BALDWIN COUNTY
County Offices
212 Courthouse Square
Bay Minette 251-580-1619
http://baldwincountyal.gov/home
Chamber of Commerce
3150 Gulf Shores Parkway
Gulf Shores 251-968-6904
https://www.mygulfcoastchamber.com
First-class golf courses, beautiful beaches, and premier recreational opportunities are the hallmarks of Baldwin County—recognized as one of the fastest growing areas in Alabama.
Services
Education is a high priority in Baldwin County, where an excellent school system produces students whose scores on college-entrance exams consistently remain above the national average. Innovative programs like block semester scheduling, academic honors programs, and leading-edge vocational centers ensure that students will be well-prepared for a competitive, fast-paced world. Public and private schools on all levels include satellite locations for community college campuses and the University of South Alabama as well as easy access to colleges and universities in nearby Mobile and Pensacola, Florida. Other possibilities for more specialized higher education programs are available at the United States Sports Academy and the Marietta Johnson School of Organic Education.
State-of-the-art healthcare services and facilities include three major hospitals, hospices, wellness centers, health clubs, and hundreds of professionals who represent every major specialty. South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley, Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, and North Baldwin Hospital in Bay Minette are the primary anchors of the comprehensive healthcare network. Mercy Medical provides specialized rehabilitation with assisted living programs, home-care program, neuro-psychiatric home care, hospice care, and pediatric home care. An increasing number of specialized physicians are joining the ranks of hospital staff members. Thomas Hospital has recently added an open-heart surgery center, adding to the ever-expanding possibilities for advanced treatment and medical care close to home.
Lifestyle
Newcomers will discover everything from the resort lifestyle of the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach to high-tech advancements and a network of transportation efficiencies in Baldwin County. This diverse region encompasses everything from the hospitality lifestyle of the beach communities and the eclectic shops of Fairhope to the picturesque and earthy farming villages and small towns of central and north Baldwin County. Recreational opportunities are abundant in this panoramic area with 32 miles of pristine gulf beaches and 26 miles of shimmering bay waterfront. Fishing is a favorite pastime in this water-oriented environment where angers can choose from fresh water, inshore, and offshore locations. Golfers will find a selection of championship greens, and sports enthusiasts will be able to attend competitive events for semi-professional team in the nearby metropolitan areas. The 6,000-acre Gulf State Park is a recreational paradise with its 18-hole golf course, fishing pier, nature center, cabins and campsites, motel and convention center, and opportunities for everything from swimming and fishing to biking.
Fine and casual dining can be found in scores of restaurants and cafes, while regional shopping centers and thriving downtown districts engage the serious shopper as well as the casual browser. Aficionados the arts will find strong cultural organizations that support amateur theater companies, symphony concerts, opera productions, and fine galleries. Seasonal celebrations and colorful festivals bring friends, family, and neighbors together for great food, family-oriented attractions, and old-fashioned camaraderie. Throughout Baldwin County, handsome and affordable housing options cater to every lifestyle, taste, and budget. Those who are looking for a paradise surrounded by metropolitan amenities will find the idyllic home in Baldwin County.
Bay Minette
Municipal Offices
251-580-1637
www.cityofbayminette.org
Chamber of Commerce
251-937-5665
www.northbaldwinchamber.com
Home to Holly Hills Country Club and a number of picturesque boat landings, the community of Bay Minette offers all the charm and relaxation of a small southern community. This area is home to a thriving timber industry, and the surviving forests provide a playground for sports enthusiasts. In addition to the deep woods, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the regional jewels of the Tensaw River Delta and the gentle surf of the Gulf of Mexico. Bay Minette is also surrounded by restored Civil War and early American history sites. As the county seat, this balanced city offers expanded employment opportunities in local government, the county board of education, and legal and other professional offices that support the county government. Although the city is home to less than 10,000 residents, a population exceeding 20,000 has settled into northern Baldwin County just beyond the city limits. Housing options vary from well-kept vintage homes in the heart of town to beautiful new construction that punctuates the surrounding countryside.
