Editing Hackleburg, Alabama (section)

==History==
Hackleburg developed in the early 19th century as a stop along [[Jackson's Military Road]]. It was named by the early drovers of sheep who passed through the region while ''en route'' to market in [[Tuscumbia, Alabama|Tuscumbia]], and whose sheep encountered a thorny plant growing in abundance in that area and known locally by the name [[Xanthium strumarium|hack burrs]] (often corrupted to "hack berries") and which same plants were often fatal to sheep, besides being destructive to their wool.<ref name="MarionCounty2000">{{cite book |author=|title=The Heritage of Marion County, Alabama|publisher=Heritage Publishing Consultants, County Heritage, & The Marion County Heritage|location=Clanton, Al.|year=2000|page=17 |edition=2 |language=en |isbn=1-891647-28-8}}</ref> A post office opened in the town in 1885.<ref name=eoa />

Hackleburg incorporated in 1909 following the construction of a branch line of the [[Illinois Central Railroad]] through the area.<ref name=eoa /> Hackleburg marks the highest point (some 931 feet above sea level) along the route connecting Miami, Florida with Chicago, Illinois.<ref name="MarionCounty2000"/>

===2011 tornado===
{{main|2011 Hackleburg–Phil Campbell tornado}}
[[File:Tornado - Hackleburg, Ala. , July 19, 2011 -- Hackleburg High School, 189 School Street, Hackleburg, Alabama. FEMA is currenty involved in the recovery of the high school and the el - DPLA - 1558f9a2bd7390e273e20a594733bce2.jpg|thumb|left|Hackleburg High School damaged by the tornado]]
On April 27, 2011, Hackleburg suffered catastrophic damage when it was hit by an [[Enhanced Fujita Scale|EF5]] [[2011 Hackleburg–Phil Campbell tornado|tornado]] &ndash; part of the [[2011 Super Outbreak]]. Eighteen Hackleburg residents died in the storm.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20110512/NEWS02/105120342/Alabama-storm-death-toll-238 |title=Alabama storm death toll at 238 |work= Montgomery Advertiser |publisher=www.montgomeryadvertiser.com |date= May 12, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/05/hackleburg_baseball_team_loses.html |title=Hackleburg baseball team loses in quarterfinals, but tornado ravaged town's spirit still soars |work= al.com |publisher=www.al.com |first=Jeff |last=Sentell|date= May 12, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2011}}</ref> On May 2, the [[American Red Cross|Red Cross]] declared the city 75 percent destroyed.<ref name=npr5-3Hackleburg>{{cite web|title=In Small Towns Hit By Twisters, 'You Feel Ignored'|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/05/03/135936478/in-small-towns-hit-by-twisters-you-feel-ignored|publisher=NPR|access-date=May 3, 2011|first=Tanya |last=Ott|date=May 3, 2011}}</ref> Many people rebuilt here, although 2017 population estimates showed a slight decline from 2010.