Continuing
with our Florida trip, we finally made it across the state line into Alabama as
we moved south along secondary highways…
Every
once in a while we come across a true scenic gem… This dam and cataract below that
manmade obstruction is on Wehadkee Creek.
Wow…some creek! It’s located on
AL Hwy. 34 in Rock Mills. Wehadkee Creek
Yarn Mill manufactured yarn and twine until recent times. A grist mill was first established here in
1832. It was followed by a sawmill and
blacksmith operation and then a cotton factory.
The oldest part of the current structure was built in 1881.
We’ve
noticed that many small towns have taken to painting murals on the walls of
some of the older buildings in their downtown area.
Roanoke
was originally called High Pine when it was settled in the early 1830s. The entire town was burned to the ground by
the Indians during the Creek uprising in 1836. For a short period of time, the name was
changed to Chulafinnee, but soon afterward changed to Roanoke. The town was incorporated by an Act of
Legislature on December 13, 1900. Like
many towns in the southeastern USA, Roanoke suffered and declined with the growth
and domination of the fabric industry.
The population peaked in 2000 and it’s declined by about 9% to roughly
6,000 since then.
The US
Post Office, which was built in 1940, is part of the Roanoke Downtown Historic
District which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This historic district includes 68
contributing properties on about 18 acres of land… To learn more about this
historic area go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roanoke_Downtown_Historic_District_(Alabama)
By now
we were running late and I knew that we weren’t going to get to our hotel
before nightfall so we took just one more photo. This time it was of the First Methodist Church. This simplified gothic structure was built in
1906. Three other churches are included
in Roanoke’s Historic District.
The
former Central of Georgia and then the Southern Railroad in La Fayette Alabama
was built in 1908. It now serves as the Chambers
County Historical Museum. Among the
exhibits are a large scale that’s built into the floor, a collection of
regional stoneware, a goat treadmill for making butter and a spinning wheel collection. The names of old local businesses are still
engraved on the walls of the freight room.
A number of other exhibits are adjacent to the depot or in another
building annex.
To
learn more about this museum, you can go to http://toureastalabama.com/attraction/chambers-county-museum/.
Check before planning a visit as it operates on a very limited schedule
or by appointment.
This
massive and handsome building is the Chambers County Courthouse. It’s the centerpiece for one of the most
historically intact courthouse squares in Alabama. The courthouse was constructed in La Fayette
in 1899. Scenes from the movie,
“Mississippi Burning” were shot here…
Notes:
· Like many of the towns we passed through,
La Fayette is loaded with historic buildings.
The Chambers County Courthouse Square Historic District encompasses 63
buildings.
· Joe Louis, the boxing legend known as “The
Brown Bomber” is from the La Fayette area.
There is an exhibit about his life with pertinent memorabilia at the
aforementioned Chambers County Museum.
As we
hurriedly drove through Opelika Alabama on our way south, we’d stopped looking
for historic buildings and places.
Nevertheless Laurie took this photo as we drove by. She liked the look of the place because of
the iron work and the attractive appearance of this establishment.
As it
turns out, a quick check revealed that this is just 1 of 6 locations for the
Irish Bred Pubs and Restaurants. There
are 2 restaurants in Alabama and 4 in Georgia.
After checking out the menu, I wish we’d been able to stop by for a bite
or two! Learn about this local
pub/restaurant chain at http://www.theirishbredpub.com/.
Just
click on any of the photos to enlarge them…
Thanks
for stopping by for a visit!
Take
Care, Big Daddy Dave
What nice post David !
ReplyDeleteI love the post office and this old church !
Take care !
You are definitely out on the back roads in some classical southern towns.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing about small towns like this, everyone knows you and your business!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fantastic post, Dave! Lovely photos and amazing history. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeletePart of the Wehadkee Mill building has been demolished.
ReplyDeleteJimBob, That is sad for sure... Too many historical landmarks are just falling down or being torn down. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDelete