Albertville, Alabama

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Albertville, Alabama
settlement_type = City


imagesize =
image_caption =
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Marshall County and the state of Alabama


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Alabama
subdivision_name2 = Marshall
government_type = Mayor Council
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Carl Pruett
Randy Amos (beginning November 2008)
established_date = 1891
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 67.5
area_total_sq_mi = 26.1
area_land_km2 = 67.2
area_land_sq_mi = 26
area_water_km2 = 0.3
area_water_sq_mi = 0.1
elevation_ft = 1089
elevation_m = 332
population_as_of =2007
population_footnotes = cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-01.csv|title=Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Alabama|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=2008-07-10|accessdate=2008-07-14]
population_total =19536
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 255.5
population_density_sq_mi = 660.8
timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
latd = 34 |latm = 15 |lats = 55 |latNS = N
longd = 86 |longm = 12 |longs = 40 |longEW = W
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 35950-35951
area_code = 256
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 01-00988
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0112970
footnotes =
website =

Albertville is a city in Marshall County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 17,247. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 18,615. [ [http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv U.S. Census Estimate] ]

History

The area which today includes Albertville was settled by the Cherokee Indians until their removal to Oklahoma in the 1830s. It was, however, near the territory of the Creek nation, and several major trails which afforded communication (or military action) between the two nations crossed the area. It is believed to have been crossed by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto during his expeditions in 1540. [http://www.marshallco.org/history.php Marshall County, Alabama: A Brief History] ]

During the American Civil War, the area around Albertville was the scene of several mid-level clashes between Union and Confederate forces.

The first white settlement in what is today Albertville began in the 1850s, and the settlement was named for Thomas A. Albert, an early settler. The city was incorporated in 1891. [ [http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2251.html NWtravel Magazine Online: Albertville, Alabama] ]

At about 4:10 p.m. on April 24, 1908, the city was virtually wiped out by a tornado that became commonly called "The Great Cyclone," or "The Cyclone of 1908." [http://books.google.com/books?id=bjz_fSyg1FUC&pg=PT1&lpg=PT1&dq=Albertville+1908+cyclone&source=web&ots=IY2ix3E3qb&sig=es_QZSw-aObgFzpEpYT4c4flAZ4&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA70,M1 Dennis Burgess, "Images of America: Albertville" pp. 53-57, 67-70 (Charleston, SC Arcadia Publishing 2004)] ] The storm is believed to have killed 35 people across northeastern Alabama, including 15 in Albertville. [ [http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/almanac/arc2008/alm08apr.htm The Weather Doctor Almanac: Deadly Tornadoes of April 1908] ] Relief was largely delivered by railroad, particularly from the nearby city of Gadsden. Trains from Gadsden transported doctors, nurses, and the Queen City Guards, the Alabama militia company based in Gadsden. The commander of the latter, future Gadsden mayor and Col. R.A. Mitchell, reported in a dispatch to Governor B.B. Comer:

... The destruction of property here is, I think, unprecedented in the history of the state. I have never seen anything like it, so complete and absolute as to leave little of worth in the path of the storm through town. On viewing the wreckage, covering easily forty acres or more in the heart of town, it appears incredible that any living being could have escaped the fury of the storm and death ... ["1908: After the Storm," "The Gadsden Times", April 20, 2008, p. C1]

Earlier, in 1893, the Alabama Legislature passed an act for the erection of an agricultural college in each of the state's Congressional districts. After some competition, Albertville was awarded the school for the Seventh District. This is the school that evolved into today's Albertville High School, whose sports teams are still known as the "Aggies."

Before the New Deal, when the Tennessee Valley Authority built Guntersville Dam, flooding on the Tennessee River would frequently leave the county courthouse in Guntersville inaccessible for residents of Albertville and other areas atop Sand Mountain. In 1919, the Alabama Legislature responded by requiring the erection of a courthouse at Albertville, in which cases arising in that part of the county would be heard. [Alabama Local Acts 1919, no. 23, p. 14]

When the 1992 Winter Olympics were held in Albertville, France, the citizens of its heteronymic counterpart in Alabama took full advantage of the opportunity to put their town on display. Mock winter games were held in this subtropical city, and one New Orleans radio station offered listeners a chance to win a trip to "the Albertville games" - those in Alabama. ["Albertville Basks in Olympian Glow of its French Sister City," "The Huntsville Times", January 31, 1992, p. B1]

Geography

Albertville is located at coor dms|34|15|55|N|86|12|41|W|city (34.265362, -86.211261)GR|1.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.0 square miles (67.5 km²), of which, 26.0 square miles (67.2 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (0.38%) is water.

