A historic city in Central Alabama
In 2022, locals gathered near the Butler County Courthouse to celebrate the city of Greenville's bicentennial. "This is a really historic area. We had a railroad here early on that played an important role in the city's growth," says Pamela Nolan, the President of the Butler County Historical and Genealogical Society. The train depot, dating from 1910, stands as a lovingly restored landmark; the building is home to the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce. The Butler County Courthouse and local Ritz Theater are a part of the State of Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. However, the city is well known for its flowers. "We are known as the Camellia City. So, the entire city is graced with heirloom camellia plants and gardens," Nolan says. Locals enjoy several community parks, quiet residential streets and a small yet busy city center.
Boutiques in Historic Downtown and productions at the Ritz
Historic Downtown Greenville has antique stores and boutiques. Shoppers can also find Greenville Hardware, Alabama's oldest hardware store. The Shoppes on Main is a unique indoor market showcasing local businesses. The booths are filled with handmade jewelry, home goods, clothing and fresh produce. Off Commerce Street awaits local dining favorites like Alabama Grille and Café Camellia City Bakery. Court Square Café serves menu items like cheeseburgers, grilled sandwiches and hummingbird cake. The community includes grocery stores like Piggly Wiggly and Super Foods. There is also a Walmart Super near the Interstate 65 interchange. Shoppers find more retail and dining in this section of Greenville.
In the 1930s, the Ritz Theatre opened for movie showings and vaudeville performances. The Greenville Area Arts Council restored the Art Deco-style building between the 1980s and early 1990s. Today, the historic theater holds live productions like school plays and dance recitals.
City parks, fishing on Sherling Lake and golfing
Some locals can walk to neighborhood green spaces like Garfield Park and Dunbar Park. Beeland Park has tennis courts, picnic tables and a playground. The on-site Beeland Park Camellia Garden, open since 1944, showcases over 300 camellia tree varieties. Sherling Lake Park is a waterfront destination with campsites and a walking trail. Locals with a fishing license can catch bass in the lake. Cambrian Ridge, the local golf club, is next to Sherling Lake. The club manages three courses that offer a combined 27 holes for golfers. The public course is one of many stops along the state's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
Local events and sampling chicken brissel
Butler County Historical and Genealogical Society hosts historic home tours. The group often partners with local organizations for community events, such as the Greenville Bicentennial, held in 2022. "Sometimes we have special events, like our Chicken Brissel and Barbecue event," Nolan says. "Chicken Brissel is sort of Greenville's own dish. It originated here in about 1910. It's chicken broiled in an open pit without barbecue sauce. It's a vinegar-based dish, and it used to be in some local restaurants."
Greenville homes and weather risks
Historic homes from the early 1900s are found close to downtown. The market includes mid-century cottages and ranch-style houses dating from the 1950s to 1990s. Some multistory homes have columns and other colonial influences. Buyers looking for more recent dwellings can score a New Traditional house or new construction. Most homes range in price from $100,000 to $400,000. Recently, historic properties have sold between $83,000 and $175,000.
Butler County has a risk of wildfires and hurricanes, which may impact properties. The area also has a history of flooding.
Learning begins with W.O. Parmer Elementary
Students attend W.O. Parmer Elementary through second grade; the school has a B-plus rating on Niche. Greenville Elementary is open to third to fifth grade. These students move on to Greenville Middle. Both schools have C-plus ratings. Greenville High has a C; the high school's athletic department offers football, basketball, track and soccer programs. Lurleen B. Wallace Community College has a satellite campus in Greenville.
Easy access to I-65
Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama provides emergency room services. Interstate 65 has two interchanges in Greenville. The interstate leads to Montgomery in about 40 miles.
Written By
Ashley Kennedy
