Decatur, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Decatur is a city in Limestone
and Morgan
Counties in the U.S. state
of Alabama
. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama
on the banks of Wheeler Lake
, along the Tennessee River
. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County. The estimated population in 2006 was 55,778.
Decatur is also the core city of the two-county large Decatur Metropolitan Area
which had 150,125 in 2006. Combined with the Huntsville Metropolitan Area, the two create the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area
, of which, Decatur is the second largest city.
Like many southern cities in the early 19th century, Decatur's early success was based upon its location along a river. Railroad routes and boating traffic pushed the city to the front of North Alabama
's economic atmosphere. The city rapidly grew into a large economic center within the Tennessee Valley
and was a hub for travelers and cargo between Nashville
/Chattanooga
and Mobile
/New Orleans
. Throughout the 20th century, the city experienced steady growth, but was eclipsed as the regional economic center by a fast growing Huntsville during the space race. The city now finds its economy heavily based on manufacturing industries, cargo transit, and hi-tech industries such as General Electric
, and the United Launch Alliance
.
in the 1810s at the present-day location of Rhodes Ferry Park. The city was incorporated as Decatur in the year 1821. It was named in honor of Stephen Decatur
; after he was killed in a duel in 1820, President Monroe directed that the Alabama town be named for him.
Decatur was a very important point in North Alabama
during its earliest days. Decatur was the eastern terminus of the Tuscumbia, Courtland and Decatur Railroad (in the early 1830s), the first railway built west of the Appalachian Mountains. In 1850 the Tuscumbia, Courtland and Decatur Railroad was incorporated into the Memphis & Charleston Railroad.
Because of its location on the Tennessee River at the strategically important crossing of two major railroads, Decatur was the site of several encounters during the American Civil War
. When the Union army occupied the city early in the war, the commanding general ordered all but four buildings in the town destroyed. Bricks from some of the churches in town were used to build stoves and chimneys for the buildings that housed soldiers. The four buildings that remained (and are still standing) are the Old State Bank, the Dancy-Polk House, the Todd House, and the Burleson-Hinds-McEntire House. After the Union victory in the Battle of Atlanta, a Confederate army under the command of Gen. John Bell Hood briefly sparred with a vastly outmanned garrison during the 1864 Battle of Decatur
, when Decatur was referred to as A Tough Nut To Crack.
While the city was under Confederate control, plans for the Battle of Shiloh
were mapped out within the Burleson-Hinds-McEntire House. These activities make the house one of the most historic buildings in Decatur.
New Decatur, Alabama
was a city that rose out of the ashes of former Decatur west of the railroad tracks. New Decatur was founded in 1887 and incorporated in 1889. But residents of the older Decatur resented the new town, founded and occupied by people who moved from the northern states. Animosity built until New Decatur renamed their town Albany, after Albany, N.Y., in September 1916. The impetus to meld the two towns came from the need for a bridge, instead of a ferry, across the Tennessee River. The Decatur Kiwanis Club was formed with an equal number of members from each town to organize efforts to get the state to build the bridge. In 1925, the two cities merged to form one City of Decatur. There is a noticeable difference between the two sides of town. The cities developed differently at different times, and still to this day have somewhat different cultures. Eastern portions of Decatur tend to act more suburban and traditional, while western portions tend to look more metropolitan and contemporary.
The Old State Bank, on the edge of downtown, is the oldest bank building in the State of Alabama
, at 173 years old. The first wave pool in the United States
was built in Decatur and is still in operation at the Point Mallard Aquatic Center. The city has the largest Victorian era
home district in the state of Alabama. Decatur is also home to Alabama's oldest opera house, the Cotaco Opera House
, which still stands on Johnston Street.
In the past its industries included repair shops of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad
, car works, engine works, tannery, bottling plants, and manufacturers of lumber, sashes and blinds, fertilizers, cigars, flour, cottonseed oil, and various other products.
has traditionally been the northern border of the city and Morgan County, while Flint Creek and the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge on the east side of the city. The city does extend to the other side of Flint Creek and the Refuge in the Indian Hills and Burningtree subdivision areas. There is also an inlet that extends one mile (2 km) into the city limits from Wheeler Lake
called Dry Branch. There is also a small portion of Decatur that extends into Limestone County north along the Highway 31 corridor to the Calhoun College area and along Hwy 20 Corridor until it reaches I-65.
The northern portion of Decatur sits on top of a short hill that overlooks the Tennessee River, this creates a very steep dropoff to the river shore at Rhodes Ferry Park. This hill allows the "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridge to leave the mainland at grade without any major sloping required more height to cross the river while not interfering with Decatur's heavy barge traffic. This hill extends from the banks of the river about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south to the 14th St./Magnolia St. intersection with 6th Avenue (US 31).
South past the 14th St. and 6th Ave. intersection, land continues to remain flat. South, and also west, past Alabama 67
there are a few minor mountains that sit within the city limits.
Decatur is located at 34°34′52"N 86°59′0"W (34.580992, -86.983392).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 59.9 square miles (155.1 km²), of which, 53.4 square miles (138.3 km²) of it is land and 6.5 square miles (16.8 km²) of it (10.83%) is water.
, with hot, humid summers and a generally mild winter. Temperatures range from 89 °F (32 C) in the summer to 49.0 °F (9 C) during winter. The city rarely experiences tornado
es during the spring and fall. But, significant severe weather does occur from time to time in the active seasons. The most significant tornado event included the Super Outbreak
in 1974, while the city was largely unaffected by the more recent Huntsville, Alabama Tornado in 1989 that killed 21 and injured almost 500. Hurricanes are rare since Decatur sits nearly 300 miles (482.8 km) inland from the Gulf of Mexico
. Though a few tropical systems do track through the central Tennessee Valley
, they rarely inflict much damage on the city. Winters usually do not produce much snow; a large amount of snow is rare within the city limits. A small, measurable amount of snow can be experienced a few times each year. In 2011, they received up to 8 inches of snow at once. It tied for the most since 1963.
. Southeast and Northeast Decatur already existed as parts of town, but were simply thought of as one, as there was a much lower population at that time in the West. Southwest consists mostly of the area bordered by 6th Avenue (US 31), 8th Street W, and Moulton Street. Northwest is bordered by Moulton Street, Central Parkway, and 14th Street W.
Two halves of town were successfully created in the years following the completion of The Beltline as a bypass. While there are few major cultural differences between the East and the West, minute differences such as street grid patterns, zoning patterns, and architectural styles are noticeable.
Northeast
Limestone County
Southeast
Northwest
Southwest
The current mayor of Decatur is Don Stanford, who was elected in 2008. The city has a five-member/district City Council. The current members are:
There are also many boards and commissions run by the city, supervising schools, planning, downtown development, and so on.
Past Decatur, AL Mayors include:
Both the Decatur Police and Decatur Fire & Rescue are dispatched by the Morgan County 911 Center.
http://decaturpolice.web.officelive.com/
The current Chief of Police is Maj. Edgar Taylor. The department consists of approx. 160 officers, which includes Command Staff and Investigators, and is headquartered at 402 Lee Street N.E. on the first floor of City Hall.
The current Fire Chief is Charles Johnson. The Deputy Fire Chief/Fire Marshal is Darwin Clark.
All of the department's approximately 120 firefighters are licensed EMTs and approx. 30 of these are licensed Paramedics. These firefighters are assigned to three shifts or battalions, each shift is led by a Battalion Chief.
The department currently runs 6 Engine Companies, 4 Reserve Engines, 2 Ladder Companies, 1 Rescue Unit, 1 Brush Truck, 1 HazMat Vehicle, 1 Special Response Unit, 1 Safety/EMS Command Vehicle, 1 Shift Command Unit (Battalion Chief's vehicle), and several other staff and support vehicles out of 8 Fire Stations.
All Engine/Ladder Companies and the Rescue Unit are equipped for vehicle extrication. These units, as well as the EMS Commander's vehicle are also equipped for Basic and/or Advanced Life Support.
Huntsville MedFlight a division of Air Methods
and Air Evac Lifeteam
provide aeromedical services for the city of Decatur and North Alabama.
