Hometown Tour - Mooresville

By Valerie

Hello everyone,

Today we are visiting Mooresville, Alabama. Debi is our tour guide today. I hope you enjoy your visit!

Another town I visited during my recent walkabout/driveabout was the historic town of Mooresville, Alabama. Mooresville is the first town incorporated by the Alabama Territorial Legislature on November 16, 1818. (I ripped that little piece of information right off their website) I've enjoyed visiting this town since I was a child. Nestled in a beautiful wooded area between Madison and Decatur, Mooresville is an active, working town. The architecture here is astounding. Some call it the "Williamsburg of the South." Driving in I noticed signs warning that photographers need a permit so I drove straight to the historic Post Office for information.

The lady there was very nice, gave me a permit application and granted me permission to take a few images since I was already there and assured her I wouldn't be selling them. She didn't ask me about blogging but I think this is okay.

I go gaga over old churches so my first image capture was of the Old Brick Church. Built in 1839 the front sports gorgeous columns covered with stucco. The bricks are made by hand. Inside is the original reed, or pipe, organ made in 1905. It's been a community church, Presbyterian, Methodist and once served as a Baptist mission. The United Methodist Church conducted a deconsecration service and passed ownership to the town October 1994. (another website diddy)

Instead of a cross the steeple supports a large wooden hand pointing to heaven. This is not the original hand. According to the website a replacement was carved and placed on the steeple during a ceremony in May 2005.

Down the road a piece is the Church of Christ. It was originally built in 1854 as the Disciples of Christ meeting house. General James A. Garfield, our 20th President of the United States, preached here in 1863.

Starlings flew past as I grabbed some images. There are many historical properties in Mooresville, each one just as beautiful as the next. The Mooresville Post Office is fascinating, being the oldest operational post office in the state of Alabama. I didn't get a photo of it or anything else that day out of respect for the nice lady who allowed me to take a few "snapshots" of the town. Check out the Mooresville, Alabama website for more details. They have walking tours and really gussy up at Christmas. I'll go take more photos then because I learned through the permit process that regular ole photographers like me do not have to have a permit. Dang...and the sugar maples were JUST RIGHT that day!!! Mooresville .... I'll be back!

Debi was once Program Director at WAAY-TV in Huntsville - back in the GOOD old days of television. Currently, she's a nature photographer and blogger enthusiast, active in preservation issues. Co-Founder of the Bay Hill Conservancy on Wheeler Lake; won several Outdoor Alabama photography contests, and is in the midst of creating a website for her nature photographs and greeting card series, all to benefit preservation of the great state of Alabama. Married to an exceptional man and mom to a remarkable 18 year old, and have a really fat dog. You can visit her main website at Debi Bradford.

Thanks Debi!! I loved this post and all the other posts you wrote on Mooresville. To read more posts and see great pictures from Debi's trip to Mooresville please hop over to The Giraffe Head Tree. I promise you will not be disappointed!!


If you would like to feature your hometown on Alabama Bloggers, please contact Rachel (rachel@alabamabloggers.com) or Valerie(valwonderfullife@aol.com) and let us know!

Hometown Tour - Courtland

By Valerie

Hello everyone,

Welcome to Courtland Alabama! The town of Courtland is located on the site of an Native American village. The town was incorporated in December of 1819 by the town's early settlers. These were wealthy settlers who came from Virginia, Tennessee, the Carolinas and Georgia. The town was named for having a federal courthouse.

The park, in historic downtown, is very beautiful and peaceful place to spend the afternoon. The first Saturday in June the town hosts Picnic in the Park. Along with all the concessions and vendors they also host a children's parade. Later in the evening the is the Miss Cotton Pageant. It really takes you back to old hometown living. All the other days of the year you can enjoy the beautiful scenery while sitting in the gazebo or enjoy a nice walk with your family.

This is the Courtland Presbyterian Church. The church was founded in 1821 as "The Church of Nazareth". In 1833 it was renamed the Courtland Presbyterian Church it was first constructed in 1859 but due to the Civil War it was not completed until 1868. It was one of the first historical land markers in the area.

I love going to a town that has a lot of historical homes! I just love looking at them. This is one of the oldest houses in Courtland it was used as a hospital during the Civil War. This link has several of the historical homes a long with a lot of the historical markers in the area.

Courtland's school is part of the Lawrence County School system. R. A. Hubbard High School consists of grades Kindergarten - 12. Their colors are Orange and Black and they are the Chiefs!

While visiting you may want to check out The Wheeler Plantation, Valley Landing Golf Course, The George C. Wallace Industrial Air Park and don't forget that the Tennessee River runs nearby so you can enjoy all of your water activities too. Lots to do in this little town!

Courtland has worked hard to keep the town growing but also to stay true to it's history. They take pride in preserving all of their historical sites. To learn more about Courtland please visit Welcome to Courtland Alabama Pride of our past . . .Looking forward to the future!


If you would like to feature your hometown on Alabama Bloggers, please contact Rachel (rachel@alabamabloggers.com) or Valerie(valwonderfullife@aol.com) and let us know!

Hometown Tour - Christmas Lights!!

By Valerie

Hello Everyone,

Did you know that Alabama was the first state in the Union to declare Christmas a legal holiday? It's true this occurred in 1836. There are several towns that have great Christmas light shows during the holiday season. I thought I would highlight a couple since Christmas is this Friday.

