8 of the Quirkiest Towns in Alabama
Alabama, also known as the "Heart of Dixie," has so much to offer when it comes to quirkiness. From its pivotal role in the civil rights movement to its mouthwatering cuisine and diverse landscapes, there's no shortage of unique experiences. During your exploration, you'll find a town with a statue dedicated to weevils and a town that "collects" unclaimed baggage. There is no shortage of unusual things to be found within the state of Alabama, so read on to explore the other towns that make the state so interesting and quirky.
Elberta
Perhaps the most peculiar town on this list, the town of Elberta, is home to three fascinating art installations, all made for Alabama billionaire George Barber by artist Mark Cline. The most famous is “Dinosaurs in the Woods,” built in 1991, which is a series of seven different dinosaur statues made from fiberglass. The second installation is Lady in the Bay, a fifty-foot woman also made from fiberglass; a hurricane destroyed the original, but Mark Cline was hired to make a duplicate, and she now floats on the Gulf Coast as of 2022. The last sculpture is called Bamahenge, built in 2012; it resembles the famous Stonehenge in England; however, Bamahenge is not made from real rocks; like the rest of the sculptures made by Mark Celine, they are also made from fiberglass.
Scottsboro
Where does a US airline's lost luggage end up? Well, oftentimes, it ends up in a one-of-a-kind store located in Scottsboro, Alabama. It was started in 1972 by Doyle Owens, who started the whole idea by buying a load of unclaimed baggage from a bus line and selling said contents in an old rented house. It became so successful that Unclaimed Baggage was born. Inside what now resembles a retail store, they buy and sell lost items that were found inside lost bags, anything from electronics to clothing. Located within the same store, there is a museum that features and displays over 100 intriguing items that have been found within the lost baggage. Scottsboro also hosts a refuge for an endangered bat species. The Saunta Cave protects not the endangered gray bat, which uses the cave for landing in the summer. Additionally, both the Indian and gray bats use it for hibernation in the winter. The cave is closed to the public, but it wasn't always. It was once used during the Civil War as a saltpeter mine. In the 1920s, it was a nightclub, and later, in the 1960s, it was a fallout shelter. Located in downtown Scottsboro, Payne's Sandwich Shop & Soda Fountain is believed to be the oldest soda shop in Alabama. It was once a drugstore back in 1869. Today, however, it is now a bustling restaurant, serving anything from sandwiches to delicious ice cream inside a small shop with a big personality on the inside. When you walk through the doors, you are transported back in time with the retro decor that decorates the place.
Enterprise
Enterprise is well known for having the only memorial in the world that honors an insect pest, the Boll Weevil. Appearing in Enterprise in 1915, the weevils destroyed all the cotton crops, which cost the American cotton industry more than $22 billion. However, in 1916, farmers diversified their crops, choosing to grow peanuts instead, and by the peak of the weevil's destruction in 1919, Coffee County had become the largest peanut-producing county in Alabama. The citizens of the enterprise paid tribute to the pest that ultimately helped the growth of their county by choosing to erect a monument in downtown Enterprise showcasing the Boll Weevil on a pedestal that is held by a statue of a woman. Enterprise pays more homage to the pests via a community art project named “Weevil Way," which consists of roughly 30 6-foot statues in the form of weevils that represent various local businesses and organizations that can be found throughout the town. The most known is the “Ronald McWeevil '' statue located in the car park outside of McDonald's in Enterprise, which went viral online in 2022. Lastly, located in downtown Enterprise, across from the train station, is the Rawls Hotel. Built in 1903 by Japeth Drawls, it is one of the city's oldest buildings and once served as a primary social spot in the city's early days. The hotel was set to be torn down in 1978; however, it was purchased and restored, and today, it is a restaurant named “The Rawls."
