Fairhope, Alabama

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Fairhope, Alabama
settlement_type = City
nickname =


imagesize =
image_caption =


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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Baldwin County and the state of Alabama


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Alabama
subdivision_name2 = Baldwin
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 28.5
area_total_sq_mi = 11
area_land_km2 = 28.5
area_land_sq_mi = 11
area_water_km2 = 0
area_water_sq_mi = 0
elevation_m = 37
elevation_ft = 122
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 12480
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 437.9
population_density_sq_mi = 1134.5
timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
latd = 30 |latm = 31 |lats = 35 |latNS = N
longd = 87 |longm = 53 |longs = 44 |longEW = W
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 36532-36533
area_code = 251
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 01-25240
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0118120
footnotes =
website =

Fairhope is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, on a sloping plateau, along the cliffs and shoreline of Mobile Bay. The 2000 census lists the population of the city as 12,480. "Census 2000 Demographic Profile Highlights" (for Fairhope, AL), US Census Bureau, 2007, webpage: [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=86000US36578&_geoContext=01000US%7C86000US36578&_cityTown=Fairhope&_state=04000US01 US-Census-FairhopeAL] .]

Geography

Fairhope is located at 30°31'35.018" North, 87°53'44.473" West (30.526394, -87.895687).GR|1

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.0 square miles (28.5 km²), of which, 11.0 square miles (28.5 km²) of it is land and 0.09% is water.

The elevation is 122 ft (37.2 m). [City Data, 2007, webpage: [http://www.city-data.com/city/Fairhope-Alabama.html CD-Fhope] .]

History

Fairhope was founded in November, 1894 on the site of former Alabama City as a utopian single tax colony by the "Fairhope Industrial Association": a group of 28 followers of economist Henry George who had incorporated earlier that year in Des Moines, Iowa. Their corporate constitution explained their purpose in founding a new colony:

:"to establish and conduct a model community or colony, free from all forms of private monopoly, and to secure to its members therein equality of opportunity, the full reward of individual efforts, and the benefits of co-operation in matters of general concern"."

In forming their demonstration project, they pooled their funds to purchase land at "Stapleton's pasture" on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay and then divided it into a number of long-term leaseholds. The corporation paid all governmental taxes from rents paid by the lessees, thus simulating a single-tax. The purpose of the single-tax colony was to eliminate disincentives for productive use of land and thereby retain the value of land for the community.

"Fairhope Avenue" was one of the properties on the 1910 version of the board game "The Landlord's Game". Today this game is known as "Monopoly".

In 1907 educator Marietta Johnson founded the [http://fairhopeorganicschool.com/ School for Organic Education] in Fairhope. The school was praised in John Dewey's influential 1915 book "Schools of Tomorrow". Dewey and Johnson were founding members of the Progressive Education Association.

Fairhope became a popular wintering spot for artists and intellectuals. Sherwood Anderson, Wharton Esherick, Carl Zigrosser, and Upton Sinclair were among its notable visitors.

The Fairhope Single-Tax Corporation still operates, with 1,800 leaseholds covering more than 4,000 acres (16 km²) in and around the current city of Fairhope. Despite the ideals of the corporation, the process of land speculation has propelled the transformation of Fairhope from utopian experiment to artist's and intellectual's colony, to boutique resort and affluent suburb of Mobile. In fact, some local residents refer to Fairhope as "Carmel-by-the-Bay" alluding to Carmel-by-the-Sea on the Monterey Peninsula in California.

For over 50 years, fishermen and residents of Fairhope have experienced the "jubilee" phenomenon. During a jubilee along the shores of Mobile Bay, some aquatic animals, including blue crabs, flounder, stingrays, and eels, come to the shallow water, such as around Fairhope, Alabama. At those times, it is possible to catch the fish, crabs, and other sealife near the water's edge.

A nearby attraction known as the Weeks Bay Nature Reserve is known for the many oaks, wildlife and pitcher plants along the elevated walkways through the swamp forest.

The Bell Building on the Faulkner State Community College campus currently houses the Marietta Johnson Museum and Fairhope Historical Museum. [ "Fairhope Campus" Faulkner State Community College, June 28, 2006, webpage: [http://www.faulkner.cc.al.us/locations/fairhope] . ] Fairhope is currently in the process of building a historic museum that will be located in the near center of downtown where the city hall was once located. [ "History" - City of Fairhope Fairhope, Alabama, June 28, 2006, webpage: [http://www.cofairhope.com/history.html] . ]

Government

Fairhope is governed by a Mayor and five person city council. The mayor serves as the full time city executive while council members serve part time.

Mayor: Tim Kant

Councilmembers:
*Dan Stankoski
*Bob Gentle
*Cecil Christenberry
*Debbie Quinn
*Mike Ford

Development

Recent growth in the area has created growing pains for the city. Real estate developers are currently building commercial facilities in the downtown area that are larger than have been historically allowed and without having to allocate for parking and other impact needs. [ "History of Fairhope 1954-present" Mobile: Putman, 2006]

In July, 2007, Wal-Mart opened a store just beyond the city limits. Original plans for a store within the city limits was blocked by residents seeking to protect Fairhope's small town image. The new store employs 400 people, 350 of whom are from Fairhope.cite news|title=Walmart to open doors on Wednesday morning |last=Knight |first=Paul |page=Z1 Baldwin Register|work=Mobile Register (Mobile) |date=2007-07-17|publisher=Advance Publications]

Building and zoning ordinances overlap with those of Baldwin County and some residents complain there is little accountability from zoning officials. Residents of the city want more control of construction projects near, but still outside, the city limits while residents outside the city limits want less city control of their property.cite news|title=Residents call for increased accountability |last=Knight |first=Paul |date=2007-06-29 |type=newspaper |page=Baldwin Register, 01 |work=Mobile Register (Mobile) |publisher=Advance Publications]

Climate

Fairhope has a humid subtropical climate. It experiences hot, humid summers and generally mild winters, with average high temperatures ranging from 90°F (31.7 C) in the summer to 59°F (15 C) high during winter.

