Only in the Wiregrass
Standing in the center of downtown Enterprise, the Boll Weevil Monument, dedicated in 1919, stands as a testament to man’s ability to overcome adversity. At The Junction in Geneva, reflect on the days when steamboats and barges on the Choctawhatchee were the main method of transportation south to the Gulf of Mexico. Or visit the Working Cows Dairy in Slocomb to see the milking process or Sessions Peanuts in Coffee County to get shelled peanuts, crude peanut oil, peanut meal, peanut seed and peanut hulls.
Take a Hike
Walk the 3-mile pedestrian trail at Ed Lisenby Lake and see the birds on this stretch of the Wiregrass Birding Trail. Or follow the Pea River for two miles on the Mayor James E. Grimes River Walk.
Go Fish
Ed Lisenby Public Lake in Ozark offers 92 acres of fishing. Coffee County Lake covers 80 acres and offers three fishing piers. Lake Tholocco on Fort Rucker is a prime outdoor recreation spot. Geneva County Public Fishing Lake is another great spot where two lakes combine to offer 65 acres of water fun.
Ride ’Em Cowboy
The annual South Alabama Pro Rodeo Classic, in August in Ozark, features bull riding, team roping, cowgirl barrel racing, calf roping, bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc and more.
Muse on the Murals
A Salute to Rucker in downtown Enterprise tells the story of Fort Rucker’s past, present and future from its beginnings in 1942 as Camp Rucker to today as the Home of Army Aviation. Nearby, the Boll Weevil Mural by artist Wes Hardin pays tribute to the boll weevil, which gave rise to the peanut industry that still flourishes in the Wiregrass. On your art stroll, visit the fiberglass boll weevil statues on Weevil Way. And visit the Ozark Mural program that celebrates local legends.
Ponder Planes
The U.S. Army Aviation Museum at Fort Novosel maintains a collection of more than 150 military aircraft, including one of the largest collections of military helicopters in the world.
Historic Highlights
Pea River Historical and Genealogical Society, in Enterprise, keeps the history of early settlers. The Old Coffee County Jail, in Elba, was built nearly a century ago and has seen its share of tragedy, including the murder of a sheriff. The Coffee County Civil War Battlefield Marker, in Enterprise, marks the site of the only Civil War battle in Coffee County. Elba United Methodist Church is the first of any denomination in Elba and is still active today.
Tributes to Individuals
Located in downtown Elba, the birthplace of Gov. James E. “Big Jim” Folsom is designated as a state historic landmark. The Aviator Monument, in Enterprise, honors aviators past, present and future. The Veterans Memorial at the Geneva County Courthouse honors the armed services with special events on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Eat Fresh
Enterprise Farmers Market offers food from local farmers along with arts and crafts and an event venue. Ozark Farmers’ Market offers fresh local produce and fresh flowers from mid-May through July.
Fore!
The Bridges at Tartan Pines Golf Club winds its way through picturesque homes and across bridges through the protected wetlands of the Tartan Pines community in Enterprise. Enterprise Golf and Country Club offers 18 holes on varying terrain, plus a pool and dining. Fox Ridge Golf Course in Ozark offers a Ron Garl-designed course, plus a pool and more.
Significant Structures
Coffee County Courthouse started life near the river but was moved to the heart of downtown later. The Rawls Building, in Enterprise, was founded in 1903 as a hotel that surpassed any of its kind. It is now home to business offices, a fine dining restaurant, bar and an event venue. Claybank Church was built in 1852 of logs with fat lightwood stumps serving as a foundation. Eagle Stadium / B.F. Williams Field was built in 1946 as home to the Ozark Eagles, a class D minor league team in the Alabama-Florida League. This baseball stadium is the only one in the region still in use that was built during the grand era. Geneva Panthers Football Stadium was home to the Geneva Red Birds, a St. Louis Cardinal affiliate, from 1946-1951. Ozark’s Carillon and Bell Tower was built in 1975 to honor all military and civilian personnel who served at Fort Rucker since 1942. The Kenan Home, in Geneva, is an example of Victorian cottage architecture built approximately in 1887 by W.K. and Emma Knox Kenan. The Emma Knox Kenan Public Library was named in her honor. The Samson Log House Museum is a pioneer home in “dog trot” design. Piney Grove Farmhouse is a 119-year-old restored farm house and event venue in Samson with original barns, grain bins and large pecan trees. Fink’s Mill, built in 1932, is a depression-era grain mill, just west of Samson, and still operational. Dalton Pharmacy, in Slocomb, was founded in 1903 and later was among the first to have gasoline pumps.
