Elyton

Elyton or Ely's Town, was incorporated December 20, 1820[1] in the area currently bordered by 7th Street Southwest and Cotton Avenue in the West End of Birmingham, Alabama,[2] was the third seat of Jefferson County, Alabama serving from 1821 to 1871 when the courthouse was moved to Birmingham.

Elyton was created to be the county seat with a 160-acre (0.65 km2) grant negotiated by Federal land agent William Ely, of Connecticut. The new town was named in his honor. The site was previously called Frog Level, and was known primarily as a sporting grounds for horse races.

In 1821 Elyton had 300 residents, and grew to over 1,000 by 1873. During this time Elyton was an important community in Alabama, the residence of such major political figures as Thomas Haughey. It was also the headquarters of the Elyton Presbytery.[3]

The community was incorporated as a municipality in 1907, but was annexed into Birmingham as part of the Greater Birmingham legislation which took effect on January 1, 1910. Frank W. Smith was the first and only mayor of Elyton. The Board of Aldermen was composed of Ollis Brown, Van Smith, C. M. Bitz, T. T. Alley, and W. M. Marriner.

The name is still preserved in an elementary school and a food market in the area. It is still used in news reports to refer to this area of Birmingham.[4]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1880700—
U.S. Decennial Census[5]

Elyton was listed on the 1880[6] U.S. Census as having a population of 700.

References

  1. ↑ A Digest of the Laws of the State of Alabama: Containing The Statutes and Resolutions in Force at the end of the General Assembly in January, 1823. Published by Ginn & Curtis, J. & J. Harper, Printers, New-York, 1828. Title 62. Chapter LVII. Page 834-835. "An Act to Incorporate the Town of Elyton, in the County of Jefferson.—Passed December, 1820." (Google Books)
  2. ↑ "Elyton, Alabama". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  3. ↑ history of Elyton Presbytery
  4. ↑ Fox News report mentioning Elyton
  5. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  6. ↑ http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1880a_v1-09.pdf

Coordinates: 33°30′05″N 86°50′27″W / 33.5014°N 86.8407°W / 33.5014; -86.8407

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