East Brewton is a residential community near the Alabama-Florida line
East Brewton is a rural community close to the Alabama-Florida line. Though the area has restaurants and shops, it shares a culture with neighboring Brewton, the more commercial of the two communities, which are separated by Murder Creek. East Brewton residents often head across the creek to work and visit parks and cultural centers. Still, the Escambia County area has appeals of its own. “It’s much smaller than Brewton, but it’s a nice, quiet community,” says Sandy English, a designated Realtor at English Realty who lives in Brewton. “It’s residential, and it's relatively cheaper.”
Older ranch-style homes and cottages are surrounded by dense woods
The community is filled mainly with homes built between 1950 and 1980, and they typically sit near the city center as opposed to the Spring Hill area. Brick ranch-style homes with carports or garages often range from $75,000 to $250,000. Cottages can run from $30,000 to $80,000. Several of these homes are investment properties. Houses tend to stay on the market for more than 100 days, about double the national average. Yards usually have small bushes or trees, and fencing is generally chain-link. The city’s asphalt roads are narrow, and some side streets lack lane lines. The car-dependent community does not have many sidewalks, and dense woods often flank the streets.
Sugary treats at Simply Donuts and a famous coleslaw in Brewton
The city has a handful of eateries along Forrest Avenue, including Simply Donuts, which, despite its name, also sells sandwiches and other pastries. Most of the region’s restaurants are in Brewton. Camp 31 BBQ has an all-you-can-eat buffet with barbecue and seafood. David’s Catfish House is known for its coleslaw and sells it by the pint, quart or gallon. Drexell and Honeybee’s Restaurant does not charge for food; instead, it accepts donations toward meals for those who cannot afford to pay. East Brewton has Piggly Wiggly for groceries and a Dollar General.
Brewton hosts the Alabama Blueberry Festival each June. The celebration blends live music with art vendors, a car show and a bevy of food, including blueberry ice cream. Anna Bell's Attic Ministries runs a community food pantry and an outreach closet for those in need.
Escambia County Schools and Future Farmers of America
Students are served by Escambia County Schools. They can attend W.S. Neal Elementary School, which holds a B-minus Niche grade. W.S. Neal Middle School also receives a B-minus. W.S. Neal High School allows students to join groups like a fishing team and Future Farmers of America. It earns a C-plus.
Baseball, fishing, skateboarding and the Thomas E. McMillan Museum
RT Johnson Park has baseball and softball diamonds, tennis courts, a playground and lots of open space. At Murder Creek, anglers can reel in blue catfish, bluegill and sunfish, among other catches.
Other green spaces sit across the creek in Brewton, which was honored by America in Bloom — a national nonprofit dedicated to community beautification — as the top city of its size in 2024 in terms of vibrancy. “We win awards for that all the time,” English says. Jennings Park has nature trails and a skateboarding area and is home to many city events. E.O. Wilson Nature Adventure centers around activities for kids and offers playgrounds, trails, an archery area and fishing spots. Thomas E. McMillan Museum tells the story of Escambia County through many artifacts and displays, and admission is free.
Easy access to major highways, but tornadoes are a possibility
U.S. Route 29 can take drivers east, and nearby U.S. 31 heads west. Mobile is about a 90-mile drive, while Mobile Regional Airport is close to 95 miles away. The beaches of Pensacola, Florida, are around 60 miles south. The Escambia County Alabama Transit System offers per-request rides from Brewton to nearby communities. Tornadoes and other storms can affect the area and cause downed trees and flooding. A 2021 tornado damaged several homes in the community, though that level of impact is rare.
