Calhoun County, AL – At its regular meeting on Thursday, the Calhoun County Commission officially adopted a new county seal showcasing the Mountain Longleaf Pine—a tree deeply tied to the county’s landscape, history, and identity.
The design was originally created in 2008 by local artist Greg Morrow of Southern Custom Exhibits. The concept began as part of an initiative led by then-Commissioner Robert Downing, but while the artwork gained early interest, it was never formally adopted—until now. When the Commission began revisiting designs last year, Morrow’s original concept resurfaced as a natural choice for representing Calhoun County.
“As a fifth-generation Calhoun County resident and business owner, I’m honored to have my company create the new brand for Calhoun County,” said Morrow. “Back when Commissioner Downing invited students to help design a new logo, I was part of the judging panel. We saw the potential for something timeless, something that reflected our home and our people. It’s rewarding to see that vision finally come to life.”
To prepare the design for modern use, the county collaborated with Tonya Wilson of WideNet to update the look for official applications across departments. County employees were also involved in refining the final version and are enthusiastic about the new visual identity.
“This is more than just a logo for the county,” said Commission Chairman Terry Howell. “It’s something that represents who we are and what sets us apart. We want everyone to have a shared sense of belonging in Calhoun County and to recognize what makes this place home for all of us. The Longleaf Pine stood out to us as something special that can be found all across our county.”
The Mountain Longleaf Pine once covered vast portions of the southeastern United States, though today only about five percent of the original forests remain. One of the largest surviving stands is protected at the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge on the former Fort McClellan site in Anniston. For many residents, the sight of the towering pines along the county’s ridges serves as a daily reminder of the region’s natural heritage.
Over the coming weeks, the county plans to introduce the new seal across signage, government vehicles, and printed materials as it begins a gradual rollout of the refreshed county identity.
