Demopolis
Alabama, United States
Demopolis, city, Marengo county, western Alabama, U.S. It is situated about 100 miles (160 km) west of Montgomery, at the confluence of the Tombigbee and Black Warrior rivers, which form a navigable waterway. Founded in 1817 by Napoleonic exiles who unsuccessfully tried to raise olives and grapes, it was named Demopolis (Greek: “City of the People”). A cotton-plantation society flourished (c. 1830–60), and many fine Greek Revival mansions were built, including Gaineswood (c. 1842–60) and...