Editing Stevenson, Alabama

{{Short description|City in Alabama, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Stevenson
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|image_skyline            = Stevenson Historic District.JPG
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Historic District
|image_seal               = 
|image_map                = File:Jackson County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Stevenson Highlighted 0173080.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Stevenson in Jackson County, Alabama.
|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        = [[Jackson County, Alabama|Jackson]]
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|established_date         = 
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 20.98
|area_total_sq_mi         = 8.10
|area_land_km2            = 19.93
|area_land_sq_mi          = 7.70
|area_water_km2           = 1.05
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.41
|elevation_ft             = 653
|elevation_m              = 199
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 1955
|population_metro         = 
|population_density_km2   = 98.10
|population_density_sq_mi = 254.06
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|coordinates              = {{coord|34|52|10|N|85|49|55|W|region:US-AL|display=inline}}
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 35772
|area_code                = [[Area code 256|256]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 01-73080
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0127370
|website                  = {{URL|http://www.cityofstevensonalabama.com/}}
|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>
}}

'''Stevenson''' is a [[city]] in [[Jackson County, Alabama]], United States, and is included in the [[Chattanooga-Cleveland-Dalton, TN-GA-AL Combined Statistical Area]]. Sources listed either 1866 or 1867 as the year of incorporation, but that seems to conflict with the dates given for the town being granted a charter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3313|title=Stevenson}}</ref> It did not first appear on the U.S. Census until 1880, where it was the second largest town in Jackson County behind [[Scottsboro, Alabama|Scottsboro]]. Since 1900, it has been the third largest town behind either Scottsboro and [[Bridgeport, Alabama|Bridgeport]] or vice versa. At the 2020 census, the population of the city was 1,955, down from 2,046 in 2010.

==Geography==
Stevenson is located at {{Coord|34|52|10|N|85|49|55|W|type:city}} (34.869442, -85.831829).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|5.2|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|4.9|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.3|sqmi|km2}} (5.71%) is water.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 241
|1890= 586
|1900= 560
|1910= 574
|1920= 640
|1930= 733
|1940= 793
|1950= 927
|1960= 1456
|1970= 2390
|1980= 2568
|1990= 2046
|2000= 1770
|2010= 2046
|2020= 1955
|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>
}}

===2000 census===
In the 2000 [[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> there were 1,770 people, 795 households, and 508 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|357.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 948 housing units at an average density of {{convert|191.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 72.88% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 22.37% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.90% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.11% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 1.30% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.43% from two or more races. 1.53% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 795 households, of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.83.

21.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.

The [[median household income]] was $26,908 and the median family income was $34,125. Males had a median income of $27,188 compared with $21,375 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $14,806. About 15.5% of families and 19.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 26.7% of those under age 18 and 22.1% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
In the 2010 [[census]],<ref name="2010 census">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=July 26, 2015 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 2,046 people, 904 households, and 554 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|393.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,041 housing units at an average density of {{convert|200.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 73.8% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 17.4% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 1.1% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.4% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 2.6% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.3% from two or more races. 3.9% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 904 households, of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.7% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.90.

22.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

The [[median household income]] was $241 and the median family income was $634. Males had a median income of $210 compared with $917 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $14,647. About 26.6% of families and 31.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 44.9% of those under age 18 and 25.3% of those age 65 or over.

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Stevenson racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0173080&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 12, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|1,417
|72.48%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|261
|13.35%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|19
|0.97%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|5
|0.26%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|1
|0.05%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|181
|9.26%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|71
|3.63%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 1,955 people, 729 households, and 461 families residing in the city.

== Stevenson Depot ==
[[File:Stevenson Railroad Depot gazebo.JPG|thumb|Gazebo by Railroad museum]]
The [[Stevenson Railroad Depot and Hotel|Stevenson Railroad Depot Museum]], located in downtown Stevenson, is dedicated to preserving an important part of railroading history through the display of related artifacts. In addition, the museum displays artifacts recalling Native American culture, pioneer life, and Civil War events.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jacksoncountychamber.com/area-information/attractions/51-stevenson-railroad-depot-museum |title=Stevenson Railroad Depot Museum |publisher=Jacksoncountychamber.com |access-date=August 2, 2014}}</ref>

