Eufaula, Alabama : The City On The Bluffs

Approaching Eufaula Alabama from the east, one cannot help but observe the high bluffs overlooking the Chattahoochee river and now the lake formed by the dams controlling it. It is the middle of November and the flamboyant fall foliage adds color to the bluffs and is reflected by the lake itself. It is easy to see why the earliest residents of the bluffs chose this site.

For thousands of years this high ground has been home to those spending their lives along this ancient waterway. The fertile land and abundance of animal and aquatic life ensured easily obtainable food sources to sustain the native peoples. The bluffs themselves also offered a convenient perch to spot any intruders or visitors approaching the village. The heights of the bluffs assured an easy defense of their homes if the need were to arise.

Eufaula’s rich history, both ancient and recent, attests to the struggles of the people who made this spot their home and left their marks upon the land itself. Today, Eufaula is a very pleasant town still boasting many beautiful antebellum and post Civil War era homes. The beauty of the area is obvious but not taken for granted by those residing in its midst!

The present day location of Eufaula was chosen for several important reasons, not the least being an easy mode of transportation. The earliest inhabitants of the bluffs used the river to communicate and trade with other native tribes in the area.Travel upon the river was possible from the Gulf of Mexico up to the area now encompassed by metro Atlanta.

After the Spanish exploration of the area, the natives then occupying the bluffs were decimated by diseases and by being enslaved. The Creek tribes then took possession of the spot and remained until being forced to move to Spanish Florida in 1834.

But even before the land was traded to the white men the settlers could not refrain from crossing the Chattahoochee and attempting to farm the land. The white squatters were forced to leave by the American government but the land was only safe for the Creeks for two more years. The land race was then on.

The prime cultivatable land was quickly planted in cotton by the wealthiest of the settlers. starting an economic trend in Eufaula which gave rise to the construction of many fine homes.  Eufaula is fortunate to still have many of the cotton era homes lining its shady streets.

Originally, the settlement was called Irwinton. But problems associated with Irwinton’s mail being sent to a Georgia town with a similar name eventually resulted in the town being renamed with the Creek Indian’s name for the spot, Eufaula.

With a navigable river, almost unlimited fertile land perfectly suited for growing cotton, and an abundance of slave labor, vast fortunes could be made by those who could justify such. And many would do just that. The many fine homes still in evidence along the shady avenues of Eufaula bear witness to the minor dynasties produced by King Cotton on the vast plantations.

The rulers of these minor realms would send their children to be educated in the finest colleges up north. The products used by these privileged few were shipped from New York by way of the Gulf of Mexico, then up the river to the plantations along the banks of the Chattahoochee.

Bales of cotton were shipped down the river on steamboats and barges to be loaded on large ships at the mouth of the Apalachicola River, formed by the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers.

Life was good for some, and merely tolerable for many others during this shameful period in America’s history. It was this period which formed the ideas about southern chivalry and of course, the southern belle.

The rich liked to think of themselves as being southern royalty of a sort. But the Civil War changed this mindset virtually overnight. With their way of life threatened, the citizens of Eufaula faced many tough decisions during this period.

When talk of succession first began the southern states naturally wanted slavery to continue as it had been for many generations. Morality and greed tend to blend into an unrecognizable mass when money is easily obtained by the union.

The South would fight, and Alabama would field an army to show its mettle. But as we know, courage isn’t always enough to win the battle.

Just as thousands of Union soldiers were approaching Eufaula to raze the town, peace was declared and the beautiful homes lining the streets of Eufaula were spared from being burned to the ground.

This was not the case for many other similar southern towns. So we are indeed lucky to have these fine examples of this particular period of architecture to gaze upon with wonder, awe, and sometimes remorse as to how they came to be.

To really get a good look at how the upper class lived in Eufaula a visit to the Shorter Mansion is a must. This gorgeous structure gives a glimpse of Alabama's history in the most wonderful way. This excellent example of Greek Revival architecture was built and renovated over a period of 22 years, beginning in 1884 with the final structure finished in 1906.

The Eufaula Heritage Association purchased it in a run down condition in 1965. Today, it serves as a house museum and cultural center and is open for tours to the public. It and other homes were seen the the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Check out the You Tube video for a better look.

But even after the war things didn’t change all that much. Cotton was still king and sharecropping simply took the place of slavery, often with worse living conditions facing the former slaves than under their new found freedom. Except now, the land owners didn’t have to furnish food, clothing, or shelter to its former labor force and their profits continued to soar.

The Chattahoochee river continued to be an important means of transporting the bales of cotton to the factories up north and to bring their products back into Eufaula and other riverside towns and cities. Until the advent of reliable train routes throughout the south, the river was the lifeline of the area.

Today, Eufaula is like many other small southern towns. Tourism plays a significant role in the economy of this historic city. We are reminded of how things were and how they came to be. As in all historic places, the past leaves a strong influence on those who reside there today. How those influences affect them depends on one’s own historical perspective.

The beautiful lake formed by damming the Chattahoochee River is known as Lake Eufaula by Alabamians and by Lake Walter F. George by those on the Georgia side of the boundary.

It is famous for it’s great fishing for crappie, largemouth bass, and the huge stripers caught in these waters. Recreation is a large part of the economy in the Eufaula area with camping, hunting, and water sports included in the mix.

Lake Point resort, an Alabama State Park run facility is located just north of Eufaula and is a wonderful area committed to lovers of the outdoors. With a marina, golf course, rental cottages, campground, restaurant and bar and grill, it offers something for the whole family’s enjoyment.

A visit to Eufaula Alabama allows you to experience all the deep south has to offer. History, recreation, shopping, sightseeing, and almost any other favored pastime is offered for those who tour the area. The people themselves prove the old adage concerning “southern hospitality.

There is so much to see and do in the Eufaula area you may have to add a few extra days to fully appreciate the beauty and hospitality of the people and what they have to offer. Enjoy a small southern town and make yourself at home in the deep south.

For those of retirement age, don't overlook the possibility of settling down in Eufaula.  Its mild winters are just the thing for senior citizens as many have found out in the last few years.  Ask the local realtors about the low cost of living in Eufaula