Decatur is served by two hospitals, one public and the other private. Begun in 1915, Decatur General Hospital has been the community's public, not-for-profit hospital for 95 years. Since that time, the hospital has grown into a 273-bed, general acute care hospital and a 64-bed behavioral medicine hospital making it the third largest employer in Morgan County. Decatur General is accredited by the Joint Commission and its medical staff consists of more than 200 physicians representing 20 specialties. Decatur General Hospital is designated as a level two trauma center by the Alabama Department of Public Health. Parkway Medical Center is a 120 bed private, for-profit hospital and is designated as a level three trauma center by the Alabama Department of Public Health. Huntsville Hospital is the regions referral center and also serves as North Alabama's level one trauma center. As of November 2010 Decatur General Hospital and Huntsville Hospital are affiliate hospitals, ensuring the continued tradition and excellence of public, not-for-profit health care in North Alabama.
of 2000, there were 53,929 people, 21,824 households, and 14,753 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,009.7 people per square mile (389.9/km2). There were 23,950 housing units at an average density of 448.4 per square mile (173.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 75.50% White
, 19.56% Black
or African American
, 0.58% Native American
, 0.70% Asian
, 0.13% Pacific Islander
, 2.22% from other races
, and 1.33% from two or more races. 5.64% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 21,824 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples
living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,192, and the median income for a family was $47,574. Males had a median income of $37,108 versus $22,471 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $20,431. About 11.9% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.2% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.
sees large amounts of barge traffic from up and down the Tennessee River, which has led to twenty Fortune 500
companies opening plants in the city.
Decatur is also known as the "Home of Meow Mix
", after the company bought a 200000 square feet (18,580.6 m²) facility in town, and now utilizes its riverfront property to ship the finished product up and down the Tennessee River.
Being part of the Huntsville-Decatur CSA
, the city lies within the region having the most engineers per capita in the nation.
A recent BRAC Base realignment will bring a population, conservatively estimated at 5,000–10,000 people (not including their families), to the area surrounding Redstone Arsenal
.
Approval of the United Launch Alliance
combined Lockheed-Martin and Boeing
's rocket manufacturing contracts to a central location at the plant in Decatur. All satellite launching rockets used by the U.S. government will be built in Decatur. This approval brought over 230 new jobs to the Decatur area. The ULA plant utilizes the Tennessee River to ship the rockets to Cape Canaveral
.
In March 2008, a $1.3 billion development, including a Bass Pro Shops
was announced for the Interstate 65
/Interstate 565
interchange inside the city limits. The development, named Sweetwater, would have included more than 1000000 square feet (92,903 m²) of retail space, 825000 square feet (76,645 m²) of medical and office space, 2,700 residences, and an entertainment venue with seating for up to 8,000 people. A school, fire department, parks and lakes were expected to support the future development. As of Spring 2010, this project still seems to be on the horizon, but there is no set date for the project to start.
The Alabama Jubilee
, begun in 1977, is the oldest hot air balloon race south of the Kentucky Derby
's Great Balloon Race (from 1973). With visiting populations rising into 100,000, people crowd around more than 60 seven-story-tall balloons as they inflate. Because of the Alabama Jubilee, Decatur has been named "The Ballooning Capital of Alabama
" by the Alabama State Legislature.
The Spirit of America Festival
is one of the largest free 4 July
festivals in the south. More than 65,000 people arrive in Decatur to watch annual celebrations and the Miss Point Mallard Beauty Pageant.
Riverfest
is a celebration sponsored by the Decatur Jaycees. Set at Ingalls Harbor, along the beautiful Tennessee River
, barbecuers come from all over the country to try their luck at beating Big Bob Gibson's Barbecue, the seven-time world champion.
Another big celebration in Decatur and North Alabama
, the Racking Horse World Celebration, attracts horses from around the world to compete in the largest racking horse competition. Set in the Racking Horse World Celebration Arena near Priceville, the celebration draws up to 75,000 fans and competitors each year.
Also see Decatur Parks and Recreation
since 1912, and one of the few family owned newspapers in Alabama
. It has an average daily circulation of 20,824 and a Sunday circulation of 23,840. The paper circulates in the morning to an area that includes Morgan County
, Lawrence County
, and Limestone County
, and parts of Cullman County
, and Winston County
The Huntsville Times is the only other newspaper with a larger circulation in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area
, and has been in circulation since 1996 to most area counties, when the Huntsville News closed. Before then, the News was the morning paper, and the Times was the afternoon paper. After the News closed, the Times remained an afternoon paper until 2004.
and PCL offer cable TV to Decatur. AT&T
, Charter and PCL offer phone service to Decatur. With AT&T, Huntsville and Madison are local calls (Madison County only), but Athens is long distance. Decatur comes within 3 miles (5 km) of Athens and touches Huntsville. AT&T has not kept pace with growth in the region as reported in the Huntsville Times/Decatur Daily/Athens-News-Courier.
, in suburban Huntsville
is the second busiest airport in Alabama, behind Birmingham International Airport. The city is also served by the busiest regional airport in Alabama, the Pryor Field Regional Airport
.
Decatur, being only a mid-sized city, has not yet seen the conveniences of a major controlled access highway passing through the city limits.
Decatur's main thoroughfares are 6th Avenue (US 31) and The Beltline
(State Route 67
). 6th Avenue begins as both Alabama 20, Alternate U.S. 72, and U.S. 31 split after being carried by the twin-span "Steamboat Bill" Hudson Memorial Bridge that crosses Tennessee River
at the north central part of town. Alabama 20/Alternate U.S. 72 continues west towards The Shoals
, after the Beltline begins in the vicinity of the Ascend Performance Materials LLC plant. 6th Avenue continues southward where it eventually intersects with Beltline Road. After that intersection, 6th Avenue continues southward to Birmingham as Decatur Highway.
The Beltline
was built as a western bypass to relieve congestion on 6th Avenue. In doing so, however, this created another problem as sprawl quickly developed along the new arterial. Construction is currently under way to widen the road from four to six lanes with the project expected to be completed by 2012.
south of the city to Alternate U.S. 72 in Lawrence County
, known as Veteran's Parkway.
In addition, there are plans to transform Alabama Highway 20/Alternate U.S. 72 into an extension of Interstate 565
into the city. Governor Bob Riley
has said he will make sure that plans for the road will be put on the fast track, since more than 85 vehicle accidents occur on Highway 20's final approach into Decatur each year.
Austin High and Decatur High are the two main high schools of the city. With the addition of the International Baccalaureate Program to Austin and Decatur High Schools, Decatur has become the first Alabama school system north of Birmingham and one of five in the state to offer the honors program for juniors and seniors (as of July 2006).
All high school football and soccer teams compete in the 10,000 seat Ogle Stadium
.
However, both Austin and Decatur failed to make adequate yearly progress in 2006 as mandated in the No Child Left Behind Act. The state said Austin's 86 percent graduation rate was four points too low.
Decatur High missed in two categories: percent of special education students the system tested in reading and percent tested in math. The graduate rate was 76 percent.
The only institution of higher education located within the Decatur city limits is Calhoun Community College. It has three campuses; the main campus is located just north of the city on Highway 31.
Middle Schools
Elementary Schools
http://www.dhca.org/
Limestone County, Alabama
Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.It is also included in the merged Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. Its name comes from Limestone Creek, a local stream. In 2000, the population was 65,676. As of 2010 the county's...
and Morgan
Morgan County, Alabama
Morgan County is the most populous county in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, and the second most populous county in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area in the U.S. State of Alabama. It was created by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818 from land acquired from the...
Counties in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama
North Alabama
North Alabama is a region of the U.S. state of Alabama, generally considered to include 12 counties: Cherokee, Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston, with a combined population of 958,247, or 20.84% of the state's population as...
on the banks of Wheeler Lake
Wheeler Lake
Wheeler Lake is located in the northern part of the United States state of Alabama, between Rogersville and Huntsville. Created by Wheeler Dam along the Tennessee River, it stretches 60 miles from Wheeler Dam to Guntersville Dam...