Christmas on the River is held each year in Demopolis. It debuted in 1972 and today has developed into a week long festival. People come from all over the United States to attend this celebration. Last year they had an attendance of 40,000 people. The week starts off with the Lightning of the Love Light Tree the second night consists of Crowning of St. Nicolas & the Lantern Light Parade. The rest of the week is packed with other celebrations, singings, fairs and candlelight tours of the older homes. It is all topped off on the last night with Christmas on the River. A wonderful display of floats all decorated with Christmas lights. It is really a beautiful sight seeing the lights dancing off the water. A fun treat for the whole family.

Now we are going to head up towards the northern part of the state. Huntsville Botanical Garden's Galaxy of Lights is another great Christmas light show. This is a walk through or a drive through which ever you'd like. I would suggest the walk through though. They also hold a Walk Your Dog Night for all you (like me) dog lovers. They have synchornized, animated, musical displays that are really a lot of fun to watch. The Galaxy of Lights was listed last year and this year as one of the Southeast Tourism's Top 20 Event. That is really quite an honor and once you see their display for yourselves you will know why.


Now if you are looking for something locally you need to hop over to Grayson Lights. Grayson Lights is located in Grayson Valley. Their display consists of 35,000 lights and synchronized to music. While sitting in your car you can tune your radio to 100.1 FM and watch the lights dancing in rhythm to the music.

Another local light show is right in my own neighborhood. Fultondale Lights is also synchronized to music and you also can sit in your car and listen to 88.1 FM. The Fultondale Lights consist of 40,000 miniature lights, over 40 light plastic figures, 35 strobe lights, hundreds of yards of rope lights and it goes on and on. Since you can actually see the display from Highway 31 N a lot of people just pull up on the side of the highway and watch the display from there. I must tell you that from personal experience during the last week of Christmas the entering and exiting of our neighborhood is quite crowded. It doesn't bother me at all because I enjoy the lights and I also have enjoyed this year showing my grandson. There are about three other families across the street that decorate their homes almost as elaborately - without music though.

I am pretty sure that all of the light shows are still operating except for Christmas on the River. If you know of any other great light shows please leave the details in the comments. One of the best things about Christmas are all of the beautiful lights!! I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!!!



If you would like to feature your hometown on Alabama Bloggers, please contact Rachel (rachel@alabamabloggers.com) or Valerie (valwonderfullife@aol.com) and let us know!

Hometown Tour - Abbeville

By Valerie

Hello Everyone,

If you would like to visit a quaint little town, Abbeville, Alabama is the place to go. Abbeville is the county seat of Henry County. Established on December 13, 1819 it is the oldest county and city in the State of Alabama. Actually it was made the county seat one day before Alabama became a state. Being the largest county in Alabama at the time it was also the first county on the eastside of the state.

The above picture looks like an old gas station but it is actually the headquarters of Great Southern Wood. You may know it better as Yellawood. The company cars actually fill up at the pumps. Inside takes you back to another time with it's 1950's decor.

Jimmy Rane, the owner and spokesperson for Yellawood, is no doubt a familiar figure to you. He has helped renovate Abbeville. He loves the early 20th century way of life and that is shown in various places in town. He also hosts a golf tournament every year for the Jimmy Rane Foundation. The single biggest fundraiser brings out the superstars of football and basketball. Proceeds of the golf tournament are used for college scholarships. His foundation has helped a lot of our youth's dreams of going to college come true.

The Seniors of Abbeville enjoy spending time at The Senior Center built in 2004. It hosts activities and social events for the 50+ crowd. It also provides bi-annual medical screenings. Not only can the seniors enjoy the company of others they are also provided with daily meals, games and special events. The center also provides transportation for those who need it. The youth enjoy spending time at the Parks and Recreation. Along with city league sports the recreation center also offers Sundown Theatre for all of the family to enjoy.

Home of the Yellow Jackets Abbeville has three public schools Abbeville High School, Abbeville Middle School and Abbeville Elementary School. Abbeville Christian Academy is a private school and one of the biggest events is their Annual Deer Hunting fundraiser.

So next time you are traveling toward the south eastern side of our great state stop and visit Abbeville. Remember this is an old southern town. If you want to have the benefits of shopping or visiting some of the local business' make sure you don't visit on a Sunday - there won't be anything open! Don't forget to visit their website to find out more about this great town, Welcome to Abbeville, The City of Dogwoods.

If you would like to feature your hometown on Alabama Bloggers, please contact Rachel (rachel@alabamabloggers.com) or Valerie(valwonderfullife@aol.com) and let us know!

Hometown Tour - Alabama

By Valerie

Hello everyone,



Well in the middle of working on the Hometown Tour last night my power went out. So I figured that as soon as it came back on that I would be able to finish and post it. So around 4:30 this morning when it finally did come on I couldn't find my post anywhere. I am sure it is somewhere on my laptop but for now it's gone.

In place of that I came across this a couple of weeks ago. I really didn't even know we had a state song. I am so wrapped up in football that the Alabama Fight song is what comes to my mind. lol So here is actually the lyrics to the official state song of Alabama. The words are by Julia S. Tutwiler and the music by Edna Gockel Gussen. I couldn't find a sound bit for it but you can see a high school choir singing it here.


