Downtown historical marker describes unique history of Linden, Alabama

'History of Linden, Alabama' Historical Marker

This week’s featured historical marker is the “HISTORY OF LINDEN, ALABAMA” marker in downtown Linden, Alabama. The marker is located in a small park on the east side of South Main Street, near the intersection of Dunn Street. The marker is located between the park’s gazebo and the sidewalk along South Main Street.

This marker was erected by the Alabama Tourism Department and the City of Liden in 2010. There’s text on both sides of this marker, and both sides are unique. What follows is the complete text from the marker.

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“HISTORY OF LINDEN, ALABAMA: The Alabama Territorial Legislature established Marengo County in 1818: The ‘Town of Marengo’ was then surveyed near the center of the county to serve as county seat. In 1824, lots were sold and early French immigrants named the town Hohenlinden for Napoleon’s victory in Bavaria in 1800. Everyday usage shortened the name to Linden. Lodging houses, stores, homes and churches surrounded a two-story log courthouse built in 1827. While courts were in session, the town became so rowdy that it earned the unofficial name of ‘Screamersville.’ During the 1840s, Linden had 160 residents, a wooden jail, two small stores and a barbership. In 1848, the log courthouse burned and the brick, federal style courthouse was built on the main thoroughfare of Cahaba Avenue. A stagecoach was built on the main thoroughfare of Cahaba Avenue. A stagecoach regularly passed through town en route from Mobile to Huntsville. ‘The Linden Jeffersonian’ newspaper began publication in 1853; ‘The Democrat Reporter’ weekly newspaper has served the surrounding area since 1879. (Continued on other side) ERECTED BY THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY OF LINDEN DECEMBER 2010.”

“HISTORY OF LINDEN, ALABAMA (Continued from other side): The City of Linden, incorporated May 1, 1870, remained the county seat except for a few months during Reconstruction. Citizens witnessed a gunfight between Deputy Sheriff Jefferson Davis ‘Dixie’ Carter and notorious train robber Rube Burrows in front of the courthouse in 1890. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad track, nine-tenths of a mile south of ‘old town,’ was completed in 1902. A ‘new town’ grew near the depot as businesses relocated to serve railroad customers. Linden’s ‘middle town’ grew near a Gothic-style courthouse constructed in 1903 at the corner of Main Street and Coats Avenue. That courthouse with its chiming clock tower was destroyed by fire and replaced in 1968 by a new structure built on the same site. This area continues to be the Linden downtown business district into the 21st century. The center for government services in the county, Linden has an economy that is also based on local agriculture, timber, livestock and recreational activities. ERECTED BY THE ALABAMA TOURISM DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY OF LINDEN DECEMBER 2010.”

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In the end, visit this site next Wednesday to learn about another historical marker. I’m also taking suggestions from the reading audience, so if you know of an interesting historical marker that you’d like me to feature, let me know in the comments section below.