Red Bay | Encyclopedia of Alabama

Red Bay is located in western Franklin County in the northwest corner of the state, approximately one mile from the Alabama-Mississippi state line. It has a mayor/council form of government.

History

Red Bay was first known as Vinson's Crossroads. The most likely origin of the town's name was its location amid what was at the time a large stand of redbay trees. The first post office was opened in 1887, quickly closed, then reopened in 1890. The town was initially located on Gum Creek but at some point early in its history was moved one and a half miles southwest to its current location.

The town was incorporated in 1907; sources differ about the date. Also in 1907, the town became a stop on a branch of the Illinois Central Railroad. As a result, it became a lumber cutting and shipping center.

Demographics

According to 2020 Census estimates, Livingston recorded a population of 2,473. Of that number, 91.7 percent identified themselves as white, 8.0 percent as two or more races, 3.3 percent as Hispanic, 0.3 percent as Asian, and 0.1 percent American Indian and Alaska Native. The town's median household income was $28,082, and the per capita income was $19,084.

Employment

According to 2020 Census estimates, the workforce in Red Bay was divided among the following industrial categories:

Manufacturing (46.4 percent)
Educational services, and health care and social assistance (17.7 percent)
Retail trade (10.4 percent)
Construction (6.7 percent)
Arts, entertainment, recreation, and accommodation and food services (4.3 percent)
Transportation and warehousing and utilities (4.3 percent)
Finance, insurance, and real estate, rental, and leasing (2.9 percent)
Professional, scientific, management, and administrative and waste management services (2.8 percent)
Other services, except public administration (2.2 percent)
Public administration (1.3 percent)
Wholesale trade (0.9 percent)

Education

Schools in Red Bay are part of the Franklin County School District; the town has one high school.

Transportation

State Highway 24 runs east-west through Red Bay, State Highway 23 runs southwest, County Roads 3 and 11 run north from the city, and State Highway 19 runs south.

Events and Places of Interest

The Red Bay Museum features a number of exhibits related to the history of the city, including original fixtures from the city's first bank, a soda fountain including the counter from an early drug store, and other memorabilia. The museum also features multiple exhibits on country music star Tammy Wynette, who spent considerable time in Red Bay as a child.

Red Bay has a city park with a swimming pool and water slide, a skate board facility, a walking trail, and a soccer field. It also has a sports complex with four baseball/softball fields. The Redmont Country Club includes an 18-hole golf course and a swimming pool.

The Red Bay Founder's Day celebration held in September hosts a photography contest, a fiddling and buck dancing contest, a car and bike show, a Miss Founder's Day pageant, and a bike ride and 5K run, as well as food and craft vendors and musical entertainment.

The Red Bay Arts and Entertainment Center houses the community theater, a banquet room, and a garden room.

Additional Resources

Franklin County Heritage Book Committee. The Heritage of Franklin County, Alabama. Clanton, Ala.: Heritage Publishing Consultants, Inc., 1999.