This Greek Revival courthouse building was built around 1848. It was the third building to serve as the courthouse for Marengo County, AL, out of a total of six. It served as the courthouse until 1903. Since then, this building has been used for several purposes including Linden Public School, Linden Baptist Church, American Legion Hall and Youth Center. It was also the site of a notable event on October 9, 1890 when nationally infamous train-robber and outlaw Reuben Houston “Rube” Burrow was killed in the street in front of the courthouse by Deputy Sheriff Jeff “Dixie” Carter.
The Old Marengo County Courthouse was photographed and recorded in the Historical American Building Survey (HABS) in 1935. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on January 18, 1974. This building is located beside Highway 28 on the north side of Linden, AL at the intersection of Highway 28 and N Mobile Street (GPS coordinates 32.312014, -87.800779).
Sources: 1) NRHP “Old Courthouse” Nomination Form; 2) LindenAlabama.net; 3) Historical Marker (located in front of the courthouse building).
B&W photograph courtesy US Library of Congress (HABS), photographer: Alex Bush, date: June 13, 1935.
For details about the life of the Alabama outlaw, “Rube” Burrow. go to EncyclopediaOfAlabama.org.