The “Model City” of the South WWW.MAWH.TV

Anniston, Alabama: Where Legacy Meets Possibility

Nestled at the foothills of the the southern Appalachians, Anniston, Alabama is more than just a city—it’s a story of ambition, reinvention, and promise. Just a stone’s throw from Cheaha State Park and tucked between Birmingham and Atlanta, Anniston offers both natural beauty and deep historical roots. What follows is a celebration of its past, its present, and the bold voices shaping its future.

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A Founding Vision: The “Model City” of the South

• Anniston was founded in the early 1870s by Samuel Noble and Daniel Tyler as a planned private industrial community. 

• Noble, an ironmaster and entrepreneur, envisioned a city structured around industry, yet with a thoughtful civic design—streets in a checkerboard pattern, planted oak trees along main avenues, parks, schools, and a balance of residential and commercial spaces. 

• Because of its careful planning and modern amenities, Anniston was dubbed “The Model City.” 

• Originally, the settlement was named Woodstock (after the iron company), but in 1879 a name conflict forced a change. It became Anniston (short for “Annie’s Town,” in honor of Annie Tyler, wife of one of the founders). 

Because of this foundation, Anniston grew with civic intention—industrial strength married to urban design.

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Bright Lights: Early Electrification & Innovation

One of the most remarkable claims in Anniston’s history is this:

• In 1882, Anniston became the first city in Alabama to be lighted with electricity. 

• Soon after, by 1884, telephone service was in place, making Anniston one of the earliest adopters of modern communications among southern cities. 

• These milestones reflect the founders’ ambition to make Anniston more than a mere industrial mill town—they intended it to be forward-looking, technologically competitive, and socially advanced for its era.

Thus, long before many cities had streetlights or reliable telephony, Anniston was already stepping into the future.

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Industrial & Cultural Growth

• The Woodstock Iron Company served as the bedrock industry at the city’s birth. 

• In 1879 the Anniston Manufacturing Company (a cotton mill) was founded, employing many residents and contributing to the city’s industrial diversification. 

• Over time, Anniston evolved into a thriving hub in Northeast Alabama. By the 20th century, it was among the region’s prominent industrial cities. 

Beyond industry, Anniston has invested in arts, culture, and preservation:

• The city maintains multiple Historic Districts—including Downtown Anniston, West 15th Street, Tyler Hill, and Buckner Circle (the Fort McClellan area). 

• In the West 15th Street Historic District, especially during the 1940s and 1950s, a vibrant economy and community thrived. That area was once a “city within a city” for Black residents: businesses, theaters, hotels, beauty shops, and social gathering spots catered to a community often excluded elsewhere. 

• Anniston is also part of the Civil Rights Trail. In 1961, one of the Greyhound buses participating in the Freedom Rides was firebombed just outside Anniston. The event remains a key moment in civil rights history. 

These stories of struggle and triumph remain woven in the city’s identity.

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Milestones in Leadership: Breaking Barriers

Anniston’s civic evolution continues to make history:

• In 2025, Ciara Smith was sworn in as Anniston’s first African American mayor and its youngest-ever mayor—at just 26 years old. 

• Earlier, in 2020, she became the youngest elected official in city history when she became vice mayor at age 21. 

• Her election signals a generational shift in leadership and a deepening commitment to inclusion, revitalization, and equity. 

This chapter is still unfolding—and one with an audience watching.

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What to Do & See in Anniston

Here are some must-visit highlights (and story-worthy corners) for visitors or locals who want to engage deeply:

Spot / Trail

Why It Matters / What You’ll Experience

Freedom Riders National Monument

Visit the site where the Greyhound bus was attacked in 1961—a powerful living marker of civil rights history.

Anniston Civil Rights Trail

Walk through markers and neighborhoods tied to pivotal events in the city’s racial justice journey.

Historic District Walks

Explore Tyler Hill, Downtown Anniston, West 15th, and Buckner Circle to see Victorian houses, restored architecture, and hidden gems.

Anniston Museum of Natural History

A beloved institution with exhibits ranging from Florida wetlands to African savannahs, dioramas, and kid-friendly discovery rooms.

Downtown / Noble Street District

The heart of local commerce, nightlife, murals, events, art walks, and small business vitality are centered here.

Outdoor & Nature Access

From the Chief Ladiga Trail to nearby Cheaha State Park and the Talladega National Forest, nature is always within reach.