SAINT CLAIR COUNTY
County Offices
165 Fifth Avenue
Ashville 205-594-2100
www.stclairco.com
Chamber of Commerce
1905 1st Avenue N.
Pell City 205-338-2244
www.pellcitychamber.com
Beautiful St. Clair County at the edge of Metro Birmingham is drawing an increasing number of new residents to growing cities and wonderful small towns.
Services
Anchored by the leading municipality of Pell City, panoramic St. Clair County provides an enviable quality of life that includes state-of-the-art healthcare. St. Clair Regional Hospital of the Eastern Health System provides advanced medical and surgical services throughout the region, combining comprehensive emergency and acute care with skilled inpatient care, full outpatient and diagnostic services, and home health care. Expanding its influence beyond the hospital campus, St. Clair Regional also operates the Medical Center Pell City and the St. Clair Regional Outpatient Clinic. Enhanced services include a pulmonary function lab, dialysis center, cancer treatment, same-day surgery, and a gastrointestinal lab. The radiology department offers CT scanning, nuclear medicine, and magnetic resonance imaging. Intensive care is available for cardiac, medical, and surgical patients. The renovated physical therapy department now promotes sports medicine, enhancing the full spectrum of specialized services.
Area youth receive a quality education in the Pell City and St. Clair County school systems. Both of these systems benefit from an organized, cooperative effort between civic, business, and community leaders and area schools. Pell City and the Pell City School System has forged a close working relationship called the Pell City Project Pride. This collaborative effort is multi-faceted, promoting major improvement like the new Center for Education and the Performing Arts and the Imagination Library that regularly places free books in the hands of children under five years of age. The St. Clair County Educational Foundation represents a similar collaboration to advance excellence in education through individual and community involvement. From the opportunity for high school students to earn college credit to the enrichment of community education courses, St. Clair County emphasized personal growth and lifelong learning. The options for higher education and post-secondary studies are outstanding within a 50-miles radius of St. Clair County. Nearly a dozen public and private colleges and universities as well as seven vocational-technical schools provide a wealth of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Interstates 59 and 20 provide quick commutes to regional destinations.
Lifestyle
Located in north-central Alabama at the southern tip of the Appalachian Mountain Range, panoramic St. Clair County draws newcomers to breathtaking natural beauty. Wooded mountains, quiet valleys traversed by sparkling streams, and magnificent lakes create a wonderland for outdoor recreation. Dams along the Coosa River create the Neely Henry and Logan Martin reservoirs that encourage every imaginable water sport activity, from fishing to boating, water-skiing, and sailing. Camping, horseback riding, hiking, biking, golfing, sports play, and nature study are popular pastimes.
Urban amenities in St. Clair County are centered in Pell City, serving as a second county seat and commercial hub. Fine dining, shopping centers, historic sites, and a modern civic center complex are just a few of the attractions. Straddling Interstate 20, the city of Moody has also developed considerable industrial activity as well as shopping, restaurants, and one of the largest auto auctions in the Southeast. Ashville is brimming over with historic homes and museums as well as unusual rock formations that Native Americans once used to corral wild horses. Nearby, Legion Town replicates a vintage Western town. Springville reflects a simpler time with its collection of restored buildings. Throughout a county that is older than the state of Alabama itself, welcoming communities preserve a proud past and draw new residents to irresistible charm and a close-knit spirit. At the same time, the county’s open space is now growing a crop of spectacular new subdivisions and homes that offer the serenity and beauty of a country setting. Take your time exploring the byways of scenic St. Clair County, where the good life is evident at every turn.
Argo Town
Municipal Offices
888-799-3033
www.cityofargo.org
Chamber of Commerce
205-324-2100
www.birminghamchamber.com
The small community of Argo that straddles St. Clair and Jefferson counties is experiencing explosive residential growth, drawing record numbers of newcomers to the pleasures of a rural lifestyle and beautiful new homes. Hundreds of new homes are springing up in lovely subdivisions, harmonizing with the town’s long-established, tree-lined neighborhoods. Civic leaders are scrambling to upgrade and expand services and control growth through planning and zoning for this community in transition. Situated between Springville and Trussville, Argo is also a hotbed for potential business and retail development. New businesses are already opening, including convenient retail shops and services. Argo is approximately 25 miles north of Birmingham near Interstate 59, blending traditional small-town values with good schools, commuting ease, opportunities for outdoor enjoyment, and an emerging suburban atmosphere.