Bon Secour, Lillian, Magnolia Springs
County Offices
251-965-9888
http://baldwincountyal.gov/home
Chamber of Commerce
251-943-3291
www.sbchamberfoundation.com
The waterfront fishing village of Bon Secour provides a harbor where boats from all over the Gulf of Mexico deliver seafood and shellfish to picturesque docks. One of the oldest settlements on the Gulf Coast, the community was named as a “safe harbor” by the founding French settlers. This settlement along the beautiful Bon Secour River is home to several fisheries, including one that has been in operation since the late 1800s. One of Alabama’s oldest family-owned businesses, it ships locally famous seafood to outlets all over the country. Magnolia Springs was a popular summer resort in the late 1800s with steamboats calling at its hotels. Before the destruction of the Civil War, turpentine plantations on old Spanish land grants dotted the area. This elegant but small community follows the winding Magnolia River, preserving historic architecture. With the river as the main boulevard, the mail has always been delivered by boat. Waterfront residents with mailboxes on the riverbank represent the last remaining full-time water delivery route in the nation. The waterfront community of Lillian is a vacation and retirement community with homes and marinas lining secluded coves as well as Perdido and Wolf bays.
Daphne
Municipal Offices
251-621-9000
www.daphneal.com
Chamber of Commerce
251-621-8222
www.eschamber.com
Proud of its selection as “Tree City USA” by the National Arbor Day Foundation, the City of Daphne is one of the fastest growing communities in the nation. Located on the eastern shoreline of Mobile Bay off Interstate 10, Daphne is defined as a “city on the move.” In the face of rapid growth, the city has managed to maintain the ambience of a small town where residents are warm and friendly—and newcomers become good friends. Less than an hour from the Gulf of Mexico, Daphne offers all the charm and grace of southern small-town living in close proximity to metropolitan Mobile. Pristine beauty, reputable schools, and vast recreational opportunities create an enviable quality of life for this family-oriented environment. Residents enjoy organized youth sports, the Lake Forest Yacht Club, tennis courts, a municipal pier with a beach and boat ramp, and a wide variety of recreational programs designed to appeal to all ages and interests. Boating, fishing, hunting, swimming, golfing, and racquet sports are common pastimes.
Elberta
Municipal Offices
251-986-5995
https://townofelberta.godaddysites.com
Chamber of Commerce
251-943-3291
www.southbaldwinchamber.com
The small town of Elberta is situated in southern Baldwin County near area near the city of Foley. Residents of Elberta enjoy all the pleasures of country living with easy access to the cosmopolitan area that encompasses a kaleidoscope of amenities and cultures. This town near the waterfront was founded in the early 1900s by German immigrants and laid out in neat squares. Graced by quaint homes, Elberta features a downtown district graced by the natural beauty of large park areas. This garden spot was appropriately named for the famed Elberta peach. The Elberta Farmers Market is a favorite destination, offering a medley of fresh produce, flowers, honey, nuts, livestock, hay, poultry, baked goods, herbs, plants, fruits, vegetables, fresh seafood, and dairy products including eggs. The community draws thousands of visitors to the famous Elberta Sausage Festival, held the last Saturday of each March and October to celebrate the city’s rich German heritage. Elberta was founded in 1905 by the Baldwin County Colonization Company. The city is proud of its deep agricultural roots, showcased in the Baldwin County Heritage Museum.
Fairhope
Municipal Offices
251-928-2136
www.cofairhope.com
Chamber of Commerce
251-928-6387
www.eschamber.com
The friendly community of Fairhope nestles against the eastern shore of beautiful Mobile Bay, one of America’s premier sailing waters. With southern hospitality as one of its hallmarks, Fairhope is quick to extend the hand of friendship to those who love the sea and boating. The area’s famous yacht club is only one of many attractions to this beautiful community. Other amenities include the senior activity center, golfing, tennis, sports play, and local shopping. The bayfront park and pier serve as the centerpiece of picturesque Fairhope, offering a scenic backdrop of duck ponds, a picnic area, a beautiful water fountain, and an award winning rose garden. The annual Jubilee event draws fish into the beach by the thousands, encouraging everyone to catch as many as possible. Wonderful restaurants, the Eastern Shore Art Center, and the historic wood-burning Pinewood Kiln are among the local attractions. Marietta Johnson Museum houses one of the 1907 classrooms of the Marietta Johnson School of Organic Education, preserving her progressive philosophy.
