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Lee County, Alabama

46 topographic sheets and 15 fire insurance atlases across 2 places.

Research this county

From the record

26 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Alabama within the United States
Lee County within Alabama

What the record shows

  • 2 places in this county were surveyed for fire insurance: Opelika, Auburn, between 1885 and 1949.
  • 15 fire insurance atlases survive for the county. Topographic coverage is national; fire insurance survey reached only incorporated places with something worth insuring.
  • 1,419 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 26 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 16 buildings, 8 districts and 2 sites.
  • 10 of the 26 listings were added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 109 populated places in this county; 108 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Photographs

39 photographs, 1939 to 2019

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

Window at the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Window at the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
Courtroom entrance in the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Courtroom entrance in the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
Window at the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Window at the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
Door details, George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Door details, George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
The George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
The George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
Courtroom in the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Courtroom in the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
The George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
The George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
Lobby in the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Lobby in the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
Light fixtures at the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Light fixtures at the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
The George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
The George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
Window details at the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Window details at the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
Stairway in the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Stairway in the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
Holliday-Cary House, N. College St., Auburn, Lee County, Alabama
Holliday-Cary House, N. College St., Auburn, Lee County, Alabama
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1939. Library of Congress
Room in the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Room in the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
The George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
The George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
Holliday-Cary House, N. College St., Auburn, Lee County, Alabama
Holliday-Cary House, N. College St., Auburn, Lee County, Alabama
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1939. Library of Congress
Window in the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Window in the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
Holliday-Cary House, N. College St., Auburn, Lee County, Alabama
Holliday-Cary House, N. College St., Auburn, Lee County, Alabama
Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1939. Library of Congress
The George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
The George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a historic government building in Opelika, Alabama
Highsmith, Carol M, 2019. Library of Congress
Bartletts Ferry Hydroelectric Project, Gantry Cranes, 1471 Bartletts Ferry Road, Fortson, Harris County, GA
Bartletts Ferry Hydroelectric Project, Gantry Cranes, 1471 Bartletts Ferry Road, Fortson, Harris County, GA
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Auburn University, Langdon Hall, College Street, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Auburn University, Langdon Hall, College Street, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
McNamee-Torbert House, 410 Geneva Street, Opelika, Lee County, AL
McNamee-Torbert House, 410 Geneva Street, Opelika, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Cauthen House, East Drake Avenue, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Cauthen House, East Drake Avenue, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Tucker-Fincher House, U.S. Route 431, Mount Jefferson, Lee County, AL
Tucker-Fincher House, U.S. Route 431, Mount Jefferson, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Scott-Yarbrough House, 101 Debardeleben Street, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Scott-Yarbrough House, 101 Debardeleben Street, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Holliday-Carey House, 360 North College Street, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Holliday-Carey House, 360 North College Street, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Moffitt's Mill, Opelika, Lee County, AL
Moffitt's Mill, Opelika, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Drake-Samford House, 449 North Gay Street, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Drake-Samford House, 449 North Gay Street, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Meadows House, 342 North College Street, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Meadows House, 342 North College Street, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Spring Villa, Spring Villa Road, Opelika, Lee County, AL
Spring Villa, Spring Villa Road, Opelika, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Kilgore House, 411 Geneva Street, Opelika, Lee County, AL
Kilgore House, 411 Geneva Street, Opelika, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Frazier-Brown House, Shelton Mill Road, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Frazier-Brown House, Shelton Mill Road, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Moore-Whatley House, Moore's Mill Road, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Moore-Whatley House, Moore's Mill Road, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Chewacla Limeworks, Limekiln Road, Chewacla, Lee County, AL
Chewacla Limeworks, Limekiln Road, Chewacla, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Gingerbread House, 405 South Ninth Street, Opelika, Lee County, AL
Gingerbread House, 405 South Ninth Street, Opelika, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
James Ellington House, Oak Bowery Road vicinity, Gold Hill, Lee County, AL
James Ellington House, Oak Bowery Road vicinity, Gold Hill, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Baptist Church, Stage Road, Loachapoka, Lee County, AL
Baptist Church, Stage Road, Loachapoka, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
McElhaney House, 135 North College Street, Auburn, Lee County, AL
McElhaney House, 135 North College Street, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Main Gate and Auburn Oaks at Toomer's Corner, Entrance to Auburn University's Campus, Intersection of West Magnolia Avenue and South College Street, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Main Gate and Auburn Oaks at Toomer's Corner, Entrance to Auburn University's Campus, Intersection of West Magnolia Avenue and South College Street, Auburn, Lee County, AL
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Places on the National Register

