According to howsmb.com, Butler County, Alabama is a small rural county located in the southeastern corner of the state. It borders Conecuh and Covington Counties to the north, Mobile County to the east and west, and Choctaw County to the south. As of 2019, its population was estimated at 19,715 people.
The area now known as Butler County was originally part of Baldwin County before being annexed by Mobile County in 1818. In 1819 it became its own county and was named for William Butler who served as a Colonel in the War of 1812.
Butler County has several attractions for visitors including two state parks: Bladon Springs State Park and Paul Grist State Park. Bladon Springs State Park features mineral springs that were once thought to have medicinal properties. Paul Grist State Park is home to a scenic lake that offers fishing opportunities as well as camping sites and trails for hiking and biking. There are also several historic sites located throughout the county including Fort Mims Historic Site which commemorates an 1813 battle between Creek Indians and settlers from the Mississippi Territory.
Several famous people have ties to Butler County including author Harper Lee who wrote “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Famous blues musicians Willie King, Eddie Kirkland, Big Joe Williams, Roosevelt Charles also have connections to Butler County through their music heritage. Other notable figures include former NFL player Charlie Johnson who attended high school in Butler County as well as former Major League Baseball player Cecil Upshaw who was born there in 1943.
Climate and weather in Butler County, Alabama
According to iamaccepted.com, Butler County, Alabama has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The average summer temperature is around 87°F (30.5°C) while the average winter temperature is around 49°F (9.4°C). The county’s highest recorded temperature was 107°F (41.7°C) in August of 2007 and its lowest recorded temperature was -3°F (-19.4°C) in January of 1985.
The area receives an average of 54 inches (137 cm) of rainfall per year with most precipitation occurring during the summer months from May through August. Snowfall is rare, but it does occur occasionally with the most recent significant snowfall being in December 2018 when 4 inches (10 cm) were recorded in Butler County.
Severe weather is a regular occurrence in Butler County with tornadoes, thunderstorms, and hail being common during the spring and summer months. The county has been affected by several major storms including Hurricane Georges in 1998 which caused extensive damage to many homes and businesses throughout the area.
In general, Butler County enjoys a mild climate year round that makes it an attractive location for outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, hunting, and much more.
Transportation in Butler County, Alabama
Butler County, Alabama is served by a combination of roads, railroads, airfields, and waterways. Major highways in the county include Interstate 65 which connects the county to Birmingham and Mobile to the north and south as well as US Route 84 which connects the county to Montgomery and Troy to the east and west.
The county also has two short-line railroads that serve local businesses. The Alabama & Florida Railroad operates a line from Georgiana to Greenville while the Chattahoochee & Gulf Railroad operates a line from Luverne to Opp.
The closest airport is Bob Sikes Airport in nearby Escambia County, Florida which offers commercial flights as well as private charters. There are also several small airstrips located throughout Butler County including Georgiana Airport, Oakfield Airport, and Silverhill Airport.
Butler County is also served by numerous waterways including several creeks that flow into the Conecuh River which runs along its eastern border. The county also has access to two major lakes – Lake Jackson and Lake Eufaula – both of which offer excellent fishing opportunities for anglers of all levels.
Public transportation options in Butler County are limited but do exist with Butler Transit providing bus services throughout the area on weekdays from 6 am until 7 pm with routes connecting Georgiana, Greenville, McKenzie, Opp, Red Level, Luverne, and Samson.
Cities and towns in Butler County, Alabama
According to Countryaah, Butler County, Alabama is home to several cities and towns that offer a wide variety of activities for residents and visitors alike. The county seat is Greenville, a small city of just over 8,000 people located in the south-central part of the county. Greenville is known for its historic downtown area which features several shops, restaurants, and attractions such as the Butler County Museum.
The largest city in the county is Luverne, located in the northwestern corner of Butler County with a population of around 4,000 people. Luverne offers a variety of attractions including an art museum, a golf course, and numerous parks and outdoor activities.
Georgiana is another small city located in Butler County with just over 2,000 people living there. Georgiana is home to several businesses as well as a number of historic sites such as the Old Town Hall building which dates back to 1855.
McKenzie is another town located in Butler County with just over 1,500 people living there. McKenzie has several restaurants and shops as well as an annual rodeo held each year on Memorial Day weekend.
Other towns in Butler County include Red Level (population 688), Opp (population 637), Samson (population 519), and Kinston (population 239). Each town offers its own unique attractions such as Samson’s annual Peanut Festival held every October or Kinston’s historic downtown area which features several antique stores and craft shops.