Three Notch Railway

The beautiful city of Andalusia located in the “heart of South Alabama” has a fascinating history which begins on the banks of the Conecuh River at the trading post community called Montezuma. Even though this early settlement below the falls was called Covington Courthouse, the first county seat shown on old maps (1826), by 1829, the name of the post office and the village had changed to Montezuma. To this day, it is uncertain as to how Montezuma got its name. Historians say that it could have been the Spanish influence of the traders up and down the river to Pensacola or possible refugees moving in from the Mexican Revolution which had just ended.

In 1817, the Alabama territory was formed. The State of Alabama was admitted to the Union in 1819 and Covington County was made a county by the newly formed legislature in 1821 and was named in honor of Brigadier General Leonard Covington, a native of Maryland and hero killed in the War of 1812. Covington County was created from Henry County and through the years has been reduced to its present size by the carving out of Dale and Geneva Counties.

Covington County began its real growth in 1899 when the Central of Georgia extended its line to Andalusia from Searight, and the L & N Railroad ran a line from Georgiana through Andalusia and Opp to Graceville, Florida and on to Florala at a later date. This progress brought new transportation which helped open the area to new frontiers in forest products, manufacturing, and trade. Prior to the “iron horse” arriving, Covington County’s economy was based solely on forest products and agriculture.

City of Andalusia