Jefferson, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jefferson, Alabama
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 Jefferson, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Jefferson, Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Marengo |
| Elevation | 233 ft (71 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
36745
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| Area code(s) | 334 |
Jefferson is a small, quiet community located in Marengo County, Alabama, in the United States. It is known as an "unincorporated community," which means it doesn't have its own separate local government like a city or town. A famous artist named Geneva Mercer, who was a sculptor, was born in Jefferson.
Contents
A Look at the Population
Every ten years, the United States takes a count of all its people. This is called a census. Jefferson appeared in the U.S. Census records for 1870 and 1880.
In 1870, the census showed that 233 people lived in Jefferson. About 143 of them were black, and 90 were white. The census in 1880 counted 204 people, but it did not record the racial breakdown that year. After 1880, Jefferson was no longer listed in the official census records.
The Story of Jefferson
Jefferson has a long history, even older than Marengo County or the state of Alabama itself! It was first settled way back in 1810. Many of the first people who came to live here were brave soldiers who had fought in the American Revolution, like John Sample, John Gilmore, and Reuben Hildreth.
The community was officially named Jefferson in 1820. It was named after Thomas Jefferson, who was an important leader and the third president of the United States. That same year, the first church was built in the village.
By 1860, Jefferson had grown to about 200 people. It was a busy little place with several businesses. There were two stores that sold general goods, a drugstore, and even separate schools for boys and girls. The village also had a Masonic Lodge (a meeting place for a social group), a hotel, two places that made leather (called tanneries), a shop that built and fixed wagons, and a blacksmith shop where metal items were made.
Where is Jefferson Located?
Jefferson is found in the western part of Alabama. It sits at specific geographic coordinates: 32.38580 degrees North latitude and 87.89817 degrees West longitude. The land in Jefferson is about 233 feet (which is about 71 meters) above sea level.
Important Old Places
- Jefferson Historic District: This special area was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 13, 1976. Being on this list means the district has important buildings and sites that tell us about the history of the area, and they are protected so future generations can learn from them.
