Newton, Alabama | |
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Town | |
Downtown Newton, Alabama
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Location of Newton in Dale County, Alabama. |
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Coordinates: 31°21′N 85°36′W / 31.350°N 85.600°WCoordinates: 31°21′N 85°36′W / 31.350°N 85.600°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Alabama |
County | Dale |
Area | |
• Total | 14.28 sq mi (36.98 km2) |
• Land | 14.25 sq mi (36.91 km2) |
• Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2) |
Elevation | 318 ft (97 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 1,511 |
• Estimate (2016) | 1,459 |
• Density | 102.39/sq mi (39.53/km2) |
Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
• Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
ZIP code | 36352 |
Area code(s) | 334 |
FIPS code | 01-54480 |
GNIS feature ID | 0123931 |
Newton is a town in Dale County, Alabama, United States. At the 2010 census its population was 1,511. Once the county seat of Dale County, Newton lost this distinction to nearby Ozark in 1870, and is now a small farming community. It incorporated in 1887. The city currently forms a part of the Ozark micropolitan statistical area.
Newton is located at 31°21′N 85°36′W (31.344,-85.593).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 14.3 square miles (37 km2), of which 14.3 square miles (37 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) (0.21%) is water.
The Choctawhatchee River flows just to the north and west of Newton. At one time this waterway was navigable by steamboat from its mouth in Choctawhatchee Bay, Florida all the way to Newton.
Alabama State Route 123 and Alabama State Route 134 both pass through Newton.
Newton was founded in 1843 after the formation of Coffee County from Dale County's western half, which rendered the original county seat of Daleville off-center. The town was a scene for Confederate recruiting during the Civil War, and was the site of a battle in March 1865 between local Home Guard troops and elements of the 1st Florida Cavalry (US) operating out of Florida. The Federals were led by Joseph Sanders, a Dale County resident who had previously been a captain in the 31st Georgia Infantry, but had later switched sides and joined the Federals. Seeking to burn the county courthouse, the attackers were repulsed when local troops ambushed their column as they entered the town. This event is commemorated by a monument located in downtown Newton, and by annual re-enactments.