Alabama, Alabama,
We will aye be true to thee,
From thy Southern shore where groweth,
By the sea thine orange tree.
To thy Northern vale where floweth
Deep and blue thy Tennessee.
Alabama, Alabama
We will aye be true to thee!

Broad the Stream whose name thou bearest;
Grand thy Bigbee rolls along;
Fair thy Coosa-Tallapoosa
Bold thy Warrior, dark and strong.
Goodlier than the land that Moses
Climbed lone Nebo's Mount to see
Alabama, Alabama,
We will aye be true to thee!

From thy prairies broad and fertile,
Where thy snow-white cotton shines.
To the hills where coal and iron
Hide in thy exhaustless mines.
Strong-armed miners--sturdy farmers:
Loyal hearts what'er we be.
Alabama, Alabama,
We will aye be true to thee!

From the quarries where the marble
White as that of Paros gleams
Waiting till thy sculptor's chisel,
Wake to like thy poet's dream;
For not only wealth of nature,
Wealth of mind hast thou to fee.
Alabama, Alabama,
We will aye be true to thee!

Where the perfumed south-wind whispers,
Thy magnolia groves among,
Softer than a mother's kisses
Sweeter than a mother's song;
Where the golden jasmine trailing,
Woos the treasure-laden bee,
Alabama, Alabama,
We will aye be true to thee!

Brave and pure thy men and women,
Better this than corn and wine,
Make us worthy, God in Heaven,
Of this goodly land of Thine;
Hearts as open as our doorways,
Liberal hands and spirits free,
Alabama, Alabama,
We will aye be true to thee!

Little, little, can I give thee,
Alabama, mother mine;
But that little--hand, brain, spirit,
All I have and am are thine.
Take, O take the gift and giver.
Take and serve thyself with me,
Alabama, Alabama,
I will aye be true to thee.

You can go to Alabama Department of Archives & History's website for more facts and information about our great state.

If you would like to feature your hometown on Alabama Bloggers, please contact Rachel (rachel@alabamabloggers.com) or Valerie(valwonderfullife@aol.com) and let us know!

Hometown Tour - Sheffield

By Valerie

Hello Everyone,

I'm doing something a little different today. I was going to do a Hometown Tour post on Sheffield Alabama when I came across this poem. I really liked it so I am posting it instead. I think it does a better tour of the city than I ever could. I found this poem at My Hometown I hope you enjoy it.

My hometown is the greatest on earth
I’m so glad it’s where my mother gave birth.

I’ve lived there nearly all my life
It’s the place where I met my wife.

I was raised with downtown just a few blocks away
I guess you could call it a small town USA.

We didn’t have television sets back then
We would just play all the time with a friend.

Rode our bicycles everywhere we went
Take big cardboard boxes and make us a tent.

Brocato’s Market was just around the block
After church on Sunday, it’s where everybody would stop.

Getting those good rolls by the dozen or two
All we wanted was some bubble gum to chew.

Skating on the sidewalk, skinning up our knee
Always had a hard time keeping up with the key.

The kids on Saturday went to the picture show all day
And to get in with a dime was all you had to pay.

We would go real early—it started at 10
A lot of Cowboys and Indians and you know who would win.

Two movies, a serial and, of course, a cartoon
We wouldn’t see daylight till 2 or 3 in the afternoon.

One time when I was just a small lad
I got woke up in the night by my dad.

He put us in the car and drove towards town
We watched the old hotel burn to the ground.

They built it right back without any haste
Only ‘way across the street in a different place.

Clement’s Barber Shop was on the first floor
Go in through the lobby or an outside door.

You would have to sit and wait for awhile
They mostly cut flat tops because that was the style.

The Community Center was behind the hotel
Over time, it’s a place we got to know well.

The center was used for more than one thing
You might have played basketball or heard Elvis sing.

The Tennessee River was right at our feet
Just go down Alabama Avenue to the end of the street.

There was the Naval Reserve and Ice Plant Road
A big crane unloading gravel by the barge load.

Going to the Ice Plant was always fun
Dropping blocks in the crusher, and we watched it run.

Then they bag it up all nice and clean
Take some with us for homemade ice cream.

Whippoorwill Hollow was our old swimming hole
To jump off those highest bluffs you had to be bold.

About 65 feet high was the tallest one
Down to about 20 where we laid in the sun.

Jump in the water and climb back up with care
Most of the time we swam in our underwear.

It’s because we had to sneak off to go
If we asked our mother she would just say no.

Downtown’s not what it used to be
But I can close my eyes and look back and see.

Saturdays were the busiest day by far
People could not find a place to park their car.

They would be taking care of business like paying bills
And going in the dime stores looking for deals.

They might have had shoes that needed repair
Around to Green’s Shoe Shop; it was always there.

If it was clothes they were looking for
They could go to Abroms or the Belk Hudson Store.

If a better line of clothes was what the seek
Then, they could go to Olim’s or to Otto Speake.

Into Best Jewelers for a really nice gift
Around to Pride’s Cleaners to get your shirts done stiff.

Timberlake Hardware was a favorite of mine
He had about anything you were looking to find.