Albertville is home to the Mueller Company, which produces fire hydrants, thus Albertville holds the title of "Fire Hydrant Capital of the World." To commemorate the one millionth fire hydrant a chrome fire hydrant was placed outside the Albertville Chamber of Commerce. [ [http://www.usatoday.com/money/2004-09-09-capitals.htm "Claims to fame," "USA TODAY", May 20, 2005] ]

The current slogan of Albertville is "The Pride is Alive" [ [http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/print.lasso?wcd=4091 Opinion: "Is the Pride Alive?," "The Sand Mountain Reporter", Sept. 30, 2003] ] and can be seen on the welcome sign coming into the city. [ [http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/story.lasso?ewcd=852f4bbc52cc3a54 Letters to the Editor, "The Sand Mountain Reporter", Jul. 26 2007] ]

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 17,247 people, 6,566 households, and 4,615 families residing in the city. The population density was 664.6 people per square mile (256.6/km²). There were 7,090 housing units at an average density of 273.2/sq mi (105.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.15% White, 2.05% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 9.78% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. 16.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,566 households out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,893, and the median income for a family was $38,508. Males had a median income of $30,076 versus $20,275 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,336. About 14.1% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.8% of those under age 18 and 21.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools are overseen by Albertville City Schools.Asbury High School is also located in Albertville. It is a K-12 School.

Health care

[http://mmcenters.com/facilities_south.php Marshall Medical Center South] 150 bed facility

Transportation

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*Alabama and Tennessee River Railway
*Thomas J. Brumlik Field (municipal airport)

Notable persons from Albertville

*Edward Earl Carnes, judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
*Rusty Greer, professional baseball player with the Texas Rangers
*John Hannah, offensive lineman for the New England Patriots, listed by "Sports Illustrated" as the "Greatest Offensive Lineman of All-Time"
*Angela Little, model, actress, and "Playboy" Playmate of the Month
*Charley Pell, head football coach at Clemson University and the University of Florida
*Brooke Smith, 2002 runnerup on "The Bachelor" and on-air personality on WTVM-TV in Birmingham
*Daniel Sigler, 2005, 2006 Rick and Bubba Turkey Toss Champion.dubious
*Courtney Caitlin Elizabeth Champion, winner of prestigious Bob Hope Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade Band Scholarship in 2007. Al Roker quipped, "Congratulations to Courtney for living up to her last name."dubious

Crystal Meth Problem

The growing problem of Crystal Meth usage in Albertville and the entire Sand Mountain area has garnered national attention. Most recently Alberville was mentioned in the A&E documentary "Meth Mountain" as part of the A&E Intervention In-Depth series. [“"Intervention In-Depth: Meth Mountain" http://www.aetv.com/listings/episode_details.do?episodeid=334658&airingid=340840] A&E described the show as " A disturbing look at a community in northern Alabama called "Meth Mountain" because of the many people there who are hooked on methamphetamine. Some of the Meth Mountain residents we meet include Chuck, who may lose custody of his children because of his addiction; Boo, a long-time meth user who's 58 but looks more like 80; Shanta, who admits to using meth while she was pregnant; and Dr. Mary Holley, an obstetrician whose meth-addicted brother committed suicide and who is now on a mission to clean up Meth Mountain." ["Id."]

The Crystal Meth problem has also been addressed by the local press. [ George Jones, "Statewide meth hotline established", THE SAND MOUNTAIN REPORTER, "available at" http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/story.lasso?wcd=7802] The paper reports that things have gone as far as creating a meth abuse hotline for people to call.

References

External links

* [http://www.cityofalbertville.com/ City of Albertville: Official Website]
* [http://www.albertvillechamberofcommerce.com/ Albertville Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.marshallteam.org/ Marshall County Economic Development Council]
* [http://www.marshallcountycvb.com/ Marshall County Convention & Visitors Bureau]