26

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Auburn Players Theaterbuilding197373000351
Auburn University Historic Districtdistrict197676000338
Robert Wilton Burton Housebuilding198080000701
Cullars Rotationsite200303000231
Dr. J.W. Darden Housebuilding200909000605
Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Churchbuilding197575000317
Geneva Street Historic Districtdistrict198787000981
Jenkins Farmhousebuilding200807001390
Lee County Courthousebuilding197373000353
Loachapoka Historic Districtdistrict197373000352
Lowther House Complexdistrict199393000986
Dr. Andrew D. McLain Office and Drug Storebuilding198383002978
Noble Hallbuilding197272000163
Northside Historic Districtdistrict200101001409
Old Main and Church Street Historic Districtdistrict197878003194
Old Rotationsite198887002390
Pepperell Mill and Mill Village Historic Districtdistrict201414000090
President's Mansion, Oldbuilding200303000423
Railroad Avenue Historic Districtdistrict198484000640
Scott-Yarbrough Housebuilding197575000318
Spring Villabuilding197878000494
Summers Plantationbuilding199191000095
Sunny Slopebuilding200908001116
U.S. Post Officebuilding198383002979
U.S. Post Officebuilding197676000339
Franklin Yarbrough Jr. Storebuilding198989000309

Photographs from libraries nationwide

1 of 6 shown

Selected from the Digital Public Library of America's 6 image records catalogued for this county. Every one shown here carries a public-domain status or a licence that permits reuse on a site that carries advertising; non-commercial, share-alike and restricted images are excluded. The selection is spread across the county's towns (at most eight per town), so no single institution's bulk upload crowds out the rest. Each opens the holding library's record, and the complete set at the Digital Public Library of America is one click away.

Opelika Motel, Boston Public Library - undated
Opelika Motel. Boston Public Library, via the Digital Public Library of America.

The county from the air

16 shown

Flown by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1937 and 1989, the Aerial Photo Single Frames collection is the definitive mid-century view of the land: fields, roads and rivers as the camera saw them. The Survey holds 931 frames inside the rectangle that bounds this county; the 16 frames below were taken over the county itself, chosen across the decades of flights (at most four a year from that rectangle), so one flight cannot crowd out the rest. The full set is free to browse and download at EarthExplorer under the dataset Aerial Photo Single Frames.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-02-12, scale 1:60000
1951-02-12, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-02-12, scale 1:60000
1951-02-12, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-02-22, scale 1:60000
1951-02-22, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-02-22, scale 1:60000
1951-02-22, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1962-02-11, scale 1:19000
1962-02-11, scale 1:19000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1962-02-11, scale 1:19000
1962-02-11, scale 1:19000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1962-02-11, scale 1:19000
1962-02-11, scale 1:19000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1962-02-11, scale 1:19000
1962-02-11, scale 1:19000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-12-08, scale 1:24800
1968-12-08, scale 1:24800. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-12-08, scale 1:24800
1968-12-08, scale 1:24800. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-12-08, scale 1:24800
1968-12-08, scale 1:24800. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1968-12-08, scale 1:24800
1968-12-08, scale 1:24800. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-02-12, scale 1:20000
1969-02-12, scale 1:20000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-02-12, scale 1:20000
1969-02-12, scale 1:20000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-02-12, scale 1:20000
1969-02-12, scale 1:20000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-02-12, scale 1:20000
1969-02-12, scale 1:20000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

Weather records

26 stations, 3 gages

The thermometers that kept this county's weather, and the gages that measured the flow of its streams, as the federal records hold them. The extremes below are measured values from those records, not estimates.

The 1950 census, district by district

48 districts

Who lived here in 1950, one enumeration district at a time, as the Census Bureau described each district. Each row opens its official National Archives result, with Population Schedules and ED Maps available there.

