Arts & Culture in Monroeville’s Literary Capital

For people traveling U. S. Highway 84 in Alabama (part of the Five State El Camino Corridor), the Town of Monroeville is a great mid-point stop. Monroeville (the county seat of Monroe County, which was named for President James Monroe) has grown to encompass the intersections of U.S. Highway 84 and Alabama Highway 21. The Monroe County Airport is just one-quarter mile to the south of the intersection of these highways.

Monroeville was incorporated in 1899, and is the ninth largest in landmass of Alabama’s counties. The county was once about a third the size of the present-day Alabama, and is often referred to as the “mother county.” Created in 1815 by proclamation of the governor of the Mississippi Territory, all lands were ceded by the Creek Indians at the Treaty of Fort Jackson.

Famous historic sites in Monroe County include the Masonic Hall (circa 1823-1825 and visited by the Marquis De Lafayette) and Burnt Corn (east of Monroeville on the old Federal Road). Burnt Corn is the site of the outbreak of the Creek Indian War of 1814. It remains an almost intact turn-of-the-century town, housing several early 20th century commercial buildings and the Lowery Trust Store — a country store that still sells everything from hoop cheese to hardware.

In north Monroe County, Beatrice and Vredenburgh give one the flavor of old logging communities. On Beatrice’s Main Street, one can enjoy stepping back in time at the O. B. Finklea Store. Another great stopping place in Beatrice is “Miss Minnie & Me, Antiques and Gifts” on Main Street. Another small Monroe County community off U.S. 84, Excel is the birthplace of University of Alabama Football great Lee Roy Jordan. Do not miss “The Main Street Diner”, under the management of Mrs. Eloise Webb, if you are in Excel!

Present day Monroe County has a population of 26,000, and Monroeville has almost 7,000 residents. Monroeville’s claim to fame is the many writers who have called the town their home. These include Nelle Harper Lee, who won a Pulitzer Prize for To Kill A Mockingbird. Lee’s fictional Maycomb was modeled after 1930’s era Monroeville, and Truman Capote (Lee’s childhood friend) served as the model for Dill in the novel. In addition to serving as Lee’s inspiration, Monroeville and the old courthouse served as inspiration to Capote, whose A Christmas Memory, The Thanksgiving Visitor and The Grass Harp all have references to Monroeville and the “eccentric” courthouse clock.

Monroeville’s 1903 courthouse is now home to the Monroe County Heritage Museum. It was restored through a grassroots effort (renovations concluded in 2002). The old courthouse museum features rotating art and cultural exhibits as well as a permanent collection dedicated to writers Lee and Capote. Every spring, the Monroe County Heritage Museums produce the play version of To Kill A Mockingbird. The play is a prominent feature in the life of present day Monroeville, and the play and the corresponding Young Audience Series (targeted at school children) bring thousands of visitors to Monroeville annually. Act one of the play takes place on the Old Courthouse Lawn, where permanent sets have been installed. Act two takes place in the Old Courthouse Courtroom.

Other famous Monroeville authors include Mark Childress (Crazy in Alabama, Tender, etc.), Mike Stewart (Sins of the Brother and other mysteries) and Cynthia Tucker (editorial page editor of The Atlanta Journal/Constitution). As a result of all these famous authors, some think the inspiration is in the water. Dr. John Johnson, visionary president of Monroeville’s Alabama Southern Community College, has consequently bottled the water — called “Inspiration, Monroeville Writers’ Water.” Eight years ago, he spearheaded organization of one of the county’s most successful and heralded annual events, The Alabama Writers Symposium. Held annually the first weekend in May, this three-day event celebrates the achievements of Alabama writers, and has featured such prominent authors as Fannie Flagg, Mark Childress, Howell Raines and the late George Plimpton.

The college has also founded The Center for the Literary Arts and The Fine Arts Museum of Southwest Alabama in celebration of the area’s artistic and cultural heritage. The Fine Arts Museum of Southwest Alabama is heralded for its permanent collection of visual arts by regional artists, as well as for its selection of commissioned portraits of Alabama’s prominent literary icons. The Alabama Writers Fountain is also on the grounds of Alabama Southern College.

If you are visiting Monroeville, be sure to take a historic walking tour or participate in the 10k Volkswalk. The tours are under the auspices of the Monroe County Heritage Museums and the Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce. Visitors may receive a guided walking tour by contacting the Chamber of Commerce. Visitors may also want to take a trip to Rikard’s Mill, a restored gristmill and park north in Beatrice.

Additionally, The River Heritage Museum on the Alabama River at Finchburg is the only river museum in Alabama, and features many Native American artifacts. There are also driving tours of the county, available through the Chamber of Commerce office or in the Old Courthouse Museum’s Visitors Center.

Modern day Monroeville offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and big industry. As well known for its textile and apparel connections as its literary heritage, Monroeville has been home to Vanity Fair Mills since 1937, now known as VF Intimates. As a manufacturer of women’s intimate apparel, it employs some 1,150 in Monroe County. VF Intimates recently constructed a new 90,000- square foot distribution center, adding 60 new jobs to its payroll.

Monroe County is also a large employer in wood and wood products related industries. These employers include Georgia Pacific and Scotch (plywood); Temple (particleboard); Harrigan, Owens Brothers and Rocky Creek (lumber); Alabama River Newsprint (newsprint); Alabama River Pulp (softwood and hardwood pulp); Standard Furniture (furniture); and Giant Buildings (wood storage sheds). Monroe County has a presence in the precast architectural concrete business through Gate, which specializes in Class A office space.

Vanity Fair’s presence in Monroeville since 1937 has spearheaded many infrastructure enhancements, such as the Vanity Fair Golf & Tennis Club (a clubhouse and 18-hole golf course), Whitey Lee Park and Pool, Clausell Park and Monroeville Community House. The area’s YMCA, “Our Place” Family Center, and the Southwest Alabama Community Cancer Center have been heavily supported by generous donations from local industries and area citizens.

In 2004, Monroeville and Monroe County officially joined with neighboring Conecuh and Escambia Counties to form the Costal Gateway EDA. In 2005, $2,200,000 has been pledged from government and private sources in an effort to recruit new industry to these counties. Monroe County stands to benefit from this partnership through efforts to market Monroeville’s available industrial and commercial properties.

For further information on Monroeville/Monroe County, please contact the Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce at 251-743-2879, or refer to www.monroecountyal.com.