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Marshall County, Alabama

124 topographic sheets and 6 fire insurance atlases across 3 places.

Research this county

From the record

15 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Alabama within the United States
Marshall County within Alabama

What the record shows

  • 3 places in this county were surveyed for fire insurance: Albertville, Boaz, Guntersville, between 1927 and 1948.
  • 6 fire insurance atlases survive for the county. Topographic coverage is national; fire insurance survey reached only incorporated places with something worth insuring.
  • 2,814 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 15 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 10 buildings and 5 districts.
  • 2 of the 15 listings were added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 126 populated places in this county; 125 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Photographs

9 photographs, 1933

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.

Guntersville Dam and powerhouse. Generator hall. Roof is supported by trusses with arched bottom chords, concealed by ceiling made up of asbestos boards on steel furring. Ceiling also serves as insulation and plenum chamber and permits recessing of highbay reflectors which are louvered at bottom to eliminate glare. These reflectors furnish the main working light and throw the generators upon which they are concentrated into strong relief; general illumination of the space comes from indirect reflectors concealed behind the crane relief and turned towards the ceiling. Floor is ceramic tile; wall, glazed structural tile up to ceiling, but of lighter color above crane rail
Guntersville Dam and powerhouse. Generator hall. Roof is supported by trusses with arched bottom chords, concealed by ceiling made up of asbestos boards on steel furring. Ceiling also serves as insulation and plenum chamber and permits recessing of highbay reflectors which are louvered at bottom to eliminate glare. These reflectors furnish the main working light and throw the generators upon which they are concentrated into strong relief; general illumination of the space comes from indirect reflectors concealed behind the crane relief and turned towards the ceiling. Floor is ceramic tile; wall, glazed structural tile up to ceiling, but of lighter color above crane rail
Photographer not recorded, 1933. Library of Congress
Visitors' builidngs. The visitors' building at Guntersville Dam performs similar functions as described for this type of building at Chickamauga and Pickwick. In addition, it gives access to a landing for pleasure craft through a flight of stairs. It is constructed of brick, like the generator hall across the river
Visitors' builidngs. The visitors' building at Guntersville Dam performs similar functions as described for this type of building at Chickamauga and Pickwick. In addition, it gives access to a landing for pleasure craft through a flight of stairs. It is constructed of brick, like the generator hall across the river
Photographer not recorded, 1933. Library of Congress
Guntersville Dam and powerhouse. Closeup view of powerhouse. Note texture of concrete on electrical bay which is typical of most TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) projects. Pattern is produced by alternating directions of grain in adjoining form panels. Rough-sawn lumber is used to make grain more pronounced. Heavy texture conceals color and surface irregularities of concrete and will become particularly valuable as concrete ages. Office floor is above flood level and has continuous glass brick strip
Guntersville Dam and powerhouse. Closeup view of powerhouse. Note texture of concrete on electrical bay which is typical of most TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) projects. Pattern is produced by alternating directions of grain in adjoining form panels. Rough-sawn lumber is used to make grain more pronounced. Heavy texture conceals color and surface irregularities of concrete and will become particularly valuable as concrete ages. Office floor is above flood level and has continuous glass brick strip
Photographer not recorded, 1933. Library of Congress
Guntersville Dam and powerhouse. End of spillway deck at navigation lock. Heavy concrete pilings serve as bumpers for gantry deck cranes. Wing houses lock operating machinery and control room
Guntersville Dam and powerhouse. End of spillway deck at navigation lock. Heavy concrete pilings serve as bumpers for gantry deck cranes. Wing houses lock operating machinery and control room
Photographer not recorded, 1933. Library of Congress
Guntersville Dam and powerhouse. General view of spillway and powerhouse. The latter encloses three units, is intended to extend eventually to a fourth. Note one of two traveling gantry cranes on spillway deck. Main generator hall built in brick because it is in flood-proof portion; downstream bay which houses control equipment in lower stories and offices above is in concrete on account of flood hazard
Guntersville Dam and powerhouse. General view of spillway and powerhouse. The latter encloses three units, is intended to extend eventually to a fourth. Note one of two traveling gantry cranes on spillway deck. Main generator hall built in brick because it is in flood-proof portion; downstream bay which houses control equipment in lower stories and offices above is in concrete on account of flood hazard
Photographer not recorded, 1933. Library of Congress
General planning. The town of Guntersville, Alabama, one of many whose entire future has been reoriented due to the program of the Authority. Formerly a sleepy crossroads in a depressed cotton raising area, it became a center of navigation and commerce due to the construction of the reservoir. It's current and anticipated rapid development will be guided by newly established planning and zoning commissions, city plans and ordinances, with the assistance of the Authority's technicians
General planning. The town of Guntersville, Alabama, one of many whose entire future has been reoriented due to the program of the Authority. Formerly a sleepy crossroads in a depressed cotton raising area, it became a center of navigation and commerce due to the construction of the reservoir. It's current and anticipated rapid development will be guided by newly established planning and zoning commissions, city plans and ordinances, with the assistance of the Authority's technicians
Photographer not recorded, 1933. Library of Congress
Guntersville Dam and powerhouse. View of entrance end of generator hall from generator floor. Raised platform at end serves as delivery and assembly space for machinery, also as visitors' overlook. Machine repair and electrical shops are located under platform. Offices in downstream wing are served by open corridor, beginning of which is seen on upper floor to the right of the picture. Directly below, control room which can be inspected from entrance platform. Windows of generator hall along sides are of glass brick (as at Chickamauga, also) for heat insulation and easier maintenance
Guntersville Dam and powerhouse. View of entrance end of generator hall from generator floor. Raised platform at end serves as delivery and assembly space for machinery, also as visitors' overlook. Machine repair and electrical shops are located under platform. Offices in downstream wing are served by open corridor, beginning of which is seen on upper floor to the right of the picture. Directly below, control room which can be inspected from entrance platform. Windows of generator hall along sides are of glass brick (as at Chickamauga, also) for heat insulation and easier maintenance
Photographer not recorded, 1933. Library of Congress
Guntersville Dam and powerhouse. End view of powerhouse toward land approach. Enormous glazed door toward generator hall opens in sections to permit passage of heavy equipment for installation or repair. Large glass brick panel illuminates stairway which leads to electrical rooms below and office suite above. Similar stair access at other end of powerhouse
Guntersville Dam and powerhouse. End view of powerhouse toward land approach. Enormous glazed door toward generator hall opens in sections to permit passage of heavy equipment for installation or repair. Large glass brick panel illuminates stairway which leads to electrical rooms below and office suite above. Similar stair access at other end of powerhouse
Photographer not recorded, 1933. Library of Congress
Visitors' builidngs. View of Guntersville Lake from the terrace of the visitors' building shown on K 1942. Note the rail supported on bent structural T-shapes and prrojected inward for comfort
Visitors' builidngs. View of Guntersville Lake from the terrace of the visitors' building shown on K 1942. Note the rail supported on bent structural T-shapes and prrojected inward for comfort
Photographer not recorded, 1933. Library of Congress