Foley
Municipal Offices
251-943-1545
www.cityoffoley.org
Chamber of Commerce
251-943-3291
www.southbaldwinchamber.com
The “forward city” of Foley has served as the economic epicenter for southern Baldwin County since its founding. “Going to town” in southern Baldwin County means a trip to Foley. This urban hub with its hanging flower baskets and landscaped corners has beautiful maintained its “main street” character. It also boasts a rich heritage that is beautifully preserved at the Baldwin County Heritage Museum and the L&N Depot Museum. Residents enjoy the natural beauty of abundant wildlife. The nearby estuary creates opportunities to see a flycatcher, hummingbird, plover, or a diverse selection of butterflies. The Foley area also enjoys the title of “Golf Coast” and boasts more than a dozen professionally designed golf courses. Residents enjoy a large library, the healthcare services of South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, a civic center, local museums, fine galleries, and charming antique shops. More than five million annual customers frequent the Riviera Centre Factory Stores. Foley is a small town that creates a mini-metropolis that meets nearly every need.
Gulf Shores
Municipal Offices
251-968-2425
www.cityofgulfshores.org
Chamber of Commerce
251-968-6904
https://www.mygulfcoastchamber.com
The community of Gulf Shores offers a gracious, small-town environment where recreational amenities and attractions are first-rate and abundant. Gulf State Park provides 6,000 lush acres with an 18-hole golf course, shimmering Lake Shelby, an 825-foot fishing pier, a nature center, cabins and campsites, and a major motel and convention center. Activities include fishing, swimming, biking, playing tennis, and canoeing. Even in the city, the 12-acre city facility of Meyer Park features picnic shelters and tables, playground equipment, a softball field, horseshoe pits, and shuffleboard court. Tennis courts, additional sports fields, and Wade Ward Nature Park add to the amenities. Newcomers to Gulf Shores will discover all the pleasures and relaxed pace of rural life within easy access to major metropolitan amenities. Those who appreciate the intimacy of a small town and premier water-sport activities will discover a paradise in the Gulf Shores area.
Loxley
Municipal Offices
251-964-5162
www.townofloxley.org
Chamber of Commerce
251-947-2626
Famous as the home of the Strawberry Festival, the City of Loxley preserves the atmosphere of the tranquil little community that was named for its founder, John Loxley. Today, this growing town supports a booming business park for small industries and regional distribution centers. Located south of the Interstate10 visitor’s center, Loxley is home to the famous Burris Farm Market and a national plant distributor. Often referred to as the “little town with the big heart, Loxley enjoys a prime location along State Highway 59, also known as Gulf Shores Parkway. The community is approximately 25 miles from Gulf Shores and the major metropolitan center of Mobile as well as Pensacola, Florida. This ideal centralized location provides access to metropolitan services and attractions with a rural atmosphere. The city’s excellent school system complements a medley of recreational facilities from sports fields to walking trails. Regional state parks and easy access to water-oriented outdoor adventures add to the quality of life.
Orange Beach
Municipal Offices
251-981-6979
https://www.orangebeachal.gov
Chamber of Commerce
251-968-6904
https://www.mygulfcoastchamber.com
“Life is better here” is the slogan adopted by Orange Beach, a small incorporated community that claims a rich history where stories of Native American lore intermingle with pirates and Civil War fighting. The city most likely derived its name from the proliferation of citrus orchards that that once dotted the landscape as well as the pristine white beaches. Often referred to as “the gem of the Gulf Coast,” modern Orange Beach is serene, peaceful, and tranquil. The heritage of yesterday is reflected in the casual lifestyle of local residents and natural beauty of the environment. Boasting the largest charter fishing fleet on the Gulf Coast, Orange Beach offers fishing trips in offshore and inshore settings. An abundance of water surrounds the city, creating a scenic backdrop for commercial establishments like restaurants as well as picturesque neighborhoods. Residents of all ages enjoy the expanded recreational amenities available at the Sportsplex.
