Auburn

Toomer's Corner - circa 1890

Founded by Judge John J. Harper in 1836, the city of Auburn takes its name from a line in “The Deserted Village,” a poem by Oliver Goldsmith. “Sweet Auburn, the loveliest village of the plain” is a line that has become so synonymous with the community that it is sometimes difficult to recall which inspired the other.

The East Alabama Male College was chartered in 1856 as a Methodist institution and classes were first held in 1859 for 80 students with a faculty of six. In 1872 the college became a state-owned, land-grant institution and was renamed the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama, changing from a private liberal arts school to a state-supported college with emphasis on new scientific and agricultural programs. As expansion continued, the Alabama Legislature decided in 1899 that a new name was needed to reflect the institution’s growth, and the college became the Alabama Polytechnic Institute in 1899. As Charles Thach, the university’s sixth president stated, “The Alabama Polytechnic Institute, a high sounding phrase, is fit for legal documents and grave legislation but not to conjure with and not to yell and not to dream with as is ‘Fair.’” The Legislature agreed and in 1960 the Alabama Polytechnic Institute became Auburn University. Today Auburn is the largest university in Alabama, with an enrollment of approximately 23,000. Students hail from all 50 states and nearly 100 foreign countries.

Since its founding, AU has awarded more than 186,000 degrees at its main campus. Rich in tradition but with visionary direction for the future, the university is nationally renowned for many of its programs and accomplishments, including the invention of the flea pill, super bullet-proof vest, and high-performance dog food that sharpens the ability to detect explosives. Auburn University has graduated six astronauts, including the second woman in space and one of the astronauts featured in the blockbuster hit Appollo 13. AU's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering launched the nations first Bachelor of Wireless Engineering program in 2003, and faculty from the college received an Academy Award in 2005 for achievements in motion technology for films such as Lord of the Rings and The Polar Express.

A lengthy list of national athletic titles finds itself at home at Auburn University. In 2005 the Auburn Tigers football team embodied perfection with their 13-0 season while the Men’s Swimming & Diving Team earned their third consecutive NCAA championship and the women brought home their third consecutive SEC title on the heels of last year’s national championship. Throughout history Auburn has enjoyed Heisman trophies, division titles, and national championships in almost every sport they offer. From baseball to equestrian, from football to volleyball, Auburn has something throughout the year for every fan.

Auburn University’s beautiful 1,900-acre campus of pristine lawns, historic buildings, and state of the art facilities is the core of this charming college town. Many of Auburn’s original buildings have been carefully restored in order to preserve the campus' rich history. Auburn’s oldest building still in its original location is the Auburn University Chapel; it is listed along with Samford Hall, Hargis Hall, and Langdon Hall in the National Register of Historic Buildings. Surrounded by lore and legend, these celebrated landmarks provide an extraordinary depiction of Auburn’s past.

Auburn is a unique and beautiful city with the charm and hospitality of a small southern town. The university and the city’s diverse population infuse it with an eclectic personality not found in other towns of the same size. The city is focused on responsible growth, and dedicated to providing quality education, economic development, and a high standard of living for its citizens.

Opelika

Lee County Courthouse

While the exact date of Opelika’s founding remains in question, the city was one of many that sprang up as a result of settlers coming into Creek Indian territory following the signing of the final treaty with the Creek Nation in 1832. “Official” settlement dates range between 1836 and 1837. The city’s name is derived from the Indian word “opillaka” meaning large swamp. The first post office established in 1840 operated under the name the “Opellikan,” with the present spelling not appearing in public records until 1850. The city as it is known today began on 160 acres of land clustered around the Central of Georgia railway.

In February 1854, the city was incorporated as part of Russell County. Opelika grew around the Railroad Avenue Historic District with city limits extending one mile in every direction around the Montgomery and West Point Railway station. A second railroad built in 1864 to Columbus established Opelika as a transportation center, and in 1886 Lee County was established with Opelika being named as county seat. During the Civil War, Opelika obtained its own battle scars. With orders from General Sherman, General Lovell Rousseau left Decatur with 2,700 cavalry beginning his raid into East-Central Alabama. That raid ended successfully in Opelika on July 19, 1864, after miles of track were destroyed along with other railroad equipment, two depots and several warehouses brimming with supplies for the Confederate forces defending Atlanta. They then turned Northeast to join Sherman’s army advancing towards Atlanta.

