The William B. Bankhead National Forest is one of
Alabama
(We dare defend our rights)
, anthem = "Alabama"
, image_map = Alabama in United States.svg
, seat = Montgomery
, LargestCity = Huntsville
, LargestCounty = Baldwin County
, LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham
, area_total_km2 = 135,765 ...
's four
National Forests, covering . It is home to Alabama's only
National Wild and Scenic River
The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-542), enacted by the U.S. Congress to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free- ...
, the
Sipsey Fork. It is located in northwestern Alabama, around the town of
Double Springs. It is named in honor of
William B. Bankhead
William Brockman Bankhead (April 12, 1874 – September 15, 1940) was an American politician who served as the 42nd speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1936 to 1940, representing Alabama's 10th and later 7th congressiona ...
, a longtime
U.S. Representative
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...
from Alabama.
Known as the "land of a thousand waterfalls", this National Forest is popular for hiking, horseback riding, hunting, boating, fishing, swimming, canoeing and more. Within the forest lies the
Sipsey Wilderness, with a host of wildlife and an abundance of swift streams, limestone bluffs, and waterfalls.
Native American relics abound in Bankhead, one of the
Southern United States
The Southern United States (sometimes Dixie, also referred to as the Southern States, the American South, the Southland, or simply the South) is a geographic and cultural region of the United States of America. It is between the Atlantic Ocean ...
's premier sites for
petroglyphs, prehistoric drawings, and rock carvings, at sites such as the
Kinlock Shelter.
The forest is headquartered in
Montgomery, as are all four of Alabama's National Forests. The other National Forests in the state are
Conecuh,
Talladega, and
Tuskegee. There are local ranger district offices located in
Double Springs.
The forest was established as ''Alabama National Forest'' on January 15, 1918, with .
[Proclamation 1423 of January 15, 1918. President Woodrow Wilson. ] On June 19, 1936, it was renamed ''Black Warrior National Forest'',
[Proclamation 2178 by Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 19, 1936. . .] which in turn was renamed ''William B. Bankhead National Forest'' on June 6, 1942.
[AN ACT To change the name of the Black Warrior National Forest to the William B. Bankhead National Forest. .] In 1959, removed land from the forest's boundaries.
References
External links
William B. Bankhead National Forest*
Archaeological sites in Alabama
Protected areas of Franklin County, Alabama
Protected areas of Lawrence County, Alabama
National Forests of Alabama
Protected areas of Winston County, Alabama
{{WinstonCountyAL-geo-stub