  • 41-1Election Precinct 1, Beulah
  • 41-2Election Precinct 2, Opelika: Opelika city: Opelika city - That part comprising Ward 1 Bounded by City limits; City limits; Samford Avenue, Western Railway of Alabama; 8th, Renfro Avenue, 10th, Ward line
  • 41-3Opelika city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by City limits; Ward line, 10th, Renfro Avenue, 8th; 4th Avenue, Fitzpatrick Avenue; City limits
  • 41-4Opelika city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by Fitzpatrick Avenue, 4th Avenue; 8th; Western Railway of Alabama, 14th, Central of Georgia Railway; City limits
  • 41-5Opelika city - That part of Ward 3, excluding Clement Hotel Bounded by Western Railway of Alabama, 8th; Geneva; East, Magnolia, Bailey, Orchard, Johnson, East; Long
  • 41-6Clement Hotel (In Opelika city, Ward 3)
  • 41-7Opelika city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by Western Railway of Alabama; Long; City limits; City limits
  • 41-8Opelika city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by East, Johnson, Orchard, Bailey, Magnolia, East; Geneva; City limits; Long
  • 41-9Opelika city - That part comprising Ward 4 Bounded by Western Railway of Alabama, 7th, Torbert; City limits; City limits; Geneva, 8th
  • 41-10Opelika city - That part of Ward 5 Bounded by Samford Avenue; City limits; Torbert; 4th, Avenue C, Jeter, Samford Avenue
  • 41-11Opelika city - That part of Ward 5 Bounded by Jeter; Avenue C; 4th, Western Railway of Alabama
  • 41-12Opelika city - That part of Ward 5 Bounded by Western Railway of Alabama; 4th; Torbert; 7th
  • 41-13Opelika city - That part comprising Ward 6 Bounded by Central of Georgia Railway; 14th; Western Railway of Alabama; City limits
  • 41-14Pepperell, unincorporated (See boundaries shown on aerial photo Enumeration District 2-45)
  • 41-15Election Precinct 2, Opelika - That part north of U.S. Highway 241 and east of Western Railway of Alabama, outside Opelika city
  • 41-16Election Precinct 2, Opelika - That part west of Western Railway of Alabama and east of State Highway 37, outside Opelika city
  • 41-17Election Precinct 2, Opelika - That part west of State Highway 37, north of Central of Georgia Railway and east of Sougahetchee Creek, outside Opelika city
  • 41-18Election Precinct 2, Opelika - That part west of Sougahatchee Creek and Central of Georgia Railway and north of 1/4 mile offset from U.S. Highway 29, outside Opelika city and the unincorporated place of Pepperell. (See aerial photo Enumeration District 2-45 for boundaries of Pepperell)
  • 41-19Election Precinct 2, Opelika - That part south of Western Railway of Alabama and U.S. Highway 241, outside Opelika city
  • 41-20Election Precinct 3, Ridge Grove and Gold Hill
  • 41-21Election Precinct 4, Roxana: Waverly town - That part in Lee County comprising part of Election Precinct 4, Roxana (Remainder of Waverly town is in Election Precinct 10, New Harmony and Waverly, Chambers County)
  • 41-22Election Precinct 4, Roxana - That part outside Waverly town
  • 41-23Election Precinct 5, Loachapoka: Notasulga town - That part in Lee County comprising part of Election Precinct 5, Loachapoka (Remainder of Notasulga town is in Election Precinct 9, Notasulga, Macon County)
  • 41-24Election Precinct 5, Loachapoka - That part north of Western Railway of Alabama
  • 41-25Election Precinct 5, Loachapoka - That part south of Western Railway of Alabama, outside Notasulga town
  • 41-26Election Precinct 6, Auburn: Auburn city: Auburn city - That part Bounded by City limits; City limits; Glenn Avenue; College
  • 41-27Election Precinct 6, Auburn city - That part Bounded by City limits; College; Glenn Avenue; Ridge Grove Road
  • 41-28Election Precinct 6, Auburn city - That part Bounded by City limits; Ridge Grove Road; Wire Road; City limits
  • 41-29Election Precinct 6, Auburn city - That part, excluding Alabama Polytechnic Institute Bounded by Glenn Avenue; College, U. S. Highway 29; City limits; City limits, Wire Road, Ridge Grove Road
  • 41-30Alabama Polytechnic Institute (In Auburn city, Election Precinct 6, )
  • 41-31BElection Precinct 6, Auburn city - That part Bounded by Glenn Avenue; De Bardeleben; Thach Avenue; College
  • 41-31CElection Precinct 6, Auburn city - That part Bounded by Glenn Avenue; City limits; Unnamed street, Dean Road, Thach Avenue; De Bardeleben
  • 41-31AElection Precinct 6, Auburn city - That part Bounded by Thach Avenue, Dean Road, Unnamed street; City limits; Society Hill Road, Dean Road, Samford Avenue; College
  • 41-32Election Precinct 6, Auburn city - That part Bounded by Samford Ave.; Dean Rd., Society Hill Rd., City limits; City limits; U. S. Hwy. 29, College
  • 41-33Election Precinct 6, Auburn - That part north of Auburn - Parker's Cross Road Road and east of Auburn - Farmville Church Road, outside Auburn city
  • 41-34Election Precinct 6, Auburn - That part west of Auburn - Farmville Church Road and north of Auburn - Notasulga Road, outside Auburn city
  • 41-35Election Precinct 6, Auburn - That part south of Auburn - Notasulga and Auburn - Parker's Cross Road Roads, and west of Moores Mill and Chewacla Creeks, outside Auburn city
  • 41-36Election Precinct 6, Auburn - That part south of Auburn - Parker's Cross Road Road and east of Chewacla and Moores Mill Creeks
  • 41-37Election Precinct 7, Whatleys store: Election Precinct 7, Whatleys Store - That part east of State Highway 37
  • 41-38Election Precinct 7, Whatleys Store - That part west of State Highway 37
  • 41-39Election Precinct 8, Salem
  • 41-40Election Precinct 9, Prince Crossroads
  • 41-41Election Precinct 10, Marvyn
  • 41-42Election Precinct 11, Wacoochee and Bleecker
  • 41-43Election Precinct 12, Meadows Crossroads
  • 41-44Election Precinct 13, Beane Mill
  • 41-45Election Precinct 14, Smiths Station: Election Precinct 14, Smiths Station - That part northeast of U. S. Highway 241
  • 41-46Election Precinct 14, Smiths Station - That part southwest of U. S. Highway 241