Places on the National Register

15

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
Albertville Depotbuilding197575000320
Company E of the 167th Infantry of the Alabama National Guard Armorybuilding200505000842
Downtown Guntersville Historic Districtdistrict201212001022
Guntersville City Schoolbuilding200303001135
Guntersville Hydroelectric Projectdistrict201616000432
Guntersville Post Office Buildingbuilding201010000558
Albert G. Henry Jr. Housebuilding198989000291
Henry-Jordan Housebuilding197979003351
Julia Street Memorial United Methodist Churchbuilding199999000855
Kate Duncan Smith Daughters of the American Revolution Schooldistrict200202000478
Saratoga Victory Millbuilding198484000659
Snead Junior College Historic Districtdistrict199999000468
Thomas A. Snellgrove Homesteaddistrict199696000167
U.S. Post Officebuilding198383002980
Edward Fenns Whitman Housebuilding199797001163

Photographs from libraries nationwide

1 of 13 shown

Selected from the Digital Public Library of America's 13 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.

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

The county from the air

25 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 388 frames inside the rectangle that bounds this county; the 25 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, 1952-02-08, scale 1:69000
1952-02-08, scale 1:69000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-05-21, scale 1:121003
1971-05-21, scale 1:121003. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-05-21, scale 1:118743
1971-05-21, scale 1:118743. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-05-21, scale 1:121583
1971-05-21, scale 1:121583. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1971-05-21, scale 1:119711
1971-05-21, scale 1:119711. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-09-16, scale 1:130000
1973-09-16, scale 1:130000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-09-16, scale 1:130000
1973-09-16, scale 1:130000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-09-16, scale 1:132000
1973-09-16, scale 1:132000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-09-16, scale 1:132000
1973-09-16, scale 1:132000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-12-01, scale 1:78000
1975-12-01, scale 1:78000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-12-01, scale 1:78000
1975-12-01, scale 1:78000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-12-01, scale 1:78000
1975-12-01, scale 1:78000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-12-01, scale 1:78000
1975-12-01, scale 1:78000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1979-03-15, scale 1:80000
1979-03-15, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1979-03-15, scale 1:80000
1979-03-15, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1979-03-15, scale 1:80000
1979-03-15, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1979-03-15, scale 1:80000
1979-03-15, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1988-07-09, scale 1:64000
1988-07-09, scale 1:64000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1988-07-09, scale 1:64000
1988-07-09, scale 1:64000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1988-07-09, scale 1:64000
1988-07-09, scale 1:64000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1988-07-09, scale 1:64000
1988-07-09, scale 1:64000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 2002-03-24, scale 1:15000
2002-03-24, scale 1:15000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 2002-03-24, scale 1:15000
2002-03-24, scale 1:15000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 2002-03-24, scale 1:15000
2002-03-24, scale 1:15000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 2002-03-24, scale 1:15000
2002-03-24, scale 1:15000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

Weather records

34 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

62 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.