, along the Tennessee River
Tennessee River
The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...
. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County. The estimated population in 2006 was 55,778.
Decatur is also the core city of the two-county large Decatur Metropolitan Area
Decatur Metropolitan Area
The Decatur Metropolitan Area is a moderately urban region of North-Central Alabama. The 2008 estimate population is 150,125, one third of which resides within the boundaries of its core city, Decatur, Alabama....
which had 150,125 in 2006. Combined with the Huntsville Metropolitan Area, the two create the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area
Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area
The Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area is the most populated sub-region of North Alabama, and is the second fastest growing region in the State of Alabama, with 510,088 living within the CSA...
, of which, Decatur is the second largest city.
Like many southern cities in the early 19th century, Decatur's early success was based upon its location along a river. Railroad routes and boating traffic pushed the city to the front of North Alabama
North Alabama
North Alabama is a region of the U.S. state of Alabama, generally considered to include 12 counties: Cherokee, Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston, with a combined population of 958,247, or 20.84% of the state's population as...
's economic atmosphere. The city rapidly grew into a large economic center within the Tennessee Valley
Tennessee Valley
The Tennessee Valley is the drainage basin of the Tennessee River and is largely within the U.S. state of Tennessee. It stretches from southwest Kentucky to northwest Georgia and from northeast Mississippi to the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina...
and was a hub for travelers and cargo between Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
/Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
and Mobile
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
/New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. Throughout the 20th century, the city experienced steady growth, but was eclipsed as the regional economic center by a fast growing Huntsville during the space race. The city now finds its economy heavily based on manufacturing industries, cargo transit, and hi-tech industries such as General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
, and the United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. U.S...
.
History
Initially the area was known as "Rhodes Ferry Landing", named for Dr. Henry W. Rhodes, an early landowner who operated a ferry that crossed the Tennessee RiverTennessee River
The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...
in the 1810s at the present-day location of Rhodes Ferry Park. The city was incorporated as Decatur in the year 1821. It was named in honor of Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur, Jr. , was an American naval officer notable for his many naval victories in the early 19th century. He was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, Worcester county, the son of a U.S. Naval Officer who served during the American Revolution. Shortly after attending college Decatur...
; after he was killed in a duel in 1820, President Monroe directed that the Alabama town be named for him.
Decatur was a very important point in North Alabama
North Alabama
North Alabama is a region of the U.S. state of Alabama, generally considered to include 12 counties: Cherokee, Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston, with a combined population of 958,247, or 20.84% of the state's population as...
during its earliest days. Decatur was the eastern terminus of the Tuscumbia, Courtland and Decatur Railroad (in the early 1830s), the first railway built west of the Appalachian Mountains. In 1850 the Tuscumbia, Courtland and Decatur Railroad was incorporated into the Memphis & Charleston Railroad.
Because of its location on the Tennessee River at the strategically important crossing of two major railroads, Decatur was the site of several encounters during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. When the Union army occupied the city early in the war, the commanding general ordered all but four buildings in the town destroyed. Bricks from some of the churches in town were used to build stoves and chimneys for the buildings that housed soldiers. The four buildings that remained (and are still standing) are the Old State Bank, the Dancy-Polk House, the Todd House, and the Burleson-Hinds-McEntire House. After the Union victory in the Battle of Atlanta, a Confederate army under the command of Gen. John Bell Hood briefly sparred with a vastly outmanned garrison during the 1864 Battle of Decatur
Battle of Decatur
The Battle of Decatur was a demonstration conducted from October 26 to October 29, 1864, as part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign of the American Civil War. Union forces of 3–5,000 men under Brig. Gen. Robert S. Granger prevented the 39,000 men of the Confederate Army of Tennessee under ...
, when Decatur was referred to as A Tough Nut To Crack.
While the city was under Confederate control, plans for the Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
were mapped out within the Burleson-Hinds-McEntire House. These activities make the house one of the most historic buildings in Decatur.
New Decatur, Alabama
Albany, Alabama
Albany, Alabama, also known as New Decatur, Alabama, was a city in Morgan County, Alabama, USA, situated immediately to the southeast of the city of Decatur near the Tennessee River. New Decatur/Albany existed as a city from 1887 until 1927, when it merged with the city of Decatur...
was a city that rose out of the ashes of former Decatur west of the railroad tracks. New Decatur was founded in 1887 and incorporated in 1889. But residents of the older Decatur resented the new town, founded and occupied by people who moved from the northern states. Animosity built until New Decatur renamed their town Albany, after Albany, N.Y., in September 1916. The impetus to meld the two towns came from the need for a bridge, instead of a ferry, across the Tennessee River. The Decatur Kiwanis Club was formed with an equal number of members from each town to organize efforts to get the state to build the bridge. In 1925, the two cities merged to form one City of Decatur. There is a noticeable difference between the two sides of town. The cities developed differently at different times, and still to this day have somewhat different cultures. Eastern portions of Decatur tend to act more suburban and traditional, while western portions tend to look more metropolitan and contemporary.
The Old State Bank, on the edge of downtown, is the oldest bank building in the State of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, at 173 years old. The first wave pool in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
was built in Decatur and is still in operation at the Point Mallard Aquatic Center. The city has the largest Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
home district in the state of Alabama. Decatur is also home to Alabama's oldest opera house, the Cotaco Opera House
Cotaco Opera House
The Cotaco Opera House was the first opera house constructed in the state of Alabama. It is located at 115 Johnston Street in historic downtown Decatur, Alabama....
, which still stands on Johnston Street.
In the past its industries included repair shops of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad
Louisville and Nashville Railroad
The Louisville and Nashville Railroad was a Class I railroad that operated freight and passenger services in the southeast United States.Chartered by the state of Kentucky in 1850, the L&N, as it was generally known, grew into one of the great success stories of American business...
, car works, engine works, tannery, bottling plants, and manufacturers of lumber, sashes and blinds, fertilizers, cigars, flour, cottonseed oil, and various other products.
Early historical timeline
- Area founded as Rhodes Ferry in 1810s.
- Rhodes Ferry incorporated as Decatur in 1821.
- Dancy-Polk House erected in 1829.
- Also in 1829-1830, Decatur became the home to the first railroad ever built west of the Appalachian Mountains Tuscumbia, Courtland and Decatur Railroad.
- Old State Bank erected on July 29, 1833.
- Rhea-McEntire House built in 1836.
- Battle of DecaturBattle of DecaturThe Battle of Decatur was a demonstration conducted from October 26 to October 29, 1864, as part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign of the American Civil War. Union forces of 3–5,000 men under Brig. Gen. Robert S. Granger prevented the 39,000 men of the Confederate Army of Tennessee under ...
takes place during the American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
in November, 1864. - Decatur's Victorian EraVictorian eraThe Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
Home District built between 1870 and 1910 - New Decatur founded in 1887, incorporated in 1889.
- New Decatur renames itself Albany (although the post office designation is New Albany), 1916
- Princess TheatrePrincess Theatre, DecaturThe Princess Theatre is a 677-seat performing arts venue in Decatur, Alabama. What is now an art deco style building was built as a livery stable in 1887. In 1919, the building was transformed into a silent film and vaudeville playhouse....
built in 1919. - Albany and New Decatur merge in 1925.
- President Franklin Delano Roosevelt dedicates Delano ParkDelano Park (Decatur)The Delano Park, operated by the Decatur Parks and Recreation Board, is the oldest park in the city of Decatur, Alabama.It was created in 1887, as part of a master plan to "re-invent" the City of Decatur, then New Decatur. The city created the "Decatur Land Improvement and Furnace Company" for...
in 1930s. - TVATennessee Valley AuthorityThe Tennessee Valley Authority is a federally owned corporation in the United States created by congressional charter in May 1933 to provide navigation, flood control, electricity generation, fertilizer manufacturing, and economic development in the Tennessee Valley, a region particularly affected...
brings new business to Decatur through the military, and energy management in the 1930s.
