Bibb County Tourism

Welcome to Bibb County, Alabama

2009-05-15T20:15:24Z

Welcome to the Bibb County Tourism website: A site for Bibb County, Alabama, complete with information on the Cahaba River National Wildlife Reserve, the Cahaba River, the Talladega National Forest, Oakmulgee Ranger District, the many historical structures and a perfect place to start planning your next outdoor adventure!

Elliotts Creek Quail Area

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The Elliotts Creek Quail Area is a 3,000-acre area located in the Talladega National Forest within the Oakmulgee Wildlife Management area. Quail hunting season runs from mid November to late February. The forest habitat is being restored and enhanced to attract quail.

Directions:
From the Oakmulgee Ranger District Office, travel Highway 5 south then take a right turn onto Highway 1. Travel until you reach County Road 16 and then turn to the left. Then take a right turn onto Forest Service Road 731. Travel till you reach the intersection of Forest Service Road 707 and Forest Service Road 731. The Bibb County portion of the Elliotts Creek Quail Area is bounded by Forest Service Road 707 on the north and east side. The southern boundary is FS Road 731.

Payne Lake Recreation Area

2009-04-29T19:19:15Z

Payne Lake is a 110-acre manmade lake inside the Talladega National Forest, Oakmulgee Ranger District. The Payne Lake Recreation Area provides opportunities to kayak, canoe, boat fish, bird watch, hike, and bicycle. The recreation area also contains two camping loops.

The Payne Lake area offers two hiking trails. One trail follows the east shoreline of the lake. Starting at the boat launch, this trail is 1.1 miles and winds through the forest with several access spurs to the lake's edge for fishing. The other trail is at the north end of Payne Lake and is approximately 1.5 miles long with interpretive signs along the way. The trail meanders along the ridges and the drainages of the north end of the lake.
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The West Side Day Use Area has restrooms, a common area with a picnic pavilion, shoreline fishing access, several scattered picnic tables, a parking area, and a boat ramp. Payne Lake is open year round with a 14-day limit for all camping. There is an admission fee.

Discounts: AARP/groups/military/other, America the Beautiful Passes, and the Forest Seasonal Pass
Accepted Methods of Payment: Cash and checks
Address: 9901 Highway 5, Brent AL 35034
Phone: 205-926-9765
Fax: 205-926-9712
Directions from the Oakmulgee Ranger District office: Take Highway 5 south and make a right hand turn onto Highway 25. Travel down Highway 25 until you see a large recreation sign for Payne Lake recreation Area and turn to the right.
http://paynelake.info/

Talladega National Forest, Oakmulgee Ranger District

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This area is home to the largest population of red-cockaded woodpeckers in the National Forests in Alabama. Two clusters of red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees are located close to Forest Service Roads 724 and 745. You can view these shy endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers from a distance at the break of dawn when they leave their cavity trees in the morning to go foraging and at dusk when they return to the trees for the night.

The red-cockaded woodpeckers are the only woodpeckers in North America that excavate cavities in living pine trees. Here in the Oakmulgee Ranger District they seem to prefer the longleaf pines, but they will use other living pine species. Nesting occurs in mid-April when the female red-cockaded woodpecker lays a clutch of three to five white eggs in the breeding males roost cavity. The eggs hatch after 10 to 12 days of incubation and nestlings fledge from the nest cavity 24 to 27 days after hatching.
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History
Free land in Alabama drew settlers to the western and southern parts of Bibb County in the 1830s and 1840s. These people came from neighboring counties, South Carolina and Georgia, and as far away as Great Britain and Germany. Many of them were farmers and loggers. The farming and logging methods that they used harmed the land and created soil erosion problems. Between 1935 and 1938, more than 300,000 acres were added to the Talladega National Forest through the programs of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to protect the land from further damage. Originally there were two Ranger Districts--the Oakmulgee Ranger District and the Tuscaloosa Ranger District. For more information, visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/alabama.

Address: 9901 Hwy 5, Brent AL 35034
Phone: 205-926-9765
Fax: 205-926-9712

The Talladega National Forest is open year round. There are several areas that require a usage fee: Payne Lake, Vick Shooting Range, and the South Sandy Shooting Range.