  • 48-1Election Precinct 1, Guntersville, coextensive with Guntersville city: Guntersville city - That part comprising Ward 1 Bounded by City limits; Broad; Brown, Ward line; City limits
  • 48-2Election Precinct 1: Guntersville city - That part comprising Ward 2 Bounded by City limits; City limits; Ward line, Brown; Broad
  • 48-3Election Precinct 1: Guntersville city - That part comprising Ward 3 Bounded by Ward line, Brown; Dunlap Ave.; Henry, State Highway 31; City limits
  • 48-4Election Precinct 1: Guntersville city - That part comprising Ward 4 Bounded by State Highway 31, Henry; Dunlap Ave., Ward line; City limits; City limits
  • 48-5Election Precinct 1, Guntersville city - That part comprising Ward 4 Bounded by Brown, Ward line; City limits; City limits; Ward line, Dunlap Avenue
  • 48-6Election Precinct 2, Crossroads
  • 48-7Election Precinct 3, Big Springs
  • 48-8Election Precinct 4, Albertville: Albertville city: Albertville city - That part comprising Ward 1 Bounded by City limits; Rainsville Highway, N. Broad; West Main, Solitude Road; City limits
  • 48-9Albertville city - That part comprising Ward 2 Bounded by City limits; City limits; East Main; N. Broad, Rainsville Highway
  • 48-10Albertville city - That part comprising Ward 3 Bounded by E. Main; City limits; City limits; S. Broad, Jackson, S. Broad
  • 48-11Albertville city - That part comprising Ward 4 Bounded by Solitude Road, W. Main; S. Broad, Jackson, S. Broad; City limits; City limits
  • 48-12Election Precinct 4, Albertville - That part east of Albertville- Center Point and Guntersville - Albertville Rds., outside Albertville city
  • 48-13Election Precinct 4, Albertville - That part west of Guntersville - Albertville Road and north of State Highway 32, outside Albertville city
  • 48-14Election Precinct 4, Albertville - That part south of State Highway 32, and west of Albertville - Center Point Road, outside Albertville city
  • 48-15Election Precinct 5, Jay Bird: Election Precinct 5, Jay Bird - That part northwest of Rainsville Highway
  • 48-16Election Precinct 5, Jay Bird - That part southeast of Rainsville Highway
  • 48-17Election Precinct 6, Wakefield
  • 48-18Election Precinct 7, Claysville
  • 48-19Election Precinct 8, Bosharts
  • 48-20Election Precinct 9, Kennamers
  • 48-21Election Precinct 10, Honeycomb
  • 48-22Election Precinct 11, Paint Rock
  • 48-23Election Precinct 12, Oleander Election Precinct 12, Oleander - That part northeast of State Highway 38
  • 48-24Election Precinct 12, Oleander - That part southwest of State Highway 38
  • 48-25Election Precinct 13, Rock Spring Election Precinct 13, Rock Spring - That part north of Branch of Collins Creek and Collins and Hog Creeks
  • 48-26Election Precinct 13, Rock Spring - That part south of Hog and Collins Creeks and Branch of Collins Creek
  • 48-27Election Precinct 14, Warrenton
  • 48-28Election Precinct 15, Red Hill
  • 48-29Election Precinct 16, Friendship: Election Precinct 16, Friendship - That part north of Douglas-Boaz Road, via Whitesville and east of Walnut Grove - Highpoint Road
  • 48-30Election Precinct 16, Friendship - That part west of Walnut Grove- Highpoint Road, and north of Douglas-Boaz Road
  • 48-31Election Precinct 16, Friendship - That part south of Douglas-Boaz Road, and west of Walnut Grove-Highpoint Road
  • 48-32Election Precinct 16, Friendship - That part south of Douglas-Boaz Road, via Whitesville, and east of Walnut Grove-Highpoint Road
  • 48-33Election Precinct 17, Kirbys
  • 48-34Election Precinct 18, Thompsons: Election Precinct 18, Thompsons - That part north of Guntersville- Martling Road
  • 48-35Election Precinct 18, Thompsons - That part south of Guntersville - Martling Road
  • 48-36Election Precinct 19, Bucksnort
  • 48-37Election Precinct 20, Red Apple: Boaz City: Boaz city - That part comprising Ward 1 Bounded by Mill; Main; City limits; City limits
  • 48-38Election Precinct 20, Boaz City - That part comprising Ward 2 Bounded by City limits; Main; Mill; City limits
  • 48-39Election Precinct 20, Boaz City - That part comprising Ward 3 Bounded by City limits; City limits, Double Bridged Road; Mann Avenue; Main
  • 48-40Election Precinct 20, Boaz City - That part comprising Ward 4 Bounded by Mann Avenue, Double Bridged Road; City limits; City limits; Main
  • 48-41Election Precinct 20, Red Apple - That part east of U. S. Highway 241, outside Boaz city
  • 48-42Election Precinct 20, Red Apple - That part west of U. S. Highway 241, outside Boaz city
  • 48-43Election Precinct 21, Cranford: Election Precinct 21, Cranford - That part east of Perkins Creek
  • 48-44Election Precinct 21, Cranford - That part west of Perkins Creek
  • 48-45Election Precinct 22, Reed Brake: Election Precinct 22, Reed Brake - That part north of Branch of Slab Creek and Slab Creek
  • 48-46Election Precinct 22, Reed Brake - That part south of Slab Creek and Branch of Slab Creek
  • 48-47Election Precinct 23, Wrights, Election Precinct 24, Hooper
  • 48-48Election Precinct 24, Hooper - That part east and north of North Carolina and St. Louis Railroad
  • 48-49Election Precinct 24, Hooper - That part south and west of North Carolina and St. Louis Railroad
  • 48-50Election Precinct 25, Grassy: Election Precinct 25, Grassy - That part northwest of State Highway 31
  • 48-51Election Precinct 25, Grassy - That part southeast of State Highway 31
  • 48-52Election Precinct 26, Arab: Arab town: Arab town - That part east of Main and Alabama Highway 38
  • 48-53Arab town - That part west of Alabama Highway 38 and Main
  • 48-54Election Precinct 26, Arab - That part northwest of State Highway 31, outside Arab town
  • 48-55Election Precinct 26, Arab - That part southeast of State Highway 31, outside Arab town
  • 48-56Election Precinct 27, Union Grove: Election Precinct 27, Union Grove - That part northeast of Union Grove - Guntersville Road
  • 48-57Election Precinct 27, Union Grove - That part southwest of Union Grove - Guntersville Rd.
  • 48-58Election Precinct 28, Mount High: Election Precinct 28, Mount High - That part northeast of U.S. Highway 241
  • 48-59Election Precinct 28, Mount High: Election Precinct 28, Mount High - That part southwest of U.S. Highway 241
  • 48-60Election Precinct 29, Georgia Mountain
  • 48-61Election Precinct 30, Grant: Grant town
  • 48-62Election Precinct 30, Grant: That part outside Grant town