Wildfire, 1994 to 2020

534 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 534 of them, burning about 6,784 acres. 13 started naturally and 92 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning187
Missing data/not specified/undetermined110
Arson/incendiarism92
Recreation and ceremony43
Equipment and vehicle use37
Misuse of fire by a minor25
Smoking16
Natural13
Railroad operations and maintenance5
Power generation/transmission/distribution3
Other causes2
Fireworks1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. Three of them were set deliberately.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
21 March 2011Missing data/not specified/undetermined250 acresAlabama Forestry CommissionCO RD 249, AL
11 April 2018Arson/incendiarism215 acresAlabama Forestry Commission20180411-4
10 March 2013Missing data/not specified/undetermined200 acresAlabama Forestry CommissionECR-20130310-003
9 March 2018Missing data/not specified/undetermined200 acresAlabama Forestry Commission20180309-10
30 June 2009Arson/incendiarism171 acresAlabama Forestry CommissionAUBURN
12 March 2004Arson/incendiarism155 acresAlabama Forestry CommissionLEE
24 August 2011Natural147 acresAlabama Forestry CommissionCO RD 17, AL
26 March 2008Debris and open burning144 acresAlabama Forestry CommissionBEULAH

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1953 to 2026

60 of 435 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 435 reports for this county, causing 33 deaths, 326 injuries and about $17,300,050 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind214
Hail128
Tornado44
Flash Flood25
Lightning15
Funnel Cloud6
Heavy Rain2
Flood1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
March 2019Tornado (EF4)Bupree23 killed, 90 hurtNational Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in far southern Lee County and determined that it was consistent with an EF4 tornado, with maximum sustained winds near 170 mph.||This track is a continuation of a track that began in Macon County. The tornado crossed into Lee County near Lee Road 812 and tracked northeast to County Road 29 where it removed the roof and collapsed several cinder block walls of a church. The tornado continued to intensify as it approached County Road 11, where it peeled sheet metal off of the porch of a home and ripped some sheet metal off of two outdoor storage sheds and continued to uproot numerous pine trees. Debris from structures and their contents were strewn along a tree line to the east of their original location and some evidence of weak ground rowing was observed along the surface tornado path.||The tornado reached its peak intensity just south of the intersection of Lee County Road 36 and Lee County Road 39, where it rolled a manufactured home and emptied its contents nearby on the northern side of the track. Additional damage toward the southern portion of the track included the complete destruction of a house with all debris tossed a short distance from the foundation. The tornado bent the frame of a car around the remnant of a large tree whose upper portion had broken off and totaled three vehicles by severe impacts into the bases of two remaining tree stubs. Farther east on the other side of a small lake, a well-anchored and constructed home was leveled with debris removed from the foundation and anchored bolt screws remaining intact. Toward the northern edge of the tornado, the destruction of two double-wide and a single-wide manufactured home was observed. This was the peak intensity of the tornado due to the combination of damage to the two houses along with extensive severe tree damage including trees snapped at their bases and large trees with expansive root systems uprooted along with some sporadic evidence of ground rowing.||The tornado began to decrease in intensity as it continued east roughly paralleling Lee County Road 39 where two manufactured homes were destroyed with most debris deposited away from the original location and both of the metal frames of the mobile homes could not be located. Another manufactured home was destroyed with its contents deposited in a swath from the site into the remains of a nearby tree line. A car was found in an overturned position against a hardy tree stripped of most limbs with a mattress from a bed wrapped around the mid portion of the tree. A badly mangled metal frame of a manufactured home and debris displaced nearby was all that remained of one residence. Nearby a tractor trailer rig was on its side and shoved around a sturdy tree while a nearby site-built home lost nearly all of its exterior walls with debris remaining on or near the home site. Severe tree destruction continued in this area with trees snapped at their bases and uprooted. To the north of Lee County Road 39, significant debris was deposited in a wooded area where the tornado performed significant timber damage and toppled at least one high-tension power line tower.||After demolishing two double-wide and a single-wide manufactured home the tornado tracked northeast and crossed Lee County Road 51 just north of the intersection with Lee County Road 39. A double-wide manufactured home was moved off of its base and the exterior walls collapsed on a family residence along with significant tree damage.|Some weakening occurred farther east as the tornado crossed Lee County Road 38 where it deposited a large amount of debris into a ragged forested area. The tornado crossed Lee County Road 100 and Lee County Road 166 where it caused damage to trees with some trunks snapped and some trees uprooted.