Center Star, Alabama Explained

Official Name:Center Star, Alabama
Pushpin Map:Alabama#USA
Pushpin Label:Center Star
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Alabama
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Lauderdale
Timezone:Central (CST)
Utc Offset:-6
Timezone Dst:CDT
Utc Offset Dst:-5
Elevation Ft:669
Coordinates:34.8614°N -87.4556°W
Area Code:256 & 938
Blank Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank Info:155019

Center Star, also known as Centre Star, or Centre (before the American Civil War), is an unincorporated community in Lauderdale County, in the U.S. state of Alabama.

History

Center Star is one of the oldest communities in Lauderdale County. The area was among lands claimed by both the Chickasaw and Cherokee. On May 26, 1861, Edward A. O'Neal organized the "Calhoun Guards" (which became Company I of the 9th Regiment Alabama Infantry) in Center Star. On May 9, 1864, Colonel William A. Johnson's 4th Alabama Cavalry fought with the 7th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment and the 9th Ohio Infantry under the command of Colonel Richard Rowett.[1] The earliest Methodist congregation in Lauderdale County was organized near Center Star in June 1818.

A post office was established at Center Star on April 15, 1850, and was named for its central location on the "star route" (a remote postal route served by a private contractor).[2] The post office was in operation until 1902. It was then reopened for one year in 1914.[3]

Demographics

Center Star was listed on the 1880 U.S. Census as an unincorporated community with a population of 69. It was the only time it was listed on the census rolls.

Notable person

Notes and References

  1. Book: William Lindsey McDonald. A Walk Through the Past - People and Places of Florence and Lauderdale County Alabama. 2003. Heart of Dixie Publishing. 978-0-9719945-6-0. 251–.
  2. Book: Foscue, Virginia. Place Names in Alabama. 1989. The University of Alabama Press. 0-8173-0410-X. Tuscaloosa. 30.
  3. Web site: Lauderdale County . Jim Forte Postal History . 21 October 2014.
  4. Web site: Mark Narmore . Roots of American Music Trail . 22 December 2023.