Piper Interpretive Trail

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The Piper Interpretive Trail is a 2.5-mile out-and-back hiking trail that runs through the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. The trail offers scenic views of the river and is an easy walk--in fact much of the trail is a six-foot-wide gravel path that is accessible to those with disabilities. It runs along an old railroad route that served Piper Mine No. 2 near West Blocton in Bibb County.
]]> Directions
From Birmingham, take Interstate 20 West/59 South to Highway 5 South at Exit 97. Turn left off the ramp, go three miles and turn left on Highway 5 South. Drive 7.5 miles and take a left at the flashing caution light onto Bibb County 24. Go six miles, cross the Cahaba River Bridge, continue half a mile and take the first right into the parking area.
From Montevallo, take Highway 25 South. Turn right on Bibb County 65. At the T, turn left on Bibb County 24. Go to the Cahaba River bridge and backtrack to the trailhead.

Websites http://cahabafriends.org and www.cahabariversociety.org and http://www.fws.gov/cahabariver

Bibb County Glades Preserve

2009-04-29T13:04:19Z

More than 60 rare plants have been found in and around the Bibb County Glades Preserve since its discovery in 1992. The Bibb County Glades Preserve, which covers 480 acres, is located along the Little Cahaba River and runs through the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. The glades are home to eight plants that had never before been seen or named by scientists. This type of discovery might be expected in the Amazon Rain Forest, but it was unheard of in North America in modern times.
]]> www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/alabama/preserves/art902.html or www.fws.gov/cahabariver

Directions
From Birmingham: Take I-65 south to the Calera/U.S. Highway 31 exit and travel south about 3 miles into Calera. In downtown Calera, turn right onto Alabama Highway 25 south toward Centreville. Go 12 to 13 miles through Montevallo and Wilton. Turn right (north) onto Bibb County Road 65 and travel about 3 miles. Cross the Little Cahaba River at Bulldog Bend and continue for 0.8 miles beyond the bridge. Turn left (south) onto an unnamed dirt road and go about 0.2 miles to where the road dead-ends at the preserve parking area. Follow the natural trail to the Little Cahaba River.

From Montgomery: Take I-65 north to the Calera/University of Montevallo exit. Turn left to cross over the interstate and travel west about 1 mile into Calera. In downtown Calera, turn left onto US Highway 31 and then almost immediately turn right onto Alabama Highway 25 south toward Centreville. Follow the directions above the rest of the way.

The Little Cahaba River

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The Little Cahaba River is a critical habitat for four species of federally protected snails, mussels, and fish. It is also home to gray bats, and the riparian habitat for Georgia rockcress and Mohr's Barbara's Button, both of which are federally listed species. The Cahaba River contains more than 100 species of fish, including 12 fish and mussel species that are listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The National Geographic Society and the World Wildlife Fund both recognized the Cahaba River watershed as an outstanding global resource for diverse freshwater life. The Little Cahaba River in Bibb County is classified as an Outstanding Alabama Waterway by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and is a major tributary to Alabama's longest free-flowing river, the Cahaba River.
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The Little Cahaba remains a scenic river that flows about 18 miles from the junction of Shoal and Mahan Creeks to join the Cahaba River south of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. The river flows through forest and farmland and the banks are largely undeveloped.

Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge

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The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge is home to five federally listed threatened or endangered species including the Cahaba shiner, goldline darter, round rocksnail, and cylindrical lioplax snail. This area has been recognized as the most biologically diverse section of land in Alabama and has been credited with supporting the most significantly diverse plant species in the southeastern United States. You won't see plants and animals like this anywhere else in the area.

]]> http://www.fws.gov/cahabariver to learn more about the refuge.

One of the largest populations of rocky shoal spider lilies in the world is also protected in the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. These lilies were once seen across the Southeast. But they have disappeared as rivers have been dammed and disrupted. Less than 200 acres of rocky shoals lilies remain in the world. The Cahaba River and refuge now contain one of the two largest populations. Each May, during the Cahaba Lily Festival, visitors can learn about the lily shoals and see them by walking or canoeing among the flowering plants. For information on the annual Cahaba Lily Festival in West Blocton, visit www.cahabalily.com/CahabaLilyFestival.htm

The area in and around the refuge is rich in natural resources. The rolling uplands surrounding the river are forested with longleaf and loblolly pines. Many of the original longleaf pines were harvested and replaced with commercial loblolly pine. Large coal reserves and their proximity to iron ore led to a great deal of mining from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. The coal mined from this area helped to fuel the iron furnaces during the Civil War. Mining affected the landscape significantly, and you can still see some of the damage it caused in this area.

