Winston County Alabama
Winston County is a beautiful rural area with warm summers and mild winters nestled within the Bankhead National Forest. The area is known for its small town feel, a cozy way of life.
The county is bordered by Lawrence and Franklin counties to the north, Cullman County to the east, Walker County to the south, and Marion County to the west. It is also home to Smith Lake, which is a popular recreational area.
History
Winston County Alabama has a rich history. The county gained notoriety during the Civil War for its opposition to secession and became known as the Free State of Winston.
The people of Winston County were loyal Democrats who opposed secession for years. They believed that the war was not about states' rights and that it was fought for economic reasons.
They also firmly supported Andrew Jackson. The citizens of Winston County drafted three resolutions:
First, they felt that it was to their advantage to be loyal to the Union and not secede from it. They supported Jacksonian principles that no state should leave the United States, but they disputed that the Southern states had the right to secede from the union.
Unlike in many parts of the South, there were few slave owners in Winston County at that time. When the Confederate troops came to the area, Winston County sent a school teacher named Christopher Sheats to represent their citizens. Sheats refused to sign an oath to support the Confederacy and was seized.
Economy
Winston County is located in northwest Alabama and is home to a variety of industries. It is a scenic, rural area that provides many opportunities to work and live.
The community is supported by a strong network of organizations that coordinate economic development efforts. These include the Chamber of Commerce, Main Street, Community Development Corporation and the Business Incubator.
These organizations are led by the Winston County Economic Development District Partnership (WCEDDP). Executive Director Amy Haab has a background in retail sales, marketing and promotion.
This organization works with businesses to help them grow and stay competitive. It also serves as a conduit between the local government and the business community.
The economy in Winston County is thriving. It is home to a number of large companies and small businesses. It is also a safe, welcoming place to live with a low crime rate.
Education
Winston County Alabama offers a variety of educational options. Several school systems serve the area, including the Winston County Public Schools and Haleyville Public Schools.
In addition to the public schools, students can also attend private schools in the area. The Enterprise City School System is an excellent example of this.
It has been accredited by the State Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. A high percentage of its graduates go on to attend 2- and 4-year colleges.
The ECSS district is ranked within the top 50% of all 139 school districts in Alabama (based on combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2020-2021 school year.
The school system’s spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years. Its graduation rate has decreased, however.
Government
The government of Winston County Alabama is regulated by the state, county and local laws. There are a number of offices in the government that deal with different aspects of the county’s affairs.
The Winston County Courthouse is a central hub for all of the local government activities in the county. The Clerks Office is responsible for maintaining public records and also provides support for the elections process.
A Probate Judge is an official in the Winston County Courthouse who resides in formal probate case hearings and helps interpret and apply the law during situations involving will contests, beneficiary disputes or creditor claims.
The first courthouse in Winston County was located in Houston, but it was moved to Double Springs in 1883. The first wooden courthouse burned in 1891 and the main section of the present stone courthouse was built in 1894. Several additions have been made to the courthouse since then.