Jones County, Alabama facts for kids
Jones County, Alabama refers to a name that was once used for two different areas in the US state of Alabama. Sometimes, places change their names for various reasons, and this happened twice with the name "Jones County" in Alabama's history.
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What is a County?
In the United States, a county is a part of a state, much like a district or a region. Each state is divided into counties to help organize local government and services. Counties have their own governments that manage things like roads, schools, and local laws. They are important for how states are run and how people live in different areas.
Why Do Place Names Change?
The names of places, like counties or cities, can change over time. This might happen for many reasons. Sometimes, a name is changed to honor a new person or a historical event. Other times, a name might be changed to reflect a new identity or to avoid confusion with another place. In Alabama's history, some counties had their names changed, and "Jones County" is an interesting example of this happening more than once.
The First Jones County: Covington County
One of the counties that was briefly called Jones County is now known as Covington County, Alabama. This county is located in the southern part of Alabama.
- On August 6, 1868, the name of Covington County was officially changed to Jones County.
- However, this new name did not last long. Just two months later, on October 10, 1868, the county's original name, Covington, was given back. So, for a short time, this area was known as Jones County before returning to its familiar name.
The Second Jones County: Lamar County
Another county that once carried the name Jones County is today known as Lamar County, Alabama. This county is found in the western part of Alabama.
- This area was first established as Jones County on February 4, 1867.
- Later, on October 8, 1868, its name was changed again, this time to Sanford County.
- Finally, on February 8, 1877, the county received its current name, Lamar County. This means this particular area had three different names over a period of about ten years!