||Tornado damage was observed along Lee County Road 165 and along portions of Lee County Road 40 and Lee County Road 2049. Exterior walls of a family residence were removed and a significant loss of roofing material from a house and a manufactured home were observed. The tornado flipped a manufactured home and deposited its contents nearby along with destroying the roof and walls of a single-wide manufactured home.||The tornado crossed Lee County Road 170 and County Road 175, and then Highway 169 with significant damage to timber along this path. The tornado crossed Lee County Road 245 and Lee County Road 179 with damage to the roof of a house near County Road 239 along with more timber damage. As it approached Smiths Station, the tornado crossed Fullers Lake where it rolled a manufactured home and caused some loss of roofing material to a house. Additional damage occurred along Lee County Road 294 and Lee County Road 298 where a professional building lost some of its roofing materials. Damage also occurred to siding and roofing at several small homes that were not well constructed. As the tornado crossed U.S. Highway 280 it caused some roof damage to a restaurant, damaged a billboard and collapsed a cellular service communications tower. The tornado moved across Lee County Road 318 where some roof damage to homes occurred along with significant timber damage. The tornado moved tracked towards the Chattahoochee River where it caused roof damage to some houses near the river and downed a metal high-tension power line tower. The tornado crossed the Chattahoochee River and continued into Georgia.||There were 23 fatalities and 90 injuries. The American Red Cross estimated 225 homes were destroyed, while another 133 homes sustained major damage.
April 1953Tornado (F3)not stated6 killed, 195 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
March 1996Thunderstorm WindOpelika1 killed, $50,000no account filed
June 1998Thunderstorm WindAuburn1 killed, $10,000no account filed
July 2024LightningMotts1 killedA lightning strike at the Lee County Flea Market in Smiths Station at approximately 12:45 PM CDT resulted in a fatality.
July 2017LightningCawatchee1 killedA 34 year old male died when he was struck by lightning while boating on Lake Harding.
April 1980Tornado (F2)not stated13 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
April 2014Tornado (EF3)Prince Xrd13 hurtThe tornado crossed into Lee County, approximately six-tenths of a mile west of County Line Road. It continued to the northeast and strengthened to its maximum intensity near AL-169, with winds of 140 mph. At this location, approximately 6 manufactured homes were lifted, rolled, and completely destroyed. Additionally, a split level home had its roof and the exterior walls of the top floor removed. Three wood frame homes were also lifted off their foundation and completely destroyed. Several more homes sustained roof damage. Hundreds of trees were snapped off or were uprooted, with several trees debarked. From here, the tornado traveled northeast, where it continuously uprooted trees along its path. As it crossed lee County Road 205, one home suffered extensive roof damage, while approximately 20 additional homes sustained mainly shingle damage. The tornado crossed Lee County Road 179, where a few additional homes suffered minor roof damage as well. As it continue to the northeast, it began to weaken considerably and crossed US-280. A few trees were uprooted at this location. The tornado lifted along Lee County Road 298, approximately four-tenths of a mile from Lee County Road 318.
December 1954Tornado (F3)not stated4 hurt, $250,000no account filed
February 2009Tornado (EF2)Salem3 hurt, $1,100,000The tornado touched down southwest of the community of Salem. It then moved just north of due east, crossing US-280 and several smaller county roads, before lifting at CR-379. Winds estimated at 125-130 mph destroyed 6 mobile homes and 4 site built homes, badly damaged 8 homes, and caused minor damage to 9 others. Two area businesses were destroyed, one other received minor damage, and one school building was damaged. Hundreds of trees were snapped off and uprooted, and one 18-wheeler was overturned. There were three minor injuries reported, only one that required hospitalization.
November 2011Tornado (EF1)Loachapoka2 hurt, $4,000,000A tornado initially touched down in Macon County Alabama and crossed into Lee County approximately 1 mile southwest of Lee Road 3. It continued its northeastward path causing extensive tree damage across western Lee County. Dozens of houses and mobile homes on the western side of Auburn were heavily damaged due to falling trees. Several residences were destroyed. One female and one child were injured when trees fell on a mobile home. Significant damage was also noted in the Terrace Acres neighborhood, where homes were heavily damaged from falling trees. The tornado crossed the southern edge of Auburn University's campus and caused damage to the baseball facilities at Auburn High School and nearby homes. The tornado crossed interstate 85 at US highway 280 and continued moving to the northeast toward Lake Harding. Along the lake, extensive tree damage and damage to numerous homes and boathouses occurred. Several residences were destroyed or sustained complete roof loss. The tornado continued into Harris County Georgia (See November Storm Data from WFO Peachtree City).
June 2020LightningPrince Xrd2 hurtHome located on Lee Road 2087 struck by lightning with ensuing fire. Two women struck by lightning on the same road. Both survived with unknown injuries.
May 1984Tornado (F2)not stated1 hurt, $250,000no account filed