Wildfire, 1994 to 2019

468 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 468 of them, burning about 5,260 acres. 6 started naturally and 104 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning151
Missing data/not specified/undetermined125
Arson/incendiarism104
Recreation and ceremony33
Equipment and vehicle use28
Smoking11
Natural6
Railroad operations and maintenance4
Other causes3
Misuse of fire by a minor3

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

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
2 December 2012Arson/incendiarism220 acresAlabama Forestry CommissionNOR-20121202-002
12 March 2007Arson/incendiarism200 acresAlabama Forestry CommissionSTATE PARK
14 September 1998Debris and open burning165 acresAlabama Forestry Commissionnot named
10 February 2000Debris and open burning150 acresAlabama Forestry Commissionnot named
18 October 2016Missing data/not specified/undetermined150 acresAlabama Forestry Commission20161018-10
14 November 2001Missing data/not specified/undetermined125 acresAlabama Forestry Commissionnot named
4 November 2001Debris and open burning120 acresAlabama Forestry Commissionnot named
8 March 2006Debris and open burning95 acresAlabama Forestry Commissionnot named

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

Storms, 1957 to 2026

60 of 906 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 906 reports for this county, causing 12 deaths, 180 injuries and about $46,807,350 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind502
Hail202
Tornado76
Flash Flood65
Lightning25
Flood21
Heavy Rain8
Funnel Cloud7