Geography
The Tennessee RiverTennessee River
The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...
has traditionally been the northern border of the city and Morgan County, while Flint Creek and the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge on the east side of the city. The city does extend to the other side of Flint Creek and the Refuge in the Indian Hills and Burningtree subdivision areas. There is also an inlet that extends one mile (2 km) into the city limits from Wheeler Lake
Wheeler Lake
Wheeler Lake is located in the northern part of the United States state of Alabama, between Rogersville and Huntsville. Created by Wheeler Dam along the Tennessee River, it stretches 60 miles from Wheeler Dam to Guntersville Dam...
called Dry Branch. There is also a small portion of Decatur that extends into Limestone County north along the Highway 31 corridor to the Calhoun College area and along Hwy 20 Corridor until it reaches I-65.
The northern portion of Decatur sits on top of a short hill that overlooks the Tennessee River, this creates a very steep dropoff to the river shore at Rhodes Ferry Park. This hill allows the "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridge to leave the mainland at grade without any major sloping required more height to cross the river while not interfering with Decatur's heavy barge traffic. This hill extends from the banks of the river about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south to the 14th St./Magnolia St. intersection with 6th Avenue (US 31).
South past the 14th St. and 6th Ave. intersection, land continues to remain flat. South, and also west, past Alabama 67
State Route 67 (Alabama)
State Route 67 is a state highway in Alabama that connects the city of Decatur to U.S. Highway 231 at Rainbow Crossing in Blount County. This road serves as a link between Decatur and Gadsden.-Route description:...
there are a few minor mountains that sit within the city limits.
Decatur is located at 34°34′52"N 86°59′0"W (34.580992, -86.983392).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 59.9 square miles (155.1 km²), of which, 53.4 square miles (138.3 km²) of it is land and 6.5 square miles (16.8 km²) of it (10.83%) is water.
Climate
Decatur experiences a humid subtropical climateHumid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...
, with hot, humid summers and a generally mild winter. Temperatures range from 89 °F (32 C) in the summer to 49.0 °F (9 C) during winter. The city rarely experiences tornado
Tornado
A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister or a cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology in a wider...
es during the spring and fall. But, significant severe weather does occur from time to time in the active seasons. The most significant tornado event included the Super Outbreak
Super Outbreak
The Super Outbreak is the second largest tornado outbreak on record for a single 24-hour period, just behind the tornado outbreak of April 25–28, 2011...
in 1974, while the city was largely unaffected by the more recent Huntsville, Alabama Tornado in 1989 that killed 21 and injured almost 500. Hurricanes are rare since Decatur sits nearly 300 miles (482.8 km) inland from the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
. Though a few tropical systems do track through the central Tennessee Valley
Tennessee Valley
The Tennessee Valley is the drainage basin of the Tennessee River and is largely within the U.S. state of Tennessee. It stretches from southwest Kentucky to northwest Georgia and from northeast Mississippi to the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina...
, they rarely inflict much damage on the city. Winters usually do not produce much snow; a large amount of snow is rare within the city limits. A small, measurable amount of snow can be experienced a few times each year. In 2011, they received up to 8 inches of snow at once. It tied for the most since 1963.
Bodies of water
- Wheeler LakeWheeler LakeWheeler Lake is located in the northern part of the United States state of Alabama, between Rogersville and Huntsville. Created by Wheeler Dam along the Tennessee River, it stretches 60 miles from Wheeler Dam to Guntersville Dam...
- Tennessee RiverTennessee RiverThe Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...
- Wheeler National Wildlife RefugeWheeler National Wildlife RefugeThe Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a 35,000 acre National Wildlife Refuge located along the Tennessee River near Decatur, Alabama...
- Flint CreekFlint CreekFlint Creek is a major tributary along the Tennessee River that flows from its headwaters in northern Cullman County to Wheeler Lake in Morgan County, Alabama in Decatur...
- Chula Vista Lake
- Lake Morgan
Neighboring cities/towns
- AthensAthens, AlabamaAthens is a city in Limestone County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 18,967. According to the 2009 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 24,234...
(north) - Limestone County - HartselleHartselle, AlabamaHartselle is the second largest city in Morgan County, Alabama, United States, about south of Decatur, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, and the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2006 census estimates, the population of the city is 13,479. Hartselle was...
(south) - Morgan County - HillsboroHillsboro, AlabamaHillsboro is a town in Lawrence County, Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 608.-Geography:...
(west) - Lawrence County - HuntsvilleHuntsville, AlabamaHuntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
(northeast) - Madison/Limestone Counties - MadisonMadison, AlabamaAs of the census of 2000, there were 29,329 people, 11,143 households, and 8,067 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,266.5 people per square mile . There were 12,121 housing units at an average density of 523.4 per square mile...
(northeast) - Madison/Limestone Counties - MooresvilleMooresville, AlabamaMooresville is a town in Limestone County, Alabama, United States, located southeast of the intersection of Interstates 565 and 65, and north of Wheeler Lake....
(northeast) - Limestone County - MoultonMoulton, AlabamaMoulton is a city in Lawrence County, Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 3,260. The city is the county seat of Lawrence County.-Geography:Moulton is located at ...
(southwest) - Lawrence County - PricevillePriceville, AlabamaPriceville is the third largest municipality in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2006 census estimate, the population of the town is 2,380....
(east) - Morgan County - TrinityTrinity, AlabamaTrinity is a town in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 1,841.-Geography:...
(west) - Morgan County
Neighborhoods
Decatur is, unofficially, divided into four different regions of town (Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest). The reason for the existence of these four regions is because of The BeltlineThe Beltline (Decatur)
The Beltline is a western bypass located completely within the city limits of Decatur, Alabama. It was built as an extension of Alabama State Route 67, and is the northern terminating end of the highway...
. Southeast and Northeast Decatur already existed as parts of town, but were simply thought of as one, as there was a much lower population at that time in the West. Southwest consists mostly of the area bordered by 6th Avenue (US 31), 8th Street W, and Moulton Street. Northwest is bordered by Moulton Street, Central Parkway, and 14th Street W.
Two halves of town were successfully created in the years following the completion of The Beltline as a bypass. While there are few major cultural differences between the East and the West, minute differences such as street grid patterns, zoning patterns, and architectural styles are noticeable.
Northeast
- Albany (Old Decatur)
- Downtown Decatur
- East Acres
- New Decatur
- Bank Street (Downtown Shopping District)
- Harborview (Riverfront)
Limestone County
- Whiteside
- Irvington
Southeast
- Bayside
- Brookmeade
- Burleson Mountain
- Burningtree MountainBurningtree Mountain, AlabamaBurningtree Mountain is a large, unincorporated, existing mostly as a subdivision inside the city of Decatur, Alabama in Morgan County, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area.-See also:...
- Cedar Lake
- Fairview
- Flint
- Hickory Hills
- Indian Hills
- Point Mallard Estates
Northwest
- Moulton HeightsMoulton Heights, AlabamaMoulton Heights is an unincorporated suburb of Decatur in Morgan County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area, as well as the Decatur Metropolitan Area...
- Oakworth
- West Decatur
Southwest
- Austinville
- Basham
- Braswell
- Cedar Ridge
- Chapel Hill
- Chula Vista
- Deerfoot Estates
- Dogwood Estates
- Dunbarton
- Flint
- Graystone
- Griffin Addition
- Longleaf Estates
- Oak Lea
- Russell Village
- Vestavia
- Westmeade
- Woodtrail
Government
http://www.digitaldecatur.com/index.htmlThe current mayor of Decatur is Don Stanford, who was elected in 2008. The city has a five-member/district City Council. The current members are:
- District 1 Billy Jackson
- District 2 Roger Anders
- District 3 Gary Hammon
- District 4 VACANT
- District 5 Greg Reeves (Council President)
There are also many boards and commissions run by the city, supervising schools, planning, downtown development, and so on.
Past Decatur, AL Mayors include:
- Don Kyle (2004–2008)
- Lynn Fowler (2000–2004)
- Julian Price (1994–2000)
- Bill Dukes (1976–1994)
- Russell Bolding (1972–1976)
- J. Gilmer Blackburn (1962–1968)
- H.R. Summer (1952–1954)
Public safety
The Public Safety Department consists of the Decatur Police Department and Decatur Fire & Rescue. The Public Safety annex is located at 4119 Old Highway 31 in the Flint Community at the south end of the city, and houses the fire department's administrative offices and the police department's special operations division. This is also the site of the fire and police training facility. The Police and Fire Departments currently cover approx. 130 square miles (336.7 km²) in and around the city.Both the Decatur Police and Decatur Fire & Rescue are dispatched by the Morgan County 911 Center.
