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Anniston, AL

Frequently asked questions

Anniston, AL

Anniston is the county seat of Calhoun County in Alabama, United States, and is one of two urban centers/principal cities of and included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area. Named "The Model City" by Atlanta newspaperman Henry W. Grady for its careful planning in the late 19th century, the city is situated on the slope of Blue Mountain.

Though the surrounding area was settled much earlier, the mineral resources in the area of Anniston were not exploited until the Civil War. The Confederate States of America operated an iron furnace near present-day downtown Anniston until it was destroyed by raiding Union cavalry in early 1865. Later, cast iron for sewer systems became the focus of Anniston's industrial output. Cast iron pipe, also called soil pipe, was popular until the advent of plastic pipe in the 1960s.

In 1872, the Woodstock Iron Company, organized by Samuel Noble and Union Gen. Daniel Tyler, rebuilt the furnace on a much larger scale and started a planned community named Woodstock, soon renamed "Annie's Town" for Annie Scott Tyler, Daniel's daughter-in-law and wife of railroad president Alfred L. Tyler. Anniston was chartered as a town in 1873.

The city has become a hub for various industries. Major contributors to the local economy include manufacturing, healthcare, and education. Anniston serves as a commercial and industrial center, providing employment opportunities and supporting the overall growth of the region.

The city strongly emphasizes health and wellness, with Regional Medical Center as a major hospital in Anniston offering a wide range of medical services, including emergency care, surgery, and specialized treatments. Surrounded by the scenic landscapes of Alabama, Anniston offers a range of outdoor activities for those seeking a healthy lifestyle. You will find various wellness facilities such as Cheaha’s Women's Health and Wellness, providing a holistic approach to women’s health by utilizing advanced and less invasive surgical techniques. Roasie Knows, offers custom therapeutic massage therapy. Southern Orthopedic Surgeons offers orthopedic care and wellness services. Anniston Medical Clinic provides primary care and wellness programs. Alabama Orthopedic Clinic specializes in orthopedic care and rehabilitation services.

Top sites in Anniston, AL are Anniston Museum of Natural History, Choccolocco Park, and Red Bird Willow Farm.

Population: 21,127 (2024). ZIP codes: 36201-36207. Area code: 256. Elevation: 719 ft (219 m). Area: 45.90 sq mi (118.87 km2).

FAQs

What happened in Anniston, AL in 1961?

On this site in May of 1961, a small group of nonviolent activists called Freedom Riders were attacked by a white mob. Traveling to protest segregation in interstate travel, the bus carrying these activists was ambushed at the Greyhound depot in Anniston. A white mob surrounded the bus, slashed its tires, and pursued the Freedom Riders out onto the highway. When the bus tires gave out, the mob firebombed the bus as the Freedom Riders onboard prepared for violence. Trapped on the burning bus, they emerged after an explosion and showed courage and resilience as the mob beat them. 

What is Anniston, AL is known for?

Anniston remained predominantly an iron town until 1881 when a second major industry was added: cotton textiles. The wives and children of the ironworkers furnished the labor for the cotton mill. When an application was made to incorporate this village called Woodstock, it was discovered there already was a Woodstock, Alabama. The founding fathers settled on the name Anniston, in honor of Tyler’s wife, Annie. On July 3, 1883, during an official ceremony, Anniston was opened to the public.

What is the history of Anniston, AL?

Founded in 1872 by Samuel Noble, Daniel Tyler, and Tyler's sons as a private industrial community (opened to the public in 1883), it was originally named for the Woodstock Iron Company; to avoid confusion with another Woodstock in Alabama, it was renamed Anniston (Annie's Town) for the wife of Alfred Tyler, the company president. Metal products and textiles are the city’s major manufacturers. The Anniston Museum of Natural History has a notable collection of bird specimens, and the Berman Museum showcases military-related artifacts.

Sources

City of Anniston

Wikipedia

Britannica

Anniston AL

NPS

Anniston Museum of Natural History

Choccolocco Park

Red Bird Willow Farm

Regional Medical Center

Cheaha’s Women's Health and Wellness

Roasie Knows

Southern Orthopedic Surgeons

Anniston Medical Clinic

Alabama Orthopedic Clinic

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