During the 1860s and 70s, the structures along what is now South Railroad Avenue housed businesses such as saloons and brothels. Today it is the lively center of a restoration and preservation effort by the citizens of Opelika to revive the historic downtown district and return it to its original state as the epicenter of the city. In 1894, a franchise was granted to the Opelika and Auburn Electric Railway Company to run a train nearly every hour between the two communities. Round trip was 35 cents with Christmas shopping specials of 10 cents. Young girls would ride the train from Opelika to Auburn with their clothes packed in one case, their hats in another, and their shoes in a third. The depot which exists to this day and was restored to its original grandeur in 2002 saw goods come and go; doughboys and soldiers kiss their sweethearts goodbye; and the arrival of colorful passengers from Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, and Chief Sitting Bull to statesmen such as Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson. Will Rogers, Duke Ellington, and Jefferson Davis were also among the celebrities who followed the railway into this thriving city. The last passenger train pulled out in 1970, but several freight trains still rumble through daily. The busiest stretch of tracks in the Southeast, it averages about 12 trains daily on one of its two tracks.

Historical Attractions

The Depot 1032 S. Railroad Ave., Opelika 36803 Open 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Built about 1920 and recently restored to its original style. Houses the offices of the Opelika Arts Association and Opelika Mainstreet. Downtown Promenade Downtown Opelika (334) 745-0466 Learn the history of historic downtown Opelika as you stroll through the quaint shopping district and read the story of its development on more than 20 disk in the sidewalks. Museums, antique shops, restaurants and night life. Lee County Courthouse 215 S. 9th St., Opelika (P.O. Box 666, Opelika 36803) (334) 745-9767 Open Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. This working courthouse located in Historic Downtown Opelika across from Courthouse Square is listed o the National Register of historic Places. The renovated structure was built in 1896 in the neoclassical revival style. Loachapoka Historic District Hwy. 14 W., Loachapoka (334) 887-8747 Historic homes and the Lee County Historical Society Museum are located in the district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Northside Historic District of Opelika One of Opelika’s prize possessions, yesterday and today, is its Northside Historic District. With stately Victorian and Greek Revival homes dating back to the late 19th century, it is a pristine example of history comfortably ensconced and preserved within modern times. The neighborhood becomes a haven of peace and rebirth as it springs to life with the blooming azaleas and dogwoods that signal winter’s end. In summers you’ll find lively outdoor concerts in a picnic-laden park bubbling with the sounds of laughing children and happy families. And the holiday season comes alive when thousands of twinkling lights showcase the Victorian Front Porch Christmas tour, an event featured in Southern Living and Better Homes & Gardens. Started almost by accident when local artist Jan Jones decided to play Christmas elf one year and decorated the porches of her neighbors’ homes, the production has now been staged for over a decade. Jones and her staff adorn the porches of historic homes with life-sized reproductions of Victorian characters, Santas, carousel horses, angels, and toys. Costumed residents stroll the streets and greet visitors as they are led on foot or guided wagon tours throughout the dozen city blocks that now comprise this annual extravaganza. Pebble Hill Magnolia Ave. and 101 Debardeleben St., Auburn (Auburn University 36849-5637) (334) 844-4946 Open Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Built in 1847, Pebble Hill was once the home of Colonel Nathaniel J. Scott. Today it is home of the Auburn University Center for the Arts and Humanities which hosts periodic programs on art, history, literature and more. Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge Lee Rd. 252, Salem (334) 887-8747 75-foot town-truss-style Bridge across Wacoochee Creek. Built at the turn of the century by Mr. Otto Puls. Tiger Trail of Auburn College St. & W. Magnolia Ave. (P.O. Box 1370, Auburn 36831-1370) (334) 887-7011   Nowhere is the bond between city and university exemplified more clearly than along the streets of downtown Auburn where tribute is paid to Auburn University’s greatest athletes, coaches, and administrators. Known as the Tiger Trail of Auburn, this walk of fame consists of 84 granite plaques bearing the inductees’ names. With each new year additional plaques will be placed as more Auburn men and women are recognized for their contributions. The Tiger Trail is sponsored by the Auburn Chamber of Commerce and funded by private citizens. This tradition represents