Communities

Located in eastern Montgomery County, the Town of Pike Road is a rapidly growing town looking to build a solid future on the area’s rich history. With a population of more than 11,000, Pike Road has experienced phenomenal growth in the past two decades. Town leaders attribute that growth to the excitement and passion inspired by the unique mix of old and new within the town’s boundaries. As the town continues to grow, leadership continues to prioritize the four pillars identified by residents: community planning, public services, quality of life, and public education.  

Comprised of more than 70 distinct neighborhoods, Pike Road is home to some of the River Region’s oldest settlements. The town contains a mix of beautiful new neighborhoods and lovely historic communities, both contribute to the hometown feeling generations seek when moving to the area. 

• Introduced in 2012, the ENHANCE Initiative aims to ensure Pike Road continues to grow in quality of life, so the town developed a series of volunteer-driven committees focused on keeping agriculture a part of the lifestyle, maintaining the recreational options, and providing artistic opportunities for people. 

• The Pike Road Arts Center opened its doors in 2019 to provide a home for the arts, hosting several classes, camps and shows for all ages and artistic abilities. The Pike Road Agriculture, Recreation, and Performing Arts Park has begun to welcome a variety of community events and activities yearly.

• The Pike Road Natural Trail is perfect for walkers, runners, and off-road bicyclists. A trailhead is located on the southern side of Meriwether Road and includes parking, a covered picnic pavilion with tables, and a restroom facility. Another trailhead is located at Veterans Park and features access to the mural wall, Veterans Memorial pavilion, community ball field, and an inclusive playground.

Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone wants residents and others to think of the Town of Pike Road as the River Region’s old-fashioned hometown, where citizen output drives future priorities. “Our town’s motto, ‘Welcome Home,’ reflects the warmth, unity, and neighborly spirit that define our community. It’s more than a phrase—it’s a feeling we strive to extend to everyone who lives here, visits, or simply passes through.”

It all started in 1833, when founder Daniel Pratt arrived on the scene. He established the town of Prattville along the fall line of the Autauga Creek, and shortly after began manufacturing cotton gins. He became the foremost producer of cotton gins in the world, earning Prattville the designation of the “Birthplace of Industry in Alabama.” The city’s people exude that famous “Southern Hospitality”, and despite being named one of the fastest growing areas in the state, Prattville maintains its small-town charm.

Holding on to its heritage, while also focusing on the future, has given Prattville a character all its own. Mayor Bill Gillespie, Jr. explained, “Prattville is a city where progress and preservation go hand-in-hand. We are truly a city on the move, and we are proud of our rich history, but look forward to our future as the ‘Hometown of the River Region.’ We are home to the world-class Robert Trent Jones Capitol Hill golf complex. Additionally, we are proud to have Alabama’s first Bass Pro Outdoor World, as well as many other shopping amenities.”

Patty Vanderwal, President of the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce, shared, “There’s a lot of opportunities here. Our community has the best of both worlds. We have the beauty of nature with the convenience of the city, and small-town closeness with unlimited growth potential.” Vanderwal added that Prattville’s growth can be credited to its community leadership and education system, stating, “We have strong schools in Autauga County, with a good curriculum and other opportunities for our children.”

There are plenty of things to do in Prattville for everyone from the outdoor enthusiast to the golf connoisseur. World-class golf is played in Prattville at the Robert Trent Jones golf courses. Prattville’s Capitol Hill is the crown jewel of the RTJ Golf Trail, and is host to one of the LPGA National Golf Tournaments each fall. Prattville is also home to a number of parks, complete with playgrounds and walking trails. Those with furry friends will love Cooter’s Pond Park— there is fenced-off play area with no leash requirement for dogs and their owners to spend some quality time together.

Prattville shopping mixes modern and historic storefronts, with a vibrant downtown district that is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. Winding through portions of the downtown area is a Creekwalk, nestled along the banks of the Autauga Creek. There are community events happening in the area year-round— Prattville’s annual CityFest is perhaps the most well-known.

“There is no shortage of pride when we talk about Prattville and Autauga County,” Vanderwal remarked. “Combine our rich history, our quality of life, and our focus on the future, and it all adds up to success. We are a community that is moving forward- and the best is yet to come. Our city and county are poised for growth in industry, small business development and tourism.  We are proud of our progress and of our past. We encourage you to join our friendly community and witness the beauty, the history and the people.”

