Monroeville Alabama

Monroeville Alabama History

Monroeville  was initially known as Burnt Corn Springs during the period when it was part of the Mississippi Territory. During the territorial era it was known as Walker’s Mill and Store, named for Major Walker, the area’s first white settler. In 1832, the county seat was relocated to Monroeville from Claiborne on the Alabama River. The settlement was briefly renamed “Centerville” due to its location in the center of the county, but then it was formally changed to Monroeville. The town was not formally incorporated until April 15, 1899.

Monroeville Alabama Literary Fame

Author Harper Lee was born and raised in Monroeville. Her 1961 novel To Kill a Mockingbird, which received the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, modeled the fictional town of Maycomb based on her hometown.

Truman Capote, a childhood neighbor and friend of Harper Lee, grew up in Monroeville. Capote acknowledged being the inspiration for the book’s character, Dill.

Mark Childress, novelist, and Cynthia Tucker, syndicated columnist and winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary, were also born in Monroeville.

Monroeville Alabama Events

As of 2006, an estimated 30,000 tourists visited Monroeville annually due of its association with To Kill a Mockingbird. Each May, the Monroe County Heritage Museum stages an amateur play based on the book on the grounds of the courthouse. The interior of the courthouse was used as a reference for the film version of the book, and it is the venue for the later acts of the amateur production. 

Monroeville Alabama Hotels

 

Monroeville Alabama Courthouse

Restored to its 1930s appearance, our courtroom is the model for Harper Lee’s fictional courtroom settings in To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s now one of the most recognized courtrooms in America because of the popular film version of the book.

The museum has additional information at its website, www.monroecountymuseum.org

Monroeville Alabama Police Department

The Police Department is located in Downtown Monroeville and is housed in a newly constructed 8,800 square foot building. The Police Department is comprised of 26 police officers, four non sworn personnel and two administrative support personnel. For additional information see the Monroeville Police Department website.

Monroeville Alabama Hospital

Monroeville is served by the Monroe County Hospital. The Mission of Monroe County Hospital is to care for our community by improving the health and well-being of the people we serve, regardless of their economic or social status, by providing health care, disease prevention and health education services.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 2016 South Alabama Avenue Monroeville, Alabama 36460

MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 886 Monroeville, Alabama 36461

MAIN CONTACT NUMBER: (251) 575-3111 phone (251) 743-7410 fax