Police
http://www.digitaldecatur.com/departments/policedept/index.htmlhttp://decaturpolice.web.officelive.com/
The current Chief of Police is Maj. Edgar Taylor. The department consists of approx. 160 officers, which includes Command Staff and Investigators, and is headquartered at 402 Lee Street N.E. on the first floor of City Hall.
Fire
http://decaturfiredepartment.com/The current Fire Chief is Charles Johnson. The Deputy Fire Chief/Fire Marshal is Darwin Clark.
All of the department's approximately 120 firefighters are licensed EMTs and approx. 30 of these are licensed Paramedics. These firefighters are assigned to three shifts or battalions, each shift is led by a Battalion Chief.
The department currently runs 6 Engine Companies, 4 Reserve Engines, 2 Ladder Companies, 1 Rescue Unit, 1 Brush Truck, 1 HazMat Vehicle, 1 Special Response Unit, 1 Safety/EMS Command Vehicle, 1 Shift Command Unit (Battalion Chief's vehicle), and several other staff and support vehicles out of 8 Fire Stations.
All Engine/Ladder Companies and the Rescue Unit are equipped for vehicle extrication. These units, as well as the EMS Commander's vehicle are also equipped for Basic and/or Advanced Life Support.
Emergency medical services and healthcare
All emergency medical services are handled by Decatur Emergency Medical Services Incorporated. Decatur EMS is a private EMS company contracted through the city of Decatur to provide emergency medical services to all 911 emergencies.Huntsville MedFlight a division of Air Methods
Air Methods
Air Methods, Corp. is the largest publicly owned emergency medical services helicopter operator in the United States, with a fleet of over 300 medical transport helicopters that average 85,000 transports and 100,000 flight hours per year as of December 2006....
and Air Evac Lifeteam
Air Evac Lifeteam
Air Evac EMS, Inc., operating as Air Evac Lifeteam , and Texas LifeStar , is an air ambulance company based in West Plains, Missouri.-History:...
provide aeromedical services for the city of Decatur and North Alabama.
Decatur is served by two hospitals, one public and the other private. Begun in 1915, Decatur General Hospital has been the community's public, not-for-profit hospital for 95 years. Since that time, the hospital has grown into a 273-bed, general acute care hospital and a 64-bed behavioral medicine hospital making it the third largest employer in Morgan County. Decatur General is accredited by the Joint Commission and its medical staff consists of more than 200 physicians representing 20 specialties. Decatur General Hospital is designated as a level two trauma center by the Alabama Department of Public Health. Parkway Medical Center is a 120 bed private, for-profit hospital and is designated as a level three trauma center by the Alabama Department of Public Health. Huntsville Hospital is the regions referral center and also serves as North Alabama's level one trauma center. As of November 2010 Decatur General Hospital and Huntsville Hospital are affiliate hospitals, ensuring the continued tradition and excellence of public, not-for-profit health care in North Alabama.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 53,929 people, 21,824 households, and 14,753 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,009.7 people per square mile (389.9/km2). There were 23,950 housing units at an average density of 448.4 per square mile (173.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 75.50% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 19.56% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.58% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.70% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.13% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.22% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.33% from two or more races. 5.64% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 21,824 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,192, and the median income for a family was $47,574. Males had a median income of $37,108 versus $22,471 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $20,431. About 11.9% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.2% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Decatur has grown to be the busiest river port on the Tennessee River. The Port of DecaturPort of Decatur
The Port of Decatur is a transshipment port on the Tennessee River, in the city of Decatur, Alabama, United States of America. The port was founded in 1971.- Port facilities :...
sees large amounts of barge traffic from up and down the Tennessee River, which has led to twenty Fortune 500
Fortune 500
The Fortune 500 is an annual list compiled and published by Fortune magazine that ranks the top 500 U.S. closely held and public corporations as ranked by their gross revenue after adjustments made by Fortune to exclude the impact of excise taxes companies collect. The list includes publicly and...
companies opening plants in the city.
Decatur is also known as the "Home of Meow Mix
Meow Mix
Meow Mix is a variety of dry and wet cat food known for its advertising jingle. It is a product of Del Monte Foods.-Company background:The Meow Mix Company operates from a facility in Decatur, Alabama, and also produces Alley Cat brand cat food products. Originally a product of Ralston Purina,...
", after the company bought a 200000 square feet (18,580.6 m²) facility in town, and now utilizes its riverfront property to ship the finished product up and down the Tennessee River.
Being part of the Huntsville-Decatur CSA
Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area
The Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area is the most populated sub-region of North Alabama, and is the second fastest growing region in the State of Alabama, with 510,088 living within the CSA...
, the city lies within the region having the most engineers per capita in the nation.
A recent BRAC Base realignment will bring a population, conservatively estimated at 5,000–10,000 people (not including their families), to the area surrounding Redstone Arsenal
Redstone Arsenal
Redstone Arsenal is a United States Army base and a census-designated place adjacent to Huntsville in Madison County, Alabama, United States and is part of the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area...
.
United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. U.S...
combined Lockheed-Martin and Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
's rocket manufacturing contracts to a central location at the plant in Decatur. All satellite launching rockets used by the U.S. government will be built in Decatur. This approval brought over 230 new jobs to the Decatur area. The ULA plant utilizes the Tennessee River to ship the rockets to Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral, from the Spanish Cabo Cañaveral, is a headland in Brevard County, Florida, United States, near the center of the state's Atlantic coast. Known as Cape Kennedy from 1963 to 1973, it lies east of Merritt Island, separated from it by the Banana River.It is part of a region known as the...
.
In March 2008, a $1.3 billion development, including a Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops is a privately held retailer of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor recreation merchandise. Bass Pro Shops is known for a large selection of hunting, fishing, and other outdoor gear.-History:The owner, John L...
was announced for the Interstate 65
Interstate 65
Interstate 65 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States. The southern terminus is located at an intersection with Interstate 10 in Mobile, Alabama, and its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 , U.S. Route 12, and U.S...
/Interstate 565
Interstate 565
-External links:***...
interchange inside the city limits. The development, named Sweetwater, would have included more than 1000000 square feet (92,903 m²) of retail space, 825000 square feet (76,645 m²) of medical and office space, 2,700 residences, and an entertainment venue with seating for up to 8,000 people. A school, fire department, parks and lakes were expected to support the future development. As of Spring 2010, this project still seems to be on the horizon, but there is no set date for the project to start.
Major employers
- 3M3M3M Company , formerly known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation based in Maplewood, Minnesota, United States....
- United Launch AllianceUnited Launch AllianceUnited Launch Alliance is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. U.S...
- BPBPBP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
- Manufactures ParaxyleneP-Xylenep-Xylene is an aromatic hydrocarbon, based on benzene with two methyl substituents. The “p” stands for para, identifying the location of the methyl groups as across from one another....
and Purified Terephthalic AcidTerephthalic acidTerephthalic acid is the organic compound with formula C6H42. This colourless solid is a commodity chemical, used principally as a precursor to the polyester PET, used to make clothing and plastic bottles. Several billion kilograms are produced annually...
- Manufactures Paraxylene
- Bunge International
- Daikin America
- Decatur City SchoolsDecatur City SchoolsThe Decatur City Schools is a school system located in the city of Decatur, Alabama, and is home to seven of Alabama's International Baccalaureate schools.The school system is also the second largest employer in Decatur.-Basic Overview:...
- General ElectricGeneral ElectricGeneral Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
- HyosungHyosungHyosung Corporation is a Korean industrial conglomerate , founded in 1957. It operates in various fields, including the chemical industry, industrial machinery, IT, trade, and construction. It is known in Korea mostly for high-end apartments and automatic teller machines. Its CEO is S.R. Cho...
