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Huntsville, Alabama

City Seal
City nickname: "Rocket City" and "Watercress capital of the world"
Location in Alabama
County	Madison County Limestone County
Area  - Total  - Water	451.8 km² (174.4 mi²) 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) 0.22%
Population  - Total (2000)  - Metropolitan  - Density	164,570 510,088 351.0/km²
Time zone	Central: UTC–6
Location	34°42′49″N, 86°35′10″W
Mayor	Loretta Spencer
http://www.ci.huntsville.al.us/

Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County, Alabama. As of the 2000 census, the population of Huntsville proper was 164,570. Huntsville is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area, which has a total population of 510,088.

History

Huntsville is named after John Hunt, the first settler of the land around the Big Spring. However, Hunt did not properly register his claim, and the area was purchased by Leroy Pope, who imposed the name Twickenham on the area to honor the home city of his distant kinsman Alexander Pope. Twickenham was carefully planned, with streets laid out on the northeast to southwest direction based on the Big Spring. However, due to anti-English sentiment during the War of 1812, the name was soon changed to Huntsville to honor John Hunt, who had been forced to move to other land south of the new city. Both John Hunt and Leroy Pope were Freemasons and charter members of Helion Lodge #1. In 1811, Huntsville became the first incorporated town in Alabama. However, the recognized "birth" year of the city is 1805, the year of John Hunt's arrival. The city's sesquicentennial anniversary was held in 1955 and the bicentennial was celebrated in 2005.

Twickenham was chosen as the name of the first of three of the city's historical districts. It features homes in the Federal and Greek Revival architectural styles introduced to the city by Virginia-born architect George Steele about 1818, and contains the most dense concentration of antebellum homes in Alabama. The 1819 Weeden House Museum, home of female artist and poet Howard Weeden, is open to the public, as are several others in the district. Huntsville's additional historical districts are "Old Town" and "Five Points". The Old Town Historical District contains a variety of styles (Federal, Greek Revival, Queen Anne, and even California cottages), with homes dating from the late 1820s through the early 1900s. Five Points, the newest historical district, consists predominantly of bungalows built around the turn of the 20th century, by which time Huntsville was becoming a mill town.

Huntsville's quick growth was from wealth generated by the cotton industry. Many wealthy planters moved into the area from Virginia, Georgia, and the Carolinas. In 1819, Huntsville hosted a constitutional convention in Walker Allen's large cabinetmaking shop. The forty-four delegates meeting there wrote a constitution for the new state of Alabama. Huntsville became Alabama's first capital when the state was admitted to the union. However, the following year the capital was moved to Cahawba. (Today, the capital is Montgomery.)

In 1855, the Memphis and Charleston Railroad was constructed through Huntsville, becoming the first railway to link the Atlantic seacoast with the Mississippi River. Huntsville initially opposed secession from the Union in 1861, but provided many men for the state's defense when Abraham Lincoln called for an invasion of the South. The 4th Alabama Infantry Regiment, led by Col. Egbert J. Jones of Huntsville, distinguished itself at the Battle of Mannasas/Bull Run, the first major encounter of the American Civil War. The Fourth Alabama Infantry, which contained two Huntsville companies, were the first Alabama troops to fight in the war and were present at the end when Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox in April 1865. Ironically, eight generals of the war were born in or near Huntsville, evenly split with four on each side.

On the morning of April 11, 1862, Union troops led by General Mitchell seized Huntsville to sever the Confederacy's rail communications. The Union troops were forced to retreat some months later, but returned to Huntsville in the fall of 1863 and thereafter used the city as a base of operations for the remainder of the war. While many homes and villages in the surrounding countryside were burned in retaliation for the active guerrilla warfare in the area, Huntsville itself was spared because it housed the occupying Union Army.

After the Civil War, Huntsville became a center for cotton textile mills, such as Lincoln and Merrimack. Several of the city's present neighborhoods were built to house the mill workers.

By 1940, Huntsville was still a small quiet town with a population of only 13,150 inhabitants. This quickly changed at the onset of World War II, when Huntsville was chosen as the location of Redstone Arsenal, with its numerous munitions manufacturing plants. The Arsenal was almost closed in 1949 when it was no longer needed, but it saw new life when the U. S. Army chose to use it for missile research. In 1950, the United States Army brought German rocket scientist Wernher von Braun and his colleagues to Redstone Arsenal to develop what would eventually become the United States' space program.

On September 8, 1960, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower formally dedicated the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. (NASA had already activated this facility, which adjoins Redstone Arsenal, on July 1 of that year.)