If a good hamburger was to your taste
Then the Big-E-Nuff was just the place.

Sit at the counter or get them by the sack
We would shoot pool and play dominoes in the back.

If you had a roll of film that was ready to drop
Just take it on in to Crump’s Camera Shop.

I guess the old pharmacy without a doubt
Had to be our very first hangout.

Soda fountain inside; get a cherry coke
Go outside on the corner and hear a dirty joke.

Shug Sieman was a woman that everybody knew
Going through garbage cans is what she would do.

Pushed an old cart around in sunshine or rain
Whenever we saw her we would holler out her name.

Frederickson’s Tire and Appliances opened in 1946
You could buy nice new things or get your old stuff fixed.

Lucky’s Minnow Farm was a little kid’s delight
Ponds full of minnows and goldfish and a lot of frogs at night.

If getting groceries is where you need to be
Head out to Liberty Supermarket or down to the A&P.

The Grant Hotel was down by the railroad track
They say you could drive around and park in the back

Wait at the door for the bellhop to appear
Get you whisky or a woman—at least, that’s what I’d hear.

We bought bicycle parts at the Western Auto Store
You could also get appliances or a Wizard lawnmower.

Sometimes on Sunday, we would go out to eat
Down to Spalding Walgreen’s and look for a seat.

They had that good home cooking from the South
And Exa’s homemade rolls would melt in your mouth.

Another little place was Brewer’s Café
A black man went inside and ate one day.

Some unknown person went and got a gun
Blew the front window out just for fun.

Went to a lot of dances at the V.F.W. Hall
A bonfire in the parking lot for homecoming in the Fall.

There would be pep rallies in the middle of town
Doing that snake dance all up and down.

Going to Odell”s for a hamburger and coke.
Trade in your bottle for a cigarette to smoke.

We had the bowling alley and the WoodyMac Corral
And the telephones back then had a rotary dial.

Jackson Highway was the home of Muscle Shoals Sound
Music from there is heard the world around.

A lot of famous people would come and go
And nobody in town would ever know.

Like Bob Dylan and Sonny and Cher
And even the Rolling Stones recorded there.

I think a small town is the best place to be
At least, that’s the way it worked out for me.

I’m sure you think your hometown is the best
But, I’ll take Sheffield, Alabama, over all the rest.

Tucky Ginn
September 2000


To find out more about Tucky Ginn's hometown you can visit their web site at Sheffield Alabama.

If you would like to feature your hometown on Alabama Bloggers, please contact Rachel (rachel@alabamabloggers.com) or Valerie(valwonderfullife@aol.com) and let us know!

Hometown Tour - Greenville

By Valerie

Hello everyone,


Today we are heading to 'The Camellia City" otherwise known as Greenville Alabama. If you have ever traveled to the Gulf Coast you have driven by. Located half an hour south of Montgomery, it is a great place to stop for a spell. Greenville's name was originally Butlerville it was changed after becoming Butler County's seat in 1822. It was named in remembrance of the town the original settlers came from in South Carolina.

I enjoy visiting old town squares, well Greenville has a little different layout. It is more like a roundabout with the Butler County Courthouse in the middle. In the middle of downtown you can find the post office, city hall and the Confederate Park. The Confederate Park is about a block long with a beautiful fountain and a large Confederate soldier statue.

The downtown area is full of historical buildings. The Ritz Theatre, recently renovated by the Greenville Area Arts Council, is really a sight to see. The inside will take you back in time. The GAAC took great effort to restore the Art Deco style of the 1930's. It hosts dance recitals, pageants and the GAAC have three to four shows a year. The small-town of Greenville can now "put a show on with style". Visit it's website at http://www.gaac-ritz.com/ for more information.

Visitors can also enjoy the annual events that take place in Greenville. In September the Butler County Fair is held. The fun includes livestock, crafts, a flower show, baked goods and carnival rides! Celebration America takes place in July with a spectacular fireworks display. In the fall Old Time Farm Day involves quilting, basket making, blacksmith demonstrations, tractor races and mule-plowing teams. And you can't miss the Watermelon Jubilee every August.

If golf is your game, you will enjoy one of the most beautiful and challenging courses the state has to offer. Cambrian Ridge is part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and is a favorite stop along the trail. If you would rather be hiking, camping or fishing you will love Sherling Lake Park the Great Escape, it is absolutely beautiful!

There is really just so much about his small town of Greenville that I can't possibly tell you all about what it has to offer in this post. Please visit their website at The City of Greenville. I didn't even get to tell you about all of the beautiful pront porch historic homes. I guess you will just have to go see them for yourselves!

If you would like to feature your hometown on Alabama Bloggers, please contact Rachel (rachel@alabamabloggers.com) or Valerie (valwonderfullife@aol.com) and let us know!

Hometown Tour - Red Bay

By Valerie

Hello Everyone,

This is the beautiful tree lined welcoming you receive as you enter the city of Red Bay, Alabama. These Oak trees were planted by the Red Bay Garden Club in the 1930's, it is an Oak tree tunnel that leads straight to main street. Red Bay is small town USA. Incorporated in 1907 it is located in western Franklin County bordering the state of Mississippi.