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
April 2011Tornado (EF4)Ruth5 killed, 48 hurtA violent tornado with peak wind speeds of 190 mph crossed into northwest Marshall County (from Morgan County). The most severe damage occurred on either side of U.S. Highway 231 north of Arab -- particularly in the Ruth community and along Hog Jaw Road -- about 3 miles north of Arab. Along Hog Jaw Road, a large storage shed with farm equipment was destroyed with some of the large machinery tossed 10 to 20 yards around the shed. In the Ruth community, Mount Oak and Frontier Roads were hardest hit where a cinder block/cement home was nearly wiped clean. Debris from a home on Frontier Road was thrown 50 to 100 yards away. A family of 9 was in this house and 5 were killed. A trailer was missing and a metal-bolted garage was wiped clean of its foundation. Along Frontier Road, a large brick home was nearly wiped clean off its foundation with several large trees ripped out of the ground and missing. Further northeast along the path, along Walnut Ridge, a one-story home was severely damaged with the roof missing and a trailer that was tossed into a tree. Several concrete power poles were bent over as the tornado crossed U.S. Highway 231, some bent at the base. One the east side of Highway 231, a gas station building was completely demolished and two gas pumps were ripped from the ground and missing. The canopy over the pumps remained mostly intact.||The tornado continued toward Union Grove. The degree of damage weakened somewhat but several homes had significant damage where the top stories and roofs were destroyed and the external walls had collapsed. Along County Road 240, a double-wide manufactured home was destroyed and a large garage collapsed but the well-built roof remained intact.||The tornado significantly weakened as it crossed the Tennessee River. On the other side of the river, the tornado snapped and uprooted numerous trees as it crossed Walker Road and just across U.S. Highway 431 before lifting just northeast of Highway 431.
August 2015Thunderstorm WindGuntersville Muni Ar2 killed, 2 hurtA strong thunderstorm moved through the Short creek area of Lake Guntersville, Alabama, capsizing a canoe, resulting in two drownings. Time was estimated by news article.
July 2010LightningCottonville1 killed, 4 hurtA fifteen year-old female was killed and four others injured by lightning at the Honeycomb campground between 430 and 435 pm. The victims were swimming or at the water's edge of Lake Guntersville when a lightning bolt struck miles away from the parent thunderstorm.
April 2009Tornado (EF1)Little New York1 killed, 1 hurtAn EF-1 tornado touched down just south of Gin Road in the Asbury community. A mobile home was completely destroyed with the content blown 40 yards and the frame blown 60 yards. Tragically, one occupant suffered fatal injuries with another suffering life threatening injuries. The tornado continued to track northeast destroying one large chicken house and damaging several others. Several barns and outbuildings sustained substantial damage. The tornado weakened as it continued to move northeast before lifting near Asbury Road.
June 1999Heavy RainAlbertville1 killed, 1 hurtHeavy rainfall earlier in the day caused many local creeks and streams to rise significantly. According to newspaper reports, a 3 year old boy drowned and an 8 year old boy sustained minor injuries while canoeing on a rain swollen creek after heavy rains had ended. The incident occurred on Drum Creek at US 431 in Albertvile.
October 2021Flash FloodNorth Arab1 killedFlash flood fatality occurred on Haynes Road in Arab. Vehicle swept away with child inside. 2 other occupants were able to escape.
October 2021Flash FloodGrassy1 killedFlash flood fatality occurred on Friendship Road. A woman's vehicle was swept away in the flood waters and her body was found the next morning.
April 2010Tornado (EF3)Nixon Chapel35 hurt, $14,000,000A long track EF-3 tornado produced severe damage in the towns of Albertville and Geraldine. The city of Albertville was especially hard hit with severe damage to numerous residences, Albertville High School and several large retail buildings. Extensive tree damage was also observed throughout the damage path. The tornado crossed into DeKalb County just east of County Road 372.
March 1994Tornado (F2)Guntersville30 hurt, $5,000,000A tornado travelled southwest to northeast across an area just south of the city of Guntersville. The tornado apparently began along Highway 79 South then cross Big Spring Creek damaging a number of residential structures along Spring Creek Drive. The tornado appeared to weaken, but was still strong enough to rip off the top part of the roof to the Marshall Nursing Home and damaging several houses near the entrance to Happy Home. It crossed U.S. Highway 431 near the high school taking out some trees on the side of the mountain and damaging a couple of homes. A total of 103 houses were damaged, 45 of them along Spring Creek Drive and eight along Highway 79 South.
March 1961Tornado (F3)not stated8 hurt, $250,000no account filed
November 2001Tornado (F2)Union Grove7 hurt, $400,000A supercell thunderstorm produced a tornado in the Union Grove area. The tornado began at 1:41 pm, 5.3 miles northwest of Union Grove, near Shumate Mountain. The tornado moved northeast crossing CR 240 and ending at 1:44 pm near the base of Benton Round Mountain. The heaviest damage occurred southwest of CR 240. Ten to 15 mobile homes were destroyed, 5 homes suffered varying degrees of damage, several outbuildings and barns were destroyed, an ultra-lite hangar was destroyed, 2 hunting cabins were destroyed, and 7 people received minor injuries. Beg: 34 26.213/86 31.892 End: 34 27.381/86 30.407