- Meow MixMeow MixMeow Mix is a variety of dry and wet cat food known for its advertising jingle. It is a product of Del Monte Foods.-Company background:The Meow Mix Company operates from a facility in Decatur, Alabama, and also produces Alley Cat brand cat food products. Originally a product of Ralston Purina,...
- NucorNucorNucor Corporation , a Fortune 300 company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the largest steel producers in the United States, and the largest of the "mini-mill" operators...
- Solutia
- Tennessee Valley AuthorityTennessee Valley AuthorityThe Tennessee Valley Authority is a federally owned corporation in the United States created by congressional charter in May 1933 to provide navigation, flood control, electricity generation, fertilizer manufacturing, and economic development in the Tennessee Valley, a region particularly affected...
- MPW Industrial Services
Tourism
Tourism is a major part of Decatur's economy. Hundreds of thousands of people from in and out of town, and from many other countries and territories, attend some of the premier festivals in the South.The Alabama Jubilee
Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic
The Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic is held annually on Memorial Day weekend in Decatur, Alabama. Each year the Jubilee hosts about 60 local and national hot-air balloons at Point Mallard Park....
, begun in 1977, is the oldest hot air balloon race south of the Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
's Great Balloon Race (from 1973). With visiting populations rising into 100,000, people crowd around more than 60 seven-story-tall balloons as they inflate. Because of the Alabama Jubilee, Decatur has been named "The Ballooning Capital of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
" by the Alabama State Legislature.
The Spirit of America Festival
Spirit of America Festival
The Spirit of America Festival is one of the largest free Fourth of July celebrations in the Southern United States. The two day outdoor festival, set at Point Mallard Park in Decatur, Alabama, hosts a variety of traditional summer activities...
is one of the largest free 4 July
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
festivals in the south. More than 65,000 people arrive in Decatur to watch annual celebrations and the Miss Point Mallard Beauty Pageant.
Riverfest
Riverfest
Riverfest may refer to:*Beloit Riverfest*Cincinnati Bell/WEBN Riverfest* Portland, MI - Riverfest...
is a celebration sponsored by the Decatur Jaycees. Set at Ingalls Harbor, along the beautiful Tennessee River
Tennessee River
The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...
, barbecuers come from all over the country to try their luck at beating Big Bob Gibson's Barbecue, the seven-time world champion.
Another big celebration in Decatur and North Alabama
North Alabama
North Alabama is a region of the U.S. state of Alabama, generally considered to include 12 counties: Cherokee, Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston, with a combined population of 958,247, or 20.84% of the state's population as...
, the Racking Horse World Celebration, attracts horses from around the world to compete in the largest racking horse competition. Set in the Racking Horse World Celebration Arena near Priceville, the celebration draws up to 75,000 fans and competitors each year.
Parks and celebrations
Decatur Parks and Recreation
Decatur Parks and Recreation is a recreation department in the city of Decatur, Alabama. The board is operated by members appointed by the city council for five year terms...
- Alabama JubileeAlabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon ClassicThe Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic is held annually on Memorial Day weekend in Decatur, Alabama. Each year the Jubilee hosts about 60 local and national hot-air balloons at Point Mallard Park....
- Delano ParkDelano Park (Decatur)The Delano Park, operated by the Decatur Parks and Recreation Board, is the oldest park in the city of Decatur, Alabama.It was created in 1887, as part of a master plan to "re-invent" the City of Decatur, then New Decatur. The city created the "Decatur Land Improvement and Furnace Company" for...
- Jack Allen Soccer Complex
- Point Mallard ParkPoint Mallard ParkPoint Mallard Park is a park in Decatur, Alabama. It sits on of the Flint Creek shoreline. The park also borders the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and is operated by the Decatur Parks and Recreation Board. The park is open 365 days a year, and is owned and operated by the City of...
- J. Gilmer Blackburn Aquatic Center
- "Home of America's first wave pool"
- J. Gilmer Blackburn Aquatic Center
- Spirit of America FestivalSpirit of America FestivalThe Spirit of America Festival is one of the largest free Fourth of July celebrations in the Southern United States. The two day outdoor festival, set at Point Mallard Park in Decatur, Alabama, hosts a variety of traditional summer activities...
- RiverfestRiverfestRiverfest may refer to:*Beloit Riverfest*Cincinnati Bell/WEBN Riverfest* Portland, MI - Riverfest...
- Racking Horse World Celebration Arena
- Wilson Morgan Park
Newspapers
The Decatur Daily has been the only major newspaper based in the Decatur Metropolitan AreaDecatur Metropolitan Area
The Decatur Metropolitan Area is a moderately urban region of North-Central Alabama. The 2008 estimate population is 150,125, one third of which resides within the boundaries of its core city, Decatur, Alabama....
since 1912, and one of the few family owned newspapers in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. It has an average daily circulation of 20,824 and a Sunday circulation of 23,840. The paper circulates in the morning to an area that includes Morgan County
Morgan County, Alabama
Morgan County is the most populous county in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, and the second most populous county in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area in the U.S. State of Alabama. It was created by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818 from land acquired from the...
, Lawrence County
Lawrence County, Alabama
Lawrence County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. It was named after James Lawrence, a captain in the United States Navy from New Jersey. As of the 2010 census, the population was...
, and Limestone County
Limestone County, Alabama
Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.It is also included in the merged Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. Its name comes from Limestone Creek, a local stream. In 2000, the population was 65,676. As of 2010 the county's...
, and parts of Cullman County
Cullman County, Alabama
Cullman County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Colonel John G. Cullmann. As of 2010, the population was 80,406. Its county seat is the town of the same name, Cullman, Alabama. It is a "moist" county in terms of availablity of alcoholic beverages, which means...
, and Winston County
Winston County, Alabama
Winston County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, formerly known as Hancock County before 1858.Its name is in honor of John A. Winston, the 15th Governor of Alabama. As of 2010, the population was 24,484. Its county seat is Double Springs....
The Huntsville Times is the only other newspaper with a larger circulation in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area
Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area
The Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area is the most populated sub-region of North Alabama, and is the second fastest growing region in the State of Alabama, with 510,088 living within the CSA...
, and has been in circulation since 1996 to most area counties, when the Huntsville News closed. Before then, the News was the morning paper, and the Times was the afternoon paper. After the News closed, the Times remained an afternoon paper until 2004.
Cable/Phone
Charter CommunicationsCharter Communications
Charter Communications is an American company providing cable television, high-speed Internet, and telephone services to more than 4.7 million customers in 25 states. By revenues, it is the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States, behind Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Cox Communications...
and PCL offer cable TV to Decatur. AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
, Charter and PCL offer phone service to Decatur. With AT&T, Huntsville and Madison are local calls (Madison County only), but Athens is long distance. Decatur comes within 3 miles (5 km) of Athens and touches Huntsville. AT&T has not kept pace with growth in the region as reported in the Huntsville Times/Decatur Daily/Athens-News-Courier.
Air transport
Decatur is served by two major airports. The Huntsville International AirportHuntsville International Airport
Huntsville International Airport , also known as Carl T. Jones Field, is an airport located 9 miles southwest of the central business district of Huntsville, a city in Madison County, Alabama, United States...
, in suburban Huntsville
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
is the second busiest airport in Alabama, behind Birmingham International Airport. The city is also served by the busiest regional airport in Alabama, the Pryor Field Regional Airport
Pryor Field Regional Airport
Pryor Field Regional Airport is a public airport located three miles northeast of the central business district of Decatur and south of Athens, in Limestone County, Alabama, United States...
.
Roadways
Decatur's main thoroughfares are 6th Avenue (US 31) and The Beltline
The Beltline (Decatur)
The Beltline is a western bypass located completely within the city limits of Decatur, Alabama. It was built as an extension of Alabama State Route 67, and is the northern terminating end of the highway...
(State Route 67
State Route 67 (Alabama)
State Route 67 is a state highway in Alabama that connects the city of Decatur to U.S. Highway 231 at Rainbow Crossing in Blount County. This road serves as a link between Decatur and Gadsden.-Route description:...
