Prichard

From working on the railroad to rolling on the river, Whistler is a town with a rich history, endless outdoor adventure and just a short drive from bustling downtown districts. On the southwestern edge of Alabama, this quiet Mobile County town is beloved for its proximity to Chickasabogue Park, downtown Mobile via major highways and preserved historic culture. And with easy access to the Gulf coastline, stunning Mobile Bay, Little Sand Island and Eight Mile Creek flowing along the neighborhood’s northern side, Whistler is an outdoor enthusiast's haven. The town developed and exploded in growth due to the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, which opened in 1855 and for much of the early years, it operated as a bustling railroad and business district. Since then, it's grown into a tight-knit community that takes pride in its heritage and welcomes newcomers with its small-town Southern charm vibe. Whistler boasts a splendid mix of historic homes that date back to the 1870s and more modern abodes. Newcomers will find single-family ranch-style houses, cozy bungalows, charming Creole cottages and Acadian-style houses. Many historic homes remain unchanged, displaying the unique and diverse characteristics throughout Whistler. From homes with Greek Revival-style white columns, gabled roof Creole cottages with minimalist details and homes with Victorian-style finishes. Several properties are included in the Whistler Historic Association’s historic collection, including the Queen Anne-style Whistler United Methodist Church, a town landmark. Most homes were built in the 1980s, ranging from $92,000 to $165,000 and offer inviting covered porches, spacious lots with well-manicured lawns and fenced-in backyards filled with mature oak trees. While downtown Prichard, filled with shopping and dining, is just a stone’s throw away via 165, Interstate 65 and State Route 45 conveniently allow residents to get anywhere they want to go. Downtown Mobile is only six miles away via I-65, Mobile Bay is only eight miles away, and by hopping on Route 45, residents can access USA Health University Hospital in three miles. Whistler is also less than six miles from both The University of South Alabama and the University of Mobile. Besides convenient interstate access, residents can hop on the Wave public transit to get around. Served by the Mobile County Schools District, local students attend Chastang-Fournier K-8 School and Mattie T. Blount High School. Chastang-Fournier earned an overall C-minus on Niche and offers math and literacy nights, an annual Halloween festival and a robotics team. Earning a C-minus on Niche, Mattie T. Blount offers a Chess Club, football and softball teams and after-school tutoring. The jewel of Whistler is Chickasabogue Park, where residents can camp, fish and hike. The 1,000-acre lush green space and wildlife refuge boasts 17 miles of trails, a disc golf course, a boat launch to paddle through Chickasabogue Creek and a beach. Residents can also picnic in a gazebo or under the canopy of trees, catch beavers hard at work or let the kids play. For those looking for more adventure, make the eight-mile trek to Mobile Bay to fish and gaze at the gorgeous sunsets or step aboard the mighty USS ALABAMA, a World War II battleship retired in 1947 that’s been a National Historic Landmark and major tourist attraction since 1965. While there, jump over to USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park to explore 30 aircraft, military vehicles, memorials and tanks. Most shopping and dining options are along Route 45, including Southern soul food spot Cozy Brown’s Kitchen, a hot slice at Maria’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria and Sub King for hearty Philly cheesesteaks and Reubens. Or head over to West Main Street for authentic Alabama BBQ, southern sides and pralines at McMillian’s Barbecue and cool off with a peach or banana cream treat from Jennifer’s Lil’ Alaskan Snowball Shop. For shopping, Whistler residents can quickly get to Walmart, Publix Super Market and Piggly Wiggly. To engage with the community, attend local favorites such as the annual Collard Green Festival, the Fourth of July Celebration and during the holidays, enjoy treats and a slice of history on the Christmas Tour of Old Whistler Village. Put on by the Whistler Historic Association, the annual event pays homage to the town’s history and showcases historic homes decked out for the season.