November 1957Tornado (F4)not stated6 hurt, $250,000no account filed
March 1986Tornado (F2)not stated5 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
April 1985Tornado (F3)not stated5 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
April 2009Tornado (EF3)Grant5 hurtA tornado touched down approximately 2.5 miles south southeast of Grant along Campbell Mill Road. A few houses sustained minor roof damage on the southeast side of Grant. At least two mobile homes sustained major damage from falling trees. The tornado continued east crossing Old Union Road, Columbus City Road, and Cardessa Lane before descending into the Tennessee River Valley. The tornado crossed Highway 79 at approximately 307 PM CDT at the Baker Mountain Road intersection. At this point the damage path width was just below a half of a mile wide. One woman was injured when a tree fell on her car near the Waterfront Grocery store. Several houses sustained substantial damage on the east side of Highway 79 and many trees were snapped and uprooted. The roof was blown off of one home and a brick wall collapsed. The tornado crossed a small inlet onto the south side of Preston Island, wiping out several boat docks and boat houses. Several homes sustained significant damage on the island from falling trees. At least two wood homes had complete roof collapse and partial wall collapse.||The tornado crossed Lake Guntersville into the South Sauty community. At least one person was injured in this area when he was caught outside during the tornado. At this point, the damage path width increased to at least a half a mile wide. Several well built homes were damaged by falling trees along Memonminee Road. At least 20 boat houses were destroyed in the community. Along Chilcotin Road a well constructed two story brick house lost its roof. Also falling trees damaged several camper trailers. One trailer was blown into Lake Guntersville. Thousands of trees were uprooted or snapped along the path of the tornado in Marshall county. The tornado crossed the CR 67 causeway and very shortly after moved into Jackson county. On CR 67, tornadic winds damaged the shoulder of the roadway as it crossed.
August 2001Flash FloodCountywide4 hurt, $100,000Radar estimated four to seven inches of rainfall fell in a short period of time. Widespread road and stream flooding occurred across Marshall County. Several trees fell down due to soil being eroded away. Two men were rescued from a swollen creek when their vehicle was swept away. Another man and a small child were rescued from a vehicle as it too was swept away in high water. Both of these events occurred just northeast of Arab. All the occupants of the vehicles were saved and received only minor injuries. Several automobiles were under standing water and some people had to be rescued from these stranded vehicles. Lightning struck several power poles and knocked them down. A few homes were also struck by lightning and subsequently caught fire. One home sustained heavy damage.
February 1995Tornado (F2)Martling3 hurt, $500,000A tornado first touched down about two miles south-southwest of Martling in eastern Marshall County moving toward the east-northeast. The tornado continued on this track primarily across the rural area crossing into DeKalb County at 0531 CST. The tornado moved through the Hopewell community in southwest DeKalb County before ending just south of the Lakeview community at Highway 75. Emergency Management reported that more than 10 homes were destroyed, about 40 homes were damaged, and 30 chicken houses were damaged or demolished.
May 1973Tornado (F2)not stated3 hurt, $250,000no account filed
May 1983Tornado (F1)not stated2 hurt, $25,000no account filed
June 1972Tornado (F2)not stated2 hurt, $25,000no account filed
April 1958Tornado (F3)not stated1 hurt, $250,000no account filed
January 1982Tornado (F2)not stated1 hurt, $25,000no account filed
October 1974Tornado (F1)not stated1 hurt, $2,500no account filed
May 2025LightningCottonville1 hurt, $2,000Guntersville Fire/Rescue personnel responded to an incident where a man was struck by lightning on a boat on Lake Guntersville near Honeyomb Cemetery. The victim had serious injuries and burns in several areas.
June 2017Thunderstorm WindDouglas1 hurt, $200A tree was knocked down onto a mobile home on Plunkett Drive.
April 2019Tornado (EF1)Hyatt1 hurtA tornado began southwest of the intersection of Highpoint and McAllister Roads and north of Bearden Rd. Numerous hardwood trees were either uprooted or had large limb damage. As the tornado approached Highpoint Road, it caused minor roof damage to two single-family homes and destroyed a large shed, that was unanchored to its foundation. Damage indicators further upstream were consistent with the assessment at Highpoint Road. A mix of hardwood and softwood trees were either snapped or uprooted along portions of Nixon Chapel Road and Section Line Road. A more concentrated area of heavy tree damage, with significant mobile home roof damage and minor single home roof damage, was noted in an area between|Windsor Road and Mt. Olive Road, likely where the tornado peaked in intensity. ||The tornado continued north-northeast toward U.S. Highway 431. The tornado started to quickly weaken as it crossed the junction of Oneonta Cutoff Road, Turnpike Road and County Road 205. Sporadic tree damage was observed around this location, causing power line damage. Finally, the tornado approached Highway 431 and damaged air-conditioning units and caused minor roof damage to two large retail buildings. Very minor limb damage was noted north of 431 where the tornado dissipated.