March 2019Tornado (EF1)Marvyn1 hurtNational Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in far southern Lee County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum sustained winds near 105 mph.||This tornado was a continuation of the Macon County Tornado. The tornado entered Lee County about 1.2 miles north of Highway 80. It traveled northeast and crossed County Road 29, County Road 11, Cave Mill Road, and Alabama Highway 51. It continued northeast across County Road 166, County Road 165, and finally lifted near County Road 170. Numerous trees were snapped off and uprooted across southern Lee County. Many mobile homes and frame homes suffered varying degrees of roof damage. Two mobile homes were rolled over near the end of the damage path and one person was injured.
February 2017Thunderstorm WindPepperell1 hurtNational Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in the city of Opelika that was consistent with straight line wind damage, with maximum sustained winds estimated at 60 to 70 mph.||This swath of damaging wind began at a large warehouse building on Williamson Avenue. Significant structure and roof damage was sustained. The damaging winds continued northeastward onto Steel Street, where another industrial building sustained roof damage, along with minor damage to other structures. The Goo Goo Car Wash on Marvyn Parkway sustained significant roof damage just to the northeast, where the swath of damaging winds ended. The swath was 0.66 miles long and was 150 yards wide at its widest point. One person sustained minor injuries at the car wash. ||Thanks to Lee County EMA for their assistance with this survey.
February 1990Thunderstorm Windnot stated1 hurtno account filed
January 1975Tornado (F2)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
June 1999Flash FloodCountywide$1,500,000Four to six inches of rainfall in a short period of time caused extensive flooding throughout Lee County. The hardest hit areas were Auburn and Opelika. Numerous roads and highways were closed in and around Auburn and Opelika. Numerous motorists drove into the water covered roads and were stranded. A few bridges were washed away and destroyed. Several hundred homes received some sort of flood damage. Many businesses also received damage due to the high water. One small dam also broke in North Auburn.
April 2005Flash FloodCountywide$300,000Doppler radar estimated several inches of rain in a short period of time across Lee County. The rain fell on already saturated ground. Several roads were flooded and were temporarily impassable. Two bridges were totally destroyed. One culvert was totally washed away. A retaining wall collapsed in Auburn.
April 2003HailLoachapoka$250,000The long track, steady state supercell maintained its fairly slow track east southeast across southern Lee County. Hail was reported up to baseball size near Beauregard. Several automobiles and homes were damaged. A few trees were also blown down along the path.
April 2009Tornado (EF1)Loachapoka$150,000The tornado touched down just west of the town of Loachapoka along CR-64. It then moved through Loachapoka, and nearly paralleled AL-14 for several miles, before lifting just south of AL-14 east of CR-51. Hundreds of trees were snapped off and uprooted along the path. In Loachapoka, a church sustained moderate roof damage, several barns and outbuildings suffered varying degrees of damage, and a few vehicles were damaged by the fallen trees.
May 2009Tornado (EF0)Cawatchee$100,000The weak tornado touched down in northeast Lee County on the south side of Halawaka Creek. Starting just to the west of Forest Road and traveling to the northwest, the tornado lifted after it crossed Lee Road 462 and crossed into the lake. Damage along the path included approximately 150 trees snapped or uprooted, several of which fell onto homes and other buildings, including sheds and boat houses.
July 2008LightningBeehive$100,000Lightning struck a house, causing it to catch fire. The roof was completely burned. One occupant escaped without injury.
March 2007Tornado (EF1)Smiths$100,000The tornado that touched down near the Russell-Lee County line tracked northeastward across southern Lee County. It strengthened as it approached Lake Oliver on the Chattahoochee River. The greatest damage was from Summerville Road into the River Oak and Rock Island areas. Numerous pine trees were snapped off and some hardwoods were uprooted. At least 20 residential properties reported tree damage. At least 25 homes suffered shingle, window or minor structural damage. Some of the fallen trees landed on homes and produced moderate damage. The tornado then continued eastward into Muscogee County, Georgia.
March 2005Flash FloodCountywide$80,000Several severe thunderstorms moved across Lee County and each one brought a few inches of rain with it. These heavy rains fell on already saturated ground and caused flooding. Several roadways were underwater and subsequently closed. One bridge was washed out.
March 1996Thunderstorm WindOpelika$80,000no account filed
May 2009LightningPine Grove$75,000A lightning strike caused a house fire, on Lee County Road 390.
July 2004Flash FloodAuburn$75,000Heavy rain in a short period of time caused flash flooding across the metro area. Water was up to 4 feet deep across several roadways. Several automobiles weredamaged by flood waters.
July 2002LightningOpelika$75,000A lightning strike caused significant damage to an Opelika Power Substation. The lightning set a fire in the substation in which flames reached heights of over 50 feet. Six hundred gallons of mineral oil subsequently leaked out of the substation.
