Originally called Montgomery House, 1821 Greek Revival plantation home was significant to cultural development of central Alabama. Remarkable circular staircase spirals 24 ft. to 3rd-floor banquet room. Available for weddings, parties, tours, etc.
Prattville
History
Daniel Pratt, a native of New Hampshire, arrived in Alabama, by way of the state of Georgia, in 1833. He has been an architect and builder, but came to Alabama with a vision of creating an industrial village in the midst of an agricultural economy. By 1839 he had laid out the community that would become Prattville. Pratt harnessed the waters of Autauga Creek to provide energy to power his new factory, which would become the largest cotton gin factory in the world. That factory maintains that distinction today under the name of Continental Eagle Corporation.
Pratt exported his cotton gins around the world, but mostly in the southeastern United States. He built additional industries that provided a variety of employment opportunities for Alabama pioneers and Prattville soon became known as the most highly industrialized town of its size in America. This earned it the distinction of being the Birthplace of Industry in Alabama.
Pratt served as an unofficial economic developer for his adopted state, and was a major investor in the coal and iron industry, helping develop an area that would later be known as Birmingham. Not only was Pratt a noted architect, industrialist and statesman, he also made significant contributions in social, educational, religious and cultural areas as well.
LOCATION
Prattville is located 10 miles northeast of Montgomery, the state capital, and 70 miles south of Birmingham on I-65 in the South Central area of Alabama. Prattville can also be reached via US Highway 82 or US Highway 31. We are also accessible by commercial air through either the Montgomery or Birmingham airports.
CLIMATE
Prattville's climate is nearly perfect with average annual temperatures in the mid-sixties. Winter daytime readings are around 51 degrees and summer daytime readings around 82 degrees. Rainfall averages more than 50 inches per year with very little snow if any.
Attractions
Senator Course: treeless, Irish links style. Legislator: traditional, reminiscent of Pinehurst. Judge: spectacular views of Alabama River.
Number of holes: 54
Par: 72
Admission: Unknown
Accepted: Travelers Checks, MasterCard, American Express, Discover
Sponsored by Autauga Co. Heritage Assn., museum dedicated to historical preservation of Autauga Co. Features Daniel Pratt memorabilia, local family history, Civil War room, county artifacts. Genealogy information access.
Admission: Free
Dedicated in 1982 as 1st wilderness park developed inside city limits in U.S. Areas of forest have 60-ft.-tall bamboo with trunks 6 inches in diameter. Hundreds of varieties of plants, including one of Alabama's largest beech trees.
Admission: Free
The Home of Martha and Earnest Biggs is an outstanding example of Queen Ann-style architecture. It was built in 1893 for Joseph Bennett Bell, the son-in-law of Merrill Pratt, nephew of town founder Daniel Pratt.
The Wilkinson House is a two-story Queen Anne Victorian Home built Circa 1850.
Old Prattvillage is a collection of structures from the 1800's. Some are standing in their original locations and others relocated by the efforts of the Autauga County Heritage Association and private citizens.
In 1838 seven members of the Union Baptist Church met to form the Unity Baptist Church, the forerunner of First Baptist Church. Daniel Pratt deeded a lot south of Autauga Creek to the Unity Baptist Church in 1840.
First Presbyterian Church was organized in 1846 with thirteen chartering members. Four years later the first church was dedicated. This was a one-room frame structure located near the cotton gin factory on the south side of Autauga Creek.
The First United Methodist Church was founded in 1843. Daniel Pratt provided and equipped a room above a store for these first meetings and later donated land and money for a larger and more elaborate church building.
Episcopal Services were held in Prattville as early as the late 1840's, but the congregation formally organized in 1859 as Saint Mark's Episcopal mission and was admitted to the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama in 1877.
The history of Ward Chapel goes back to the days of slavery, when its members were connected to the Methodist Church in Prattville. The first sanctuary, in 1843, was located south of Autauga Creek, across from the end of Chestnut Street.
Accommodations
Phone: 334-358-9004
Fax: 334-358-5179
Accepted: Travelers Checks, Credit Cards (call for specifics)
Phone: 334-361-2007
Fax: same
Accepted: Travelers Checks, Credit Cards (call for specifics)
To Do
Dining
At Fat Boy's we slow cook our meats over natural hickory and mesquite woods to accent the choice bar-b-que flavor of the South...the way it's supposed to be. Pork, Beef, Chicken, Ribs, Baked Beans, Salad, Catering. On-site cooking. Church and Office Parties. Reunions.
Serving deli sandwiches, fresh salad plates and homemade desserts. The Cafe is also rented by the hour for Bridal Luncheons, Teas, Birthday Parties, Ladies Groups, etc. Available on weekends and after hours.