Pell City, Alabama
Location in St. Clair County and the state of Alabama
Location in St. Clair County and the state of Alabama
Coordinates: 33°34′15″N 86°16′26″W / 33.57083°N 86.27389°W / 33.57083; -86.27389
CountryUnited States
StateAlabama
CountySt. Clair
Area
 • Total27.2 sq mi (70.3 km2)
 • Land24.6 sq mi (63.6 km2)
 • Water2.6 sq mi (6.7 km2)
Elevation
597 ft (182 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total12,463
 • Density458.2/sq mi (177.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
35125, 35128, 35054
Area code205
FIPS code01-58896
GNIS feature ID0164801
Websitehttp://pell-city.com/

Pell City is a city in St. Clair County, Alabama, United States. The city is the county seat of St. Clair County[1] along with Ashville. At the 2000 census the population was 9,565. At the 2010 census, the city-limit population jumped to 12,695.

Historical Marker telling the story of Pell City, AL.

[2]

History

edit
 
One of the young doffers working in Pell City Cotton Mill, 1910. Photo by Lewis Hine.

Pell City was founded in 1890 by railroad investors and named after Jonathan H. Pell of the Pell City Iron and Land Company, one of its financial backers. The city was incorporated on May 6, 1891, but nearly failed during the Panic of 1893. However, it was revived in 1902 when Sumter Cogswell built the Pell City Manufacturing Company, which subsequently became Avondale Mills, a major landmark of the town until Thunder Enterprises, a Tennessee company, bought the building and began dismantling the factory in 2008. The mill was the economic and social center of the town during its development and early growth. Besides the textile mill, other economic endeavors included agriculture and mercantile establishments. Large cotton, soybean, and cattle farms were located in the area. Pell City increased its size in 1956 when the nearby towns of Eden and Oak Ridge were merged with the city. The first mayor was Green Evans.

 
The seal incorporates Logan Martin Lake, Avondale Mills, and a cotton plant.
 
Historical Marker telling the story of Pell City, AL.
  1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  2. ^ http://www.dailyhome.com/view/full_story/14374229/article-Population-growth-means-city-must-change-its-form-of-government?instance=home_news_right