Dadeville, Alabama Facts for Kids

Before it became a city, Dadeville was a busy place where Native Americans and traders met. They traded goods like cotton, wood, and animals. The town was officially planned in 1836 and became a city in 1858.

Dadeville was named after Major Francis Langhorne Dade. He was a soldier who died in a battle in 1835. This battle was part of the Second Seminole War. Even though the town is named after him, Major Dade never actually visited Tallapoosa County.

In the past, Dadeville was an important stop for stagecoaches traveling between Montgomery and Georgia. The town lost its city status during the Civil War. But it became a city again in 1878. Dadeville has been the county seat of Tallapoosa County since 1838. This means it's where the main government offices for the county are located.

Dadeville was also home to Alabama's very first medical school. It was called the Graefenberg Medical Institute. It opened in 1852 but closed when the Civil War began. The building later burned down in 1873.

A big change for Dadeville happened in 1926. The Martin Dam was built on the Tallapoosa River. This created Lake Martin, a large lake that has brought many visitors and helped the local economy.

Geography and Climate

Dadeville is located in the east-central part of Alabama. It covers an area of about 16 square miles (41 square kilometers). All of this area is land.

The city is located along U.S. Route 280. This major road goes through the northern part of Dadeville. It connects Dadeville to other cities like Alexander City to the northwest and Opelika to the southeast. Another important road, Alabama State Route 49, runs through the city from north to south.

Weather in Dadeville

Dadeville has a climate with hot and humid summers. The winters are usually mild to cool. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate.

People of Dadeville

In 2020, about 3,084 people lived in Dadeville. The city is home to people from many different backgrounds. About half of the residents are White, and about 44% are Black or African American. There are also smaller numbers of Native American, Asian, and people of mixed races. About 1% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

Economy

One interesting business in Dadeville is Wickles. They are known for making pickles.

Education

Students in Dadeville attend local schools. These include Dadeville Elementary School and Dadeville High School. The high school serves students in grades 7 through 12. Some famous people who went to Dadeville High School include Anfernee Jennings and Ed Oliver.

Notable People from Dadeville

Many interesting people have connections to Dadeville:

Mark Barnes is a lawyer from New York.
Robert E. Burke was a U.S. Representative from Texas in the late 1800s.
Charles Allen Culberson was a governor and U.S. Senator for Texas.
Thomas W. Herren was a Lieutenant General in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War.
Johnson J. Hooper was an author who lived in Dadeville. He wrote stories about a fictional character named "Simon Suggs."
Anfernee Jennings is a football player for the New England Patriots. He also played for the University of Alabama.
Andrew R. Johnson was a state senator and mayor in Louisiana. He was born in Dadeville.
J. Frank Norris was a well-known pastor. He was born in Dadeville in 1877.
Ed Oliver is a state legislator.
Lilius Bratton Rainey was a U.S. Representative from Alabama in the early 1900s.
Olive Stone was a sociologist, someone who studies society.
Hoyt Winslett was a college football player.