February 2009Tornado (EF1)Ridge Grove$65,000The tornado touched down briefly near the intersection of US-280 and CR-147, near an area known as The Bottle. One building sustained heavy damage when its metal roof was peeled off. One car was overturned at a used car dealership and a few trees were snapped or uprooted.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindAuburn$50,000Several trees were blown down in and around Auburn.
June 2011Flash FloodRoanoke Jct$50,000Several areas around the city of Opelika experienced flash flooding due to thunderstorms with very heavy rain. Water rose to the roofs of several cars, and several swift water rescues were needed.
May 2009Thunderstorm WindAuburn$50,000Trees and power lines were blown down at several locations across Lee County. A church roof sustained moderate damage, and a parking deck had minor roof damage. A large tree fell onto a county bucket truck, and damaged the county garage shop.
July 2007Thunderstorm WindSmiths$50,000Numerous trees were blown down in the Smiths Community. One tree was blown down on a mobile home, briefly trapping two people inside.
July 1994Thunderstorm WindAuburn$50,000Thunderstorm winds damaged or uprooted 15 trees on the Auburn University campus, two trees falling on vehicles. Damage was also caused to a pavilion at the track, a window on the top floor of the Haley Center, and to windows in several vehicles.
August 1994Tornado (F0)Opelika$50,000Thunderstorm wind and what appears to have been a small tornado caused structural damage and downed trees along Highway 51 in the Beauregard area about 8.5 miles south of Opelika. Several houses sustained some damage along with numerous uprooted trees. A car was damaged by flying tin from an out-building that was destroyed.
June 1994Thunderstorm WindAuburn$50,000Thunderstorm wind downed several trees which fell on two houses and two vehicles.
July 2003Flash FloodCountywide$40,000no account filed
January 2003Thunderstorm WindOpelika$35,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down near Opelika and Auburn. A few automobiles were damaged by falling trees.
July 2005Tornado (F0)Opelika$34,000National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed the damage just east of Opelika and determined the damage was the result of a tornado. The tornado touched down at approximately 340 PM CDT 8.5 miles east of Opelika, along County Road 158 just east of Lee Road 269. At least two mobile homes sustained minor damage, dozens of trees and power lines were snapped off or blown down, and a spare tire was removed from a vehicle and thrown several yards away. The tornado damage path was 1.2 miles long and 200 yards wide at its widest point. This tornado was spawned during Tropical Storm Cindy.Begin: 32 39.81/85 14.07 End: 32 40.79/85 14.49
April 2009Tornado (EF1)Mitchell Xrd$30,000The tornado touched down south of the Beauregard community, just west of AL-51. It then traveled southeast for just over two miles, lifting near CR-42. The most significant damage occurred near CR-758, where a mobile home received damage, a few other structures suffered roof damage and several trees and power lines were either snapped off or were uprooted.
July 2000Thunderstorm WindCountywide$30,000Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down across Lee County. Several trees landed on homes and vehicles. Some trees fell onto roadways and this caused several accidents.
November 2004Tornado (F0)Opelika$28,000no account filed
May 2010Thunderstorm WindPepperell$25,000A single tree was blown down onto a mobile home, destroying the home.
January 1998Flash FloodCountywide$25,000no account filed
June 1996Thunderstorm WindPhenix City$25,000no account filed
June 1978Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
March 2005HailLoachapoka$23,000no account filed
June 2007Thunderstorm WindPepperell$20,000Numerous trees were blown down, from near the East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, southward to the County Road 146 area in the central part of the county. At least one tree fell on a home.
March 2005Flash FloodCountywide$20,000Doppler radar estimated up to 3 inches of rain in a three hour period. This heavy rain fell on already saturated ground. Doppler radar estimated up to 8 inches in a 24 hour period. Several roads were temporarily impassable due to high water. Several area creeks and streams were out of their banks.
July 1998Thunderstorm WindAuburn$20,000Trees and power lines were down in Auburn. A tractor trailer was blown over in the wind and did significant damage to a building.
September 1996LightningAuburn$20,000no account filed
October 2004Thunderstorm WindLoachapoka$17,000no account filed
March 2005HailSmiths$16,000Hail up to the size of golf balls fell across the extreme southeastern part of Lee County.
May 2004Thunderstorm WindAuburn$16,000A few trees were knocked down or snapped off in Auburn. One of the trees fell on a home and it sustained moderate damage.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindAuburn$15,000The roof of a mobile home was removed and trees and powerlines were blown down.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindAuburn$15,000Trees were down in Auburn, including one on a trailer.
May 1995Thunderstorm Windnot stated$15,000A wind gust to 57 miles an hour was reported at the East Alabama Medical Center on their measuring equipment in Opelika. Trees were downed in scattered areas across the county. One tree fell and blocked a road for a short time on the Auburn University campus.
January 1996Thunderstorm WindOpelika$15,000no account filed
June 1996LightningAuburn$15,000no account filed

