Ashville was initially founded as the community of St. Clairsville, but the name was changed to honor John Ash, the first white settler of the area who arrived in 1817.[4] He became the first county judge and later state senator. His log cabin stands in the city center. Philip Coleman originally owned the land on which the town stands, but he sold 30 acres to the five county commissioners, which included Ash, who was appointed by Gov. Thomas Bibb to establish a new county seat for St. Clair. It was designated the county seat in 1821 and the village incorporated in 1822. The first courthouse, also a log structure, was built two years later. It was replaced in 1844 with the current courthouse building.
In 1890, a group of investors organized the Tennessee River, Ashville and Coosa Railroad Company, and planned to build a railroad line from Sheffield to Anniston via Ashville. It managed to build to Ashville from Whitney, connecting the town to the Alabama Great Southern Railroad. However, it went bankrupt during the mid-1890s, and the tracks were dismantled and sold for scrap.[5]
Electric lights came to Ashville in 1891, and the first telephone company was chartered in the same year. Residents in the southern half of the county often complained of the difficulty of traveling to Ashville over Backbone Mountain, which divides the county, so the state legislature authorized a satellite county seat to be established in Pell City in 1907 on the southern side of the mountain.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town had a total area of 19.4 square miles (50 km2), of which 19.3 square miles (50 km2) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.26 km2) (0.46%) is water.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Ashville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. [7]
Ashville first appeared on the 1860 U.S. Census as an incorporated town.[11] It would not appear again on the census as a town until 1900. See also precinct below.
As of the census of 2000,[12] there were 2,260 people, 814 households, and 608 families residing in the town. The population density was 116.9 inhabitants per square mile (45.1/km2). There were 905 housing units at an average density of 46.8 per square mile (18.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 69.42% White, 26.55% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.31% Pacific Islander, 1.81% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. 2.88% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 814 households, out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the town the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $31,509, and the median income for a family was $38,355. Males had a median income of $31,081 versus $21,914 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,867. About 11.4% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 18.3% of those age 65 or over.
As of the census of 2010,[13] there were 2,212 people, 793 households, and 597 families residing in the town. The population density was 114.6 inhabitants per square mile (44.2/km2). There were 888 housing units at an average density of 46.0 per square mile (17.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 75.8% White, 20.3% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 03% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander, 1.4% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 3.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 793 households, out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the town the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,321, and the median income for a family was $34,607. Males had a median income of $32,026 versus $30,033 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,419. About 14.2% of families and 19.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.0% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.
The Ashville Beat (St. Clair County 1st Beat) first appeared on the 1870 U.S. Census. In 1890, "beat" was changed to "precinct." In 1960, the precinct was changed to "census division" as part of a general reorganization of counties.[15]
On the evening of April 27, 2011, an EF-4 tornado ripped through the Shoal Creek Valley community south of Ashville, killing 13 people. The tornado also destroyed hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of property including homes, livestock, timberland, and farm equipment. Rescuers from neighboring communities immediately responded after the twister swept through the valley; however, due to the abundance of fallen timber blocking the roads and the remoteness of the community, many victims were forced to wait hours before aid could arrive. Following the devastation, then-Governor Robert Bentley visited the community along with officials from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The community received both federal and state disaster aid for several weeks following the destructive tornado.
Howard Hill, Hollywood archer, called "The World's Greatest Archer," winning 196 field archery competitions. Also stunt double for actor Errol Flynn. Buried in Ashville
First Baptist Church, Ashville
St. Clair County Courthouse, Ashville
St. Clair County Courthouse, Ashville
Inzer House, Ashville
Dr. James J. Bothwell House, Ashville
Judge Elisha Robinson House, Ashville
John Looney House, Ashville
