The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 3 COUNTY ROADS ALWAYS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE During the early history of the county road(sic) were of the utmost importance. Supplies had to be hauled from distant points. Roads were built by clearing away trees, and stumps and the use of logs for swampy places. They mostly followed Indian trails on ridges between streams. The Cotton Gin Road ran from Hamilton to a railroad point and boat landing known as Cotton Gin Port. At this time the Tombigbee was navigable to Fulton and river boats came to Cotton Gin Port regularly, bringing supplies, loading cotton, hides, and other products from the inland country. The Eastport road ran from Hamilton to the Tennessee River, with one branch to Corinth to connect with the Natchez Trace. Another important one was the Moulton Road. It ran from Columbus through Guin, Hamilton, Hackleburg, Russellville, Moulton, Courtland to the Tennessee River. The Military Road, so called because it was used by Gen. Andrew Jackson on his return from the Battle of New Orleans. It ran from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee and crossed Buttahatchee river at Military Ford. Jackson later was commissioned to make improvements on this road and visited this section again. The Byler Road ran through the eastern part of the county from the Tennessee River to Tuscaloosa. It was one of the oldest roads in the state and was used a great deal when Tuscaloosa was the state capital. Gains Trace ran through the western part of the county. MODERN ROADS The Bankhead Highway, No. 78, runs through the county from the Walker County line through Winfield, Guin and Hamilton. Since it is a direct route from Memphis to Birmingham it is one of the most traveled roads in the state. Road 43 runs through the county from Hackleburg, Hamilton, Guin, and Winfield, from Florence to Mobile. Paved roads also run from Hamilton to Detroit, Vina and Haleyville. Most of the farm market roads have been paved and the county now has about 300 miles of paved roads. Many other roads are being paved and planned. Other paved highways are 5, 17, 19, 74, 129, 167, 172, 187, and 278.