Editing Cherokee, Alabama

{{Distinguish|Cherokee County, Alabama}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Cherokee, Alabama
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|image_skyline            = Cherokee-Main-St-al.jpg
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = Cherokee
|image_seal               = Seal of Cherokee, Alabama.png
|image_map                = File:Colbert County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Cherokee Highlighted 0114152.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Cherokee in Colbert County, Alabama.
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Alabama|County]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_name1        = [[Alabama]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Colbert County, Alabama|Colbert]]
|government_type          = [[Mayor–council government]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = [[Marcus Rutland]]
|established_date         = [[November 2020]]
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 5.74
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.22
|area_land_km2            = 5.74
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.22
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|elevation_ft             = 518
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 970
|population_metro         = 
|population_density_km2   = 168.97
|population_density_sq_mi = 437.73
|timezone                 = Central
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = Central
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|coordinates              = {{coord|34|45|30|N|87|58|7|W|region:US-AL|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = ZIP code
|postal_code              = 35616
|area_code                = 256
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 01-14152
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2406262<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2406262}}</ref>
|footnotes                = 
|website                  = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
}}

'''Cherokee''' is a town in west [[Colbert County, Alabama]], United States. Located near the [[Tennessee River]], it is part of the [[Florence–Muscle Shoals metropolitan area]], known as "The Shoals". As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 1,048.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0114152| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212161408/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0114152| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Cherokee town, Alabama| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=June 9, 2014}}</ref>

==History==

Cherokee was incorporated December 7, 1871.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g64RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GegDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2768%2C3098688 | title=Settlers, Miners, Soldiers, Boundarymen | work=The Spokesman-Review | date=April 25, 1959 | access-date=May 23, 2015 | author=Oakshott, Tom | pages=18}}</ref> While located along the Tennessee River, the town was started as a stop along the [[Memphis and Charleston Railroad]] during the late 1850s and early 1860s.<ref>Claire M. Wilson, "[http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3356 Cherokee]," ''Encyclopedia of Alabama'', November 6, 2012.</ref>

==Geography==
Cherokee is situated along [[U.S. Route 72]] west of [[Muscle Shoals, Alabama|Muscle Shoals]] and a few miles east of the Alabama-[[Mississippi]] state line. The [[Tennessee River]] passes to the northeast. Via US-72, [[Tuscumbia, Alabama|Tuscumbia]], the county seat of Colbert County, is 18&nbsp;mi (29&nbsp;km) east, and [[Iuka, Mississippi]] is 14&nbsp;mi (23&nbsp;km) northwest.

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], Cherokee has a total area of {{convert|5.7|km2|order=flip}}, all land.<ref name="Census 2010"/>

===Climate===

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Average Temperatures<ref name="CTI">{{cite web | title = CityTownInfo.com | url = http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/alabama/cherokee | access-date = May 24, 2007 }}</ref>
|- style="background: #DCDCDC;"
!
! Average Low
! Average High
|-
! style="background: #E0FFFF;"|January
| 26&nbsp;°F
| 47&nbsp;°F
|-
! style="background: #00FF7F;"|April
| 44&nbsp;°F
| 71&nbsp;°F
|-
! style="background: #FAFAD2;"|July
| 66&nbsp;°F
| 89&nbsp;°F
|-
! style="background: #DAA520;"|October
| 44&nbsp;°F
| 72&nbsp;°F
|}

*Annual [[Precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation]] 60.6&nbsp;inches

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 282
|1900= 261
|1910= 269
|1920= 524
|1930= 659
|1940= 786
|1950= 748
|1960= 1349
|1970= 1484
|1980= 1589
|1990= 1479
|2000= 1237
|2010= 1048
|2020= 970
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 6, 2013}}</ref><br>2013 Estimate<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/SUB-EST2013-3.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013|access-date=June 3, 2014}}</ref>
}}

===2000 census===

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 1,237 people, 510 households, and 370 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|552.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 557 housing units at an average density of {{convert|248.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 78.33% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 20.21% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.32% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], and 1.13% from two or more races. 0.49% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

[[Image:West Colbert Family Practice in Cherokee AL.jpg|thumb|left|West Colbert Family Practice provides health care for Cherokee and western Colbert County.]]

