Marengo County

Marengo County sits in the Black Belt region of west-central Alabama with fertile soil spread across multiple county boundaries. The two main towns, Demopolis and Linden, serve as the county's administrative and economic centers.

French settlers founded the Vine and Olive Colony in 1817 after receiving Congressional land grants to grow grapes and olives. This settlement project established the early French presence in the region and shaped its agricultural direction.

The Marengo County History and Archive Museum displays artifacts and documents that tell the story of the region's development in a historic building. Visitors can explore traces of the French settlement and its influence on local history there.

Visitors can explore the county on existing roads connecting the two main towns and accessing local services. Administrative offices in Linden handle vehicle registration and property taxes, which may be relevant for extended stays.

The county name refers to the 1800 Battle of Marengo near Turin, chosen by early French settlers who supported Bonaparte. This naming choice reflected the political ideals and hopes the French founders brought to their new home.

Location: Alabama

Inception: February 6, 1818

Capital city: Linden

Shares border with: Greene County, Perry County, Dallas County, Wilcox County, Clarke County, Choctaw County, Hale County, Sumter County

Website: http://marengocountyal.com

GPS coordinates: 32.24194,-87.78944

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:02