In the 19th century, Henry County covered the southeast corner of Alabama. A few towns had been established but the area was primarily timberland and farmland. Many "crossroads" settlements had appeared with homes and stores and one-room schools scattered about.

       In the mid 1800's an influential landowner, W.S. Wood, moved into this isolated area from Columbia and the future began to take shape. A small town was in its beginning. In February of 1903 a new county was formed from parts of Henry and Geneva counties. It was given the name of Houston in honor of Gov. George S. Houston. Two months later in April of 1903, the Town of Cottonwood was incorporated making it the first town established in the new Houston County. The town's name may have come from either Mr. Wood or from the Cottonwood trees growing in the
area. That, however, is a debated issue.