Gadsden, AL

Gadsden is the county seat of Etowah County, set on the Coosa River in northeast Alabama between Birmingham, Chattanooga, and Huntsville. It grew from an early settlement called Double Springs and developed as a river port before becoming a regional industrial and service center. The city sits near Lookout Mountain and has local landmarks such as the Gilliland-Reese Covered Bridge. Gadsden's best days were tied to industry and the river, but it still serves as the main city of its metro area.