Stapleton’s historic school brings generations together
Stapleton is a rural unincorporated community in southern Alabama centered around its small-town pride. Located between Mobile and Pensacola, Stapleton is surrounded by longleaf pine forests and is home to a handful of small businesses, churches and an elementary school that’s been there for over a century. “So many of our kids have parents, grandparents and great-grandparents who talk about when they went to school here themselves,” says principal Jim Perry, who is in his 10th year with Stapleton School. “Since the community doesn’t have a lot to rally around, the school is kind of the thing that everybody has in common.” Today, Stapleton continues to support its young Tigers while enjoying a quiet, easygoing lifestyle less than 45 miles from the Gulf Coast. “It’s a neat little idyllic community with a really proud identity,” Perry says. “I sometimes say I feel like I’m the principal of Mayberry Elementary School.”
Cozy cottages and new Craftsman homes under construction
There are many subdivisions along the main highway through Stapleton, several of which were built in the last few decades. Many traditional and ranch-style homes were built in the 1990s, while some older cottages were built in the 1960s. Prices range between $250,000 and $450,000. A few farmhouse-style houses with fireplaces and detached garages have 5-acre lots with flower beds and fruit trees and are $500,000 to $600,000. “People like the country, rural feel of being in Stapleton,” Perry says. “It’s a nice, quiet area between all of the bigger cities in Baldwin County.” New Craftsman homes are under construction in the Steelwood Country Club, which costs $850,000 to $970,000. Creole-style homes can have as much as 18-acre lots and range from $1 to $1.3 million.
B ratings for Baldwin County Schools
Stapleton is part of the Baldwin County Schools system, which earns an A-minus on Niche and offers career and technical education programs. Stapleton School teaches kindergarten through sixth grade and earns a B-plus. Seventh and eighth-grade students travel 11 miles north to Bay Minette Middle before finishing their education at Baldwin County High School. Both schools earn B ratings on Niche.
The biggest bluegrass festival on the Gulf Coast
One of the biggest attractions locals look forward to every fall is the Stapleton Bluegrass Festival. The first one was held in 1983 as a fundraising effort for the volunteer fire department. Today, the live music festival features both local and nationally known bands and serves as the biggest fundraiser for Stapleton School. “It’s been called the top bluegrass festival in the Gulf Coast,” Perry says.
BRATS transit and I-10 access
U.S. Route 31 is the main highway through Stapleton and leads 10 miles away to Bay Minette and Spanish Fort. Interstate 10 is south of the community and serves as the main route between Mobile and Pensacola. The Baldwin Rural Area Transit System provides one-way rides in the county that range between $2 and $5, depending on the distance. Thomas Hospital is around 8 miles southwest and is open 24 hours. Mobile Regional Airport is less than 40 miles west and has nonstop flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, DFW and Washington, D.C.
Limited retail along U.S. Route 31
There are a few businesses along the main road, including gas stations, hardware stores and auto repair shops. L&M Marine LLC is one of the largest boat dealers in the area and has been selling new and pre-owned watercraft since 1985. Picker’s Paradise offers C.F. Martin guitars, repair services and music lessons, and CostaPrint is a family-owned and operated print shop that’s been in business since 2008. Groceries and simple goods can be picked up in Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and Dollar General in town, and the Tom Thumb convenience store by the water tower has fountain drinks along with breakfast and lunch items. Most people will travel either to Bay Minette or Spanish Fort for more retail and dining options.
Stapleton’s playground and a nearby golf course and speedway
The local playground is directly behind the elementary school and the Baptist church. In addition to slides, swings and see-saws, the playground also has basketball courts, a running track and a covered picnic area. The nine-hole Holly Hills Municipal Golf Course is 3 miles north and open to the general public. Deep South Speedway is 3 miles south and hosts racing events on its dirt track from March through November.
![Gabrielle Mazur]()
Photography Contributed By
Gabrielle Mazur