Source: [http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=318210&refer= weatherbase.com]

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 12,480 people, 5,345 households, and 3,575 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,135.1 people per square mile (438.1/km²). There were 6,000 housing units at an average density of 545.7/sq mi (210.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.22% White, 7.79% Black, 0.20% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 1.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,345 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,913, and the median income for a family was $56,976. Males had a median income of $41,692 versus $27,959 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,237. About 4.9% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

[http://web.archive.org/web/20060426211114/www.fairhopeschools.com/ Fairhope's public schools] are part of the Baldwin County Public Schools system.
* Fairhope High School (9-12), 1,142 students, Principal Beverly Thomas. Fairhope High School is located in the southern most part of Fairhope. It is estimated that 39% of the city of Fairhope's high school age students attend Daphne High School that is north of Fairhope.
* Fairhope Middle School (6-8), 642 students, Principal Deadra Powe.
* J. Larry Newton School (K-8), 731 students, Principal Suellen Brazil.( In Barnwell, AL )
* Fairhope Intermediate School (4-5), 397 students, Principal Gartrell Austin Agee.
* Fairhope Elementary School (2-3), 278 students, Principal Terry E. Beasley.
* Fairhope K-1 Center (K-1), 459 students, Principal Pat Carlton.

Other schools in Fairhope include:
*Baldwin County Alternative School (6-12)
*The [http://www.fairhopeorganicschool.com/ Marietta Johnson School of Organic Education] continues to operate as a private school for with approximately 51 students as of July 2007. The school offers education to life groups that traditionally span 1st through 8th grades.
*Faulkner State Community College has a campus in Fairhope that provides adult education, undergraduate courses, non-credit and community service programs.
*The University of South Alabama has a branch campus in Fairhope providing graduate and upper-level undergraduate courses in education, counseling, nursing and business alongside non-credit and community service programs.

Notable residents

*Dave Stapleton, former professional baseball player for the Boston Red Sox
*Marietta Johnson, educator and reformer
*Bob Baumhower, football player (Miami Dolphins)
*Blanche Simmons, educator and music legend (Educators Hall of Fame)
*Marshall Chapman, songwriter and musician *Marshall Chapman, songwriter and musician
*Terry Cline, author
*Ernest B. Gaston, founder of Fairhope
*Marie Howland, utopian and journalist
*Anna Braune, children's book author and illustrator
*Upton Sinclair (winter visitor), author ("The Jungle")
*Winston Groom, author ("Forrest Gump")
*Rick Bragg, author *Rick Bragg, author
*Judith Richards, author
*Dave Edwards, Member of the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, saxophone/reeds (1968-1979)
*W.C. Majors, football coach
*Leon Lett, football player (Dallas Cowboys)
*Watt Key, author of "Alabama Moon"
*Don Andrews, AWS, Don Andrews, Artist (watercolor) and Author
*W.E.B. Griffin aka William E. Butterworth, author
*Gregory Brown, guitarist and songwriter, Best known for his song "Ol' Mobile", official website is: http://www.jollydogmusic.com
*Jack Normand, musician, band leader and composer ("On Mobile Bay"), Jack Normand Trio
*Fannie Flagg, author of "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe", actress in the movie "Grease" and "The New Dick Van Dyke Show"
*Dean Mosher, Renowned Historical Painter

Notes

References

*Dian Arnold (1999) "Fairhope: A Sentimental Review." [http://www.henrygeorge.org/dian.htm link]
*Paul E. and Blanche R. Alyea. (1956) "Fairhope, 1894-1954: The Story of a Single Tax Colony." Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press.
*Paul M. Gaston. (1984) "Women of Fair Hope." Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia Press. Black Belt Press, 1993.
*Paul M. Gaston. (1993) "Man and Mission: E. B. Gaston and the Origins of the Fairhope Single Tax Colony." Montgomery, Alabama: Black Belt Press.
*Paul M. Gaston. (2004) "My Yellow Ribbon Town: A Meditation on My Country and My Home." in "Where We Stand: Voices of Southern Dissent." Montgomery, Alabama: New South Books. [http://www.archipelago.org/vol8-2/gaston.htm link]
*Paul M. Gaston. (1985) "Gaston, Ernest Berry." in "Alden Whitman, ed., "American Reformers. New York: The H.W. Wilson Co.
*Mary Lois Timbes and Robert E. Bell. (2001) "Meet Me at the Butterfly Tree: A Fairhope Memoir." Fairhope: Over the Transom.

External links

* [http://www.eschamber.com/ Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.cofairhope.com/ Official Site]
* [http://www.mariettajohnson.org/ The Marietta Johnson Museum]
* [http://www.fairhopelibrary.org Fairhope Public Library]
* [http://www.geocities.com/preservefairhope/ Fairhope Historic Preservation Alliance]
* [http://www.faulknerstate.edu/ Faulkner State Community College]
* [http://www.southalabama.edu/ University of South Alabama]
* [http://www.liveeyenet.com/pier.htm Fairhope Municipal Pier]
* [http://www.lumis.com/tag/Fairhope_Alabama/page1/ David Rencher's Pictures of Fairhope ]