August 2013LightningAlbertville1 hurtScattered thunderstorms resulted in a lightning strike that caused a minor injury to person on Weaver road, in Albertville, Alabama.
October 2010LightningLakeview1 hurtA woman was struck by lightning. Thankfully injuries were minor enough that she declined medical treatment. Time estimated based on radar.
April 2009HailSwearengin1 hurtThe Gleam newspaper in Guntersville, Alabama reported that a woman from Michigan was hit by a hailstone big enough to cause her head to bleed from a puncture wound, while visiting the Cathedral Caverns. Hail size estimated from report.
May 2025LightningSaratoga$8,000,000Lightning struck the Albertville Public Library building sparking a fire causing significant roof damage resulting in severe water damage to the structure and inventory of books and furniture. As a result, the building is scheduled to be demolished.
February 1983Tornado (F2)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
May 1973Tornado (F2)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
March 2002Tornado (F1)Red Hill$1,400,000A tornado first touched down at a cemetary just west of Red Hill. The F1 tornado travelled on a near due east path crossing CR 14 (Warrenton Road), a small ridge and SR 79. The tornado then climbed another ridge downing trees. Once on top of the ridge, the tornado paralleled Section Line Road (CR 166) downing trees and power lines and causing damage especially to out buildings, farm buildings, chicken houses, and other weak structures. Most substantial structures affected by the tornado had minimal damage as identified from visual inspection. The tornado ended at CR 152 (Oneonta Cut Off Road). Red Cross officials identified 3 structures with major damage and 18 with minor damage. There were no deaths or injuries reported with this tornado.Beg. 34 15.404/86 26.232 End: 34 15.291/86 16.998
February 1994Tornado (F0)not stated$500,000A tornado moved a short distance through Boaz, destroying a barn and a garage. Also, the roof was blown off a storage building. The winds drove several two-by-four posts into the side of a building. Damage was estimated at approximately $100 thousand.
June 1994Thunderstorm WindGuntersville$500,000Thunderstorm wind caused extensive damage to trees which fell on and destroyed four campers at the Ossa-Win-Tha Resort on Lake Guntersville located northeast of Guntersville along Highway 79. The thunderstorm was moving from the east and the damage was confined to an small area immediately adjacent to the lake.
January 2009FloodAllen Xrds$450,000Heavy rainfall caused area creeks and streams to flood, impacting numerous roads across Marshall county. Roads blocked by flood waters included but were not limited to: Tibbit Circle near Albertville, Sundown Road in Arab, Smith Circle near Arab, Oak Road north of Horton, Horton Road near Albertville, U.S. 231 near Mount Olive Church, Pleasant Valley Road in Union Grove, the Ruth community, and Winkles Road in the Grant area.
September 1996Tornado (F2)Grant$300,000no account filed
May 2003Flash FloodCountywide$250,000five homes and businesses sustained flood damage in county with widespread flooding occurring county wide.
July 1976Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
April 1968Tornado (F2)not stated$250,000no account filed
August 2014Thunderstorm WindBoaz$150,000A thunderstorm produced microburst type damage first in Albertville, Alabama, with numerous trees downed by thunderstorm winds along Highway 205. Three homes sustained minor to moderate damage due to trees falling and trees were reported through two additional homes. Also along Highway 205, several power lines, two power poles and four traffic lights were downed due to the thunderstorm winds. The Foodland grocery store in Albertville, Alabama sustained wind damage, with one third of its roof, sheeting and inside ceiling tiles, moderately damaged by thunderstorm winds. In Albertville, Alabama, numerous trees were downed by thunderstorm winds along Corbinville, Country Club and Cochran roads. A tree was also downed due to thunderstorm outflow winds at Boaz, Alabama.
April 1996Thunderstorm WindArab$130,000no account filed
November 2002Thunderstorm WindArab$125,000Two chicken houses were heavily damaged on Fry Gap Road (CR 44).
May 2025LightningAlbertville$100,000Lightning struck a home on Honeysuckle Lane in the Albertville area. Severe damage to the roof and interior of the home resulted from the lightning strike. The home was damaged enough for the residents of that home to be temporarily displaced.
January 2012Flash FloodHebron$100,000Flash flooding closed the intersection of Fishtrap and Butler Mill Roads. Other roads between Grant and Woodville were closed.