Point Clear
County Offices
251-580-1689
http://baldwincountyal.gov/home
Chamber of Commerce
251-621-8222
www.eschamber.com
Just south of Fairhope lies the resort community of Point Clear, home to Marriott’s Grand Hotel. Amenities that surround the hotel include a 36-hole golf course, boat marina, extensive bay frontage, and every facility common to an elegant resort. An active Polo Club, a polo annual event, a Festival of Art, Mardi Gras, water sports, and sailing are just a few of the attractions to the Point Clear area. Nestled just 23 miles southeast of metropolitan Mobile, this “Queen of Southern Resorts” celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1997 in magnificent style. Sprawling over 550 acres, the hotel invites guests to enjoy a mint julep in great southern style, perfect their backswing at championship courses, play tennis, horseback ride, swim, feed the ducks along the lagoon path, or fish from the dock. Home to the Punta Clara Kitchen for more than 35 years, an elegant Victorian house presents an extensive array of candies and preserves. Nearby Fairhope provides a wide selection of commercial conveniences including restaurants and shops. Panoramic Mobile Bay provides the scenic backdrop for Point Clear.
Robertsdale, Silverhill
Robertsdale Offices
251-947-8910
www.robertsdale.org
Silverhill Offices
251-945-5198
www.silverhillalabama.com
Chamber of Commerce
251-947-5932
Located just 10 miles south of Interstate 10 along Highway 59, this “hub city of Baldwin County” takes great pride in its family-oriented atmosphere and rich community life. Small in size, Robertsdale nevertheless manages to balance residential neighborhoods along tree-lined streets with a thriving downtown retail district and a growing industrial park. Long-standing traditions form the roots of community life in Robertsdale, where the Robertsdale Livestock Auction has been holding its weekly auctions since the 1940s. Located on 40 acres, the vast expanse of Garrett Park with its wide range of facilities and amenities provides a focal point for most of the recreational activities. Festivals and celebrations in the Robertsdale area include the Home, Garden, and Recreation Exposition, the Baldwin County Fair, and the Annual Honeybee Festival. Just west of Robertsdale on Highway 104, the small town of Silverhill is well known as the home of the Heritage Day Festival each September. This quaint community boasts a charming downtown district and the Oscar Johnson Library, housed in an 1896 white-frame building.
Spanish Fort
Municipal Offices
251-626-4884
www.cityofspanishfort.com
Chamber of Commerce
251-621-8222
www.eschamber.com
The intimate community of Spanish Fort enjoys a prime location near Mobile Bay, where residents enjoy easy access to fishing piers, golf courses, tennis courts, historic forts, recreation facilities, state parks, beautiful gardens, and art centers. This Eastern Shore community offers all the relaxation of a country environment in close proximity to the region’s proliferation of downtown centers, boutiques, specialty shops, antique shops, bookstores; clothing stores, furniture outlets, hardware stores; pharmacies, professional offices, restaurants, and markets. Sprawling over 3,800 acres is historic Blakeley State Park, the largest National Register site east of the Mississippi River. Here, visitors can explore the remains of Civil War rifle fire pits, batteries, and earthen forts. Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge attracts visitors of all ages who are interested in local fauna and flora. To the west is Meaher State Park, providing a fascinating educational perspective of the Mobile River Delta from an elevated boardwalk that stretches more than 1,200 feet in length.
Summerdale
Municipal Offices
251-989-6202
www.summerdaleal.com
Chamber of Commerce
251-943-3291
www.southbaldwinchamber.com
Not far from Foley is the small town of Summerdale, once a thriving community that was known as the tobacco capital of Alabama. Founded as a farming community, Summerdale is a showcase of landmark buildings, antique shops, and an intriguing museum. Residents still stroll downtown to the local barbershop, enjoy the park gazebo, and place their orders at the corner hardware store in this neighborhood community that is also known as “Sunshine City.” Summerdale is home to the region’s largest electric cooperative, a utility that supplies electric service to approximately 50,000 customers. Enjoying a location near Interstate 10, the city is proud of its agricultural history. Said to be named for “Summer’s Farm,” the community is taking a progressive stand toward growth and development. Plans are underway to enhance commercial amenities while attracting increased industrial and residential growth.
