Warrior is growing with new homes, businesses and attractions
Warrior is a small, rural community in Jefferson County that is steadily changing. "We are a small town of about 3,500. It's just country folks who are down to earth. We have our own fire department and our streets are well-kept," says Johnny L. Ragland, the Mayor of Warrior. "We are in the middle of growing, so we have a lot of new homes and people coming in. Everything is coming out of Birmingham and heading north." An upcoming 1,000-acre business park will bring economic growth to the area. Locals can also look forward to a new entertainment facility off Interstate 65. "The [upcoming] Alabama Farm Center has finally been closed on. It's a 548-acre project that will have a big entertainment district, hotels and [house] the state fair in the next few years," Ragland says. The site, currently known as Hallmark Farm, will become a tourist destination hosting livestock shows, rodeos and other events.
Older ranch styles, new builds and weather history
Residences inside Warrior include renovated farmhouses, bungalows, manufactured homes and ranch styles. There are also multiple New Traditional houses built after 2000. Some of the most recent constructions are inside the Smith Glen subdivision. Pricing in the area varies based on the level of maintenance and acreage. Single-family houses generally range from about $90,000 to $375,000. Properties with manufactured homes typically cost around $140,000 to $300,000.
The region has a history of tropical storms, tornadoes and flash floods, which can damage roads and properties.
Restaurants and shops are near the highway and I-65
The majority of businesses are close to U.S. Highway 31 or near the Interstate 65 interchange. Shoppers pick up groceries at Piggly Wiggly. Ragland says the community's newer dining locations are chains, like Jack's Family Restaurants, Hardee's and Dunkin Donuts; however, the area also includes local staples. "We have a place called the White House Restaurant that has all the U.S. presidents on the wall. And they put more than enough on your plate," Ragland says. "Dowdle Gas & Pub has wings, burgers and fish dinners. It stays packed all day."
Students attend a local elementary and nearby schools
Warrior Elementary, the only school in the area, has a B rating on Niche. Older students attend schools in the nearby city of Kimberly. North Jefferson Middle has a B, and Mortimer Jordan High receives an A-minus. Jefferson County Schools is the state's second-largest district. The school system allows county students to transfer to out-of-zone schools under limited circumstances.
The local park and nearby caverns
Warrior Ballpark, also known as Rena and Bill Hudson Park, has athletic fields and a playground. Community youth leagues often use the baseball diamonds for games and practices. "We also have Rickwood Caverns [State Park] about 4 to 5 miles from here. You can park your RV and go through the cavern. They have tours and a big swimming pool. It's really nice," Ragland says. The park includes gemstone mining and the Fossil Mountain Hiking Trail.
Spring and fall events draw big crowds
Crowds flock to the Hallmark Farm in the springtime for the Jefferson County Cattlemen's Association Pro-Rodeo. "Every year, we have a big rodeo that averages 3,000 to 6,000 people. We have it on the third Saturday in April," Ragland says. "We also have Warrior Day. It's a big event in October, and we shut down Main Street. We usually have 150 to 200 vendors. We have food trucks and two big stages with entertainment."
Commutes to Birmingham and Cullman
There's an Urgent Care South inside the area, but residents visit nearby metro areas for regional hospitals, such as UAB St. Vincent in Birmingham. Interstate 65 brings drivers to the center of the larger city in about 20 miles. Highway 31 leads to Cullman in roughly 27 miles.
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Written By
Ashley Kennedy