Huntsville is thus home to both Redstone Arsenal and the Marshall Space Flight Center, and is nicknamed "the Rocket City" for of its close history with U.S. space missions. Huntsville has been important in developing space technology since the 1950s, when the German scientists headed by Dr. Wernher von Braun, brought to the United States at the end of World War II through Operation Paperclip, arrived to develop rocketry for the U.S Army. Their work included designing the Redstone ballistic missile, a variant of which, the Jupiter-C, carried the first U.S. satellite and astronauts into space. The Saturn V, utilized by the Apollo program manned moon missions, was developed from the Redstone Arsenal. Huntsville continues to play an important role in the United States' space shuttle and International Space Station programs. It is estimated that 1 in 13 of Huntsville's population are employed in some engineering field of work.

Huntsville is also the location of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM). Huntsville's contributions to United States Cold War missile armament and technology earned it a "red star" designation as a target of the Soviet Union in the event of a nuclear exchange, fourth behind only New York City, Washington, DC, and NORAD.

Before Huntsville earned the moniker "Rocket City" and accompanying rapid growth, it was known for a time as the Watercress Capital of the World, because watercress was harvested in such abundance in the nearby area.

Geography

Huntsville is located at 34°42' North, 86°35' West (34.7, -86.6)^GR1.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 451.8 km² (174.4 mi²). 450.8 km² (174.1 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.22% water.

Huntsville is located in the Tennessee River Valley. Several mesas and large hills partially surround the city. These mesas are associated with the Cumberland Plateau, and are locally called "mountains." Monte Sano (Italian for "Mountain of Health") is the most notable, and is east of the city along with Burritt, Huntsville and Green Mountains. Others are Wade Mountain to the north, Rainbow Mountain to the west, and Weeden and Madkin Mountains on the Redstone Arsenal in the south. Brindlee Mountain is visible in the south across the Tennessee River.

As with other areas along the Cumberland Plateau, the land around Huntsville is karst in nature. Huntsville was founded around Big Spring, which is a typical karst spring, and many caves perforate the limestone bedrock underneath the city, as is common in karst areas. The headquarters of the National Speleological Society are located in Huntsville.

Climate

Huntsville experiences warm summers and mild winters, with average high temperatures ranging from 89.0 °F (31.6 C) in the summer to 49.0°F (9.4 C) during winter. Some years, Huntsville experiences tornadoes , and the area is sometimes known as "tornado alley". Significant tornado events include the Super Outbreak in 1974, the more recent Huntsville, Alabama Tornado in 1989 that killed 21 and injured almost 500, and the Anderson Hills Tornado that killed one and caused extensive damage in 1995. Since Huntsville is nearly 300 miles (480 km) inland, hurricanes are rarely experienced here with their full force; however, many weakened tropical storms cross the area after a U.S. Gulf Coast landfall. Snow is rare in Huntsville, but there have been some anomalies, like the 1963 New Years Day snowstorm, when 17 inches fell within 24 hours. However, as of the winter of 2005-06, Huntsville has gone 10 years without any significant snowfall (<4 inches).

Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 158,216 people living within the city limits. There are 66,742 households and 41,713 families residing in the city. The population density was 351.0/km² (909.0/mi²). There were 73,670 housing units at an average density of 163.4/km² (423.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.47% White, 30.21% Black or African American, 0.54% Native American, 2.22% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.66% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. 2.04% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Huntsville, Alabama Demographic Distribution

Huntsville, Alabama Sex Ratio & Income Distribution

Economy

Huntsville's main economic influence is derived from aerospace and military technology. Redstone Arsenal, Cummings Research Park(CRP), and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center comprise the main hubs for the area's technology-driven economy. CRP is the second largest research park in the United States and the fourth largest in the world, and is over 38 years old. Huntsville is also home for commercial technology companies such as the network access company ADTRAN and computer graphics company Intergraph. Forty-two Fortune 500 companies have operations in Huntsville.

In 2005, Forbes Magazine named the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area as the best place for engineering in the nation, and 6th best overall in the nation.

Retail

Huntsville is fast becoming a regional retail center. There are many strip malls and "power centers" throughout the city. Huntsville has two malls- Madison Square, built in 1984, and Parkway Place, built in 2002. An upscale lifestyle center, Bridge Street Town Centre, is under construction in CRP and is scheduled to be complete in 2007.

Transportation

Huntsville is served by several U.S. Highways, including 72, 231, 431 and an Interstate highway spur, I-565, that links the two cities of Huntsville and Decatur to I-65. Alabama Highway 53 also connects the city with I-65 in Ardmore, Tennessee.

Public Transit

Public transit in Huntsville is run by the city's Department of Parking and Public Transit. The Huntsville Shuttle runs 11 fixed routes around the city, mainly around downtown. There is also a Tourist Trolley that makes stops at the US Space and Rocket Center and University Drive, one of the city's main shopping areas. The city also runs HandiRide, an on-call transit system for the handicapped, and RideShare, a county-wide carpooling program.

Railroads

Huntsville has only one active commercial rail line, run by Norfolk Southern, which runs from Memphis, TN to Chattanooga. Another rail line was used until recently by HMCRA (Huntsville-Madison County Railroad Authority). The line branches off from the Norfolk Southern line downtown and runs to Ditto Landing on the Tennessee River. The line is being considered as a future light rail line.

The North Alabama Railroad Museum in Chase maintains a line once owned by the Louisville and Nashville Railway. The museum runs weekend tourist rides along a short track in Northeast Madison County.

Ports

The inland Port of Huntsville combines the Huntsville International Airport, International Intermodal Center and Jetplex Industrial Park. The intermodal terminal transfers truck and train cargo. The port has on-site U.S. Customs and USDA inspectors and is Foreign Trade Zone No. 83.

Huntsville International Airport is served by several regional and national carriers and offers non-stop flights to many airports across the Eastern U.S. However, Huntsville International gets its name because of its reputation as a cargo transport hub. Many delivery companies have hubs in Huntsville, making delivery flights to Europe, Asia, and Mexico. Port of Huntsville website

The Tennessee River is Huntsville's southern boundary, and is underutilized as a method of cargo transport.

Education

K-12 Education

The majority of K-12 students in Huntsville attend Huntsville City Schools. Nearly 25,000 students attend Huntsville City Schools. There are 29 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and 7 high schools. Included in those numbers are 2 magnet elementary schools (The Academy for Academics and Arts and the Academy for Science and Foriegn Language), 1 magnet middle school (Williams Technology), and 2 magnet high schools (New Century Technology and Lee). A number of private, parochial, and religious schools also serve students ages pre-K-12. Madison County Private Schools

Higher Education

Huntsville's home-based higher education institutions include:

• Alabama A&M University[1];
• The University of Alabama in Huntsville[2];
• Oakwood College[3], and
• J.F. Drake State Technical College.

Numerous colleges and universities have satellite locations or extensions in Huntsville; included are the

• Huntsville Regional Medical Campus of the University of Alabama in Birmingham School of Medicine [4];
• Calhoun Community College's[5] two sites (Calhoun Cummings Research Park Campus - CRP Website, [6] & Calhoun Redstone Arsenal Campus - Redstone Arsenal Website);
• Athens State University[7];
• Georgia Institute of Technology's two sites[8] [9];
• Faulkner University[10];
• Columbia College[11];
• Virginia College[12];
• Florida Institute of Technology[13], and
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University[14].

One of two local hospitals, Huntsville Hospital[15] also has an accredited school of radiologic technology. [16]

Attractions

• U.S. Space & Rocket Center[17] is home to the U.S. Space Camp and Aviation Challenge programs as well the only Saturn V rocket designated a National Historic Landmark.

• Hampton Cove holds one of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course Trails, named after Hampton Cove[18], featuring three 18 hole courses - two championship and one par three.

• Monte Sano State Park [19] has over 2,000 acres (8 km²) and features hiking and bicycling trails, rustic cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, campsites, full RV hook-ups, and a recently reconstructed lodge.[20]

• The Von Braun Astronomical Society[21] has two observatories and a planetarium on 10 acres (40,000 m²) in Monte Sano State Park.

• The Huntsville Madison County Public Library[22] founded in 1818, is Alabama's oldest continually operating library system with 12 locations throughout the county including one bookmobile. The Main Library Archives contains a wealth of historical resources, including displays of photographic collections and artifacts, has Alabama's highest materials circulation rate, and features daily public programs.

• Big Spring Jam [23] is an annual three-day music festival held on the last full weekend of September in and around Big Spring International Park in downtown Huntsville. It features a diversity of music including rock, country, Christian, kid-friendly, and oldies.

• Panoply of the Arts [24] is an annual springtime arts festival held at Big Spring International Park.

• Alabama Constitution Village[25] features eight reconstructed Federal style buildings, with living-museums displays downtown.

• Burritt Museum and Park [26] located on Monte Sano Mountain, is a regional history museum featuring a 1930's mansion, nature trails, scenic overlooks and more.

