Brewton, Alabama

See also East Brewton, Alabama

Brewton
City
Country	United States
State	Alabama
County	Escambia
Area
• Total	11.4 sq mi (29.7 km2)
• Land	11.3 sq mi (29.3 km2)
• Water	0.1 sq mi (0.4 km2)
Elevation	82 ft (25 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	5,498
• Density	482.3/sq mi (185.1/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	36426-36427
Area code	251
FIPS code	01-09208
GNIS feature ID	0157900
Website	http://www.cityofbrewton.org/

Brewton is a city in Escambia County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 5,498. The city is the county seat of Escambia County.

History

Brewton as a city is young in years, yet its region has been touched by many hallmarks of modern American history. Its hinterland was long the home to a variety of native American societies, while mid-16th century Spanish explorers Hernando de Soto and Don Tristán de Luna y Arellano marched their forces nearby. Through the centuries a huge forest of virgin yellow pine filled millions of available acres.

Brewton's American origins began with the Treaty of Paris of 1783, which established the boundaries of the new United States, made Florida a Spanish territory, and confirmed what became Mississippi and Alabama which was created as a homeland for Upper and Lower Creeks, Choctaw, Cherokees and other tribes.

Into the 1790s land hungry Georgia settlers sought new lands, pressing into tempting agricultural sites near the future Brewton. The Creeks and others resisted, and their chief, Alexander McGillivray, sought aid from the recently elected American President George Washington. The United States attempted to help, but it could not stem the settler invasion. The area became the Mississippi territory in 1799. In 1817 Mississippi became a state and the Alabama territory was created. Alabama became the 22nd state two years later. Into the 19th century farm settlements were begun, with names like Mason, Belleville, Sparta and Brooklyn. Their residents began the region’s first trade, building a road and using the river to deal with the Spanish at Pensacola. There was sporadic Indian-settler violence, which climaxed with the Fort Mims massacre.

Tennessee's governor responded, sending Gen. Andrew Jackson and a sizeable force to deal with the Indians. Several battles were fought near the future Brewton ending with a major engagement at Horseshoe Bend. Shortly thereafter Jackson and the Creeks confirmed a treaty which transferred over two million Creek-owned acres to the United States. In 1816 Fort Crawford was established at the future site of Brewton, one of several military outposts built to assure peace.

Through the 1820s, 1830s, and beyond, more settlers arrived. Alabama became a state. And this area, like the nation, was seized with railroad fever. Into the 1850s construction began on rail lines which would connect the lower Alabama region with Pensacola and the Gulf, Mobile, and then on to Montgomery and the North. Meanwhile, philosophical disputes over tariffs, states rights and the future extension of slavery into western territories were threatening to sunder the Republic. In 1861 war came, just as the rail lines were being completed into a hoped-for transport network to serve the new Southern nation. In May 1861, the first train arrived at a hastily built station at the site of what would become Brewton. The station master was Edmond Troupe Brewton.

The War Between the States was not kind to the new Brewton community. Rail lines were severed, and nearby the first small lumber mills were damaged or destroyed. However, when peace came, those who returned or arrived rebuilt the Brewton economy began a school and established small businesses. Into the 1870s a new European demand for lumber opened the way for creation of numerous timber and lumber operations. The Conecuh-Escambia river system became a timber artery to the Gulf. Great companies emerged. Fortunes were made, and over time woods resources led to production of naval stores, plywood and paper making.

In the 1880s Brewton became the seat of Escambia County, Alabama, and over time the county erected a series of handsome courthouses. Commerce and the professions prospered, the business community becoming the hub for a broad metropolitan and agricultural area. Cattle, cotton, strawberries, food grains all became profit centers. Oil fields were begun nearby. Paralleling actions throughout the South, Brewton developed an education system that included both public and private institutions and academies, climaxing in the 1960s with creation of the Jefferson Davis Junior College. Manufacturing, too, helped broaden the economy, with plants which produced silk goods, shirt-type garments, iron products and commercial paper making. All of these produced a well balanced economy. Accompanying the growth of commerce and agriculture were communities of churches, the cultural arts, motion pictures and opportunities for travel, for the city became a junction of well-traveled highways.

Through time Brewton had its share of misadventures. A junction of streams allowed serious flooding on occasion; and costly fires forced rebuilding on several occasions. And, like all of America, Brewton and its people played their roles in World Wars I and II and other overseas conflicts of the 20th century.

Twenty-first century Brewton continues to enjoy growth which includes linkage with earlier adjacent communities Alco and East Brewton. Its location and transportation system continued to permit enjoyment of recreation and business functions close to the Gulf of Mexico, the Heart of Dixie, and the world.

Geography

Brewton is located at 31°7′4″N 87°4′16″W (31.117706, -87.071164)Template:GR.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.5 square miles (29.7 km²), of which, 11.3 square miles (29.3 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (1.22%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 5,498 people, 2,216 households, and 1,471 families residing in the city. The population density was 485.2 people per square mile (187.4/km²). There were 2,543 housing units at an average density of 224.4/sq mi (86.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 57.60% White or Caucasian, 40.23% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.53% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,216 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 17.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 85.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,234, and the median income for a family was $43,548. Males had a median income of $37,348 versus $20,212 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,185. About 12.6% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The city government consists of mayor who is elected at large and five member city council who are each elected from a district.

City schools

• Brewton Elementary School, part of the Brewton City School System, is located on Douglas Ave. in Brewton, Alabama.
• Brewton Middle School, part of the Brewton City School System, is located on Liles Blvd. in Brewton, Alabama.
• T.R. Miller High School, part of the Brewton City School System, is located on Douglas Ave. in Brewton, Alabama.

Higher education

Brewton is home to Jefferson Davis Community College, a small postsecondary school that primarily awards associate's degrees.

Culture and special events

Streetlight banner proclaiming Brewton as “Home of the Alabama Blueberry Festival”

The annual Alabama Blueberry Festival is held at Burnt Corn Creek Park and downtown Brewton. Prior to 2006 it was held on the campus of Jefferson Davis Community College.

The Thomas E. McMillan Museum is housed on the campus of the Jefferson Davis Community College (http://museum.jdcc.edu/). It was founded in 1979 to chronicle life in Escambia County, Alabama. From 10,000-year-old fossils to a fireside popcorn popper, a doctor's bag and a display of cameras, the museum has something to interest most anyone! The Museum is one of the region's finest places to learn of local history. Funded by a private foundation, the McMillan Trust, the museum stands alone in the region with its displays of historical, archaeological, and cultural Alabama artifacts. For hours and to schedule group tours, call 251-809-1528.

External links

• City of Brewton is the city's website.
• [http://www.brewtonchamber.com Chamber of Commerce is the local Chamber's website
• [http://www.alabamablueberryfestival.com Alabama Blueberry Festival is the festival website
• Brewton Standard is the local newspaper.
• Brewton statistics from Escambia County Industrial Development Authority website
• Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Authority