The Cahaba River

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The Cahaba is no ordinary river! It currently supports 64 rare and imperiled plant and animal species, 13 of which are found nowhere else in the world. It is also home to 131 fish species, a greater number per mile than any other river in North America. The river has another unique feature--its rock shoals. These shoals create small pools that provide habitats for many rare plant and animal species. The shoals (Cahaba) lilies, which bloom from mid-May to mid-June, create a truly breath-taking scene on the river.

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The river ends at Old Cahawba, the site of Alabama's first state capitol along the Alabama River. The Cahaba River (earlier spelling of Cahawba) is thought to be of Choctaw origin meaning "water above" or "the river above." For more information about the river, visit http://www.cahabariversociety.org

Bibb County Lake

2008-12-15T21:42:39Z

Bibb County Lake is located on AL Hwy 5 between the towns of West Blocton and Centreville, Alabama. It is open yearly from February 1st to November 30th. Bibb County Lake is a 100-acre state lake stocked with Florida black bass, bluegill bream, shellcracker, crappie and channel catfish. The lake has picnic tables and grills and a pavilion for events (please contact the lake to reserve the pavilion for your special occasion). A bait shop selling artificial and live bait is on site. Boat rentals and accessories are also available. 1147 Walter Owens Parkway West Blocton, AL
Open most days, daylight to dusk
AL fishing license $16, Daily use fee $3, Boat launch $3
AL Hwy 5 between the towns of West Blocton and Centreville, Alabama
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Historic Centreville Square

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The Centreville Town Square, which overlooks the Cahaba River, became an historical district in 1977. Twenty-six historical buildings line the streets of this area. The square offers a variety of services including restaurants and shopping. Spend some time in a "days gone by" atmosphere. December is the month for "Christmas on the Square".

Bibb County Court House and Confederate Monument
The Confederate monument was unveiled on July 22, 1910. The Courthouse is still a functioning building and has been renovated to accommodate a modern work environment while still maintaining the authenticity of the building. The court house dates back to 1902. The land lay out back in 1828 was done in the traditional square of the time period.

Mason Building
This historical building is still in use. The masons meet here each month. The organization is a highly respected group whose history is passed down from generation to generation.

]]> The Ritz Theatre
The Ritz Theatre was once a booming show place where you could buy a Coke for a nickel, popcorn for ten cents, and watch movies all day long for a quarter. The theatre began as an Opera House run by Mr. Robert Thrasher, but was converted to a movie theatre in the 1920s. In 1940, the original building burned and the owner, Mr. Stancil, rebuilt it using steel beams for the balcony and roof supports. No longer in use as a theatre, the building is under going renovations.

The Old Bibb County Jail
Built in 1910, the old jail has many stories to tell. It is a strong, sound building now owned by the Better Home Town Group. The Rock Building
This building was built with native stone during the WPA era. On July 13, 1938, the Commissioners Court of Bibb County purchased a tract of land at a cost of $3,500 and erected this building at a cost of $38,500. This beautiful building was renovated in 1978. Currently the Rock Building houses the Bibb County Board of Education, the Bibb County Commission, and the Emergency Management Agency.

The Centreville Press
The original hometown paper in Centreville was the Bibb Blade. The newspaper was bought by the Nunnelees in the fall of 1897 and the name changed to Centreville Press. The facility is a historic building still in operation.

City Hall 205-926-9561

Brierfield Ironworks Historical State Park

2008-12-15T15:06:11Z

Built in 1862, the crumbling red brick walls of the old furnace are all that remain of the stack that once towered sixty feet tall and billowed black smoke high into the sky. Now a historical state park, the site is living history with pioneer cabins and other restored buildings from Alabama's past. Where 130 years ago every tree was cut for charcoal, today large pines and hardwoods provide a rustic setting for picnics, camping, or special events such as the annual Brierfield Music Festival or the annual Civil War battle reenactment. Brierfield's attractions include hiking and nature trails, primitive and improved camping, cabin rentals, Henry Jones Country Store, and a seasonal swimming pool.

