Baker was created from portions of Autauga, Shelby, Bibb, and Perry, by an act approved December 30, 1868. It was named for Mr. Alfred Baker, a resident of the portion taken from Autauga. It lies in the center of the State, and is west of Coosa, north of Autauga, south of Shelby, and east of Bibb and Perry. It has an area of about 700 square miles. The assessed value of real estate is $312,023; of personally $76,121; total $388,124. The improved farm lands in 1870 embraced 31,852 acres, the unimproved 117,136 acres; and the cash value was $284,378; while the estimated value of the productions of the farms in 1869 was $349,587. The live stock in the county was valued at 8237,442, and consisted of 1008 horses, 295 mules, 7348 meat cattle, 4767 sheep, and 9171 hogs. The productions of the county in 1869 were 131,311 bushels of Indian corn, 11,728 bushels of wheat, 6238 bushels of oats, 29,996 bushels of potatoes, 709 pounds of rice, 46,293 pounds of butter, 1360 bales of cotton, 7634 pounds of wool, and 3256 pounds of tobacco; and the value of the slaughtered animals was $53,483. The population of the county in 1870 was 5057 whites and 1137 blacks. There are forty-four and a half miles of railroad in the county; thirty-two miles of the road from Montgomery to Decatur, and twelve and a half miles of the Selina & Rome Railroad. The Coosa river is the eastern boundary line, but is not vet made navigable.[1]Alabama, her history, resources, war record, and public men: from 1540 to 1872, Brewer, Willis, Montgomery, Ala.: Barrett & Brown, 1872.
In 1870, Baker County had a destructive courthouse fire which will impact your genealogical research prior to that event.
CLINTON, the seat of justice, is a village on the railroad which has sprung up within the past two years, and now has about 200 inhabitants. It is named to honor the late Gen. James H. Clanton of Montgomery. There are no towns in Baker. The extensive pine forests of the county are a source of wealth, for there are numerous lumber mills, and the trade is usually active. The yellow-heart pine of this region is noted for strength of texture, and imperviousness to moisture. Iron ore is found in considerable quantity, and a gold mine on Blue creek was worked at one time. Marble, copper, and plumbago also exist. The profile of the county is undulating, and the soil generally light. Baker has no history, and as yet is not entitled to separate representation in the general assembly.[2]Alabama, her history, resources, war record, and public men: from 1540 to 1872, Brewer, Willis, Montgomery, Ala.: Barrett & Brown, 1872.
On 17 Dec. 1874, Baker County was renamed Chilton County.