Nestled in the heart of central Alabama, Millbrook is a city that harmoniously blends small-town charm with plentiful suburban amenities. With a population of approximately 18,000, it stands as one of the fastest-growing communities in the region.  Originally a tranquil retreat, Millbrook’s transformation began with the introduction of a railroad spur line in the late 19th century, facilitating economic growth and connectivity.  The completion of Interstate 65 further integrated Millbrook into the regional economy, enabling residents to commute easily to Montgomery for work and other services.  Today, Millbrook as an interstate community, thrives on a blend of entrepreneurship and economic upsurge. 

Incorporated in 1977, Millbrook has rapidly evolved into the largest City in Elmore County, attracting families and businesses seeking a balanced lifestyle.  Through strategic planning and development efforts, the city is playing a key role in shaping its economic growth and community identity.  Two such initiatives include the 17 Springs state-of-the-art recreational, entertainment and sport complex, and the Downtown Millbrook Master Plan. 

• WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: “Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley shares, “Millbrook welcomes residential and commercial growth while placing high priority on preserving our quality of life and maintaining our city’s unique identity. We want people looking to relocate to take a look at our city. You will find that we are a welcoming and safe community that has a lot to offer.”

• DID YOU KNOW?  A few years ago, the City of Millbrook added the Cultural Arts and Special Events Department and a community arts building called The Art Mill.   A diverse range of programs, including visual arts activities, art classes, workshops, exhibitions, and special events are offered there. Find us on Facebook! 

 Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachians along the Coosa River, Wetumpka is appropriately known as the “City of Natural Beauty.” Thanks to the six-mile stretch of whitewater rapids, well-developed hiking and biking trails, and beautiful lakes, it is a haven for outdoor recreation lovers.

The city s also home to loads of gorgeous architecture that can be seen in its historic courthouse (built 1931), the distinctive Bibb Graves Bridge, and several pre-Civil War antebellum churches. Wetumpka’s bustling downtown district is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis shared, “Downtown Wetumpka has a nice stock of buildings. The downtown business mix includes retail, dining, offices, and services that cater to the local and county market, visitors, downtown-area employees, and businesses revolving around the Elmore County Courthouse.”

Recently, Wetumpka was chosen out of the 2,600 cities to be on the HGTV “Home Town Takeover” series which premiered on
May 2, 2021. The series consisted of six episodes that followed Ben and Erin Napier as they revitalized the town in four months.
They took over the old downtown and brought new life to the historic homes, restaurants, stores, public spaces, and more.

The city’s archaeological significance is staggering— it is the site of the most cataclysmic geological event in the area’s history. Some 83.4 million years ago, a meteor slammed into the shallow sea that once covered this entire region. Today, its remains are showcased in the four-mile wide crater the meteor’s impact left behind, with the city’s downtown cradled in its basin.

Wetumpka (an Indian term meaning “rumbling waters”) is abundant in lore and legend and rich with history. DeSoto’s expeditions traversed the area nearly 500 years ago and found a palisade village built around A.D. 1000. In 1717, the French established Fort Toulouse as a military outpost and trading center, which was the beginning of an important trade hub for the entire area and continues to the present.

On January 19, 2019, an EF-2 tornado significantly damaged areas of downtown Wetumpka. After the storm, citizens of Wetumpka and surrounding areas banded together in an effort to repair the damage and get the city back on its feet— they labelled their project “Wetumpka Strong.” Nearly 800 volunteers showed up the day after the tornado, ready to help in any way possible.

Operated by the Poarch Creek Band of Indians, Wind Creek Casino and Hotel draws in business from tourists and locals alike. In addition to over 2,500 gaming machines spread over 85,00 square feet, the property is home to several restaurants, as well as a 20-story hotel. Wind Creek Casino is currently the largest casino in Alabama and serves as one of the top employers in Elmore County

When it comes to understanding what makes Wetumpka so special, Mayor Willis explained, “Simply put, people love living in Wetumpka for the small town charm it offers and leisurely lifestyle. The abundance of walking trails and recreational biking and hiking trails is ideal for the outdoor enthusiast. Wetumpka’s rich history and preserved sites such as the Elmore County Historical Museum and the Black History Museum attract locals and foreigners. It’s easy to fall in love with Wetumpka because of its diverse events that feature fun for the entire family.”