Guntersville

Guntersville is a city in Marshall County, Alabama, United States. At the 2010 census, the population of the city was 8,197. The city is the county seat of Marshall County. Guntersville is located in a HUBZone as identified by the U.S. Small Business Administration .The 2014 Bassmaster Classic was held on Lake Guntersville, which is part of Guntersville.GeographyGuntersville is located at .According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 109.9km2, of which 65.8km2 is land and 44.1km2, or 40.14%, is water.Guntersville is located at the southernmost point of the Tennessee River on Lake Guntersville, formed by the Guntersville Dam . Geologically, the lake occupies a southern extension of Sequatchie Valley, which continues south as Browns Valley.HistoryGuntersville was founded by John Gunter, the great-grandfather of American humorist Will Rogers. John's own great-great-grandfather, of Welsh-English descent, had emigrated to the New World in 1644. John Gunter was the wealthy owner of a salt mine in the early 19th century. In order to obtain more land to mine, John struck a deal with the Cherokee tribe that inhabited the area to use in his household as servants. As part of the deal, John married the daughter of the tribe's chief and agreed to give salt to the tribe. A town sprung up next to the mine and was named after Gunter. The town of Guntersville puts on a festival every July to celebrate Will Rogers, this festival involves many activities of interest to Will Rogers.