There is only one school, Red Bay High School, home of the Tigers. It is a K-12th grade school and is part of the Franklin County System. As in most southern schools athletics play a major role. The school offers Football, Baseball, Cheerleading, Tennis, Golf and Track. Tiffany McWilliams, a 2001 alumni, is the 2003 1500 Meters NCAA National Champion in track. Located within 50 miles of Red Bay is Northwest/Shoals Community College, Bevil State Community College, Itawamba Community College, Northeast Mississippi Community College and University of North Alabama such a great variety of college's for the city's seniors to pick from.

This little town in also home to Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard. It is the only cemetary of its kind in the world. Click on the link to learn the history. There are coon dogs buried here from all over the US. Their markers range from wood to granite. It's the only place you will find names such as Troop, Night Ranger and Bomma.

There are two major companies in the town. Tiffin Motorhomes which manfactures some of the finest motorhomes you will ever find. The offer a plant tour and you can personally pick out your own motorhome colors and other options you may want. Click on their website to take a virtual tour of some of their coachs. The other major company is Sunsine Mills Inc. The plant located in Red Bay for Sunshine Mills is a pet food plant. Well known for Sunshine Dog food and cat food. It provides, like Tiffin Motorhomes, great jobs for local residents.

Courtesy of CityofRedBay.org

Red Bay also has the Arts and Entertainment Center. Events they host every year include business meals, receptions, Christmas parties, church dinners, and seminars. With seating for 200 people in the Banquet Room and 30 in teh Garden Room it also houses a Theatre which seats 172. The local Bay Tree Council of Performing Arts hosts three performances each year. Thousand of people have enjoyed plays such as The Odd Couple and Father of the Bride.

The Red Bay Museum houses all of the local historical artifacts. Located downtown it also houses items donated by Tammy Wynette and her family. Tammy wasn't born in Red Bay but spent a great deal of her youth there visiting family and friends. She considered Red Bay as her home town. So next time your are in western Alabama stop by for a few hours and enjoy all of the local events and activities Red Bay has to offered. The scenery alone is well worth the trip. To find out more about Red Bay visit their website Red Bay, Alabama - A friendly City on a Progressive Path!

If you would like to feature your hometown on Alabama Bloggers, please contact Rachel (rachel@alabamabloggers.com) or Valerie (valwonderfullife@aol.com) and let us know!

Hometown Tour - Luverne

By Valerie

Hello Everyone,


Luverne is the county seat of Crenshaw County. It’s located in south-central Alabama along the Patsaliga River. It was named after one of the founders’ wife’s, Luverne LeGrand. Known as “The Friendliest City in the South” it is a great place to raise a family. It is a town where everyone actually knows your name. A walk downtown brings a constant stream of greetings.

In 1988 the Montgomery and Florida Railroad companies purchased land to run its railroad starting in Sprague Junction. The railroad was to terminate in Rutledge. Through the efforts of early settlers the railroad was rerouted to terminate in Luverne. That is how Luverne became a town. Because of the success of the railroad in 1893 the residents of Crenshaw County voted to move the courthouse and the county seat to Luverne.

Luverne has one public school, Luverne High School. It comprises of grades K-12^th. The high school was recently recognized by US News and World Report magazine as one of America’s Best High Schools! Very impressive when compared to 21,000 other high schools nationwide. They are known as the Tigers and like most southern towns Friday night football is the event of the week! There is also a private K-12^th grade school too, Crenshaw Christian Academy. It offers excellent academic subjects and Christian guidance for its students. They also offer extracurricular activities like dance, golf and of course sports, go Cougars!


For the youth of the city they have two great recreational parks. The Person to Person Sports Complex and the E. L. Turner Recreation Park offer ball fields, swimming, tennis and even a golf course. There are several lakes in the area for boating and fishing as well. For lodging there is The Camillia House Bed and Breakfast. A beautiful newly renovated 100 year old Queen Ann Victorian home is such a charming treat. The CH treats are a must!!

Annual events in town include the World’s Largest Peanut Boil. The Crenshaw County Shriner Club hosts this event to raise money for children with medical needs. It is held every Labor Day and has been known to boil over 12 tons of peanuts. It is unbelievable that by Labor Day they actually are sold out. That’s a lot of peanuts!! The Crenshaw County Rodeo, the annual Christmas parade and 4^th of July fireworks display are other events enjoyed by Luverne residents.

While visiting downtown you will want to visit the quaint little shops that are reopening. Did I forget to mention that Sister Schubert’s bakery is located in Luverne? Well it is, can you imagine waking up to that wonderful smell? To learn more about Luverne, its history, citizens activities and events, visit the city’s website, The City of Luverne.

If you would like to feature your hometown on Alabama Bloggers, please contact Rachel (rachel@alabamabloggers.com) or Valerie (valwonderfullife@aol.com) and let us know!

Hometown Tour - Haleyville

By Valerie

Hello Everyone,




Today's tour takes us to North West Alabama to the town of Haleyville. It's about an hour and 45 minute drive from Birmingham. First known as Davis Cross-Roads, because it was the crossroads for the Illinois Central Railroad and Bylar Road, there is a neat story on how it's name was changed. Charles L. Haley came to town and opened his general mercantile store named Haley. It is said that Bucky Davis went into the store to purchase a suit and exchanged the price of the suit for the name. Thus in 1889 the town became Haleyville and the store's name was changed to Davis Crossings.