East Prichard is a mostly residential neighborhood that’s close to Downtown Mobile, and all the shopping, dining and entertainment that entails. That said, the neighborhood itself is emphatically low-key, offering little within its borders besides cozy midcentury homes and a few locally owned shops and eateries. While East Prichard’s commercial areas have largely fallen into disuse, the neighborhood’s residential blocks are full of quaint properties at some of the best price points that can be found in greater Mobile. Cozy midcentury homes and some modern builds East Prichard’s streets are lined with a combination of midcentury ranch-style homes and bungalows, along with some scattered modern housing developments. Older homes often feature southern-style porches, while more modern properties often feature brick exteriors and offer a little more interior space. Throughout the neighborhood, homes are often set on reasonably sized lots, providing residents with a bit of personal outdoor space. The median home single-family home price in the neighborhood is $39,000, while the average floorplan for a home in the neighborhood is a little under 1,300 square feet. However, both the size and sale price of a home can vary considerably depending on its age and condition. Nearby Vigor High School The public schools serving East Prichard are part of the Mobile County Public School System. WD Robbins Elementary School has a C grade on Niche, while Chastang Middle School has a C-minus on the site. Vigor High School also sports a C-minus grade on Niche and is known for its strong football program, which has produced over a dozen NFL players. Mobile River and local Parks Outdoor spaces in East Prichard, while not extensive, offer residents areas for leisure and recreation. The neighborhood's proximity to larger parks in the greater Prichard and Mobile area, such as Chickasabogue Park, allows residents access to larger green spaces, sports facilities, and playgrounds. Nearby, Chickasaw Creek and the adjoining Mobile River are popular with kayakers and fishing enthusiasts. Shopping centers and local restaurants Shopping in East Prichard is somewhat limited — while it’s possible to find everyday amenities at local markets, it is a couple of miles to the nearest supermarkets: Piggly Wiggly’s in Eight Mile and Toulminville. The nearest major shopping plazas are located 6 miles north of the neighborhood in Saraland. Fortunately, Interstate 165 offers a direct route from East Prichard, so getting there is fast and straightforward. The dining scene in East Prichard is pretty low-key. There are a few popular local spots like The Tree Barbecue and Lounge and Hart’s Fried Chicken, along with a few fast food chains like Whataburger. When East Prichard residents want to enjoy a night out, they typically head for central Mobile, which is just a couple of miles away and offers a variety of dining options as well as a vibrant entertainment scene. Interstate 65 and 165 Commuting from Prichard to either Mobile or the northern suburbs is incredibly easy, thanks to Interstate 165 and Interstate 65, which pass through the neighborhood. Downtown Mobile is a 5-mile drive from the neighborhood via I-165, while Saraland is 8 miles away on 65. While there is bus service from East Prichard to central Mobile, it can involve long waits, and bus routes to the Greater Mobile area are very limited.

North Prichard is a pretty typical Mobile Suburb, offering a range of housing and substantial shopping and dining options, all within a short drive of Downtown Mobile. The neighborhood features a variety of parks and waterways perfect for outdoorsy types and fishing enthusiasts and is just a short drive from Chickasaw Creek. When locals need to get around greater Mobile they have U.S. Highway 45 and Interstate 65 right there, offering multiple commuter routes to central Mobile and the surrounding suburbs. Housing options in North Prichard vary considerably depending on what part of the neighborhood you’re looking at. The town is home to historic 100-year-old cottages and bungalows, a wide selection of midcentury ranch-style homes, and a growing number of modern homes in gated subdivisions. Home sizes and prices can also vary significantly. A 1950s-era 1,000-square-foot cottage on the south side of the neighborhood can go for around $90,000, while more spacious homes on the north side of the neighborhood generally sell for $250,000 to $300,000 and offer 1,500 to 2,500-square-foot floorplans. Throughout the neighborhood, residential streets are generally lined with foliage, and properties often border local forests or streams. The public schools in North Prichard are overseen by Mobile County Schools — there are also a number of private religious schools in the area as well. Indian Springs Elementary has a C grade on Niche, while CL Scarborough Middle School has a C-minus grade on the site. Mattie T. Blount High School also has a C-minus grade on the site and is known for its standout football program, which has produced nearly a dozen current and former NFL players. Students at the school also have the option to participate in dual enrollment classes for college credit through nearby Bishop State Community College. The University of Mobile occupies a central space in the neighborhood. The Baptist-affiliated university’s football and basketball teams are followed by many North Prichard residents, while the university’s well-manicured grounds are popular with walkers and joggers. While there are a number of public parks in and around the neighborhood, the standout is undoubtedly the sizable Chickasabogue Park, home to walking and biking trails, multiple campsites, a playground and athletic fields. The Park, which borders Chickasaw Creek, also features a popular swimming area and is popular with kayakers and fishing enthusiasts. When North Prichard residents need to do a bit of shopping, they can basically head in any direction and find a shopping center or supermarket like the neighborhood Publix. The neighborhood's major arterial roads, State Highways 17 and 158, are lined with shops ranging from Autozone to Walmart. And for some serious shopping, the major malls of Mobile’s Bolton neighborhood are just 6 miles down I-65. North Prichard’s restaurant scene is typical of the area. There are great barbecue and seafood options in the neighborhood, including beloved North Mobile spot McMillan Barbecue. When locals feel like grabbing a bit of soul food, they can stop by highly-rated Cozy Brown’s Kitchen. And when they want to grab a drink and maybe watch some live music, they can always stop by local watering hole The Barn. Residents looking to get around Mobile have a few options, but the main route for most commuters in North Prichard is along I-65 and I-165. It’s less than five miles from the neighborhood to Downtown Mobile via the interstate, which means locals are less than five minutes from Downtown’s extensive shopping, dining and historical sites—not to mention the many major employers in the area.