Gadsden

About this city

Also known as: City of Champions

Situated along the sweeping bends of the Coosa River, Gadsden is located in northeastern Alabama and serves as the county seat of Etowah County. Developed in the mid-19th century as an important riverboat port, the town grew into a major industrial center after the American Civil War, driven by heavy investment in manufacturing, coal mining, and steel mills. For generations, large-scale industrial employers like Goodyear Tire and Rubber and various iron foundries formed the bedrock of the local economy. Though it has undergone significant economic diversification in recent decades, Gadsden retains a distinct working-class heritage, paired with exceptional natural beauty characterized by dramatic waterfalls and expansive riverfront parklands that run directly through the city.