Although a small town, there are a lot of activities nearby to enjoy. Haleyville is just a short distance from Natural Bridge Park, William B. Bankhead National Forest and the beautiful Kinlock Falls. You and your family can enjoy the beautiful scenery while hiking or camping. Sipsey Picnic Grounds is a great place to spend an afternoon by the river. Also a short distance away is Loony's Tavern Amphitheater and Dismal Gardens.


Haleyville is the Home of 911! The original red telephone used to make the first 911 call is housed at Haleyville City Hall. Resident Robert Fitzgerald designed the circuitry to make the call possible. On February 16, 1968 the first 911 call was made. Speaker of the House Rankin Fite placed the call from Haleyville City Hall to U.S. Rep. Tom Bevill. I guess you can say the rest is history. The second weekend in June Haleyville holds it's 911/Heritage Day Festival. This event attracts hundreds of visitors. Activities inlcude a parade, music, arts and crafts and in honor of the event emergency/rescue activities.


Haleyville City Schools include Haleyville High School home of the Lions, their school colors are Cardinal and White. Grades 7 - 12 are taught at the high school. The school system also includes Haleyville Elementary School (pictured above) and Haleyville Center of Technology. The Center of Technology prepares students for work. They offer classes including Computer Education, Family and Consumer Science, Welding, Agriscience, Drafting, Marketing Education, Computer Applications, Automotive Technology, Video Productions and Business Education. It is a great resource for the students of Haleyville.

Athletics play an important role in Haleyville. The 2007-2008 Baseball team was runner up in the AHSAA tournament. The 2008-2009 Baseball team won their first 4A State Championship. Their athletic talent also includes the 2008 Lady Lions Volleyball team which finished 3rd in the State Tournament. The 2008 Running Lions also finished 3rd in cross country. The boys Golf team has qualified for the state championship tournament in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Finishing 7th, 6th, 4th and another 6th place finish in 2008.

Like a lot of our towns in Alabama, Haleyville is home to several historical homes and buildings. To find out more about Haleyville, Alabama please visit their website Haleyville A Community of Excellence.

If you would like to feature your hometown on Alabama Bloggers, please contact Rachel (rachel@alabamabloggers.com) or Valerie (valwonderfullife@aol.com) and let us know!

Hometown Tour - Athens

Hello Everyone,
Christopher has a little different way of telling us about his hometown. I know your going to enjoy it. ~ Valerie

I’ve spent countless hours “looking” at Athens, Alabama. Although I grew up in Elkmont, eight miles north, many people from “the County”, like me, share a sense of attachment to our county seat. Yet for most of my thirty-four years I only saw the visceral parts of Athens. There are always the ubiquitous parts of a town with which people identify, and as a teen the local shopping centers defined Athens. Although I loved Rose’s, I was unimpressed and, like so many others, left for a university swearing loudly never to return anywhere near here. But as I spent time on the Plains, I increasingly longed for more time on my grandparent’s farm. After teaching for one year in South Alabama I came home for good.

I married an Athens girl in 2002, and we spent one year in a nearby sterile, very vanilla city. With my wife commuting to Moulton for work and me teaching at Sparkman High School, Athens and Decatur emerged as likely places to live. Decatur initially had an early edge in that we hoped for a home in an established, traditional neighborhood. So many friends from college graduated and settled in great older homes in Birmingham, Nashville, and Mobile. After looking at what seemed at the time at every house in North Alabama, we found one on South Houston Street. It had a great corner lot with beautiful flowers, was near Downtown, and was built in 1945. Better yet it was in our budget and, like so many fixer-uppers, it had great bones.

A few years ago I started running again, primarily to slow that inevitable physical decline that seems to increase when you turn thirty. Although running is a cathartic experience from the stresses of teaching, it has become something more for me. It affords me the unique opportunity to experience Athens from a perspective that is seemingly lost to many as families flock to subdivisions on the town’s periphery. I drive home, not only looking forward to the endorphin rush of running, but because I am increasingly aware that with every trip around the Downtown that I am becoming a part of the place.

Courthouse squares of the South offer substantive interpretations of the values and history of small towns. They occupy a place in people’s minds as a part of the vernacular of the South. Like so many others, we have our statue to Confederate veterans poised, his stone face permanently staring defiantly to the North.


My church, First Presbyterian, sits on the corner, seamlessly stitched into the landscape of the place. Age old hemlocks tower beside the courthouse, soaring to the pediments with gnarled limbs that have drooped and sagged with time. Really, a downtown defines us; though oftentimes we are not aware that the place they occupy in our imagination is more whimsical fancy than reality.

But on my runs, as I labor up the hill beside Kreme Delight and through our Downtown neighborhoods, Athens takes on an authenticity that I had never before realized. With every trip around the courthouse I am more conscious of being a part of the arch of time that exists in our town. I look forward to passing Hendricks and Patton Furniture and having Mr. Bucky wave at me as I jog past. Although many new developments and subdivisions attempt to recreate the experience of community, they cannot account for the sense of permanence of a traditional neighborhood within walking distance of local restaurants and shops.