]]> Attractions include:

Historic ruins of the Bibb Naval Furnaces
Pioneer style homes and buildings
Hiking and Nature Trails
Camping
J. Henry Jones Country Store
Swimming Pool
Special Events

Contact: 240 Furnace Pkwy, Brierfield, AL 35035. 205.665.1856
www.brierfieldironworks.com

Fees: Day Use Fees - Adults $3.00, Children and seniors $1.00 per day
Brierfield Swimming Pool opens May 17 and closes Sept. 8 Day Use fees $4.00 per person, Seasonal membership available. Camping - both improved and primitive, cabins, Hayes-Morton Inn, Sunshine Morton House. Call 205-665-1856 for fees and availability.

Directions: From I-65 take Alabama 25 approx. 15 miles. From Tuscaloosa take Hwy 82 to Centreville, the left on Alabama 25 approx. 12 miles.

Cahaba River Historical Park

2008-10-15T19:36:08Z

The land was farm land along the Cahaba River and purchased from Mr. Collie Wallace. All the houses and farm equi[pment were donated. The park is within view of uptown historical Centreveille. The park is available for family reunions, picnics and just a day of fun in the sun on the beautiful Cahaba River.

Available to the public is a boat ramp and R.V, hook-ups. The park is also a museum of old homes and farm equipment dating back to the 1800s.
]]> Contact: Mr. Cecil Crews, 1433 Montgomery Hwy, Centreville, AL 35042
Phone: 205.926.7005

Park Address: Hwy 25 Centreville, AL 35042
Hours of Operation: 7:00am -7:00pm Mon- Sun.
Admission: free (donations to park accepted)

Directions: Hwy 25 out of Centreville going north to Montevallo/Birmingham. Less than a mile from the River Bridge, past Texaco. Park will be on your left, coming south from Montevallo park will be on right.

Bibb County Court House and Confedrate Monument

2008-10-15T16:17:56Z

The Confederate monument was unveiled on July 22, 1910. The Courthouse is still a functioning building and has been renovated. It is the 5th courthouse dating back to 1902. The land lay out back in 1828 was done in the traditional square of the time period.

In addition to being a spectacular architectural example of area courthouse construction for the period, there are also genealogical research opportunities located here.

It is located in the center of historic Centreville, AL.

Address: Historical Square, Centreville, Alabama
Phone: 205.926.3104, Bibb County Chamber of Commerce.

The Bibb County Courthouse is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and has public restrooms. You will also find brochures for the area.

Oakmulgee Ranger District - Talladega National Forest

2008-10-13T15:35:39Z

Payne Lake Recreation Area:
Offers outdoor enthusiasts solitude, a scenic lake, and picturesque campsites. Payne Lake Recreation Area has two swimming beaches and bathhouses for users of the recreation area. Each bathhouse has restrooms and showers. Camping is permitted at 76 developed sites along the shoreline of the 110-acre Payne Lake. Each site has a picnic table, cooking or fire circle, and tent or trailer pad.

Payne Lake Recreation Area is open year round and offers boating, nature trails, fishing, picnicking and swimming opportunities for Forest users. A trailer dump station is located in the campground.
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If you're looking for a true camping experience, then you're looking for primitive camping. There are 8 campsites available for year-round primitive camping. Campers are urged to be careful with campfires and always adhere to Smokey's message to make sure fires are dead out.

Hiking
See the Forest from a different angle as you walk the one and one-half mile nature trail along Payne Lake. The trail offers a view of the wetlands and a chance to see the area's waterfowl.

Step back in time, as you follow the trail along a ridge for a glimpse of how the area looked prior to European settlement. See the remains of an early settler's home and some of the area's most unique ferns and plant life.

Special tours of this area are available upon request from the district office.

ORV / ATV Trails
Licensed off-road vehicles (ORV) are permitted on all national forest roads that are open for public travel. Vehicle drivers must be licensed and conform to all State laws. Unlicensed ORV's are permitted only on designated trails. Information regarding ORV trails can be obtained from any local district office.

History
The National Forest commission created the Oakmulgee Purchase Unit, located south of Centreville, January 21, 1935. The area was first settled in the early 1800's. At that time, stands of timber were cleared for agricultural purposes and to build homes. What is now known as the Oakmulgee Ranger District was about 60 percent cut-over land.