Winston County, Alabama: History
Hancock County was established February 12, 1850, from territory that was part of Walker County (a county directly to the south of Winston County). Originally named for John Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts and famous signer of the American Declaration of Independence, its county seat was at Houston. On January 22, 1858, the county was renamed Winston County to honor Alabama Gov. John A. Winston.
During the American Civil War, Winston County gained attention for its opposition to secession, a sentiment so strong that the county is sometimes referred to as the Free State of Winston. This area had few slaves and saw little benefit to secession. The county today plays on its reputation as the "Free State of Winston" to attract tourists. The county's opposition to the Confederacy is briefly mentioned in the novels To Kill a Mockingbird and Addie Pray.
In 1883, the county seat was moved from Houston, Alabama to Double Springs to be near the center of the county, since Cullman County was created from the eastern part of Winston County.
Winston County has four sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Archeological Site No. 1WI50, Feldman's Department Store, the Houston Jail, and the Winston County Courthouse.