Sites to See - North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce

Sites to See
Baldwin County Courthouse
Latitude: 30.8831065
Longitude: -87.77484700000002
Court House Square
(Photo curtesy of Images by John Lewis)
Bay Minette, AL 36507
Although Bay Minette is the most centrally located township in Baldwin County, it was not chosen as the county
seat when the county was established. Baldwin County is the third oldest county in the state of Alabama, created
on December 21, 1809, ten years before Alabama officially became a state. The first county seat location was at
McIntosh Bluff on the Tombigbee River but it was transferred to Blakeley only one year later in 1810. In 1898,
the State Legislature decided to move the county seat to Daphne. In 1900 however, the Alabama State legislature
officially named Bay Minette the county seat and on October 1, 1901, Bay Minette town leaders officially
dedicated a courthouse to town. The city of Daphne resisted its loss of status however and refused to surrender
the powers of government.
In order to move the county records to Bay Minette, town leaders devised a scheme to lure the sheriff and his
deputy out of Daphne with a false story. While the officers were pursuing the false story, a group of Bay Minette
men stealthily traveled the 30 miles to Daphne, stole the Baldwin County Courthouse records and delivered them
to the new courthouse in Bay Minette. Thus the town was established as the Baldwin County seat. The original
courthouse was renovated twice, once in 1955 and again in 1996.
http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-2161
Bay Minette Civic Center
Latitude: 30.87601
Longitude: -87.7873409
301 D’Olive Street
Bay Minette, AL 36507
251-580-1619
The Center is named for John F. (Rickey) Rhodes, a lifelong resident of Bay Minette who served as the city’s
Mayor from 1980 – 2000. Among his accomplishments was saving the Old L & N Depot from demolition in the
mid-1980’s and his efforts towards downtown renovation with landscaping that continues to add to the charm of
Bay Minette. John and his wife Robin, a retired school teacher, still live in and support Bay Minette.
The newly remodeled John F. Rhodes Civic Center is a 6,000 square foot facility available to rent for most social
events. The Civic Center is equipped with a full kitchen, bathrooms, large stage and dance floor.
http://www.cityofbayminette.org/
Bay Minette Library
Latitude: 30.2482216
Longitude: -87.69353189999998
205 W. 2nd Street
Bay Minette, Al 36507
Joanna M. Bailey,
Director
251-580-1648
The library is a beautiful historic building which was once a church and has the original stained glass. It houses a
wonderful collection of books and audio/visual materials. It also holds an on-going in-house book sale.
Originally the First Baptist church constructed in 1914-1915, this two story building was purchased by the city
and renovated into today’s library on 1995-1997.
Bay Minette Water Tower
Latitude: 30.8793375
Longitude: -87.7843823
301 McMeans Avenue
Bay Minette, AL 36507
This water tank is the first of its kind ever built in 1915; and one of only two concrete water towers built in the
United States. It has always been the tallest structure in Bay Minette.
Blackburn Park Fountain & Gazebo
Latitude: 30.8829628
Longitude: -87.7730474
John and Margaret Pimperl moved to the Dyas community just north of Bay Minette in
1921, coming from Chicago. They raised their family here working a farm with a pecan
orchard, growing timber and dipping turpentine. Mr. Pimperl owned and operated “G’s
Blue Lantern Tavern” on Highway 31 near Phillipsville Road. Their daughter Helen, who was born in 1918,
moved back to Chicago as a young lady where she operated a beauty salon, she then came back to Alabama in
1961 and built the Sportsman Bait & Tackle Shop and the Baldwin Motel and Restaurant in Bay Minette. She
served many years on the Bay Minette City Council. She funded many projects around Bay Minette, including the
gazebo that now stands in Blackburn Park. It was originally built on the courthouse square but was later moved
to Blackburn Park to make way for a larger gazebo. There is a plaque that details this information located inside
the gazebo. Ms. Pimperl later donated the fountain in memory of her parents. While she never had children of her
own, she left many nieces and nephews to honor her memory when she passed in 2008.
Clock Tower
The street clock was added to the heart of downtown Bay Minette, just one block off
courthouse square in August of 2013. The Compton Clock is at the intersection of South
Hand Avenue and 1st Street. The 8-foot tall structure is black with pewter trim and features
a 24-inch neon clock face. The tower was funded through donations from various
individuals and businesses.
Ghost Fleet Site
Latitude: 30.8655502
Longitude: -87.8819671
This is a sunken site located around the area of the county owned Cliff’s Landing in
Bay Minette.
The Ghost Fleet, or Tensaw Fleet, was an armada of mothballed Liberty Ships and
other Navy crafts parked on the Tensaw after World War II. During its peak, there
(Photo curtesy of Images by John Lewis)
were 347 ships in port. President F. D. Roosevelt made plans to refurbish the vessels so
the merchant marine fleet would be better equipped for merchant marine service, which during 1945-1973 was
considered a viable military resource. Consequently, the Ghost Fleet supplied many jobs for Mobile and Baldwin
County residents, especially for people in Spanish Fort, Bay Minette and other surrounding areas near the
Mobile-Tensaw Delta. The last ships were given to the state conservation departments in Alabama, Mississippi
and Louisiana and many were sunk to create fishing reefs.
