition plant was built.
According to the 2020 census, Childersburg had 4,754 residents. There were 2,175 households in the city.
Fun Things to Do in Childersburg
Childersburg offers several fun activities. If you like golf, there are ten golf courses nearby.
The city is also known for its sports teams, especially baseball. The Childersburg Tigers have won several Alabama Baseball State Championships. They won in 1967, 1977, 2002, and 2007. Youth baseball teams have also won many state championships.
A popular attraction is DeSoto Caverns. It is a cool cave system located right in Childersburg.
Famous People from Childersburg
Many interesting people have come from Childersburg, including:
- L. Zenobia Coleman (1898–1999) - a librarian.
- Walton Cruise - a professional baseball player.
- Joshua B. Lee - a politician who represented Oklahoma in the U.S. Congress.
- Robert Lee Rowe - a former mayor of Melbourne, Florida.
- A. J. Smitherman (1885–1961) - a lawyer and newspaper editor.
- Gerald Wallace - a professional basketball player.
- Zelous Wheeler - a professional baseball player.
Getting Around Childersburg
You can find intercity bus service in Childersburg. Greyhound Lines provides these bus services.
Gallery
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Welcome to Historic Childersburg
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Childersburg Post Office (ZIP code: 35044)
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Earle A. Rainwater Memorial Library
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The Kymulga Mill and Covered Bridge Park is located 4.5 miles (7.2 km) northeast of Childersburg. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
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The Charles Butler House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
See also
In Spanish: Childersburg (Alabama) para niños