The depot, which was built in 1872 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, stands on the ruins of Stevenson's first railroad depot, which was built around 1852 for common use by the [[Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway|Nashville Chattanooga]] and the [[Memphis & Charleston Railroad]]s. That original depot was destroyed either during, or shortly after, the Civil War. Bricks salvaged may have been used in the building of the present structure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-3313 |title=Stevenson |publisher=Encyclopedia of Alabama |date=February 26, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2014}}</ref>

== Fort Harker ==
[[File:Fort Harker northwest.JPG|thumb|Fort Harker]]
Constructed by the Union Army in summer 1862 and expanded in 1864, using soldiers and slaves, [[Fort Harker (Alabama)|Fort Harker]] was built on a broad hill a quarter-mile east of the town of Stevenson. It overlooked Crow Creek and was well within firing range of Stevenson’s strategic railroad lines, supply depots and warehouses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.civilwartraveler.com/WEST/AL/northernAL.html |title=Northern Alabama |publisher=Civil War Traveler |access-date=August 2, 2014}}</ref> Ft. Harker was an earthen redoubt, {{convert|150|ft}} square, with walls that were {{convert|14|ft}} high, surrounded by an {{convert|8|ft|m|adj=mid|-deep}} dry moat. It contained 7 cannon platforms, a bomb-proof powder magazine, a draw-bridge entrance and an 8-sided wooden blockhouse at its center.<ref name="payette">Payette, Pete (2006). [https://web.archive.org/web/20050503114004/http://www.geocities.com/naforts/alnorth.html Northern Alabama]. Retrieved August 1, 2014.</ref> Fort Harker was critical to Union plans. No major fighting occurred here, but skirmishes and sniper attacks were common as territory traded hands between Union and Confederate forces. One other large fort, two smaller redoubts and at least seven blockhouses were constructed along the railroad lines at Stevenson during the Civil War. Stevenson was the major junction for the [[Memphis and Charleston Railroad]] and the [[Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad]]. In addition to forts, the Union Army established a medical facility and a refugee camp at Stevenson. The remains of Gen. [[William Rosecrans|Rosecrans]]’ headquarters is on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. Both may be seen near downtown Stevenson today.

== Depot Days ==
Every June, the town of Stevenson holds the annual Depot Days celebration. This celebration includes many different aspects of the southern town's culture and celebrates the great things that Stevenson represents. The week-long celebration is concluded with a parade, a day full of activities, and a street dance in the middle of Downtown Stevenson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jacksoncountychamber.com/component/jcalpro/view/550/33 |title=Stevenson Depot Days &#124; Community Events |publisher=Jacksoncountychamber.com |access-date=August 2, 2014}}</ref>

== North Jackson High School ==
Stevenson is the location of the North Jackson High School. In 1993, the school won the Alabama 4A State Title in football.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ahsfhs.org/supersix/19932.asp?c=4a |title=Alabama High School Football Championships |publisher=AHSFHS.org |date=December 10, 1993 |access-date=August 2, 2014}}</ref> They reached the finals again in 2002, when they were defeated by UMS-Wright 7-3.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ahsfhs.org/dynasties/ums134.asp |title=Alabama High School Football History |publisher=Ahsfhs.org |access-date=August 2, 2014}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Hank Allison]], former NFL player
* [[Jacob Lyda]], [[country music]] singer
* [[Carl McNabb]], former professional baseball player
* [[Mack Stewart]], former professional baseball player
* [[Byron Wimberly]], former professional football player

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200px" caption="Stevenson, Alabama">
File:The_photographic_history_of_the_Civil_War_-_thousands_of_scenes_photographed_1861-65,_with_text_by_many_special_authorities_(1911)_(14576041250).jpg|Alabama House and Union sentinels, Stevenson, Alabama, 1863.
File:The_photographic_history_of_the_Civil_War_-_thousands_of_scenes_photographed_1861-65,_with_text_by_many_special_authorities_(1911)_(14576261440).jpg|Federals at Railroad Station, 1864.
File:Camps at Stevenson Ala. March 4-1864 LCCN2004661271.jpg|Civil war camps at Stevenson, Alabama
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.stevensondepotmuseum.com/ Stevenson Depot museum]
*[http://stevensondepotdays.com/ Stevenson Depot Days. Com]
{{Coord|display=title|34.869442|-85.831829}}

{{Jackson County, Alabama}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Alabama]]
[[Category:Cities in Jackson County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Alabama populated places on the Tennessee River]]