In 1804, when Alabama was part of the Mississippi Territory, prospective settlers began to migrate from Tennessee, Kentucky, North and South Carolina, and Virginia into what is today, Madison County. Eager to learn what lay beyond the next hill and valley, John Hunt, a veteran of the Revolutionary War came into Madison County from Tennessee. He built a two-room, log cabin in the beautiful, wooded valley just above the "Big Spring". Present day Huntsville was named in his honor. Madison County was created on December 13, 1808, by the proclamation of Governor Robert Williams of the Mississippi Territory. In 1816, the first courthouse was erected on land donated by Leroy Pope. In 1812, the first newspaper in Alabama was established. The fertile land of Madison County caused a great influx of people from all sections of the country. This rapid growth made Huntsville and Madison County one of the most important areas of the Mississippi Territory. In 1819, Alabama was admitted to the Union, and Huntsville was chosen as its first capital. It was here that Alabamans first governor, William Wyatt Bibb, took the oath of office, and the first state legislature convened. Four governors and eight United States Senators, including John Sparkman, have called Madison County home. Madison County and Huntsville are proud of their many historical firsts.Founded in 1805, Huntsville is the oldest town of Anglo-Saxon settlement in Alabama. It had the first state bank, first public library, first textile mill, and the first city water supply system in the state. Today, Madison County is the greatest space center in the world and the greatest cotton producing county in the state.

Buckhorn High School is located in this beautiful valley near the foothills of a spur of the great Cumberland Mountains. Here, in this picturesque valley where Indians once shot arrows, rockets now blaze. How a town, a place, or a school got its name is always interesting and often provides a romantic background which natives enjoy telling. The way Buckhorn High School came by its name is a classical story with many variations and a few authentic facts. The most likely story is as follows: The old Buckhorn Tavern stood in the triangle formed by the old Winchester road, now New Market Pike, and the Deposit road. Buckhorn Tavern was one of the oldest in the country and a popular stagecoach stop, dating back to the days when it was a part of the Mississippi Territory. Andrew Jackson was often a visitor and a guest of the old tavern. We are told that a deer was killed by a young man, William L. Fanning. The horns were hung in the tavern and remained there until it was closed. Until this time the tavern had not been named. The natives and travelers who stopped by for refreshment at this wayside inn began calling it Buckhorn. Because of popular approval, the new high school erected on this site was named Buckhorn High School, The Fanning family gave the horns to the school. They have been mounted and now hang in the office of the principal, This high school is located midway between the two small villages of New Market and Riverton, in the northeast section of Madison County, The pupils come from four feeder junior high schools - Walnut Grove, New Market, Riverton, and Central. The social structure, economic conditions, and cultural background are very similar throughout the entire school attendance area. Geographically, New Market is considered the center of the attendance area.

New Market is a beautiful, little hamlet rich in the history of Madison County. In retrospect, its history is that of a localistic village culture deeply rooted in we-group customs, tied at first to the rich, red soil, and of late to industry. The majority of the inhabitants of New Market and the adjoining attendance area trace their ancestry to the landed gentry of the early pre-civil war period. Even though this beautiful valley lies within the shadows of the greatest nuclear experiment the world has ever known, bringing to this section unparalleled industrial expansion; this sturdy people has managed to cling to the same rich cultural background that has patterned their lives down through the years. A great deal of wealth is not to be found in the attendance area supporting Buckhorn High School. Therefore, there seems to be an unwritten code that all persons- save the very young, the old, the incapacitated, and a few wealthy, retired people-work. A high percentage of parents who have children attending Buckhorn High School are homeowners of the upper middle class; therefore, they provide the necessities and many of the luxuries of life for their children. These people have certain distinguishing marks as a population. They are predominately of the native or Anglo-Saxon stock. They have not allowed the tremendous population growth and industrial expansion to change their habits of life materially. Family life, community ties, and the spirit of being a good neighbor are still guide lines of conduct. From life they desire peace and quiet, stability and continuity, not excitement, new laws, and changes. A very high percent of both adults and young people are regular in church attendance. All churches participate in annual Vacation Bible School, well attended by young people who are drilled in the religious faith of their particular denomination. Discipline is not a major factor in the control of the pupils of Buckhorn High School. They respond very well to the principles of democratic living. It is quite evident that the influence of church and home life has played a major role in their attitude.