Anniston’s industrial decline in the Appalachian foothills
The Calhoun County seat of Anniston sprawls across the low-rolling Appalachian foothills just west of Talladega National Forest, roughly halfway between Birmingham and the Alabama-Georgia state line. For years this community was home to a thriving piping industry -- it was once nicknamed “The Soil Pipe Capital of the World” – and a busy military base. But the country’s shift toward technological warfare and deindustrialization hurt the local economy. “It was very much a military town,” says longtime resident Anna King, broker-owner of ERA King Real Estate. “After [the fort] closed, it got to be very close-knit.” Anniston’s population has decreased every decade since the 1960s, a trend officials hope to stem with new developments like the 38-acre retail development, Summerall, and Katt Williams’s incoming movie studio, Kemet Movie Works.
The Freedom Riders National Monument in Anniston
The community made international headlines in 1961 when a bus of Freedom Riders protesting segregated public transit was stopped and firebombed by white supremacists. The site of the tragedy – formerly Greyhound bus station – is now home to the Freedom Riders National Monument, a key stop on the Anniston Civil Rights Trail.
Outdoor activities and nature spots around Anniston
Anniston has two golf courses, several recreation centers and about 20 parks. Railways-turned-trails surround the city center, giving walkers, bikers and runners over 50 miles to explore. The Chief Laguna Trail winds through almost 40 miles of hilly farms, forests and wetlands between Anniston and the Alabama-Georgia state line, where it meets Georgia’s Silver Comet Trail, which runs another 60 miles east to Atlanta’s outskirts. Access to Talladega National Forest’s hiking trails, creeks, waterfalls and wildlife is off Interstate 20, about 10 miles from central Anniston.
Median home price, architectural styles and environmental hazards in Anniston
The median sale price for homes in Anniston is around $170,000. Vintage 19th-century cottages and Victorians are scattered around Historic Downtown Anniston, often on the same street as early 20th-century bungalows and shotgun-style homes. Midcentury ranch-style houses and split-level properties are also popular. Tornadoes can occur at any time, but the season is from March to May. Homeowners are strongly encouraged to invest in insurance for wind and hail damage. Anniston has a history of water contamination stemming from a Monsanto plant that closed in the 1970s, but current contaminant levels are safe by federal standards. “We were actually known as ‘toxic town’ at one point. It was trouble,” King says. “But all that’s been cleaned up.”
For now, the commercial scene is mostly in Oxford, less than 5 miles away
Most traffic comes through Anniston’s south side, so its commercial presence is focused there, where it borders Oxford, a small city with a popular mall. “Anniston and Oxford go hand-in-hand,” King says. “From my house, I can be in Oxford in 2 minutes, it’s just down the road.” Quintard Mall, anchored by Dillard’s and JCPenney, is the closest choice for retail therapy, only about 4 miles south of central Anniston. Oxford Exchange is also nearby, featuring various chains, from familiar restaurants like Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q to retailers like Old Navy to big-box stores like Walmart. The Summerall development will bring more shopping options, such as Aldi, to Anniston’s north side. Efforts to revitalize its downtown are ongoing. The main hospital, Regional Medical Center, is just outside downtown.
Exploring educational opportunities at Anniston City Schools
Anniston City Schools serves around 1,900 students across five schools and earns an overall C on Niche. The community has only one middle school — Anniston Middle — and one high school — Anniston High — graded C-minus and C, respectively. High school students can explore fields of interest by enrolling in the culinary arts program, the STEM program, or even by working as a teller at the school’s on-site bank.
Major routes connect Anniston to Birmingham and beyond
Anniston is just under 65 miles east of Birmingham and 90 miles west of Atlanta. I-20 is a direct route into both of their downtown areas, while U.S. Route 21 and 431 provide access to commercial and residential areas throughout Anniston. The Areawide Community Transportation System offers fixed bus routes with paratransit options; residents can ride the Greyhound and Amtrak. The Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is almost 60 miles west.
Written By
Micaela Willoughby
