-
Weather
-
Regional weather report for Elba and Coffee County
-
Map your route to
Elba
-
Find the shortest and quickest route from your location to
Elba
-
Find
your way around Elba
-
Zoom in or out, look north, south, east, or west!
An
Environmentally Conscious Community
click here for details
Elba ..... Small Town -----
Big Heart
If you are looking for skyscrapers, traffic jams, smog and crowds of
strangers ... don't look in Elba, Alabama. But ... if you want friendly
people who wave at passing cars, industry that cares about the area it
serves and the personal attention that merchants can offer, you have come
to the right place.
History
Elba began around 1840. A ferry had been started across Pea River thus
begetting the town's first name, Bridgeville. In 1850, the town's name
was changed to Bentonville in honor of a Missourian who had distinguished
himself in service to Alabama in the Creek Indian War of 1814. A town meeting
was held in December of 1851 and all present were allowed to put their
idea for a name in a large top hat. Mr. Simmons had been reading a biography
of Napoleon Bonaparte, who was exiled to the island of Elba, so he entered
this name and it was drawn. The name was officially recognized early in
1852 when the State Legislature established a voting precinct including
Elba. The same year, Elba was selected to be the county seat of Coffee
County by a countywide election. In May 1853, with a population of over
200 persons, Elba elected to become incorporated.
Education
Elba is extremely proud of its public school system. The system consists
of an elementary school (K-6) and a high school (7-12) that offers vocational,
traditional, and college-prep curricula. The Elba City Schools are accredited
by both the Alabama State Department of Education and the Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools. The schools are housed in new state of the art
facilities built in 1992.
Elba is within daily driving distance of Enterprise State Junior
College (16 miles) and the main campus of Troy State University (30 miles).
McArthur State Technical College is 25 miles from Elba.
Industry
In Elba, Alabama, we mean business. Existing industry and plans for
future industry help Elba to grow annually. Dorsey Trailers, Inc., manufacturer
of truck trailers, was founded in Elba in 1912 and is the largest industrial
employer with a payroll of over 1200 people.
Kleinert's of Alabama, Inc., makes infant's sleep and playwear and
employs 1000 people.
The home office of National Security Insurance Company has been located
in Elba since 1947. Their new office complex sits nestled in a hillside
overlooking the city. On the grounds of National Security is the Veteran's
Memorial Park honoring the Veterans of Coffee County from all branches
of the service is all U.S. wars.
Other industries include Kelley Foods of Alabama, Inc., Alabama River
Woodlands, Inc., Worth Tent, Windham Power Lifts, Inc., Nasco Equipment
Company, Inc., Elba Custom Meat Company, Inc., Elba Pallets, Inc., and
Russell Sand & Concrete.
Two full-service banks are located in Elba.
The Carl Folsom Municipal Airport has two runways, the longest at
3,000 feet. Runway surfaces are paved and lighted. Hangars and aircraft
tiedown facilities are available.
Utilities and Services
Utilities servicing the Elba area include Covington Electric, Alabama
Electric Cooperative, General Telephone, Western Union, TCI of Alabama,
Southeast Alabama Gas District, Trailways Bus Lines, United Parcel Service,
and Federal Express. Internet service available through AlaWeb.
Military Installation
Fort Rucker Army Aviation Center is located 20 miles east of Elba. Employment
for people within the area stabilizes our economy.
Media
Communications from within the city include a weekly newspaper, The
Elba Clipper, and local radio station, WELB-AM and WZTZ-FM.
Government
Down-home people with up-town ideas -- that's what Elba has. An active
Mayor-Council form of government serves the people from a recently renovated
municipal building. The City owns its water and electric systems, which
are managed by a utilities board. The Elba City Library with 17,000 volumes
offers complete library services. The Elba Volunteer Fire Department and
the Elba Rescue Squad provide fire protection and emergency medical service.
The Elba Police Department proudly serves its citizens.
Medical
Elba General Hospital is a 25-bed facility and has a 91-bed nursing
home attached, giving both skilled and intermediary care. There are four
doctors serving the hospital. Two dentists have their practice in Elba.
Resources
Minerals produced in the area include sand and gravel. Major agricultural
products are broilers, peanuts, cattle, hogs, soybeans, and milk.
Recreation
Community facilities include an 85-acre Country Club with a nine-hole
golf course; Hawkins-Williams park has an olympic-size pool, three ball
fields, and four tennis courts; Legion Park has two ball fields and one
tennis court; Lawford Park and Taylor Mill Park are equipped with picnic
tables, bar-b-que grills, playground equipment and basketball courts. A
boat ramp, basketball court, and picnic tables are located on the banks
of Pea River.
Elba has a full-time recreational director and a year-round program
for youth and adults. Baseball, softball, and basketball leagues are set
up with the season. It's hard to tell who has more fun at the games, the
players or the crowds.
Food and Lodging
Seven restaurants, one motel, and one bed & breakfast provide good
food and Southern hospitality.
Facts
-
1990 Population
-
Elba: 4,011
-
Coffee County: 40,240
-
Climate:
-
Mean Temperature
-
Annual: 66 degrees
-
January: 46degrees
-
July: 80degrees
-
Average Rainfall: 70 inches
-
Altitude: 210 feet above sea level
-
Length of Growing Season: 249 days
-
Prevailing Winds: Southeast @ 6 mph
A lot of water has run under Pea River bridge since Elba had her
humble beginnings in the early 1800's. Even more flows past every day,
each drop serving as a constant reminder of the past we reflect upon and
the future we anticipate.
For more information about Elba,
please contact
or email Donnie
Morrow, City Clerk, at elbacity@alaweb.com.
