LaFayette
LaFayette home to famous names!
City of LaFayette, AL
50 Alabama Ave. West
Lafayette, AL 36863
(334) 864-9812
http://www.lafayetteal.com
LaFayette, Ala., at the northwest corner of the Greater Valley Area, is the county seat of Chambers County. While much of the Greater Valley Area straddles the Alabama-Georgia state line, this historic town is 13 miles west of the line. With its wide streets, old trees and historic homes, LaFayette is a real visitor magnet. The city is home to the Chambers County Museum.
The sense of history extends to those who came from here. Probably the most famous is boxer Joe Louis, who was born and spent the early years of his life in LaFayette as Joe Louis Barrow. Several family members still live in the area. A larger-than-life statue of the Brown Bomber will be unveiled on the west side of the Chambers County Courthouse in a festive celebration on Feb. 27, 2010 – the last weekend of Black History Month.
Pat Garrett, famed Lincoln County, New Mexico, sheriff who killed Billy the Kid, was from LaFayette. He rode west at age 17, seeking more room, more adventure. In his will at the Chambers County Courthouse, Pat Garrett left his saddle and shotgun to a nephew in LaFayette.
Other famous sons include Johnson Jones Hooper, U.S. Senators Thomas (Cotton Tom) Heflin, one of America’s premier orators, and Claude Pepper. Hooper wrote the “Silas Suggs” books that reflected the hardships and high humor of life on the Tallapoosa River of the American frontier in the early 1800s.
Today, LaFayette balances the attractions of its heritage with a focused quest to bring new industry and business to the city. In July 2009, a Canadian firm, Commercial Spring & Tool Company Limited, announced its first U.S. plant will be in LaFayette.
The area offers outstanding hunting and fishing. LaFayette likes to point out that the city is surrounded by four major lakes: West Point Lake, 15 minutes east; Lake Martin, 30 minutes west; Lake Harris, 40 minutes north; and Lake Walter F. George (Eufaula), 90 minutes south. This is in addition to the local 90-acre LaFayette City Lake, and the nearby 180-acre Chambers County Public Lake.
The city is served by Chambers County schools and by private school Chambers Academy.
“I am very proud of our community and of the people living here. I feel we have a lot to offer. I look forward to guided development that will allow our area to prosper while preserving our heritage.”
Matthew K. Hurst
Mayor, LaFayette, Ala.
Lanett
Lanett meeting travelers' needs!
City of Lanett, AL
401 N. Lanier Avenue
Lanett, AL 36863
(334) 644-2141
http://www.cityoflanett.com
Lanett, Ala., first known as Bluffton from 1865, gained its current name in 1895. It was anchored by the huge Lanett Mill, which began textile operations in 1894. The name Lanett came from the surname combination of early textile leaders LaFayette Lanier and Theodore Bennett.
Today, the defunct mill is a different kind of attraction – it’s being dismantled brick by historic brick in a massive operation that will free up valuable land along the Chattahoochee River, and the city is now in a hospitality/accommodations role in the Greater Valley Area’s burgeoning economy.
Lanett Municipal Airport, adjacent I-85, underwent extensive modernization and upgrades before being reopened in 2008 and is preparing to add a new, longer runway that will accommodate larger planes and corporate aircraft.
In early 2009, the new Hampton Inn and Suites opened near I-85 to offer first-class lodging to corporate guests, Auburn football fans, area festival-goers and other travelers.
Lanett is served by Lanett City School system and is home to Springwood School. A part of historic Fort Tyler is within Lanett city limits and historic homes reflect Lanett’s heritage. In addition to established residential areas, an upscale new development is underway adjacent Riverside Country Club’s newly upgraded 18-hole golf course.
In recent years, the city has focused on eliminating old, substandard housing and, with the help of the Chattahoochee Fuller Center Project, has restored neighborhoods in historic Jackson Heights with new homes and families on the way to responsible home ownership.
In 2009, Lanett was the center of the first worldwide Millard Fuller Legacy Build that saw six new homes built in Lanett and eight renovated. Around the world, some 100 new homes were constructed and dedicated during this blitz build that honored the memory of and continuing mission of Millard Fuller, who was a native of Lanett.
