Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa , city (1990 pop. 77,759), seat of Tuscaloosa co., W central Ala., on the Black Warrior River; inc. 1819. It is a transportation and manufacturing center, with industries centered on the region's coal, iron, and timber. Food is processed, and steel, chemicals, paper, and compact discs are manufactured. Agriculture also remains important. The city is the seat of the Univ. of Alabama and Stillman College. Tuscaloosa was settled (1816) on the site of a Native American village after the Creek revolt of 1813. It was state capital from 1826 to 1846. In the Civil War, Tuscaloosa was partly burned. Points of interest include the Old Tavern (1827) and several antebellum homes, including the President's Mansion at the Univ. of Alabama.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama/USA ‘Black Warrior (Town)’ in honour of the Choctaw chief Tuscaloosa from the Choctaw tusko ‘warrior’ and loosa ‘black’. He fought the Spaniards in southern Alabama in 1540. The Creeks established the town in 1809, but four years later it was burnt down. The Creeks were forced to move and built a new town in 1816 further to the west which they also called Tuscaloosa.