Union Springs, AL

Union Springs is a small town located in Marshall County, Alabama. The population was 1,814 at the 2010 census. Union Springs is best known for its historic downtown district, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Union Springs is also home to the Alabama State Fairgrounds, which hosts numerous events throughout the year.

The town of Union Springs was founded in 1892 by a group of settlers who had come from nearby towns such as Decatur and Scottsboro. The town's name commemorates the union of two counties - Marshall and Lauderdale - which were merged into one in 1819. The original plat for Union Springs was filed on February 10, 1892 with a total area of . By 1900, the population had grown to 1,500 and by 1910 it had reached 2,000.

Union Springs' downtown district is its most famous feature and has been designated a National Historic Landmark. The district includes several buildings that are individually listed on the National Register including the courthouse (1911), post office (1912), bank (1920), Methodist church (1897), Odd Fellows lodge (1910), and Masonic temple (1920). Other notable buildings include City Hall (1924) and several commercial establishments including J&J Drugstore (c 1905), Woolworth's department store (c 1925), and Kress Store (c 1930).

The downtown district is also home to several historic homes including the Governor's Mansion (1899-1900) and Drury House (1898-1900). Other notable structures in Union Springs include Memorial Park Cemetery (#1 tombstone: "In Memory Of A Great Patriot Who Died In The Service Of His Country"), Trinity United Methodist Church (#2 tombstone: "In Memory Of John Witherspoon And His Wife Elizabeth"), Baptist Church (#3 tombstone: "Apostle James Henley 1793-1868"), First Presbyterian Church (#4 tombstone: "Erected By A Society Organized In Honor Of Rev Mr David Crockett Pastor 1827-1891"), Central High School (#5 school building: 1922; #6 school building: 1924; #7 school building: 1926; #8 school building: 1928; demolished 1978]), and Veterans Memorial Park (#9 monument erected 1953).