). 6th Avenue begins as both Alabama 20, Alternate U.S. 72, and U.S. 31 split after being carried by the twin-span "Steamboat Bill" Hudson Memorial Bridge that crosses Tennessee River
Tennessee River
The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...
at the north central part of town. Alabama 20/Alternate U.S. 72 continues west towards The Shoals
The Shoals
The Shoals is a metropolitan area in northwestern Alabama, officially known as the Florence-Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Area, including the cities of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, and Sheffield, and the counties of Lauderdale and Colbert...
, after the Beltline begins in the vicinity of the Ascend Performance Materials LLC plant. 6th Avenue continues southward where it eventually intersects with Beltline Road. After that intersection, 6th Avenue continues southward to Birmingham as Decatur Highway.
The Beltline
The Beltline (Decatur)
The Beltline is a western bypass located completely within the city limits of Decatur, Alabama. It was built as an extension of Alabama State Route 67, and is the northern terminating end of the highway...
was built as a western bypass to relieve congestion on 6th Avenue. In doing so, however, this created another problem as sprawl quickly developed along the new arterial. Construction is currently under way to widen the road from four to six lanes with the project expected to be completed by 2012.
Major highways
Interstate 65Interstate 65Interstate 65 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States. The southern terminus is located at an intersection with Interstate 10 in Mobile, Alabama, and its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 , U.S. Route 12, and U.S...
Interstate 565Interstate 565-External links:***...
U.S. Highway 31
U.S. Highway 72 Alternate
Alabama 20State Route 20 (Alabama)State Route 20 ' runs from the Tennessee state line northwest of Florence, Alabama, east to I-65 east of Decatur in the northwestern Alabama...
Alabama 24
Alabama 67State Route 67 (Alabama)State Route 67 is a state highway in Alabama that connects the city of Decatur to U.S. Highway 231 at Rainbow Crossing in Blount County. This road serves as a link between Decatur and Gadsden.-Route description:...
Busiest intersections
| Rank | Intersection | Traffic Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6th Avenue (US 31) Alabama 20 Alternate U.S. 72 U.S. Route 72 Alternate Alternate US-72 exists in Alabama on the mostly south side of the Tennessee River between Muscle Shoals and Decatur, while US-72 follows on the north side of the river between Florence and Athens. Alternate 72 crosses the Tennessee River at Decatur, Alabama along with U.S. Highway 31 and follows... |
45,290 |
| 2 | The Beltline The Beltline (Decatur) The Beltline is a western bypass located completely within the city limits of Decatur, Alabama. It was built as an extension of Alabama State Route 67, and is the northern terminating end of the highway... (AL 67) Spring Avenue SW |
38,000 |
| 3 | 6th Avenue (US 31) Stratford Road SE |
34,000 |
| 4 | PT Mallard Parkway (AL 67) Interstate 65 Interstate 65 Interstate 65 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States. The southern terminus is located at an intersection with Interstate 10 in Mobile, Alabama, and its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 , U.S. Route 12, and U.S... |
32,000 |
| 5 | The Beltline Betty Street Westmead Street |
31,000 |
Improvements
Plans are also under way to construct a controlled access beltway from Interstate 65Interstate 65
Interstate 65 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States. The southern terminus is located at an intersection with Interstate 10 in Mobile, Alabama, and its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 , U.S. Route 12, and U.S...
south of the city to Alternate U.S. 72 in Lawrence County
Lawrence County, Alabama
Lawrence County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. It was named after James Lawrence, a captain in the United States Navy from New Jersey. As of the 2010 census, the population was...
, known as Veteran's Parkway.
In addition, there are plans to transform Alabama Highway 20/Alternate U.S. 72 into an extension of Interstate 565
Interstate 565
-External links:***...
into the city. Governor Bob Riley
Bob Riley (Alabama)
Robert Renfroe "Bob" Riley is an American politician in the Republican Party. He was the 52nd Governor of Alabama, first elected in 2002, and re-elected in 2006.-Early life:...
has said he will make sure that plans for the road will be put on the fast track, since more than 85 vehicle accidents occur on Highway 20's final approach into Decatur each year.
Education
Also see Decatur City SchoolsDecatur City Schools
The Decatur City Schools is a school system located in the city of Decatur, Alabama, and is home to seven of Alabama's International Baccalaureate schools.The school system is also the second largest employer in Decatur.-Basic Overview:...
Austin High and Decatur High are the two main high schools of the city. With the addition of the International Baccalaureate Program to Austin and Decatur High Schools, Decatur has become the first Alabama school system north of Birmingham and one of five in the state to offer the honors program for juniors and seniors (as of July 2006).
All high school football and soccer teams compete in the 10,000 seat Ogle Stadium
Ogle Stadium
Ogle Stadium is an 9,000-seat stadium in Decatur, Alabama, located on the southern end of Decatur High School's campus, and is owned by the Decatur City Schools....
.
However, both Austin and Decatur failed to make adequate yearly progress in 2006 as mandated in the No Child Left Behind Act. The state said Austin's 86 percent graduation rate was four points too low.
Decatur High missed in two categories: percent of special education students the system tested in reading and percent tested in math. The graduate rate was 76 percent.
The only institution of higher education located within the Decatur city limits is Calhoun Community College. It has three campuses; the main campus is located just north of the city on Highway 31.
Local public schools
High Schools- Austin High SchoolAustin High School (Decatur, Alabama)Austin High School is in Decatur, Alabama and is part of the Decatur City Schools System, enrolling over 1,400 Students. Since its establishment in 1962, Austin has been one of two high schools in the Decatur area. It boasts a variety of Programs.-Curriculum:...
(IB Diploma Program) - Decatur High SchoolDecatur High School (Alabama)Decatur High School is a public high school in Decatur, Alabama, United States. It is one of two high schools in the Decatur City School District. Decatur High offers technical, academic, and International Baccalaureate programs, as well as dual enrollment with the John C...
(IB Diploma Program)
Middle Schools
- Brookhaven Middle SchoolBrookhaven Middle SchoolBrookhaven Middle School is a middle school located in Decatur, Alabama, in the Decatur City Schools school system. It has roughly 700 students enrolled and teaches grades 6 through 8. The schools mascot is the Wild Cats....
(IB Middle Years) - Cedar Ridge Middle SchoolCedar Ridge Middle SchoolCedar Ridge Middle School is a middle school located in Decatur, Alabama, in the Decatur City Schools school system. It has approximately 700 students enrolled and teaches grades 6 through 8. The schools mascot, once the Cubs, is now the Black Bears...
(IB Middle Years) - Oak Park Middle SchoolOak Park Middle SchoolOak Park Middle School is a middle school located in southeastern Decatur, Alabama, in the Decatur City Schools school system. It has 633 students enrolled and teaches grades 6 through 8. The schools mascot is the Red Raiders....
(IB Middle Years)
Elementary Schools
- Austinville Elementary School
- Banks-Caddell Elementary School
- Benjamin Davis Elementary School (Magnet/IB Primary Years)
- Chestnut Grove Elementary School
- Eastwood Elementary School
- Frances Nungester Elementary School
- Julian Harris Elementary School
- Leon Sheffield Elementary SchoolLeon Sheffield Elementary SchoolLeon Sheffield Elementary School is a magnet elementary school in Decatur, Alabama, United States. It enrolls students in grades 3-5. The school is one of two elementary schools in the state to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, the other being the second magnet school...
(Magnet/IB Primary Years) - Somerville Road Elementary School
- Walter Jackson Elementary School
- West Decatur Elementary School
- Woodmeade Elementary School
- West Morgan Elementary School
Local private schools
- Decatur Heritage Christian Academy (Pre-K through 12th Grade) (SACS & ACSI)
http://www.dhca.org/
- Cornerstone Christian School
- Faith Christian Academy (K-12) (SACS & ACSI) http://faithacademy.org http://sacs.org
- St. Ann's Catholic School (K-5)
Area higher education
- Alabama A&M University - HuntsvilleHuntsville, AlabamaHuntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
- Athens State UniversityAthens State UniversityAthens State University, located in Athens, Alabama, USA, is a two-year upper level university. Athens State is the only two-year upper level university in the state of Alabama. Thirty-three different majors are offered to junior and senior students....