"In addition to a commitment to our businesses, Lanett strives to serve travelers to the Greater Valley Area through our airport expansion, our new Hampton Inn and our efforts to create an inviting environment for all who come here … for business, pleasure or – we hope – for both.”
Oscar Crawley
Mayor, Lanett, Ala.
Valley
Valley is a young city with deep roots!
City of Valley, AL
20 Fob James Drive
Valley, AL 36854
(334) 756-3131
http://www.cityofvalley.com
Valley, Ala., became a city in 1980 when citizens of four communities – Shawmut, Langdale, Fairfax and River View – voted to become one. The four communities had grown up around four large textile mills that were part of textile giant West Point Manufacturing, later to become WestPoint Pepperell and then WestPoint Stevens.
Langdale and Riverdale mills were the first two mills in the Greater Valley Area, starting up within one day of each other in the mid-1860s. While the city itself is young at almost 30 years, its heritage goes back much further through the roots of the four communities.
Today, Valley is a mix of historic preservation and modern planning. Both Langdale and Riverdale mills are now owned by the city, with plans to utilize their sweeping river frontage by development of a conference center, lodging, restaurants, lofts and commercial space. Residential areas vary from historic mill villages to new luxury apartments in gated complexes adjoining retail space and adjacent the city’s state-of-the-art Sportsplex and Community and Aquatic Center. The Community and Aquatics Center is home to the Valley Area Swim Team and the base for a variety of sports, fitness and recreational programs for all ages.
The Center’s Olympic-size competition pool will be the site of the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association statewide swim meet in July 2010, hosted by the Valley Area Swim Team.
At the next exit south on I-85, several automotive suppliers have located in the Chambers County Industrial Park to serve Kia in nearby West Point, creating jobs for the area.
Healthcare is also a key part of Valley’s business community, with Lanier Health Services and the area’s major medical park located here. Valley is served by Chambers County schools and by Springwood School and is home to Southern Union State Community College – with its One-Stop Career Center and new short-term manufacturing-skills courses.
Recreational opportunities abound in Valley. The old Shawmut Airport has been recreated as a large meadow on the west side of the Chattahoochee that is the site of the annual Valley Day on the River festival and Fourth of July celebrations, as well as other events. The river presence means unlimited fishing, boating, canoeing and kayaking. The historic Langdale Theater is located in Valley, as is Bradshaw-Chambers County Library, with its wide scope of programs for all ages.
“We value our heritage and the warmth of the small-town atmosphere in Valley. At the same time, we are focused on the future – on guiding our development as a commercial and residential area to optimize quality of life for generations to come.”
Arnold D. Leak
Mayor, Valley, Ala.
West Point
West Point focuses on a new direction!
City of West Point, GA
730 1st Avenue
West Point, GA 31833
(706) 645-3522
http://www.cityofwestpointga.com
West Point, Ga., established on the banks of the Chattahoochee River in 1832, was historically the headquarters and guiding hand of the area’s dominant textile industry, which was established just after the Civil War. Over the last several years, that industry moved abroad.Today, West Point has an all-new, dynamic future as home to the new Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia site – Kia’s first U.S. plant – and the jobs it is creating. Several Kia suppliers have located nearby in both Troup and Harris counties.
This brings new residents. In addition to the city’s complement of historic old homes, several developers are creating a variety of new housing that combines respect for the area’s heritage with the latest in convenience and comfort. West Point is served by both Troup and Harris county schools, each regarded as top-quality, and by highly rated Springwood School in nearby Lanett.
Downtown continues to add eye-catching new shops and boutiques. New restaurants widen the menu with international offerings. For leisure pursuits, there’s historic Fort Tyler, New Horizon Theatre, Hawkes Library, the restored West Point Depot and Museum, West Point River Park and just to the north, West Point Lake. Of course, the Chattahoochee River runs right through the middle of town, giving kayakers and canoeists another view of the city.
“The city of West Point is a full-service city that combines a modern, pro-business attitude with a warm, small-town atmosphere.”
A. Drew Ferguson IV
Mayor, West Point, Ga.
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