Rock Bridge

Sugar Bridge is one of the many structures constructed in the Langdale community of Valley, of stones that were blasted out for the diversion of Moore's Creek around the Langdale Mill.  These structures included the Bridge and retaining walls found throughout Langdale.  Special white quartz stone was used in the Langdale Cemetery.  These structures are a testament to the artistry and skill of the African-American stone masons who created them.

West Point Public School

Avenue E at East 8^th Street, West Point, GA – “College Hill”, the highest point on the east side of the river, was devoted to educational uses from 1867, when the West Point Female Academy was chartered, until 1986, when the present building was abandoned.  The present building was constructed in 1930.  The building is located on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fort Tyler and the Confederate Cemetery

6^th Avenue, one block east of West Tenth Street, West Point, GA – During the last stages of the War Between the States, an earthen fort was constructed on top of the highest hill over-looking West Point, to protect the railroad bridge, wagon bridge, and Confederate supplies in the city.  Federal forces led by General J.H. Wilson swept eastward through Selma and Montgomery, AL, and reached West Point on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1865.  A nine-hour battle ensued, in which 18 of the more than 200 Confederates present were killed, including the two officers in charge, General Robert Tyler and Captain Celestino Gonzalez.  The remainder were taken prisoner but released within a week, when news of the war’s end officially reached all points.  Visit www.forttyler.com for more information on the Battle of West Point.

The Griggs House

Lanett, AL next to Fort Tyler – The house was constructed in 1858 and later occupied by Dr. Asa W. Griggs, a Confederate surgeon, who attended wounded from both sides during the Battle of Fort Tyler.  Hit many times by Confederate and Union cannon fire, the 12-inch walls remained intact.  Actual holes from cannon and gunfire are still present in one area of the home.  One of only three homes in the area left from the Civil Ware era, the home is now a private residence.

Chambers County Museum

(334) 864-1727 – 1^st Avenue S.W., LaFayette, AL – Open 9am-12 noon and 1pm-4pm Wed. & Sat.  Admission:  Free – Founded in 1977, the museum is housed in the former old LaFayette Train Depot.  Collections focus on the Civil War, Creek Indians, farm implements, pottery, and the lives of Joe Louis, and Senator “Cotton Tom” Heflin.

The Doll House

Oakwood Cemetery, Lanett, AL – A brick doll house built over 4-year old Nadine Earle’s grave by her parents is a tribute to her after her death.  Little Nadine had wanted a dollhouse for Christmas and was fondly remembered as saying, “Me want it now” (which is displayed on the marker).  Nadine died in 1933, one week before Christmas.  In addition to her grave inside the house, it has a fireplace and toys of many kinds.

Chambers County Courthouse

Downtown LaFayette, AL (self guided tours available Monday-Friday 8:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.)  The Court House was constructed in 1899 at a cost of approximately $30,000.  Due to lack of space, an expansion was started in 2002 to double the existing size.  This beautiful building is on the historic register and is a “must see stop” for all visitors.  Scenes from inside and outside the Court House were used in the movie “Mississippi Burning”.  Admission – Free

LaFayette & Chambers County

Joe Louis Barrow’s Birthplace

Chambers County Road 87 – Joe Louis Barrow was born May 13, 1914, and was heavy weight boxing champion from 1937-1949.    The home is now a private residence.  Joe Louis memorabilia is on display at the Chambers County Museum.

Ward’s Mill

This was one of the first gristmills in Chambers County, built by Nimrod Doyle.  Mr. Doyle was the first non-Indian settler in the area.  The mill was later taken over by Solomon Ward after Mr. Doyle moved away.

Fort Cusseta

Following the signing of the Treaty of Washington with the Creek Indians in 1832, the early white settlers constructed a 16x30 foot hand-hewn log fort for protection against a possible Indian uprising.  It is the last known fort of its kind in the Southeast.  Honored by historic marker, it is located on County Road 388 in Cusseta.

Lanett

LaFayette Lanier Monument

The inscription reads, “Erected by the citizens of Riverview, Fairfax, Langdale, Shawmut, Lanett, West Point, to the memory of LaFayette Lanier, born June 21, 1845, died June 17, 1910, whose genius and vision were largely responsible for the industrial and civic development of the Chattahoochee Valley”.

 

Chattahoochee River

Chattahoochee Dive Site

The section of river behind West Point City Hall is home to a fantastic underwater archeological site, thanks to a century and a half of litter that has been thrown from the bridge in this area.  The oldest structure in Troup County is said to be the bridge piers that once supported a Horace King Bridge that was burned to the water as Union troops left after the Battle of Fort Tyler.  A wagon wreck complete with harness and four mule shoes, sits at the approach to one of the later bridges built across the river upstream from the King Bridge site, as do many bottles, hubcaps and boat hulls that time has turned from trash to treasure.  The Georgia DNR is proposing to protect this site to leave it intact for divers to explore for years to come.

Valley

Historic Langdale Theater

20^th Avenue, Valley, AL – The Theater was built in 1937 after the old wood frame theater and school burned.  It was completely restored in 1985 and is used for community and school functions.

Cotton Duck

6101 20^th Avenue, Valley, AL – This building is recognized as being the first public kindergarten established in the state of Alabama in 1914.  It was also used as a Red Cross Station during WW II.  The name comes from the first cotton fabric made in Langdale Mill called “duck”.

Mill Villages

The City of Valley is only 20 yrs. Old and was formed by incorporating the four historic textile mill villages of Fairfax, Langdale, Riverview, and Shawmut.  These villages were created long ago to house employees of the southern textile mills which were the center of the village’s life.  The villages are on the National Register of Historic Places.

West Point

White Hall

99 Old Wells Road, West Point, GA – This magnificent Greek Revival home was built in 1857.  Later owned by the Poer family, it was the childhood home of George Poer Oslin, public relations manager for Western Union, and inventor of the “SINGING TELEGRAM”.  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Hawkes Library

100 West 8^th Street, West Point, GA – This building was built in 1922.  A stone marker on the front lawn commemorates the 1886 visit of Winnie Davis to West Point, where she was first called “The Daughter of the Confederacy”.  The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Old Freight Depot

Constructed in 1887, this building was used for freight storage and is located close to the Alabama state line.  Until 1886, Alabama and Georgia had different gauge railroad tracks, so it was necessary for trains to stop here and transfer all passengers, baggage, and freight to a different train.  Many famous people had to stay in West Point including President Jefferson Davis.  Efforts are underway to turn the building into a museum and community center.