Franklin County is a county in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is named in honor of Benjamin Franklin and was created in 1818. Here are some interesting facts about Franklin County's history:
1. The first white person to settle in Franklin County was James Dill in 1807. Before his arrival, the area was inhabited by the Cherokee people.
2. During the Civil War, Franklin County was divided in its loyalties. While some residents supported the Union, others sided with the Confederacy. The county was the site of several battles, including the Battle of Little Bear Creek.
3. In 1913, the Russellville Tornado struck Franklin County, killing 35 people and destroying much of the town. It remains one of the deadliest tornadoes in Alabama history.
4. John Frank Brown, a resident of Russellville, invented the first hollow-core concrete block in 1900. The innovation allowed for more efficient and affordable construction.
5. The Bankhead National Forest, which covers over 180,000 acres, is largely located in Franklin County. It is named in honor of William B. Bankhead, a congressman from Alabama.
6. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established several camps in the Bankhead National Forest to provide employment for young men during the Great Depression. Some of the structures they built, including the Sipsey River Recreation Area, still stand today.
7. In 2007, the body of 23-year-old Jennifer Powers was found in a rural area of Franklin County more than a year after she went missing. Her murder remains unsolved, but her case led to the creation of the Jennifer Powers Memorial Scholarship, which has helped dozens of high school seniors in Franklin County afford college.
These are just a few of the many interesting aspects of Franklin County's history. From Native American settlements to modern innovations, the area has a rich and diverse past.
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