A small city that's known for the first 911 call
Haleyville, located in northwestern Alabama, is the site of the nation’s first 911 call. The city commemorates its history every year with a festival. But most of the year, Haleyville is a quiet community. “It’s a pretty little town that’s very friendly. It’s a small community that’s the type of place where everyone knows everybody,” says Kathy Cooner, an experienced real estate agent with RealtySouth Jasper the Harbin Company. She says people relocate here for relatively lower housing prices and tax rates. “The town has great educational opportunities, too,” Cooner adds. Locals have access to city parks, major thoroughfares and community events.
Home prices are comparatively lower in Haleyville
Haleyville offers a mix of ranch styles, multistory dwellings with colonial influences and custom builds. There are also a few New Traditional styles built from 2000 to the 2020s. Many residences show brick exteriors, dormer windows and elevated foundations. Some lots have side entrance garages and covered front porches. Move-in ready, single-story homes range in price between $95,000 and $350,000. Larger houses outside the city limits cost between $350,000 and $680,000. The region has a risk of floods and tornados, which can impact properties.
Students enroll in Haleyville City Schools
Most students attend Haleyville City Schools. Haleyville Elementary has a B rating on Niche; Niche ranks it as the best public elementary school in Winston County. Haleyville Middle and Haleyville High receive A-minus ratings. Students in seventh to twelfth grade may enroll in Haleyville Center of Technology. The public vocational school, a part of Haleyville High, offers finance, health science, marketing and manufacturing programs. Some students living on the far west side of the area may attend schools in Marion County.
Enjoying City Lake Park and nearby preserves
City Lake Park provides waterside trails, a playground and fishing spots. During the winter, visitors drive their cars through a colorful light display sponsored by the Haleyville Fire Department. Haleyville Parks & Recreation has a facility off 10th Avenue with a 25-yard swimming pool and indoor gym. Children can take swimming classes during the summer. The recently constructed Haleyville Sports Complex offers a range of athletic programs. The city sponsors seasonal baseball, soccer and football leagues. There are also senior exercise groups available throughout the year. Locals visit the Sipsey Wilderness area to admire the “Big Tree,” a massive yellow poplar known as one of the state’s largest trees. The area is a hotspot for hiking, boating and fishing. Cooner says locals also visit regional nature preserves like Dismal Canyon, which is about a 30-minute drive away.
Multiple stores and eateries within the city limits
Locals shop for groceries at Piggly Wiggly and Goar’s Market; both supermarkets are along 11th Avenue. There is also a Walmart Supercenter off of Highway 195. Local boutiques, businesses and casual eateries are in Haleyville proper. Russel’s Rising Smoke offers a mix of barbecue and southern-style comfort food. The buffet at 13 Grill includes local seafood favorites like frog legs and fried catfish.
Home to the 9-1-1 Festival and Pebble Bluegrass Festival
A local senator answered the nation’s first 911 call at Haleyville City Hall in 1968. Today, the city celebrates local police and other first responders at the annual 9-1-1 Festival. Pebble Community Center sponsors live music events like the yearly Pebble Bluegrass Festival. The center also hosts fundraisers and a community yard sale.
Easy access to regional highways
Lakeland Community Hospital provides emergency services and an intensive care unit. Residents commute along Highways 129, 13 and 195. The roads intersect near downtown. Drivers reach Tuscaloosa in about 75 miles and Birmingham in around 80 miles.
Written By
Ashley Kennedy
