The Clanton Advertiser
1109 Seventh St. North
Clanton, AL 35046
(205) 755-5747
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The Community

The Community

Geographic location
The county is located in the center of the state, on the growing Interstate 65 corridor between Birmingham and Montgomery. The county is within an hour's drive from Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Selma and the state capital of Montgomery.

Population
Chilton County : 39,593

History
Chilton County was formed in 1868 as Baker County ,with the named changed to Chilton County three years later in honor of William Parish Chilton, a member of the Congress of the Confederacy and a chief justice of the Alabama Supremem Court.

The county seat, Clanton, was named after Brigadier General James Holt Clanton. Nearby Lay Lake Dam and Mitchell Dam became Alabama Power's first two dames in the state, bringing economic improvements to the area. Immigrants played a part in starting the county's peach industry about a century ago.

Today, the peach industry is the number one industry in Chilton County, not only bringing fame to the county, but also millions of dollars to the local economy. The city of Clanton constructed a water tower in the form of a peach in 1993, becoming a landmark for travelers along Interstate 65. One of the biggest events each year in Chilton County is the annual Peach Festival held in June. The festival, held in Clanton, crowns a new Peach Queen each year.

Tommie Agee, a Maplesville High School graduate, played for several National Football League teams, ending his career with the Dallas Cowboys. Another former Maplesville graduate, Harrold Morrow, is the starting fullback for the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. In recent years, Clanton was picked as the state headquarters and operational center for the Alabama Emergency Management Agency.

Climate
The South is known for its warm, humid summers and Clanton is certainly no exception. However, the rest of the year is quite seasonal, with the area enjoys complete seasonal cycles. Aside from summers where the average high is in the mid- to upper-80s, the rest of the year is seasonal. Mild winters with occasional cold snaps make the area ideal for many residents.

Education
A total of six high schools are located in the Chilton County, with Clanton having a total of four schools: an elementary, middle school, intermediate, and a high school. There is also a technical center (in Clanton) and a private Christian academy (in Jemison). The University of Alabama and Auburn University are within 90 miles of the county; the University of Alabama at Birmingham is within an hour; and the University of Montevallo is within 30 minutes.

Culture
The county is home to two amateur theater companies and several festivals, including the Chilton County Peach Festival in June. Singing in the churches is emphasized and taught at an early stage, so church and school productions always features an abundance of talent. Chilton County High School's "Blast From the Past" is a major annual showcase, featuring songs from the past few decades. Alabama Power's Water Course in Clanton features an interactive museum on the state's water resources. The Alabama Confederate Memorial Park, a state park on the old site of the state's home for Confederate veterans, will open a $500,000 state-of-the-art museum in 2002, telling Alabama's role in the Civil War. The county is within an easy hour's drive of culture centers such as Birmingham, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa. A number of active churches and civic organizations are in the area.

Recreation
The area is known for its excellent hunting, fishing, and boating opportunities, as well as two major dams. There is a county YMCA and a nine-hole golf course. A number of antique shops are in the area. Chilton County is famous for its peach stands, peach ice cream, and U-pick farms, which attracts a number of tourists.

Area information
Chilton County Chamber of Commerce
(205) 755-2400
http://www.chiltoncountychamber.com
e-mail to cccoc@scott.net

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