Monroe
Monroe County was established in 1815, when the area was part of Mississippi Territory. One of the earliest settlements was Claiborne, which grew up around a fort built on the Alabama River in 1813. Monroeville, the county seat, is the hometown of Harper Lee, author of the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. Her childhood playmate was renowned author Truman Capote. The museum at the old courthouse has exhibits on both authors, and preserves the iconic courtroom replicated for the film version of Lee’s novel. The tiny community of Perdue Hill is home to several historic structures, including a home of William Travis, one of the Texas militiamen who died at the Battle of the Alamo. The grist mill at Rikard’s Mill Historical Park, in Beatrice, has been in operation since 1845.
