Sterrett is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Shelby County, Alabama, United States. Its population was 712 as of the 2010 census.[3]

Sterrett, Alabama
Sterrett Post Office
Sterrett Post Office
Location of Sterrett in Shelby County, Alabama.
Location of Sterrett in Shelby County, Alabama.
Sterrett, Alabama is located in Alabama
Sterrett, Alabama
Sterrett, Alabama
Coordinates: 33°26′55″N 86°28′48″W / 33.44861°N 86.48000°W / 33.44861; -86.48000
CountryUnited States
StateAlabama
CountyShelby
Area
 • Total23.57 sq mi (61.05 km2)
 • Land22.92 sq mi (59.37 km2)
 • Water0.65 sq mi (1.68 km2)
Elevation
518 ft (158 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total706
 • Density30.80/sq mi (11.89/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
35147
Area code(s)205, 659
GNIS feature ID127366[2]

History

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Sterrett was named in honor of a prominent local family, which included Alphonso A. Sterrett, who served in the Alabama Legislature.[4] At one point in its history, Sterrett was a center of pottery production in central Alabama. Also known as Jugtown, Sterrett was once home to at least ten potters.[5] The pottery produced here was classified as being part of the East Alabama style of pottery, which used high quality clay and a two-toned glaze decoration.[6] William Hilliard Falkner purchased the Sterrett Pottery Works in 1874 and operated it until 1903. His father, Joel Falkner, was also a potter in Sterrett.[7]

Sterrett was once home to Twin Pines Conference Center, which was founded by Robert "Bob" Saunders. The Bob Saunders Family Covered Bridge is located on the property of the former conference center and is listed in the World Guide to Covered Bridges.[8]

Geography

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The community is in the northeastern part of Shelby County. Alabama State Route 25 runs through the community, leading southeast 7 mi (11 km) to Vincent and northwest 13 mi (21 km) on a particularly winding and mountainous route to the city of Leeds.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
2020706
U.S. Decennial Census[9]

References

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  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. ^ "Sterrett". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  3. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  4. ^ Foscue, Virginia (1989). Place Names in Alabama. Tuscaloosa: The University of Alabama Press. p. 132. ISBN 0-8173-0410-X.
  5. ^ Gaffney, Dennis (January 16, 2012). "Alabama Stoneware — A Jug-full of History | Follow the Stories | Antiques Roadshow". PBS. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  6. ^ Salzman, Jack (May 25, 1990). American Studies: An Annotated Bibliography - Jack Salzman - Google Books. ISBN 9780521365598. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  7. ^ Dubose, Joel Campbell (1904). Notable Men of Alabama: Personal and Genealogical, Volume 1 - Joel Campbell DuBose - Google Books. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  8. ^ "Saunders Covered Bridge". Shelby County Tourism. January 16, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.