Faulkner State
Community College
Latitude: 30.854052
Longitude: -87.779266
1900 U.S. 31
Bay Minette, AL 36507
251-580-2100
With more than 100 areas of study, Faulkner offers academic transfer programs in everything from Art to
Zoology. All academic courses are guaranteed by state law to transfer to any of Alabama’s public universities.
Faulkner State Community College is a two-year public college located in Baldwin County, Alabama established
in 1965. Faulkner State has three locations. The administrative campus is located in Bay Minette, Alabama.
Please visit http://www.faulknerstate.edu/ for more information.
Kahalley House
Latitude: 30.8818152
Longitude: -87.778324
400 West 2nd Street
Bay Minette, AL 36507
Rhonda Cockrell,
Owner & Operator
251-709-8220
This delightful and charming building can be rented out for a variety of events such as bridal and
baby showers. Currently, the daily oversight of the facility is Earthly Delights, a comprehensive
floral services company.
L & N Rail Road Station
Latitude: 30.8799941
Longitude: -87.78470049999999
Chamber of Commerce Office
301 McMeans Avenue
Bay Minette, AL 36507
251-937-5665
In 1904 L & N constructed a new Depot in Bay Minette called
“The Union” because it was built at the juncture of the Ft.
Morgan Railroad line with the main railroad line. By 1908 Bay
Minette was booming with 1,200 residents and in 1912 The
Newport Mining Company located here greatly boosting the
economy.
Abandoned by the railroad in 1985, this building once served
as the social hub of Bay Minette. During the early and mid-20th
Century, it was from this building that the telegraph office
would keep businesses and residents informed of news and
events such as when the county courthouse moved to Bay Minette.
Relocated in 1987, it was restored and serves as the office of the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. Over two
years of community interest and fundraising went into completing this project to include businesses, individuals
and children with such notable contributors as, then Governor George Wallace. This historic building served as a
backdrop for the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind. More recently, Seaboard Systems Railroad donated
the SCL & N Caboose #114 to the City of Bay Minette, which was quickly refurbished and moved on site at a later
date.
Mural: Removal of the
County Seat
Latitude: 30.8826975
Longitude: -87.7870661
601 Mc Means Avenue
Bay Minette, AL 36507
Post Office
“Removal of the County from Daphne to Bay Minette” by Hilton Leech in 1939. It was restored and moved to the
current post office building in 1987. Refer to the Baldwin County Courthouse for a brief history in this listing.
Perdido Vineyards
Latitude: 30.399492
Longitude: -87.39065599999998
22100 County Road 47
Perdido, AL 36562
(Photo curtesy of Images by John Lewis)
Jim Eddins,
Owner
251-937-9463
You are invited to visit Perdido Vineyards, located at exit 45 of I-65. They are open 10:00an until 5:00 pm daily
for free tours and tastings. In addition to wines, you can learn and taste gourmet wine vinegars to compliment
your culinary delights. No appointments are required but if you have a large group, please call 251-937-9463.
You can find more information at: http://www.perdidovineyards.net/index.html
Red Hill Spring
Latitude: 31° 05.657
Longitude: 087° 49.966
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM30D4
Located alongside of Highway 59 in Latham, Alabama you’ll find a quaint artesian well producing 2, 400 gallons
of water per hour. This spring is used by locals to fill jugs with clean, pure water to take home.
This is a natural spring that has been capped and provided with a discharge pipe to make it easier for people to
fill their jugs.
This is open to the public and there is no fee. Parking is provided.
Look for the Red Hill Spring geocache (GCH591) while you are here.
This is a 5th Magnitude spring.
Rex Courtyard
Latitude: 30.8829628
Longitude: -87.7730474
Tucked quaintly between buildings on South Hoyle Avenue, the Rex Courtyard features a
beautiful, lush surrounding. The park is named for the old Rex Theater that was once located in this very spot.
The Courtyard is a beautiful setting for weddings and receptions and is an ideal location to sit back, relax and
enjoy the scenery.
http://www.cityofbayminette.org/Rex-Courtyard
Wind Creek Casino
Latitude: 31.1033466
Longitude: -87.4827024
303Porch Road
Atmore, Al 36502
www.windcreekatmore.com
251-368-8007
Immerse yourself in total luxury at Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Atmore. There’s no end to
the excitement and amenities offered by their AAA Four-Diamond resort. The posh hotel
features the finest accommodations and services, including 24-hour room service and a
wide variety of dining options.
The FIRE Steakhouse has been voted the
best steakhouse in Alabama!
Go see why, or kick back and relax in their astounding spa or hone your cooking skills in
their culinary school. Catch a live show at the Amphitheater or one of
the latest movies in their state-of-the-art digital cinema.
For gaming, check out their bowling alley and arcade, located at “Family
Fun at Wind Creek.” The casino features some of today’s hottest games!
Wind Creek Atmore has something fun for everyone!