There were 510 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $24,597, and the median income for a family was $28,839. Males had a median income of $26,667 versus $20,096 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $12,431. About 18.6% of families and 22.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 31.7% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===

As of the [[census]]<ref name="2010 census">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=July 19, 2015 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,048 people, 452 households, and 315 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|473|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 529 housing units at an average density of {{convert|240.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 77.6% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 18.3% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.5% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], and 2.3% from two or more races. 1.7% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 452 households, out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.3% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $36,875, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $37,581 versus $23,421 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $18,038. About 20.5% of families and 20.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 36.1% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Cherokee racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0114152&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 13, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|731
|75.86%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|181
|18.66%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|41
|4.23%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|17
|1.75%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 970 people, 364 households, and 242 families residing in the town.

==Education==
Schools in Cherokee are part of the [[Colbert County Schools|Colbert County School System]] and serve rural western Colbert County.  Cherokee Elementary School and [[Cherokee High School (Alabama)|Cherokee High School]] are located on the northern side of town along North Pike.  The land for this complex, including the football field, was donated by the Harris family of Cherokee.

The population in western Colbert County has declined in recent years. [[Cherokee Middle School (Alabama)|Cherokee Middle School]] closed after the 2006 / 2007 year and was consolidated into Cherokee Elementary and Cherokee High Schools. The site was once home to one of the original [[Rosenwald School]]s. The former middle school is now empty, while it is still owned by the Colbert County Board of Education.<ref name="TimesDaily10-09-2010">{{cite news | url = http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20101009/NEWS/101009775/1011/NEWS?Title=Officials-debate-Town-Hall-site | title = Officials debate Town Hall site | access-date = October 9, 2010 | newspaper =TimesDaily}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Transportation==

[[Image:Downtown Cherokee Alabama.jpg|thumb|upright|Downtown Cherokee, 2007]]
[[Image:Cherokee Alabama Post Office.jpg|thumb|upright|Cherokee Post Office, 2007]]

===Major highways===

====U.S. Highway 72====
[[U.S. Route 72|US Highway 72]] is the major corridor through Cherokee.  This important highway followed the railroad and was once known as the Memphis Pike. U.S. Highway 72 is still part of the [[Lee Highway]].

====Natchez Trace Parkway====
The [[Natchez Trace Parkway]] passes north and west of Cherokee and is part of the [[National Park Service]]. This highway provides a vital source of tourism for the area.

===Rail===
The [[Memphis and Charleston Railroad]] was vital to the founding of present-day Cherokee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lat34north.com/HistoricMarkersAL/MarkerDetail.cfm?KeyID=17-22&MarkerTitle=History%20of%20Cherokee|title=History of Cherokee Marker - Historic Markers Across Alabama|website=lat34north.com|access-date=October 14, 2017}}</ref> Once a vital passenger carrier for the area, the railroad is an important artery for the [[Norfolk Southern Railway]] system, connecting [[Chattanooga, Tennessee|Chattanooga]] and [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]]. The railroad has a spur to Cherokee Nitrogen to transport [[ammonia]] and [[ammonium nitrate]] manufactured by the facility.

===River===
The [[Tennessee River]] was a critical transportation corridor for the South during the [[American Civil War]]. The river provides recreation, continues to transport goods, and is an important factor in industrial activity in the area.

===Air===
[[Northwest Alabama Regional Airport]] is located {{convert|23|mi}} east of Cherokee. It is served by [[Mesaba Airlines|Delta Connection - Mesaba Airlines]], providing public transportation to [[Atlanta]].

==Economy==

===Barton Riverfront Industrial Park===
The Barton Riverfront Industrial Park is located in the [[Barton, Alabama|Barton]] community east of Cherokee near the Tennessee River.  The park was constructed to attract industry to western Colbert County and has become an important economical revitalization to the area. The first company to locate in the park was SCA Tissue North America which started operation in 2004.<ref name="SCA2004">{{cite web | url = http://www.paperage.com/issues/july_aug2004/07_2004sca.pdf | title = SCA's First Greenfield Tissue Mill Comes Online at Alabama Complex | access-date = September 26, 2010}}</ref>

===Major employers===
[[Image:Cherokee Nitrogen Entrance.JPG|thumbnail|right|Entrance to Cherokee Nitrogen]]

====Cherokee Nitrogen====
Cherokee Nitrogen, owned by [https://lsbindustries.com/cherokee-al/ LSB Industries], is located on the north side of town. It was built in 1962 by Armour Agri-Chemicals and has been owned by USS Agri-Chemicals (a division of [[U.S. Steel|United States Steel]]) and LaRoche Industries before being bought by LSB Industries. Cherokee Nitrogen provides nitrogen products, ammonia, and ammonia nitrate.

