COOSA COUNTY, AL HISTORY AND LOOKUP
Table of Contents
- In-Print County History Books
- Free Public Domain County History Books
- Related Books
- Concise County History
- Comments & Suggestion
In-Print County History Books
These titles are currently in print and selected for their relevance to local and county history. Click anywhere on the book listing below, each listing links directly to the book’s purchase page.
Book Title TBD
This book is still being located or processed. Details will be added once available.
Free County History Books
This section features a curated collection of county history books sourced from public domain archives. Each book provides valuable insights into local history and heritage. Click anywhere on the book listing below, each listing links directly to the book’s public domain resource.
History of Coosa County, Alabama by Brewer, George E., (1942) – 587 Pages
This comprehensive volume traces Coosa County’s development from its early settlement through its growth as a community shaped by agriculture and local institutions. It includes detailed accounts of towns, historical events, and civic life. The book also provides biographical information on prominent residents who influenced the county’s progress.
Related Books
This section highlights additional county and local history titles that complement the main collection. These books are selected for their relevance, historical value, and research usefulness. Click anywhere on the book listing below, and each listing links directly to the corresponding resource or purchase page.
Book Title TBD
This book is still being located or processed. Details will be added once available.
Coosa County, Alabama: A Genealogical Overview
Located in east-central Alabama and named for the river that forms its western boundary, Coosa county has a history rooted in the territory of the Creek Nation and an economy built on agriculture and timber. Its rural character and location within the Talladega National Forest define much of its landscape.
I. County Formation and Evolution
Understanding Coosa county’s creation from Creek lands is the first step for any researcher tracing families back to the area’s initial settlement by non-native people.
- 1832: County Formed: Coosa county was established on December 18, 1832.
- Parent County: It was primarily created from lands ceded by the Creek Nation in the 1832 Treaty of Cusseta, with some land also taken from Montgomery and Shelby counties.
- Name Origin: The county is named for the Coosa River, which flows along its western edge. The name “Coosa” is of Native American origin, likely meaning “cane” or “reed.”
- County Seat History: The first county seat was at Coosada. In 1835, the seat was moved to the more central location of Rockford, where it has been located ever since.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: The area was the territory of the Upper Creek Nation, and the Coosa River was a vital artery for their settlements and transportation.
- Settlement and Economy: Following the 1832 land cession, settlers from other southern states and older Alabama counties moved into the area, establishing farms. The economy was largely agricultural, focused on cotton and corn, and was based on the labor of enslaved African Americans. The county also experienced a minor gold rush in the 1840s. The timber industry grew to become a major economic force, and much of the county is now part of the Talladega National Forest. The construction of Lay Dam and Mitchell Dam on the Coosa River in the 20th century brought hydroelectric power and change to the region.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Coosa county.
- Courthouse:
- Coosa County Probate Office: Located at 9709 US-231, Rockford, AL 35136. This office is the primary repository for county records, including wills, estate files, land deeds, and marriage licenses, dating from the county’s establishment.
- Vital Records:
- Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration began in 1908. These records are held by the Alabama Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery.
- Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1832 to the present are held by the Coosa County Probate Office.
- Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
- Rockford Public Library: Located at 9538 US-231, Rockford, AL 35136. The library offers local history resources. The Coosa County Historical Society, also based in Rockford, is a key organization for researchers seeking genealogical information.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- Chilton county
- Clay county
- Elmore county
- Shelby county
- Talladega county
- Tallapoosa county