- AthensAthens, AlabamaAthens is a city in Limestone County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 18,967. According to the 2009 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 24,234... - Calhoun Community College SystemCalhoun Community CollegeCalhoun Community College is a two-year institution of higher learning, located in Decatur, Alabama, United States.The largest of the 27 two-year institutions comprising the Alabama Community College System, Calhoun is an open-admission, coeducational, comprehensive community college dedicated to...
- Calhoun Main Campus - Decatur
- Calhoun Redstone Arsenal Campus - HuntsvilleHuntsville, AlabamaHuntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
- Calhoun Cummings Research Park Campus - HuntsvilleHuntsville, AlabamaHuntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
- University of Alabama in HuntsvilleUniversity of Alabama in HuntsvilleThe University of Alabama in Huntsville is a state-supported, public, coeducational research university, located in Huntsville, Alabama, United States, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees, and is organized in five...
- HuntsvilleHuntsville, AlabamaHuntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census.... - University of North AlabamaUniversity of North AlabamaThe University of North Alabama is a coeducational university located in Florence, Alabama, and the state's oldest four-year public university....
- FlorenceFlorence, AlabamaFlorence is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
Nicknames
- "A Grand City on a Charming Scale" - The official Decatur City tag line adopted in 2005.
- The River City - So named because of the Tennessee River that flows on the northern edge of town and that inspires festivals and culture in the city.
- The Chicago of the South - Given to Decatur in the 1880s by a company formed to create a planned community, "New Decatur," just south of the original Decatur. At that time the city was home to several industries, including a boxcar plant, and home to the huge Louisville & Nashville railyards.
- "Ballooning Capital of Alabama" - Bestowed by the Alabama Legislature because of the annual Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon ClassicAlabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon ClassicThe Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic is held annually on Memorial Day weekend in Decatur, Alabama. Each year the Jubilee hosts about 60 local and national hot-air balloons at Point Mallard Park....
, which brings over 50 hot air balloonHot air balloonThe hot air balloon is the oldest successful human-carrying flight technology. It is in a class of aircraft known as balloon aircraft. On November 21, 1783, in Paris, France, the first untethered manned flight was made by Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes in a hot air...
s to Point Mallard ParkPoint Mallard ParkPoint Mallard Park is a park in Decatur, Alabama. It sits on of the Flint Creek shoreline. The park also borders the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and is operated by the Decatur Parks and Recreation Board. The park is open 365 days a year, and is owned and operated by the City of...
. Begun in 1978, it is one of the oldest hot-air balloon rallies in the U.S. - The Heart of the Valley - Because of Decatur's location at the very center of the Alabama portion of the Tennessee RiverTennessee RiverThe Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...
and Tennessee Valley. - "Home of America's First Wave Pool" - Decatur is home to the first wave poolWave poolA wave pool is a swimming pool in which there are artificially generated, reasonably large waves, similar to the ocean's. Wave pools are often a major feature of water parks...
ever built in the United States at the popular Point Mallard Aquatic Center. - "Home of Meow MixMeow MixMeow Mix is a variety of dry and wet cat food known for its advertising jingle. It is a product of Del Monte Foods.-Company background:The Meow Mix Company operates from a facility in Decatur, Alabama, and also produces Alley Cat brand cat food products. Originally a product of Ralston Purina,...
" - Decatur is home to one of the Meow Mix production facilities, and a sign reading "Decatur: Home of Meow Mix" is visible on one of the city's buildings from the Tennessee River bridge. - D-Rock or The Dec - nickname given by high school students inside Decatur. Many people outside of Decatur also refer to the city with this nickname.
- "Hub of the South" - Decatur is in a convenient location nearby many important southern cities.
- "City of Opportunity" - a popular name in the 1950s and 1960s due to the city's rapid growth during that era.
- "Decatur where it's Greater/ Greater Decatur" - a more recent phrase used by people in the area, sometimes in joking by people in larger cities such as Huntsville.
Notable residents
- Joseph AbbottJoseph Abbott (Texas politician)Joseph "Jo" Abbott was a member of the Confederate States Army and a member of the United States House of Representatives from Texas.-Biography:...
, Texas politician - Taye BiddleTaye BiddleRaTavious Anton "Taye" Biddle is an American football wide receiver for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He was previously with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
, football player - Lucas BlackLucas BlackLucas York Black is an American film and television actor. He is known for his roles in the CBS television series American Gothic as well as roles in films such as Sling Blade, Jarhead, Friday Night Lights, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Legion, Get Low, and All the Pretty Horses.-Personal...
, actor - Patrick GormanPatrick GormanThis article is about the American actor. For the British actor, see Pat Gorman.Patrick O. Gorman is an American theatre, film and television actor....
, SVP Bank of America and former Associate Director of National Intelligence - Richard HendrixRichard HendrixVenard Richard Hendrix is an American professional basketball player. Currently he plays for Euroleague team Maccabi Tel Aviv.Hendrix attended the University of Alabama, where he played for the Crimson Tide...
, professional basketball player - Mae C. Jemison, first African American woman in space
- Dean JonesDean Jones (actor)Dean Carroll Jones is an American actor. Jones is best known for his light-hearted leading roles in several Walt Disney movies between 1965 and 1977, most notably The Love Bug.-Early years:...
, actor - Seth KimbroughSeth KimbroughSeth Kimbrough is a professional BMX rider, most notable for being the vocalist of Mortal Treason until the band's break-up in 2005.-Biography:...
, Professional BMX rider, Former front man of Mortal Treason - Gary KnottsGary KnottsGary Everett Knotts is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He attended Northwest Shoals Community College and was selected by the Florida Marlins in the eleventh round of the amateur draft....
, baseball player - BelialBelialBelial is one of the four crown princes of Hell and a demon in the Bible, Jewish apocrypha and Christian apocrypha...
, Hardcore Punk band - John O'SullivanJohn O'Sullivan (columnist)John O'Sullivan CBE is a leading British conservative political commentator and journalist and currently Vice President and executive editor of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty....
, conservative columnistColumnistA columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
and pundit - Dave Stripling, Chicago radio producer, comedian
- Bennie Perrin, Former Arizona Cardinals Safety
- Jerraud PowersJerraud PowersJerraud Powers is an American football cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft after declaring following his junior year...
,Colts Cornerback - Charles Redding PittCharles Redding PittCharles Pitt is an American attorney and former chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party.Pitt was born in Decatur, Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1967. He was active in campaign for Robert F...
, United States Attorney for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama; private lawyer; Democratic politician - Gary Redus, baseball player
- Kristopher ReiszKristopher ReiszKristopher Reisz is an American author known for his young adult novels.- Early life :Reisz grew up in Decatur, Alabama. He became interested in writing during high school...
, novelist - Philip RiversPhilip RiversPhilip Rivers is an American football quarterback for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League . He was one half of the Manning-Rivers draft trade which sent him to San Diego and the 1st overall pick, Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, to the New York Giants. Rivers played college...
, Chargers Quarterback - Rip SewellRip SewellTruett Banks "Rip" Sewell was a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played 13 years in the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates...
, baseball player - Dru Parmer, Parkour World Champion
- Rolando McClainRolando McClain-Oakland Raiders:McClain signed his contract with the Raiders on July 28, 2010, in time to make the first day of training camp. The contract is estimated to be for $40 million over 5 years....
, Raiders Linebacker - Anna Clauson, Man Hand NeuroCare nurse
External links
- Official City Website: Decatur, Alabama, USA
- Official City Tourist Website: Decatur, Alabama, USA
- Decatur's Historic Albany Neighborhood
- Morgan County 911
- Decatur Police Department
- Decatur Fire and Rescue
- Cook's Natural Science Museum
- Official Decatur-Morgan County Website
- Decatur Convention & Visitor's Bureau
- Decatur Morgan County Chamber of Commerce
- Decatur City Schools
- Decatur Sports
- Decatur Parks and Recreation
- Morgan County Economic Development Association
- Institute of Southern Jewish Life, History of Decatur
- Decatur City Cemetery