July 2012Thunderstorm WindGuntersville$100,000Several strong thunderstorms merged and intensified around the southern portion of Guntersville lake. A microburst occurred, with the most significant damage occurring at the Claysville snack bar located along Highway 431, just south of the Highway 431/Highway 79 interchange. The small cinder block building with a relatively flat wood roof that was covered by sheet metal, was heavily damaged. The wind ripped the entire roof structure off and collapsed three of the four exterior walls. The debris was thrown downwind approximately 100 yards. The microburst had estimated maximum winds of 90 mph and appeared to initially be concentrated directly over the snack bar, with further damage moving away from this point. There was evidence of a 50 yard section of a chain link fence being bent foward and nearly uprooted by the damaging wind. The estimated length of this particular microburst was 0.6 miles. |A couple of blocks downstream and to the north and between Braswell road and a nearby marina, several medium sized trees were snapped midway down the tree, with smaller branches thrown around. There were also a few sproadic trees downed just northeast of the microburst location.
September 2006Tornado (F1)Albertville$90,000The tornado initially touched down in the southwest side of Albertville between Whitesville Road and South Broad Street. At this stage, the tornado was 40 yards wide producing F0 intensity winds up to 60 mph for along a one quarter mile path. Then the tornado increased to F1 intensity with winds up to 100 mph along a path width of 500 yards. Several trees were snapped and uprooted in its path. Several homes sustained minor roof, awning, and gutter damage. The tornado continued its path north-northeast into western Albertville before dissipating.
August 2011Thunderstorm WindHebron$75,000Numerous trees and power lines across a large part of the county were downed by thunderstorm winds. A wind gust of 52 mph was recorded at a weather station at the Emergency Management Agency office on Creek Path Road. Camper trailers and a few boats were damaged at Lakeside Campground at Claysville.
March 2008LightningHebron$75,000Lightning struck a home sparking a fire destroying the residence. Exact time and location unknown.
April 1996Thunderstorm WindArab$75,000no account filed
August 2002Thunderstorm WindBoaz$70,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down all around Boaz. Several trees fell on homes causing damage. A forty foot high billboard was totally destroyed at a restaurant. No injuries were reported.
July 2000Thunderstorm WindCountywide$70,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across the county. One resident in Guntersville reported that 32 chicken pens were picked up and tossed down the road. One church in Arab sustained major damage when two of its walls collapsed. Several trees were blown down onto homes and automobiles causing major damage. Large waves caused by the wind capsized a boat on Browns Creek. The men in the boat were rescued uninjured. Several boat houses had their roofs removed on Lake Guntersville.
April 1998HailArab$55,000no account filed
March 2010HailMartling$50,000Golfball hail was reported at the Guntersville State park.
December 2009Thunderstorm WindRuth$50,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across the county.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindArab$50,000Thunderstorm winds uprooted trees, snapped power lines and power poles in several areas of southern Marshall County, including the communities of Boaz and Sardis City, including along U.S. Highway 431 and Alabama Highway 205. Other trees were knocked down on Church and Gamble Streets in Sardis City. In Boaz, trees were knocked down on Collier, Bassett and Davis Streets, and Summerville Road and Alabama Highway 205. In Albertville, a tree was knocked down into a home on Oak Street causing significant damage. Times were estimated by radar.
April 1998HailArab$50,000Baseball size hail was reported in Arab.
June 1994Thunderstorm WindGrant$50,000Wind downed a number of trees in Grant located about 13 miles north of Guntersville. Scattered trees and tree limbs were downed throughout the county, too. Grant Police Department reported three-quarter inch hail.
January 1998Flash FloodCountywide$50,000no account filed
June 1998Thunderstorm WindCountywide$45,000Numerous trees and power lines were down across the county. In Union Grove, a barn was destroyed. There were reports of trees down from Guntersville to the Etowah county line.

Mines and quarries

9 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 9 workings inside this county. 5 still produce and 4 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Clay3
Stone, Crushed/Broken2
Silica1
Iron1
Manganese1
Sand and Gravel, Construction1

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

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Glover Manganese ProspectManganeseProspect1942
Kennmer PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Marshall County-Browns ValleyIronUnknown
Unnamed QuarrySilicaProducer
Diamond QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Langford Mine and MillStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
General Shale PitsClayProducer
Mal 1b Clay ProspectClayProspect
Shale Pit No 2ClayProducer

Every populated place in the county

126

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 3 places that were also surveyed for fire insurance come first, with the number of atlases and photographs held for them.

The vanished settlements of Marshall County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.

Recorded here

Albertville, Alabama

24 topographic sheets and 2 fire insurance atlases, 1927 to 1944

Boaz, Alabama

23 topographic sheets and 2 fire insurance atlases, 1929 to 1944

Guntersville, Alabama

22 topographic sheets and 2 fire insurance atlases, 1930 to 1948

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.