[http://www.oricaminingservices.com/us/en/page/joint_ventures/nelson_brothers_mining_services_llc/nelson_brothers_inc Nelson Brothers] is located adjacent to the facility. Nelson Brothers uses the ammonia nitrate in the production of dynamite.

[http://www.linde.com Linde] sells Carbon Dioxide produced as a byproduct of the process at Cherokee Nitrogen.

On the night of November 13, 2012, Cherokee Nitrogen was the scene of a devastating explosion heard {{convert|45|mi}} away that left at least one employee injured. It was felt all across the "Shoals".

====SCA Tissue North America====
[https://web.archive.org/web/20010331045536/http://www.scatissue.com/ SCA Tissue North America], a division of [[Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget]], was the first tenant of the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park located east of town in the Barton community. As of 2010 it has undergone several expansions and is Cherokee's largest employer.<ref name="scanews">{{cite web | url = http://www.courierjournal.net/news/2010-07-28/Front_Page/SCA_Tissue_Expansion_Is_Security.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101231172945/http://www.courierjournal.net/news/2010-07-28/Front_Page/SCA_Tissue_Expansion_Is_Security.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = December 31, 2010 | title = SCA Tissue Expansion Is Security | access-date = October 3, 2010 | publisher = Courier Journal}}</ref>

====Vulcan Materials====
[http://www.vulcanmaterials.com/cherokee Vulcan Materials' Cherokee Facility] has been located on the east edge of town for many years.  Crushed [[limestone]] from this [[quarry]] is used throughout Alabama and Mississippi.

====UCM Magnesia====
[http://www.ucm-magnesia.com UCM Magnesia] was an industry located in the Barton area. Originally Muscle Shoals ElectroChemical Corp, it was also owned by Glasrock and later Muscle Shoals Minerals. This facility was an important supplier of high quality [[Magnesium|magnesia]] [[Powder metallurgy|powder]]. It closed in late 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/Industrial-Minerals-Review-2013-a-546863#.WeJiB2hSy70|title=Industrial Minerals Review 2013 - InsuranceNewsNet|website=insurancenewsnet.com|access-date=October 14, 2017}}</ref>

====National Alabama====
In July 2007 National Steel Car announced a decision to locate a new manufacturing facility in the industrial park, the largest new employer in Colbert County in the prior 40 years.<ref name="TimesDaily7-20-2007">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20070720/NEWS/707200314&SearchID=73289761346349|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927023541/http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20070720/NEWS/707200314%26SearchID%3D73289761346349|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2007|title=A big deal|date=July 19, 2007|newspaper=TimesDaily|access-date=August 8, 2007}}</ref> The CEO, Gregory Aziz, was caught up in a legal case over securities fraud related to the facility and the facility was turned over to Retirement Systems of Alabama.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2014/11/alabama_securities_fraud_charg.html|title=Alabama securities fraud charges dismissed against CEO of Canadian company; RSA to get $21 million in settlement|work=AL.com|access-date=October 14, 2017}}</ref>

The facility has become an independent entity of its former parent and is now named National Alabama Corporation.<ref name="TimesDaily8-13-2009">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20090813/ARTICLES/908135033?Title=Railcar-plant-CEO-resigns|title=Railcar Plant CEO Resigns|newspaper=TimesDaily|access-date=September 26, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Retirement Systems of Alabama is the primary shareholder.<ref name="WAFFTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=13026238|title=RSA Takes Control of Colbert County Railcar Plant|publisher=WAFF|access-date=September 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824053316/http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=13026238|archive-date=August 24, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

National Alabama is designed to provide steel [[Railroad car|railcars]] and was expected to be the largest employer in the area. In 2010 the depressed economy was blamed for delayed full production at the facility and the company said it was looking for alternative products to produce.<ref name="WAFFTV" />

Navistar and FreightCar America facilities are now unoccupied.