Mines and quarries

11 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 11 workings inside this county. 3 still produce and 8 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Stone, Crushed/Broken2
Clay2
Aluminum1
Stone, Dimension1
Feldspar, Mica1
Titanium1
Iron1
Mica1
Feldspar1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Bruce Priester ProspectTitaniumOccurrence
Hilyer-Knight ProspectIronOccurrence
James Dimension Stone QuarryStone, DimensionPast Producer
Lee 1 Clay ProspectFeldsparProspect
North Opelika Gibbsite ProspectAluminumOccurrence1977
T H Clower ProspectFeldspar, MicaUnknown
Yarborough-Smith-Neighbor ProspectMicaProspect
Auburn Plant & QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Hearn MineClayProducer
Kiln-Gilmore Dolomite QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Salem PitClayPlant

Every populated place in the county

109

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on. The 2 places that were also surveyed for fire insurance come first, with the number of atlases and photographs held for them.

Recorded here

Opelika, Alabama

14 topographic sheets and 9 fire insurance atlases, 1885 to 1949

Auburn, Alabama

13 topographic sheets and 6 fire insurance atlases, 1897 to 1949

Everything this county holds

The complete index, with nothing left out. Each of these is a separate record with its own page: a federal survey report, or the case file that argued a property on to the National Register. Both are public domain and reproduced word for word.

Surveyed structures

22 structures

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.