Arab is a residential city in Northeast Alabama looking to change its image
The Northeast Alabama city of Arab’s name was originally a mistake. The area used to be known as Thompson’s Village, named for the family whose farm acted as its center in the mid-1800s. In 1882, a member of that family named Stephen Tuttle Thompson sought to open a post office. He submitted three potential names for it, including Arad, a nod to his son Ranson Arad Thompson. That’s the name the government selected, but on official paperwork, someone misspelled the name as Arab. It stuck anyway. When the rural community incorporated 10 years later, Arab was the name residents wanted.
Not all of the area’s history is as amusing. For many years, it had a reputation as a “sundown town,” where Black visitors were warned to leave before nightfall or face violence. The Marshall County city of more than 8,000 people is working on changing its image. Today, it is a residential community that values its education system and its location near Huntsville, where people often go for shopping and entertainment. “When I think of Arab, I think of families and schools,” says Amy Poole, a Realtor with Ainsworth Real Estate. “There are price points for everyone. It has new constructions and older homes. It has all the things you want.” Residents often work in the healthcare and railcar manufacturing industries, while others commute into Huntsville to places like Redstone Arsenal military base.
Downtown Arab, Alabama has several restaurants and locally owned shops.
Most of the residential areas of Arab, Alabama have older homes with larger lots.
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Traditional multi-level and ranch-style homes for prices below the national median
The community is filled with traditional multi-level homes, often with brick exteriors. Ranch-style houses are also commonly found. The median home price is around $250,000, which is above the state median but below the national median. Lots and large parcels of land are also available for building.
The majority of homes in Arab are smaller mid century ranch style homes.
There are a few more modern two story homes in Arab, Alabama.
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Arab City Schools gets high marks
Students are served by Arab City Schools, which has an A-minus Niche grade. The district has more than 2,500 students across four schools. A new building for Arab High School has been approved, giving the growing student population more space. A timeline for completion has not been announced.
Full campus of Arab High School in Arab, Alabama.
Entrance to Arab High School in Arab, Alabama.
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Easy drives to the airport and the hospital
U.S. Route 231 runs through the center of the community, crossing over State Route 69 and taking drivers to Huntsville, around 30 miles north. Huntsville International Airport has nonstop flights to several U.S. cities. The waterfront city of Guntersville, popular for summertime day trips, is less than 15 miles east. Marshall Medical Center North, in Guntersville, has close to 100 beds and has a Trauma III Emergency Department.
Hwy 231 is the main economic artery running through, and connecting Arab to other cities in the area.
Huntsville International Airport is the closest airport to Arab, Alabama.
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Tour the Arab Historic Village and watch fireworks during SugarFest
The Arab Historic Village has 10 buildings with architecture and decor from the late 1800s and early 1900s. It is a popular tour for friends and families to take.
Arab hosts several large-scale events throughout the year. SugarFest is a summer tradition at Arab City Park featuring a fireworks display, carnival attractions and food trucks. During Christmas in the Park, the city uses more than two million lights to illuminate the park. There are several churches placed throughout the city.
Arab Historic Village is a collection of buildings and museum that showcase what life was like in Arab from the 1880's to 1940's.
The inside of the Smith's Country store in the Arab Historic Village.
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Green spaces like Arab City Park are used for athletics
The city’s green spaces are generally used for athletics. Arab City Park is the area’s recreational centerpiece. It has a swimming pool, athletic facilities and a catch-and-release fishing pond among its amenities. Thompson-Eidson Park has running trails and soccer fields. Twin Lakes Golf Course has 18 holes open for public play. Less than 20% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, well below the urban U.S. median.
Arab City Park in Arab, Alabama, has several baseball and softball diamonds as well as other athletic fields.
Waterpark and swimming pool at Arab City Park in Arab, Alabama.
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Eat at local restaurants like Midas Burger and go shopping in Huntsville
Several restaurants sit along North Brindlee Mountain Parkway. The selection is mostly chain restaurants, though there are local spots like Midas Burger, which despite its name specializes in chicken sandwiches topped with homemade Midas Chicken Sauce. While the community has a few boutiques and a big-box store in Walmart Supercenter, more extensive retail shopping is often done in Huntsville.
There are several fast food restaurants along the North Brindlee Mountain Parkway in Arab, Alabama.
There are several local restaurants in Arab, Alabama, such as Midas Burger.
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Humid summers, occasional snowstorms in winter and falling crime rates
Summers in Arab are long and humid. “Your hair is going to frizz and you’re going to sweat, that’s the reality,” Poole says. The city gets snow every few years. “We get excited and shut the whole place down,” Poole says. Marshall County is at a relatively high risk of tornadoes and a moderate risk of ice storms and lightning. According to state crime data, Arab’s violent crime and property crime rates have fallen in recent years, though its property crime rate remains above the national average.
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