1828Government
They settled the area in 1828 near what would become known as Woodstock spring with other settlers soon arriving and building around Teague.
1865Military
The Confederate States of America operated an iron furnace near present-day downtown Anniston, until it was destroyed by raiding Union cavalry in early 1865.
1872Economy
=== Woodstock Iron Company ===
In 1872, the Woodstock Iron Company, organized by Samuel Noble and Union Gen.
1873Government
Anniston was chartered as a town in 1873.
1880History
== Demographics ==
Anniston first appeared on the 1880 U.S.
1882Government
In 1882, Anniston was the first city in Alabama to be lit by electricity.
1886Government
Schools also appeared, including the Noble Institute, a school for girls established in 1886, and the Alabama Presbyterian College for Men, founded in 1905.
1890Culture
In 1890, "beat" was changed to "precinct." In 1960, the precinct was changed to "census division" as part of a general reorganization of counties.
1893Architecture
Temple Beth El, dedicated in 1893, is the oldest building in the state continuously used for Jewish worship.
1898Education
Former schools in Anniston include the Anniston Normal and Industrial School (1898–c.
1899Crime
=== Crime ===
==== Homicides ====
== Arts and culture ==
In 1899, the county seat of Calhoun County moved from Jacksonville to Anniston.
1900Military
The preservation effort included the historic Calhoun County Courthouse, located on the corner of 11th Street and Gurnee Avenue since 1900.
1915Civil Rights
1915), a private Baptist school for African American students during the time of segregation.
1917Military
=== World War I and II ===
In 1917, at the start of World War I, the United States Army established a training camp at Fort McClellan.
1929Economy
=== PCB contamination ===
PCBs were produced in Anniston from 1929 to 1935 by the Swann Chemical Company.
1931Architecture
The original building burned down in 1931, but the courthouse was rebuilt a year later.
1935History
In 1935 Monsanto Industrial Chemicals Co.
1941History
By 1941, Anniston was Alabama's fifth largest city.
1961Civil Rights
=== Civil Rights era ===
Anniston was the center of national controversy in 1961 when a mob bombed a bus filled with civilian Freedom Riders during the American Civil Rights Mo...
1963Culture
On September 16, 1963, with city police present, Noble and Sproull escorted black ministers into the library.
1964Civil Rights
In February 1964, Anniston Hardware, owned by the Sproull family, was bombed, presumably in retaliation for Commissioner Sproull's integration efforts.
1965History
On the night of July 15, 1965, a white racist rally was held in Anniston, after which Willie Brewster, a black foundry worker, was shot and killed while driving home from work.
1969Economy
In 1969, the plant was discharging about 250 pounds (110 kg) of the chemicals into Snow Creek per day, according to internal company documents.
1971Economy
bought the plant and took over production, which continued until 1971.
1972Government
The Alabama Shakespeare Festival was founded in the city in 1972 and remained there until moving to Montgomery in 1985 seeking more robust financial support.
1978Military
Anniston was a 1978 winner of the All-America City Award, presented by the National Civic League.
1980History
In 1980, three additional census divisions were consolidated into Anniston, including Oxford, Weaver and West End.
1990History
Thanks to a complete restoration in 1990, the stately structure is still in use today.
1993Culture
The Spirit of Anniston Main Street Program, Inc., a nonprofit organization started in 1993, spearheaded the restoration and revitalization of historic downtown Anniston, with a ...
1996Education
Tuscaloosa, AL: University of Alabama Press, 1996.
1999Military
Most of the site of Fort McClellan was incorporated into Anniston in the late 1990s, and the Army closed the fort in 1999 following the Base Realignment and Closure round of 1995.
2000History
Mount Pleasant, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2000.
2002History
In 2002, an investigation by 60 Minutes revealed Anniston had been among the most toxic cities in the country.
2003Government
In 2003, part of the town of Blue Mountain was annexed into the city of Anniston, while the remaining portion of the town reverted to unincorporated Calhoun County.
2004Military
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra since 2004 has performed a summer series of outdoor concerts, Music at McClellan, at the former Fort McClellan.
2005Economy
More than $21 million was earmarked for this project in 2005.
2009Culture
The Anniston Eastern Bypass was a stalled project of the Alabama Department of Transportation to build a four-lane highway in Calhoun County until revived by the 2009 federal st...
2010History
=== 2010 census data ===
As of the census of 2010, there were 23,106 people living in the city.
2011Architecture
Destruction of the weapons was completed in 2011.
2013History
The incinerator and related operations were officially closed in May 2013, and the incinerator was disassembled and removed from the depot at the end of 2013.
2014History
== External links ==
City of Anniston official website
Institute of Southern Jewish Life's History of Anniston
"Anniston" Archived July 18, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Encyclo...
2015Military
As of December 2015, the route is now open to traffic and carries US-431 from the Saks community southward.
2016Government
=== 21st century ===
In 2016, attorney Jack Draper was elected mayor of Anniston, and he was reelected to a second term in 2020.
2017Architecture
The site today is home to a historic marker and was designated Freedom Riders National Monument by President Barack Obama in January 2017.
2018Education
As of early 2018, Anniston High School was included in this category.
2020History
=== 2020 census data ===
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 21,564 people, 9,277 households, and 5,455 families residing in the city.
2025Government
After a law was passed in Alabama extending mayoral terms by one year, Draper resigned in 2025, citing the effects of the extended incumbency, in addition to focusing on his hea...
2026Government
The office of vice mayor is held by councilman Lewis Downing, as of January 2026.