Ashville
Municipal Offices
205-594-4151
www.stclairco.com
Chamber of Commerce
205-338-3377
The small town of Ashville draws newcomers and visitors to historic charm and serves as the original seat of government for St. Clair County. Ideally located off Interstate 59, the community is 40 miles north of Birmingham and 25 miles south of Gadsden. Although the town is proud of the new courthouse, a remarkable variety of pre-Civil War buildings and homes give the community a picturesque quality. Just southeast of Ashville, the John Looney Pioneer Homestead showcases an unusual log house built in 1820. This popular historic site offers an annual festival that draws enthusiastic crowds. Recreational amenities close to home are crowned by Greensport Marina, a popular place for picnicking, boating, fishing, and water sports. The Courthouse Square in Ashville is the center of activity, surrounded by convenient shops and services. “May on the Square” focuses attention on this bustling center of community life each year.
Branchville, Margaret, Odenville
Branchville Offices
205-629-5165
Margaret Offices
205-629-5742
Odenville Offices
205-629-6366
www.cityofodenville.net
Chamber of Commerce
205-699-5001
http://leedsareachamber.com
The small towns of Branchville, Margaret, and Odenville offer a relaxed and quiet retreat from urban traffic in family-oriented communities. Margaret was incorporated in 1959 and offers quick access to Interstate 59. Branchville is located on U.S. Highway 411 between Odenville and the rapidly developing city of Moody. Odenville is served by Highway 174, which provides access to major thoroughfares for commuters. These friendly communities share a rich history dating back to the 1800s, although Branchville did not incorporate until the 1960s shortly after Margaret. Branchville residents are just a 15-minute drive from Interstate 20 for quick trips to Metro Birmingham. Logan Martin Lake, water recreation, fishing, hiking trails, golf courses, sports leagues, convenient shops and services, and popular restaurants are easily accessible.
Leeds
Municipal Offices
205-352-9001
www.leedsalabama.gov
Chamber of Commerce
205-699-5001
http://leedsareachamber.com
Proud of its designation as a Tree City USA, the lovely community of Leeds is located near the Interstate 20 corridor approximately 15 minutes from downtown Birmingham. Located at the edge of Jefferson County, the city actually sprawls into St. Clair and Shelby counties. In fact, Leeds is so closely aligned with the city of Moody in St. Clair County that the two communities are often spoken of as the Leeds-Moody area. Strong civic leadership has enabled Leeds to grow and develop in a manner that has preserved the character of a serene bedroom community. Leeds formed its own school system in 2003, and four colleges are available within a 30-minute drive. Logan Martin Lake is just east of the city for boating, fishing and water sports, while golfers enjoy such facilities as the River Oaks Golf and Country Club. The world-class auto racing of Talladega Speedway is only 20 minutes from Leeds, and Birmingham’s cosmopolitan attractions are easily accessible.
Moody
Municipal Offices
205-640-5121
www.moodyalabama.gov
Chamber of Commerce
205-699-5001
http://leedsareachamber.com
The developing city of Moody has been on the rise for more than a decade, welcoming new businesses and residents to a convenient location near Interstate 20. The close proximity of several interstate junctions has made the city a natural location for distribution services. This thriving community offers fine restaurants, major retail centers, and excellent schools. The city offers a good commute into Birmingham but also provides commercial conveniences for surrounding smaller towns and rural residential communities. The Moody Park and Recreation Board ensures that residents of all ages have an opportunity for exercise and relaxation including youth sports leagues and senior activities. Moody’s Miracle Field offers a unique facility for the area’s physically challenged children, who are able to experience the thrill of sports competition. Beautiful golf courses are close to home, and the premier water recreation site of Logan Martin Lake is approximately a 30-minute drive. The Barber Motorsports Park is also close to home for world-class racing excitement.
