WALKER COUNTY
County Offices
1801 3rd Avenue South
Jasper 205-384-7230
http://walkercounty.com/
Chamber of Commerce
204 19th Street East
Jasper 205-384-4571
www.walkerchamber.us
Approximately 30 miles from Birmingham, Walker County combines natural beauty and historic treasures with contemporary residential communities.
Services
Encompassed within the multi-county region of Metro Birmingham, Walker County draws newcomers to a high quality of life that blends rural living with contemporary services. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Appalachian Mountains, the Jasper Campus of Bevill State Community College provides a first-rate yet affordable education in an historic setting. Originally founded as Walker College in 1938, the college was associated with the University of Alabama at Birmingham before merging with Bevill State Community College in 1998. In addition to historic Davis Hall, the campus now features 17 buildings that include the Frances Israel Center with its cafeteria and meeting rooms and Murphy Residence Hall. The Irma Dilg Nicholson Library and the Carl Hare Child Development Center serve the college and the community.
State-of-the-art healthcare is available close to home in Walker County, anchored by the Walker Baptist Medical Center. As part of the progressive Baptist Health System, the hospital features some of the most modern diagnostic imaging equipment in Alabama, nearly 270 private rooms, and a premier emergency center that treats more than 47,000 patients annually. Expansions, upgrades, and improvements are continually in motion at Walker Baptist Medical Center, which recently added a new 16-bed Senior Care Unit to meet the medical needs of an increasing number of seniors in Walker County. At the same time, a growing number of families prompted the completion of a $1.7 million redesign and expansion of the Walker Baptist Family Center. The new name was given to the obstetric, gynecology, and nursery unit of the medical center, which offers a modern and family-centered setting for women and infants. Many other specialized units are available at the medical center, from the sleep disorders lab to same-day surgery.
Lifestyle
The attraction to Walker County mirrors the image of the Black Warrior River that meanders through its lush valleys: Gentle and peaceful and yet active and teeming with life and energy. Offering a good commute to Alabama’s largest city, the county has been experiencing rapid growth and development as part of the Metro Birmingham area. The perfection of nature and the treasures of a rich heritage combine with efficient services and modern conveniences.
Recreational opportunities are outstanding in Walker County, enhanced by the completion of the Lewis-Smith Dam 1961. Smith Lake reservoir provides more than 500 miles of shoreline, 35 miles of which are located within the county’s borders. More than 8,000 acres of water surface provide a premier recreational lake and pristine habitat, graced by surrounding oak and pine forests. Other popular recreation sites include the Sipsey Wilderness Area, Bankhead National Forest, the Walker County Lake and Clear Creek Recreation Area in Jasper, and the Carbon Hill Fish Hatchery in Carbon Hill. The private Musgrove County Club in Jasper challenges golfers with its scenic and hilly terrain in view of picturesque bridges along Black Water Creek.
Residential communities and neighborhoods showcase a variety of affordable homes that are tucked neatly along tranquil tree-shaded streets or secluded by lush greenery on a country estate. Offering easy access to the world-class attractions in Birmingham, the county also features modern development of its own. In fact, the county serves as a retail hub for a five-county rural area in Northwest Alabama, drawing visitors to a spacious mall and large super centers. Literally hundreds of locally owned shops and stores combine with eateries and restaurants for unique shopping and dining experiences. Magnificent architecture and historic sites dot the landscape with attractions that include the Alabama Mining Museum in Dora, the Ol’ Tobe II Dragline, the Walker County Courthouse, Davis Hall on the college campus in Jasper, and the Nauvoo Depot Museum. For an unparalleled quality of life, consider a Walker County address.
Jasper, Cordova
Jasper Offices
205-221-2100
www.jaspercity.com
Cordova Offices
205-483-9266
http://cityofcordova.org
Chamber of Commerce
205-384-4571
www.walkerchamber.us
The proud recipient of the Governor’s Award for the “Cleanest City in Alabama,” Jasper serves as the heartbeat and governmental seat of Walker County. This lovely community attracts newcomers to well-developed commercial conveniences, picturesque parks, recreational facilities, and quiet neighborhoods lined with a medley of homes that show pride of ownership. The city is home to a beautiful campus for Bevill State Community College and features historic Davis Hall as well as many modern amenities including a residence hall. The regional healthcare leader of Walker Baptist Medical Center is also located in Jasper, providing state-of-the-art services from medical and surgical specialties to a new women’s center and senior care unit. Housing options range from lovely older homes shaded by mature greenery to newer construction in a variety of architectural styles and settings. The surrounding countryside offers opportunities for generous acreage and horse properties for those who enjoy a rural atmosphere at the edge of urban development. The small city of Cordova offers an intimate hometown setting in close proximity to Jasper’s expanded amenities.
Sumiton, Dora
Sumiton Offices
205-648-3261
www.thecityofsumiton.com
Dora Offices
205-648-3211
www.cityofdora.com
Chamber of Commerce
205-384-4571
www.walkerchamber.us
Ideally situated at the edge of Jefferson County, the friendly small community of Sumiton is located approximately 20 miles from downtown Birmingham along US Highway 78. Both Sumiton and the nearby small city of Dora are primarily engaged in the commercial activity that has spring up along this bustling major corridor. Sumiton is home to a combination elementary school and junior high school within the Walker County School District. The nearby smaller city of Dora is the location of Dora High School on Glenn C. Grant Circle. The school in Sumiton is distinguished as the largest single facility within the Walker County School System, drawing students from the surrounding area to modern, well-equipped classrooms. New residents will find peaceful neighborhoods and an opportunity for the slower pace of rural living near the expanded amenities of the leading city of Jasper.