Tuscumbia
Tuscumbia is where you can find the childhood home of historic icon Helen Keller. This home, called Ivy Green, is now a museum. Behind the house is the iconic water pump, the spot in which Helen was taught to say her first word with the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan. It's no surprise that the town of “America’s First Frontier Railroad Town” has a great railway museum. Tuscumbia Depot and Railhouse is a restored train depot from 1888 that has been turned into a museum to showcase the history of the town as well as feature the various memorabilia of the rail and train works. To top it off, visitors can view the carriage of the Keller family as well. Another unique experience is the Rattlesnake Saloon, which is a great saloon located under a natural stone bluff. Opened in 2009 after almost 50 days of construction, the restaurant offers bar food as well as great live music. and the chance to rent horses to explore the area. While you're there, feel free to stay at the Seven Springs Lodge, which gives visitors the chance to ride horses.
Fort Payne
Fort Payne was once considered the sock capital of Alabama, with, at one time, over 130 sock mills. Several attractions honor the town's history, such as a restaurant named Vintage, which now resides in the historic Big Mill Company building. Within that same building is an antique store where visitors are welcome to browse through the many antique artworks. What was formerly the Alabama Great Southern Railroad depot back in 1891 has since been turned into a museum, paying tribute to the region's history in the railroad era. For those interested in the music group named Alabama, the band members' hometown is Fort Payne, and each member has a statue located in downtown Fort Payne celebrating their legendary careers in the music industry.
Mentone
In 1937, a man named Milford Howard created a spectacle in Mentone, the Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel, with an uncommon design feature in one of its walls: a boulder. Inside said boulder, however, are Milford's ashes after he was cremated. One of the tallest and most visited waterfalls in Alabama is located in Mentone as well. At an astounding 107 feet, Desoto Falls is a marvel to see after the hike down to see the beauty up close and personal. Another beautiful location is St. Joseph's on the Mountain Episcopal Church, which has been part of Mentone since 1971. The log cabin that the church built served as a family home for 100 years, dating around 1870. The descendants of the families that lived inside the log cabin still live in the Mentone area today.
Monroeville
This town gained traction after author Harper Lee used it as an inspiration for her famous novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ This is also the town where Lee was born. Monroeville pays homage to the renowned writer through a monument to the protagonist in To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch, in downtown Monroeville. The old courthouse in town is the heart of To Kill a Mockingbird, made famous after it served as the inspiration for the courthouse in the movie adaptation. Maycomb County has many exhibits that are dedicated not only to Harper Lee's life but also to other authors from Monroeville, such as Harper Lee's childhood best friend, Truman Capote. Behind the courthouse is an amphitheater where the first act of the annual Mockingbird play takes place; the second act takes place in the courthouse itself. Truman Capote, who also grew up in Monroeville, has a historical marker of her childhood home; remains of the building can be found on the plot of land, as well as a plaque that tells of his life.
Anniston
The spot of the Freedom Riders National Monument pays respect to the civil rights activists who, in 1961, wanted to challenge the discriminatory state laws for segregation in not only buses but also bus facilities. The monument downtown was established in 2017. It honors the influence Freedom Riders had on the Civil Rights Movement and teaches visitors the story of the Freedom Riders. Take a seat in the largest chair in America, which became a major landmark for the city of Anniston. The 33-foot-tall chair with a seat that is 15 feet up was built in 1981 by the owner of Miller’s Office Supply so he could get more business for his furniture store. Finally, visit the Anniston Museum and Gardens, with various exhibits ranging from minerals and fossils to rare animals in open dioramas like the Birds of the Americas, which have over 400 birds in their habitats.
These quirky towns invite visitors to experience the authentic, eccentric, and delightful side of Alabama, which often goes unnoticed. If you're up for an adventure filled with unforgettable experiences, do not forget to stop by these towns scattered throughout Alabama that reveal a tapestry of eccentricities and local charm. From unconventional landmarks to vibrant community spirits, these offbeat towns offer a delightful escape. The exploration of Alabama's unconventional destinations unveils a unique and rich experience, inviting travelers to immerse themselves in the unexpected treasures that lie beyond well-trodden paths.