• Clay House Museum [27] is an antebellum home built ca. 1853 and showcases decorative styles up to 1950 and an outstanding collection of Noritake Porcelain.

• Early Works Museum [28] is a child friendly interactive museum in downtown Huntsville.

• Harrison Brothers Hardware Store [29] established in 1879, is the oldest operating hardware store in Alabama. Though now owned and operated by the Historic Huntsville Foundation [30], it is still a working store, and part museum featuring skilled craftsmen who voluteer to run the store and answer questions.

• Huntsville Museum of Art [31] in Big Spring International Park offers permanent displays, traveling exhibitions, and educational programs for children and adults.

• Huntsville-Madison County Botanical Garden [32]features educational programs, woodland paths, broad grassy meadows and stunning floral collections.

• Huntsville Symphony Orchestra [33] is Alabama's oldest, continuously-operating professional symphony orchestra, featuring high quality performances of classical, pops and family concerts, and extensive music education programs serving public schools.

• Land Trust of Huntsville [34] is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the natural heritage of the area, and has preserved more than 2,300 acres (9 km²) of open space, wildflower areas, natural springs, and local caves in Madison County, including 600+ acres (2.4 km²) on Monte Sano Mountain.

• The National Speleological Society [35] is headquartered in Huntsville on Cave Street.

• Sci-Quest [36] is an interactive premiere hands-on museum for early childhood education, aged four through sixth grade.

Other remarkable constructions

• Raycom America Tower Huntsville (guyed TV- and radio mast, 465.1 metres high)

Sports

• Huntsville Stars - AA Baseball for Milwaukee Brewers
• Huntsville Speedway - NASCAR sanctioned stockcar racing (Website closed, last correctly working version in the Internet Archive)
• Huntsville Havoc - Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL)
• Tennessee Valley Vipers - Arena Football League (AFL)

Notable Residents/Famous Natives

• Kyndel Brown, WNBA Most Valuable Player, 2000
• Kenneth Darby, star running back for the University of Alabama
• Erik DeBolt, International Pop Star
• Homer Hickam, Author
• Alex Hice, Olympic Water Polo gold medalist, 2004
• Bo Bice, American Idol Runner-Up
• Tallulah Bankhead, Famous Actress; Bankhead Parkway is named after her father
• David B. Birney, Union Army general and son of James G. Birney.
• James G. Birney, Southern abolitionist leader and presidential candidate of the Liberty Party (anti-slavery) in 1840 and 1845.
• William Birney, Union Army general and son of James G. Birney.
• Thomas T. Crittenden, Union Army general.
• Dr. Jan Davis, former Astronaut; among crew on three Space Shuttle missions in 1992,1994 and 1997.
• Bobby Eaton, professional wrestler, one half of the Midnight Express with Dennis Condrey & Stan Lane, also teamed with Arn Anderson, Chris Benoit, Steve Keirn, Koko Ware & George Gulas.
• Andrew Jackson Hamilton, appointed Union military governor of Texas (with rank of general) by Abraham Lincoln (1862) and appointed Reconstruction governor of Texas by Andrew Johnson (1865-66).
• Jimmy Key, former MLB All-Star pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees.
• Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery, respectfully dubbed the "dean of the Civil Rights Movement" by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is a Huntsville native, and co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• John Hunt Morgan, general in the army of the Confederate States of America.
• Edward Asbury O'Neal, governor of Alabama 1882-86. Appointed general in the army of the Confederate States of America, but commission never delivered.
• John Stallworth, former Pittsburgh Steelers player and 2002 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia founder.
• Leroy Pope Walker, first Secretary of War of the Confederate States of America and briefly a brigadier general in the Confederate Army.
• David M. Pope, musician, producer, writer.
• Jones M. Withers, major general in the army of the Confederate States of America.
• Sex Clark Five, an alternative rock band.
• Cully Hamner, comic book artist.
• Bryan Shelton, professional tennis player
• John S. Hendricks, founder and chairman of the Discovery Channel.
• Russel Erskine, chairman of the Studebaker Corp.
• Margaret Hoelzer, 2004 Olympic swimmer
• Mark McGuire, Career home run champ, got his start with the Huntsville Stars.
• Sean Hannity, Fox News reporter, got his start at WVNN.

External links

• City of Huntsville
• Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Chamber of Commerce

• Maps and aerial photos
  • Street map from Google Local or Yahoo! Maps
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
  • Satellite image from Google Local or Microsoft Virtual Earth

References

• USA Today article on Huntsville tornadoes
• NWS report

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