Jasper is a city in Walker County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 14,659. As of July 1, 2006 the population had increased to 15,117. The city is the county seat of Walker County, and once ranked among the world's leading producers of coal.
A welcome sign sits beside Walker High School, notating the school's state titles.History
Jasper, named in honor of Sergeant William Jasper, a Red Stick War soldier, was settled in 1815, but was not incorporated until 1888. The first significiant growth of the area was realized in 1886, when the Kansas City-Memphis & Birmingham and the Sheffield & Birmingham Railroads were completed through Jasper. The population grew from 200 people in 1886 to more than 3,000 in 1890. In a special edition in 1891, The Mountain Eagle stated there were 400 coke ovens in operation, six coal mines, one foundry and machine shop, two saw mills, one brick work, two sandstone quarries, four hotels, and two banks.
Temple Emanu El, 1501 Fifth Avenue North, Jasper, Walker County, ALNotable residents
It is the birthplace of famous TV and movie stars Polly Holliday and George Lindsey, the actor who played Goober on The Andy Griffith Show, as well as singer Sandy Posey. It is also the birthplace of United States Senator John H. Bankhead II, former Speaker of the House William Brockman Bankhead, Alabama millionaire James Stanley Freeman and his son, famed World War II admiral James Shepherd Freeman, and home of the late Congressman Tom Bevill, who is known for making the first 911 emergency call. The late actress Tallulah Brockman Bankhead lived for a while at her father's home in Jasper as a child, and was later married in that home. One of the fictional characters from the TV show, Lost, James "Sawyer" Ford was originally from Jasper, Alabama. He reveals this in Season 3. MMA fighter and famous boxer "Butterbean" Eric Esche resides in Jasper and owns the Mr. Bean's BBQ restaurant.
References in popular culture
Jasper is the birthplace of James "Sawyer" Ford, a fictional character from ABC's television series Lost.
The city of Jasper is mentioned multiple times by Goober Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show, as it was the actual hometown of actor George Lindsey.
Jasper is the birthplace of actress Polly Holliday as "Flo" on the popular television series Alice and her own series Flo
The city of Jasper is mentioned as the birthplace of the children's storybook chihuahua, Coco Bear.
The father of American Idol winner Taylor Hicks is currently a dentist in Jasper.
Businesses
MonsterFM.com/Broadcast Services - Broadcast Media
Dill Communications - Communications
Drummond Company - Coal
Walker Baptist Hospital - Healthcare
Computer Electronics Service - Computer Repair
Sirius Design Studio - Web Design
WJBE/WJLX FM&AM - Broadcast Media
Confederate Veterans' Memorial, Courthouse Square, Jasper, Walker County, AL
G. W. Posey Store, Twentieth Street & Elliot Boulevard, Jasper, Walker County, AL
First Methodist Church, 1900 Third Avenue North, Jasper, Walker County, AL
John Hollis Bankhead House, 1400 Seventh Avenue, Jasper, Walker County, AL
Corry Homestead, Southern Museum of Folklife, State Route 69, 10 miles South of Jasper, Oakman, Walker County, AL
Corry Homestead, Corry House, State Route 69, 10 miles South of Jasper (244 Scho, Oakman, Walker County, AL
