Newton is Rich in History

Newton was the third county seat of Dale County. In 1841 the west half of Dale County became Coffee County thereby making the county seat at Daleville off-center. Five commissioners were appointed and they selected this site south of the Choctawhatchee River, which the legislature named “Newton” and designated the county seat on February 9, 1843, In this “New Town” a wooden courthouse and a log jail was built. The courthouse burned March 22, 1869, and the county seat was changed to Ozark in 1870.

Newton – The Town on the Hill – 1843

Newton was the hub of Dale County activities from 1843 until 1870. During the war between the state (1861 – 1865), Newton was the center of recruiting, including the home guards. In March 1865, local militia repulsed an attack by a band of irregulars. The Board of Physicians was established in 1856 to issue licenses. The Southern Star was first published here in 1867. Newton was a port for riverboats until the railroad was built in 1890. Newton was home to Killebrew’s Mill, Kill Kare, Kamp, Methodist Academy, and Baptist Collegiate Institute (operating 1898 – 1929)