Pleasant Grove is a city in western Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Birmingham metropolitan area. The population was 9,544 at the 2020 census.
History
It was established in 1889 but incorporated as a city on January 16, 1934. The incorporation came about by reason of a rather unusual circumstance. The town sits on land honeycombed by coal mines. For many years, the residents had relied on water wells for their water supply. As years passed and more mining was done, Pleasant Grove found itself confronted with a problem. Residents would sometimes go to their well to draw water only to find there was none. The water had gone into the mines.
During the mid to late 1930s, the Federal Government had a program for financing the building of local water systems. In exploring the possibility of securing such funds, it was revealed that in order to secure such financing a community must be legally incorporated. At this time the incorporation became a reality.
The first appointed Mayor of Pleasant Grove was W.P. Stone. The city is governed by a mayor and five council members who serve four-year terms. Elections for city officials is held during the summer of each leap year with four-year terms beginning the first Monday in October. The area known as Pleasant Grove, Alabama was first homesteaded in September 1836. Pleasant Grove is in Jefferson County. Although no one seems to know when or exactly how the town came by its name, old documents indicate that at least part of this area was called Pleasant Grove as early as 1884. Pleasant Grove was made up of four communities which included Frog Pond, Lizard Ridge, Cottage Hill, and Pleasant Grove.
The city was damaged by large tornadoes in 1956, 1977, 1998, and 2011.
Government
The city is governed by a mayor, currently (when?) Jerry Brasseale, and five-member council. All city officials are elected to four-year terms on leap years. The council meets the first and third Monday of each month at Pleasant Grove City Hall. Council members as of 2020 include Yolanda Lawson, Philip Houston, Eric Calhoun, Kevin Dunn, and Ray Lassiter.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. Pleasant Grove High School has the highest graduation rate in the Jefferson County School system. There are four Nationally Certified teachers on staff, and the remainder of the staff is highly qualified as per Alabama Board of Education standards. The old high school is now the JCIB Middle School.