the connection between the city and the university which will remain forever. Toomer's Corner College St. and Magnolia Ave., Auburn The main intersection of Auburn and Auburn University where Auburn fans and friends gather to celebrate everything from athletic victories to the New Year. Located in the heart of Auburn, Toomer’s Corner features locally owned and operated Toomer’s Drugstore. Serving the best lemonade in the country since 1896, Toomer’s Drugstore is a beloved Auburn icon. Their tart and tangy concoction is even bottled and shipped upon request. Making your way to Toomer’s is usually fairly simple, unless you’re trying to get there after an Auburn victory. One of Auburn’s oldest and most notorious traditions is the “rolling” of the stately oak at Toomer’s corner following significant athletic victories. Thousands of AU faithful of all ages join in downtown Auburn to celebrate while hurling tissue paper into the surrounding trees, lamp posts, and anything that will stand still long enough. This unique Auburn tradition often lasts for hours, leaving countless white strands of paper blowing in the breeze as if an inexplicable blizzard has just passed. This unique phenomenon has been documented numerous times in publications across the nation, noting, too, that Auburn is the only city in the country with a line item in its budget for removing toilet tissue. Tiger Walk On football Saturdays, “War Eagle!” can be heard echoing throughout the city as over 87,000 fans, orange and blue shakers in hand, gather for the opportunity to cheer the Auburn Tigers to victory. Fans can get their game face on at Tiger Walk, a time-honored game-day tradition since the early 1960s. People line the streets to wish the team well as they stoically make their way from the athletic dorms to the stadium before game time. The largest Tiger Walk is believed to have taken place in 1989 when cross-state rival University of Alabama came to Jordan Hare for the first time, the game having been played in Birmingham for the last century. More than 20,000 fans were on hand to encourage the Tigers on their way to a historic victory; Alabama Coach Ray Perkins said “it won’t happen.” But it did. Making your way to Toomer’s is usually fairly simple, unless you’re trying to get there after an Auburn victory. One of Auburn’s oldest and most notorious traditions is the “rolling” of the stately oak at Toomer’s corner following significant athletic victories. Thousands of AU faithful of all ages join in downtown Auburn to celebrate while hurling tissue paper into the surrounding trees, lamp posts, and anything that will stand still long enough. This unique Auburn tradition often lasts for hours, leaving countless white strands of paper blowing in the breeze as if an inexplicable blizzard has just passed. This unique phenomenon has been documented numerous times in publications across the nation, noting, too, that Auburn is the only city in the country with a line item in its budget for removing toilet tissue. War Eagle “War Eagle” is more than just a battle cry for athletic events; the phrase serves as a greeting between Auburn alumni and students. It is a time-honored symbol of the Auburn spirit that continues to unite Auburn men and women of all ages. The origin of Auburn’s battle cry is unclear, but the most popular story dates back to the first game in the South’s oldest rivalry between Auburn and Georgia in 1892. That day an old Civil War veteran watched the football game from the stands. The soldier was accompanied by his pet eagle found 30 years earlier on a wartime battlefield. During the game, the eagle suddenly broke free and began majestically circling the playing field. As he soared overhead, Auburn began a steady march toward the end zone. Taking the eagle’s presence as an omen of success, Auburn students and fans began to chant “War Eagle” to spur on their team. As the crowd continued to shout, Auburn drove the ball into the end zone for a thrilling victory. At the game’s end, the eagle took a sudden dive, crashed into the ground and died. But what survived was the battle cry, and “War Eagle” has lived on through generations past and present. While the factual origin of the phrase might remain a mystery, the presence of Auburn’s eagle has been personified through the lineage of six Golden Eagles rescued from the wild and rehabilitated through Auburn University’s world-famous Raptor Rehabilitation Center. War Eagle IV, or “Tiger” as she is affectionately known, performs a majestic circling of the skies around Jordan-Hare Stadium prior to home football games. The 26-year-old star was even asked to perform at the opening games of the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City and has now been inducted into the Alabama Animal Hall of Fame. Whitfield-Searcy House 601 Ave. A, Opelika (P.O. Box 2366, Opelika 36803-2366) (334) 745-4861 1-800-OPELIKA Open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.   Queen Anne Victorian home built in 1895 now serves as the Opelika Chamber of Commerce.