Luckily our Downtown has experienced a revival of interest in the last few years, thanks in large part to the efforts of the Spirit of Athens and tourism director Jeannette Dunnavant. Village Pizza pulses with music as patrons anticipate great food in a setting that has an authenticity that a strip mall just doesn’t provide. U.G. White and Gray & Holt are like anchors, the granddaddies of the Downtown businesses. They provide an eternalness and nostalgia that every town square needs. But these businesses cannot exist by themselves as “the Downtown”; it is the traditional neighborhoods and their residents that define a place and Athens’s need attention. Once these areas decline, the ability for residents and city officials to turn them around and bring back in young, vibrant families is difficult.

My little girl, Avery, who is three, loves exploring my neighbor’s backyard. T.E.’s yard is different from ours; he has towering fig trees that Avery strips the fruit from, at least as far as she can reach, then I gather the rest for her after school snack. My wife loves our covered deck where she catches the cool breeze and a nap, until the train barrels through town. As for me the benefits of living in a traditional neighborhood are intangible and difficult to explain, at least to those who have not had the pleasure of doing so. But for those of you who grew up on Coleman Hill or in one of the historic districts, you know that it is special and that these areas are worth saving.

Thanks to Christopher for this great article that he sent to us. Also thanks to Trisha Black at The Spirit of Athens. Please be sure to visit her website. Other web sites that might interest you are Downtown Athens Alabama and The City of Athens Alabama.

If you would like to feature your hometown on Alabama Bloggers, please contact Rachel (rachel@alabamabloggers.com) or Valerie (valwonderfullife@aol.com) and let us know!

Hometown Tour - Ragland

Hello Everyone,
I hope you enjoy reading about today's Hometown Tour brought to you by Jennie. Hop over to The Country Vaughns and check out her blog.
~ Valerie


“Welcome to Ragland, if you can’t stop wave as you go by!” That’s the message that greets drivers as they make their way along Alabama Highway 144 as it runs through the small town of Ragland. Situated near the banks of the Coosa River, Ragland is home to approximately 1,900 residents. The town and surrounding rural community are located in Saint Clair County just minutes from I-20, exit 158.

At the center of this community lie two important entities – church and school. There are over 25 churches located in Ragland and the surrounding area. Each meets regularly and often sponsors community-wide activities. During the summer these churches host Vacation Bible Schools on a staggered schedule so that local children can attend several throughout the summer months. Ragland High School is the local school and home to the Purple Devils. Just over 600 students attend this K-12 school. The pride of the community, RHS is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar construction project which includes a face-lift and middle school addition. School activities and sporting events are often standing room only as the entire community turns out to support the students and student-athletes.


While many local residents commute out of Ragland to Gadsden, Anniston, or Birmingham to work others work at one of the several industrial plants in Ragland. National Cement Company and Ragland Brick are both large employers and generous corporate partners to the town and school.

Currently, National Cement Company is in the process of converting some of its land holdings into the Blue Springs Nature Area. This area will allow visitors to enjoy some of Alabama’s most beautiful, unspoiled natural treasures including forests and endangered wetlands.

The river offers fishing and boating while there are numerous hunting clubs for the outdoorsman. This is a small town that is supportive of traditional values; American flags fly daily over the town offices, police station, school, and local businesses. Additionally, at each patriotic holiday the streets are lined with crisp flags waving brightly.


You won’t find malls or mega-stores in Ragland but what you will find is acres of rolling pasture land dotted with cows, horses, and various livestock and a friendly, welcoming environment. Ragland truly is a slice of Hometown Alabama.

Thanks Jennie!! Jennie and her husband live on a small farm with their three children. They enjoy the farm life and taking care of their animals. Hop over and pay her a visit. She has an enjoyable blog and I love her farm life stories!

If you would like to feature your hometown on Alabama Bloggers, please contact Rachel (rachel@alabamabloggers.com) or Valerie (valwonderfullife@aol.com) and let us know!

Hometown Tour - Bayou La Batre

by Valerie

Hello Everyone,

Today we are touring the hometown of Benjamin Buford "Bubba" Blue! For those of you who don’t know who he is you can refer to the movie or the book Forest Gump. Well, actually, Bubba was a fictional character but he hailed from the town of Bayou La Batre. Bayou La Batre is located in south Mobile County the city is described as the “Seafood Capital of Alabama”.

Not only was it featured in the movie Forrest Gump but Disney had a little undercover job here in 2005. It is here that Disney Studios had a pirate ship secretly built. I’ll give you the name of the ship – The Black Pearl. Can you guess what movie it was used for? I thought that was a fun little unknown (at least to me) fact.

Bayou La Batre is pronounced By'l - La - Bat – tree. A French settlement the bayou was originally named Riviere D’Erbane. The French maintained a battery of artillery on the west bank thus the name Bayou La Batre. It was founded in 1786 when Frenchman Joseph Bouzage was awarded a Spanish land grant and became a city in 1955.

The reason it is known as the “Seafood Capital of Alabama” is because it is a leader in commercial fishing and the seafood industry. The estimate for commercial seafood is around $80 million a year. Bayou La Batre’s processing firm is highly regarded as the best in the nation. It is dependent for 85% of its income on the seafood industry. It is also a port that not only is home to smaller vessels but to large shrimp trawlers and every other vessel size in between. Shipbuilding is also a major industry.

