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About Winston County

Welcome to the Winston County Office of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Winston County was created as Hancock County Feb. 12, 1850, from territory formerly in Walker County. It was named for Gov. John Hancock of Massachusetts. On Jan. 22, 1858, the name was changed to honor Alabama Gov. John A. Winston.

Located in the northwestern part of the state, Winston County is in the Appalachian foothills and contains rich mineral deposits. Today, a large portion of the county is part of the William B. Bankhead National Forest. The county seat is Double Springs. The county gained notoriety during the Civil War for its reluctance to support the Confederacy or the Union, hence the nickname "Free State of Winston."

The major agricultural crops are poultry, beef cattle and forestry. Manufactured housing is the largest industry.