====Navistar====
As of 2022, the facility is no longer in operation and sits unoccupied.

As of 2011 Navistar is the primary lease holder at the National Alabama facility which is currently owned by the Retirement Systems of Alabama. Navistar fabricates parts for [[Railroad car|railcars]] produced by Freightcar America. Together the two companies are the largest employer in the area.<ref name="Daily@TD_BDelinski">{{Cite news|url=http://www.timesdaily.com/archives/navistar-freightcar-team-up-at-barton-plant/article_e480527b-ee57-52a9-8b48-4f1d2b769f6b.html|title=Navistar, FreightCar team up at Barton plant|last=Delinski|first=Bernie|work=TimesDaily|access-date=October 14, 2017}}</ref>

====FreightCar America (FCA)====
FreightCar America is the sub lease holder at the National Alabama Facility, which is currently owned by the Retirement Systems of Alabama. FreightCar America produces [[Railroad car|railcars]].<ref name="Daily@TD_BDelinski"/>    However, the facility is now unoccupied as the company moved production to Mexico.

==Local attractions==

===Natchez Trace Parkway===
The [[Natchez Trace Parkway]] is one of the most significant historical attractions in the area. The section of the Natchez Trace near Cherokee includes the Colbert Ferry site, the home of [[George Colbert]] and of [[Levi Colbert]]. The Colbert family were leaders of the [[Chickasaw Nation]] that resided in this area before they were forcibly relocated in the 19th century.

===Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard===
[[Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard]] is one of the world's most unusual cemeteries; it is dedicated to the burial of [[Coonhound|coon dogs]]. Each Labor Day a large celebration is held at the graveyard and is attended by many politicians seeking office.<ref name="hsvt140819">{{cite news |first=Kelly |last=Kazek |newspaper=[[The Huntsville Times]] |location=[[Huntsville, AL]] |title=Legendary Coon Dog Cemetery to once again host Labor Day celebration with live music, crafts, barbecue |url=http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2014/08/legendary_coon_dog_cemetery_to.html |date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=August 20, 2014}}</ref>

===Stanfield-Worley Bluff Shelter===
[[Stanfield-Worley Bluff Shelter]], located near Cherokee, is a significant find of early human life in North America.

===Barton Hall===
[[Barton Hall (Alabama)|Barton Hall]] is located southwest of town and was a significant [[plantations in the American South|plantation]] prior to and during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. The residence is on the National Register of Historic Places but is privately owned and not open to the public.

===Bear Creek Watershed===
[[Buzzard Roost, Alabama|Buzzard Roost]] and Bear Creek, located west of Cherokee, provide excellent locations for fishing and water sports. One of the state's oldest wooden [[covered bridge]]s once crossed Buzzard Roost but was burned in 1972.

===Riverton Rose Trail===
Riverton Rose Trail winds along Bear Creek from U.S. 72 to [[Riverton, Alabama]]. Before the [[Tennessee Valley Authority]] closed the gates on [[Pickwick Landing Dam|Pickwick Dam]] this town was an important transportation location on the Tennessee River as it marked the beginning of the treacherous shoals that hampered transportation in the [[Florence – Muscle Shoals metropolitan area|Shoals Area]] until the opening of [[Riverton Lock]] in 1911.  Today most of the town is flooded by the waters of [[Pickwick Lake]] on the Tennessee River.

===Colbert Ferry===
Colbert Ferry is located by the Tennessee River on the Natchez Trace Parkway.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/natr/planyourvisit/tupelo-to-the-tennessee-line.htm Natchez Trace Parkway - Tupelo to Tennessee Line]</ref> It was the home of George Colbert who ran a [[ferry]] to carry passengers traveling the Natchez Trace across the Tennessee River.

==Notable people==
* [[Dominique Croom]], [[National Football League|NFL]] [[wide receiver]]
* [[Bobby E. Denton]], member of the [[Alabama Senate]], representing the 1st District since 1978

==References==
{{reflist|35em}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Cherokee, Alabama}}

{{Colbert County, Alabama}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Alabama placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:Towns in Colbert County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Towns in Alabama]]
[[Category:Florence–Muscle Shoals metropolitan area]]