Alexander City, known to locals as "Alex City", is a city in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, United States, with a population of some 14,875. It is known for Lake Martin with its 750mi of wooded shoreline and 44,000acre of crystal clear water. Lake Martin stands on the Tallapoosa River and offers boating, swimming, fishing, golfing, and camping. Many neighborhoods and luxury homes are located on the lake.The city's economy was traditionally based on the textile industry, but in recent times its economic base has become more diversified as textile jobs have gone elsewhere.HistoryAlexander City was incorporated in 1872 as Youngsville, after its founder James Young. In 1873, the Savannah and Memphis Railroad came to the city. The city was renamed in honor of the railroad's President Edward Porter Alexander, hero of the Battle of Gettysburg for the Confederate States.On June 13, 1902, at 1 pm, a fire broke out in the Alexander City Machine shop and destroyed much of the town. At the time, Alexander City did not have a water system and all buildings, including the telegraph office, post office and three banks were burned.GeographyAlexander City is located at .According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.0sqmi, of which 38.8sqmi is land and 0.2sqmi is water.Alexander City is located on U.S. Route 280. Birmingham is 60mi to the north, Auburn is 40mi southeast and Montgomery is 50mi south-southwest of Alexander City.