Decatur Alabama History & Facts

Decatur is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County (with a portion also in Limestone County) in the U.S. state of Alabama. Nicknamed "The River City", it is located in northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. The population in 2020 was 57,938.

Decatur is the core city of the two-county large Decatur metropolitan area, which had an estimated population of 156,494 in 2020. Combined with the Huntsville Metropolitan Area, the two create the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area, of which Decatur is the second-largest city.

Like many southern cities in the early 19th century, Decatur's early success was based upon its location along a river. Railroad routes and boating traffic pushed the city to the front of North Alabama's economic atmosphere. The city rapidly grew into a large economic center within the Tennessee Valley and was a hub for travelers and cargo between Nashville and Mobile, as well as Chattanooga and New Orleans. Throughout the 20th century, the city experienced steady growth, but was eclipsed as the regional economic center by the fast-growing Huntsville during the space race. Decatur now finds its economy heavily based on manufacturing, mining, cargo transit, chemical, and high-tech companies such as Vulcan Materials, Daikin, Toray, and United Launch Alliance.

Initially, the area was known as "Rhodes Ferry Landing", named for Dr. Henry W. Rhodes, an early landowner who operated a ferry that crossed the Tennessee River in the 1810s at the present-day location of Rhodes Ferry Park. The city was incorporated as Decatur in 1821. It was named in honor of Stephen Decatur; after he was killed in a duel in 1820, President Monroe directed that the Alabama town be named for him.

In the early 1830s, Decatur was the eastern terminus of the Tuscumbia, Courtland and Decatur Railroad, the first railway built west of the Appalachian Mountains. In 1850 the Tuscumbia, Courtland and Decatur was incorporated into the Memphis & Charleston Railroad.

The Tennessee River has traditionally been the northern border of the city and Morgan County, but a small portion of the city extends across the river into Limestone County between U.S. 31 and I-65. Major bodies of water in the city include Wheeler Lake on the Tennessee River itself, plus Flint Creek, and Dry Branch, tributaries of the Tennessee River. The city extends to the other side of Flint Creek and the Refuge in the Indian Hills and Burningtree subdivision areas.

The northern portion of Decatur sits on top of a short hill that overlooks the Tennessee River; this creates a very steep dropoff to the river shore at Rhodes Ferry Park. This hill allows the "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridge to leave the mainland at grade without any major sloping required to cross the river while not interfering with Decatur's heavy barge traffic. This hill extends from the banks of the river about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south to the 14th St./Magnolia St. intersection with 6th Avenue (US 31).

South past the 14th St. and 6th Ave. intersection, land remains flat. South, and also west, past S.R. 67 there are a few minor ridges that sit within the city limits.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 60.9 square miles (158 km2), of which 54.4 square miles (141 km2) are land and 6.5 square miles (17 km2), or 10.68%, are water. Decatur is 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Huntsville, 86 miles (138 km) north of Birmingham, and 44 miles (71 km) east of Muscle Shoals.

Famous Peoples From Decatur Alabama

Venard Richard Hendrix

(born November 15, 1986) is an American-Macedonian professional basketball player for Niigata Albirex BB of the B.League. He also represents Macedonia in the international competitions. Hendrix attended the University of Alabama, where he played for the Crimson Tide. He was drafted with 49th pick in the second round of the 2008 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors.

Richard Hendrix was raised in Athens, Alabama, born the son of two educators. He began his athletic career at the young age of five by playing basketball for the local recreation center. He played soccer, tennis, baseball and football on a competitive level where he was considered a standout on his respective teams. Hendrix attended Athens High School, the same high school that produced NFL pro bowler Philip Rivers.

At Athens High he was a four-year starter on the varsity basketball team, where he was coached by his father, Venard Hendrix. He was named 5A Player of the Year and selected as Alabama Mr. Basketball in 2005. Hendrix finished his career 92 double-doubles, nine triple doubles, and two quadruple doubles. Hendrix scored 2,915 points in his career and currently holds Alabama high school state records (www.ahsaa.com) for career rebounds (1,820) and blocked shots (667). Hendrix is considered one of the most decorated prep basketball players in Alabama high school history. He was selected as a two-time Parade All-American and as a participant in the 2005 McDonald's All-American Boys Game. Hendrix played AAU basketball with the Alabama Lasers Youth Inc.

We also serve Huntsville city.

More Info.

PD&G Wallcover Inc.

Call Us: 949-487-9261
Email: deb@pdgwallcover.com