There are charter pleasure boats to accommodate any sportsman or angler fishing needs. Sports’ fishing is ideal in the warm and cooler months while shrimping is ideal year round, catching crabs are ideal in Summer and Fall. Fall and Winter are great months for oystering. The city holds "Blessing of the Fleet" and the "Miss Seafood Contest" in honor of their seafood industry.

Bayou La Batre is part of the Mobile County Public School System. Peter F. Alba Elementary School K - 5^th, Alba Middle School 6^th – 8^th and Alma Bryant High School. The middle school is known as the Sharks while the high school is the Hurricanes. You really need to check out the high school’s web site. They have curriculum from archery to oyster gardening!

In August of 2005 Bayou La Batre was hit by Hurricane Katrina. The damage the city incurred was devastating. The welcome sign at the beginning of this post is no longer there. Ships were washed ashore all over the port. Beautiful historical buildings were destroyed. They city is rebuilding but there are still remnants of Katrina devastation around town. Some wonder if it will ever get back to what it once was. With a lot of hard work the citizens are determined to reclaim the charm of their beautiful French village.

If you would like to feature your hometown on Alabama Bloggers, please contact Rachel (rachel@alabamabloggers.com) or Valerie (valwonderfullife@aol.com) and let us know!

Hometown Tour - Gardendale

Hello Everyone,
I hope you enjoy reading about today's Hometown Tour brought to you by Maggie. Hop over to Life According to Maggie and check out her blog.
~ Valerie

“Welcome to Gardendale, nice people live here!” that is what you’ll read as you enter our beautiful city. Gardendale is located approximately 20 miles north of downtown Birmingham, right off interstate 65. It is a quiet little city with so much to offer. Covering 57 square miles, Gardendale is home to over 470 businesses, 25 churches, and the Gardendale Rockets. With a population of around 13,000, it’s the kind of place where everybody knows your name.

The earliest settlers of Gardendale were veterans of the War of 1812. These veterans saw the lust woodlands as an area of opportunity. After the Civil War, surrounding coalmines began to open causing the population to double. Gardendale was originally named “Jugtown” after and old Jug and Churn factory that operated in the area. This name was embarrassing to a local teacher so she lobbied and fought to have the name changed. In 1906, Gardendale was chosen for this beautiful place.

We have five public schools, three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Gardendale Elementary recently received a renovation and features a state of the art library and media center. The new Gardendale High School is currently being constructed and is set to open for the spring semester of 2011. There are also two private schools, Tabernacle Christian School K-12, and Gardendale Christian Academy K-6.

In the last decade, Gardendale constructed a new Civic Complex. Complete with 6,000 square feet of meeting space, a state of the art weight room, performing arts center, indoor and outdoor walking track, outdoor amphitheater and a Senior Center. In the last five years the parks and recreation department has added and new Soccer complex, Splash Pad, and Miracle League Field. As you can tell we are a city of growth and progress!

The Gardendale Arts Council is responsible for providing quality, theatre productions right here in our backyard. They put on a summer musical each year and have included titles like “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”, “Cinderella”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, and many more.

The summer productions are a great way for the children in the city to be a part of one of their favorite stories! They also produce a dinner theater in the fall which has included “Steel Magnolias,” “ The Odd Couple” and this fall will feature ”Nunsense”. The fall usually casts more adults who want their shot at stardom! The Arts Council also hosts Friday Night MOOvies at the amphitheater. Every Friday night in June grab your blankets and children and head down to catch a movie under the stars!

The Gardendale Magnolia Festival is an annual festival where all our local businesses invade the Civic Center to show off their latest products. The festival hosts a Classic Car Show, rides for the kids, and recently the Pooch Parade. The Pooch Parade has been a huge success. The first year there were over eighty dogs that showed up to walk and be judged. Prizes were awarded to the cutest dog, ugliest dog, best trick, best costume, best owner/dog team, and people’s choice voted on by the people. This year Gardendale has added the Miss Gardendale Magnolia Festival pageant, a preliminary to the Miss Alabama pageant.

It’s a simple place, with simple people. Friday nights in the fall, most of us can be found down at Driver Stadium cheering on the Rockets. In the spring we’ll be at the baseball and softball parks. Summer, well, we are probably at the Splash Pad.

At the start of winter everyone marks the calendar for the Christmas Parade. So, the next time you come our way stop in and meet some of the nice people that call Gardendale home!

Maggie's Introduction:

I've been married for almost a year (it'll be a year March 28) It is a big adjustment but it has been fun learning each other’s little quirks! I'm pretty easy going girl. It doesn't take much to entertain me. I am severely ADHD and didn't know it until a couple of years ago. I now know why easy things seemed so difficult for me! I am slightly OCD as well. I also have a slight social anxiety which is probably why I don't like crowds. I like to read and I love reality TV. My favorite color is pink it makes me happy. I love pictures. I hate rude people and the color orange. I hate those people that go slow in the fast lane on the interstate. I hold a grudge but I hate when people are mad at me. I have the best family anyone could ask for. They are my best friends. I love them with my whole heart. My parents are my best friends. I loved college but I hated the classes. ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!

Thanks so much Maggie!If you would like to feature your hometown on Alabama Bloggers, please contact Rachel (rachel@alabamabloggers.com) or Valerie (valwonderfullife@aol.com) and let us know!