Town of Wilton​

The Town of Wilton is a small municipality located in Shelby County, Alabama. Established to serve the surrounding rural community, Wilton developed as a close-knit town with strong ties to agriculture, local industry, and family life. Like many Alabama towns, Wilton grew around the need for local governance, infrastructure, and public services for its residents.

​

​

The Tow

Brief History of the Town of Wilton, Alabama

The area that became Wilton was settled early in the 19th century, with settlers arriving in the region before Alabama achieved statehood in 1819. The community originally grew around the iron, coal, and railroad industries, which played a central role in its development. The site was first known by several different names—including Woodsborough, Woods, and later Junction—as the railroad became a defining feature of the town’s economy and identity. Early railroad lines, such as the Alabama and Tennessee River Railroad, arrived in the 1850s and enabled the transport of coal and goods, anchoring Wilton as a local hub of activity.

 

As the community evolved, it was known by various names over time (including Birmingham Junction, Bismarck, and Catoosa) before adopting its present name. The town’s current name—Wilton—is commonly believed to have been inspired by Wilton, England, another historic railroad center.

​

​