Pell City
Municipal Offices
205-338-2244
http://pell-city.com
Chamber of Commerce
205-338-3377
http://www.pellcitychamber.com
The largest and most highly developed city in St. Clair County, Pell City serves as one of two county seats. Just 30 miles east of Birmingham, the city enjoys a strategic location near Interstate 20. Pell City combines small-town friendliness with a thriving business community, excellent schools, and well-developed recreational facilities that include exceptional golf courses. The surrounding area is equally appealing, crowned by beautiful Logan Martin Lake. Fishing, boating, and water sports are common pastimes. The Pell Civic Center plays a major role in community life, serving as a recreational and social gathering place. In addition to a gym and walking track, the center offers a kaleidoscope of classes from square dancing to aerobics and arts and crafts. Large civic affairs and community meetings are often held at the center’s expansive meeting and banquet facilities. Families enjoy the surrounding grounds that feature a picnic area, a children’s playground, a walking trail, fishing opportunities, and a boat launch. Many refer to Pell City as a “sleeping giant,” although the phenomenal growth in St. Clair County will not allow the city to remain a well-kept secret for long.
Riverside, Ragland
Riverside Offices
205-338-7692
www.riverside-al.com
Ragland Offices
256-472-0400
www.townofragland.org
Chamber of Commerce
205-338-3377
Ideally located at the edge of Lake Logan Martin, the panoramic city of Riverside provides the ultimate community for water-sport enthusiasts or those who appreciate the tranquility and beauty of lakefront living. One of the treasured highlights in Riverside is the historic and highly rated Ark Restaurant, distinguished as one of the oldest establishments in St. Clair County. The restaurant has become a favored gathering place for many business and community leaders. North of Riverside just 25 miles south of Gadsden, the small town of Ragland features a number of unique buildings and structures. Local artists have added to the town’s appealing charm, decorating several of the buildings including the original Ragland Drug Company with hand-painted floral scenes. Ragland grew up along the rolling Coosa River, so residents enjoy first-rate fishing, swimming, and boating as well as a kaleidoscope of other outdoor activities.
Springville
Municipal Offices
205-467-6133
www.springvillealabama.org
Chamber of Commerce
205-467-2239
www.springvillealabama.org/index.php/chamber
Located 30 miles north of Birmingham adjacent to Interstate 59, Springville is attracting newcomers to good schools, well-developed recreational facilities, and a beautiful countryside. Many new-home developments are cropping up in close proximity to Springville, taking advantage of good commutes and Springville’s commercial conveniences. In contrast, Springville showcases the historic charm of turn-of-the-century buildings and historic homes. The community sponsors a number of popular events throughout the year that feature antique cars, musical concerts, and fireworks shows. The Homestead Hollow country fair and arts festival has been attracting regional visitors to its three-day extravaganza for the past 25 years. Around the four seasons, Homestead Hollow offers a recreation of a pioneer village nestled on 17 acres of spacious grounds graced by streams and mature shade trees. Named for the large spring that is now covered and supplies the town’s water supply, Springville still enjoys the runoff stream that flows through the heart of downtown to join Canoe Creek and eventually Coosa River.
Steele
Municipal Offices
256-538-8150
Chamber of Commerce
205-338-3377
Located 20 miles south of Gadsden adjacent to Interstate 59, the small but growing town of Steele is cradled beneath the shadow of Chandler Mountain. The surrounding countryside is some of the most beautiful in St. Clair County. One of the most popular attractions in the Metro Birmingham region is in this area, the Alabama International Dragway. Drawing racing fans from across the Southeast, the track is located on Steele Stations Road. Steele was also the chosen site for the Saks Fifth Avenue Distribution Center. This major facility for the Birmingham-based corporation joins several other major employers in the local industrial park. With its available land, affordable homes, and prime location, Steele is expected to remain on a growth continuum for decades to come. Good schools, a developing economy, and outstanding recreational opportunities are attracting many new families to the area.
