Elyton
Encyclopedia
Elyton or Ely's Town, founded in 1821 in the area currently bordered by 7th Street Southwest and Cotton Avenue in the West End of Birmingham, Alabama
, was the third seat of Jefferson County, Alabama
serving from 1821 to 1871 when the courthouse was moved to Birmingham.
Elyton was created to be the county seat with a 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) grant, negotiated by Federal land agent William Ely of Connecticut. The new town was named in his honor. The site was previously known as Frog Level, known primarily as a sporting grounds for horse races.
In 1821 Elyton had 300 residents, growing to over 1,000 by 1873. During this time Elyton was an important community in Alabama being the residence of such major political figures as Thomas Haughey
. It was also the headquarters of the Elyton Presbytery.
The community was incorporated as a municipality in 1907, but was annexed into Birmingham as part of the Greater Birmingham legislation which took effect on January 1, 1910. Frank W. Smith was the first and only mayor of Elyton. The Board of Aldermen was composed of Ollis Brown, Van Smith, C. M. Bitz, T. T. Alley, and W. M. Marriner.
The name is still preserved in an elementary school and a food market in the area. It is also still used in news reports to refer to this area of Birmingham.
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, was the third seat of Jefferson County, Alabama
Jefferson County, Alabama
Jefferson County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Alabama, with its county seat being located in Birmingham.As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 658,466...
serving from 1821 to 1871 when the courthouse was moved to Birmingham.
Elyton was created to be the county seat with a 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) grant, negotiated by Federal land agent William Ely of Connecticut. The new town was named in his honor. The site was previously known as Frog Level, known primarily as a sporting grounds for horse races.
In 1821 Elyton had 300 residents, growing to over 1,000 by 1873. During this time Elyton was an important community in Alabama being the residence of such major political figures as Thomas Haughey
Thomas Haughey
Thomas Haughey was a U.S. Representative from Alabama.Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Haughey received a limited education.Immigrated to the United States with his father, who settled in New York City....
. It was also the headquarters of the Elyton Presbytery.
The community was incorporated as a municipality in 1907, but was annexed into Birmingham as part of the Greater Birmingham legislation which took effect on January 1, 1910. Frank W. Smith was the first and only mayor of Elyton. The Board of Aldermen was composed of Ollis Brown, Van Smith, C. M. Bitz, T. T. Alley, and W. M. Marriner.
The name is still preserved in an elementary school and a food market in the area. It is also still used in news reports to refer to this area of Birmingham.