About the Arts
Dowling Museum/Ann Rudd Art Center in Ozark offers a rotating display of art exhibits. Coffee County Arts Alliance has been bringing big name performances to the Wiregrass for nearly 50 years. The Atlanta Pops Orchestra, the Blues Brothers Revue, the Lettermen, Jay & the Americans, and Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder have all played the venue. Southern Broadway Dinner Theater, in downtown Enterprise, delivers original historical plays in a dinner theatre format.
Go to the Park
Veterans Memorial Park, in Elba, was built to show appreciation to all veterans for their efforts to preserve peace and freedom. Donaldson Park, in Enterprise, features ballfields, tennis, a pond, playground and walking trail. Robert Fowler Memorial Park, in Geneva, is home of the oldest Live Oak in Alabama and is located at the junction of Choctawahatchee and Pea rivers. The park features boating, camping, playground and more. Johnny Henderson Park and Enterprise Recreational Complex consists of a lake, fishing pond, walking/jogging trails, playgrounds, splash pad, bark park, sports fields and a tribute to our military and allies with the Wall of Freedom, Huey Helicopter and German-American friendship marker. Tiger Town Park, in Elba, provides a playground, art project and outdoor amphitheater. Virtually every town has athletic fields for a variety of sports.
Venues for Fun
Enterprise Civic Center houses a ballroom, dance floor, performance stage and more. Ozark Civic Center supports concerts, expos, pageants, fairs, circuses, wrestling, boxing events and much more. The Flowers Center for the Performing Arts host high school plays, concerts, pageants and meetings. Enterprise High School Performing Arts Center, on the high school campus, hosts numerous local and national events, plays, ballets and musical performances throughout the year. Vintage Room event venue, in Geneva, opened in 2017 in a historical building and can host up to 250 people. J&J’s Place – The Springs is available for events in Coffee Springs. Holman House is a neoclassical structure available for weddings and more. And look for bowling, movies and escape rooms, too.
Forest Fun
Geneva State Forest is Alabama’s largest, with 7,120 acres of longleaf pine, fishing, hiking and more. Mabson Community Education Forest, in Ozark, has walking and driving trails and lots of information stations.
Remembrance of Tough Times
Enterprise Tornado Memorial honors eight Enterprise High School students and a nearby resident who died March 1, 2007, in a tornado outbreak.
Get Some Exercise
Ozark Community Archery Range is open to the public. And Ozark Mountain Bike Trail is nearly complete, offering biking near Ed Lisenby Lake. Oben Everett Park, in Ozark, features basketball courts and more. Enterprise Skate Park has challenging facilities, and don’t miss the 18-basket LZ Disc Golf or Enterprise Miniature Golf, both in Enterprise.
Festivities & Events:
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and 0.5K Race — Enterprise | March
Spring Festival at the Monument — Enterprise | April
Crawdad Festival — Ozark | April
Festival on the Rivers— Geneva | April
Rockin’ the River Music & Arts Festival — Elba | May
Foggy Bottom Cruisers Car Show— Elba | May
Festival in the Park — Enterprise | May
Piney Woods Arts Festival — Enterprise | May
Tomato Festival — Slocomb | June
Let Freedom Ring — Elba | July
Alabama Sweet Tea Festival — Enterprise | August
South Alabama Pro Rodeo Classic — Ozark | August
Taste of Coffee County — Enterprise | September
Boll Weevil Fall Festival —Enterprise | October
Claybank Jamboree Arts and Crafts Festival — Ozark | October
Pumpkins on the Square – Elba | October
Spooky in the Park — Enterprise | October
Christmas Parade — Enterprise | December
Whoville — Enterprise | December
Christmas Walk/Christmas in Geneva — Geneva | December
This article appears in the March 2025 issue of Business Alabama.
