TulaneLSU's vacation to Goodwater, Alabama

Dear Friends,

Even though I am through and through New Orleanian, I do have roots in Alabama. During my Auburn, AL vacation, I spent some time also in Goodwater, Alabama, which is about an hour or so northwest of Auburn. The great grandfather of a few of my cousins was from here. His name was Robert Carmichael, and he was quite a mathematical genius. Mother always said my maths smarts came from him.

Goodwater's downtown has seen better days, but it's still a pleasant place to take an evening stroll. One thing that is certain about this town is its residents are the friendliest I have ever met. Every single person whose path I crossed generously waved and said hello. There were no half measures or fingers raised. These were full-on wave your hand and have no shame welcomes. It was quite comforting to feel such a welcome, the sort of welcome you only get online in a place like the OT. For those who don't often read the OT, please be sure to donate to our dear friend OWLFAN's medical needs: Help OWLFAN.

No visit to Goodwater is finished without a trip to Unique Bar-B-Q Place. It's a destination side of the road type place, whose smells are hypnotizing. Specials change daily, but if they ever have the fried chicken hearts, do get them.



The only downside about this place is its location on the other side of a bridge. Thankfully, it is a railroad bridge, so I had Uncle drop me off before the bridge. I climbed down the cliff and crossed the railroad track before climbing back and meeting him for dinner. The effort made the food that much tastier.



Apparently the town was once quite a railroad hub in the early 1900s. Here we are looking from the northside of the railroad tracks into the beautiful downtown district.





Downtown seems to have had a large fire at some point, and I can only assume the town is waiting for a master plan before constructing. Goodwater is the largest town in Coosa County, Alabama, the only county in Alabama that, as of 2017, did not have a department of health. I saw one sign in a drive way that read, "No one sick here. Move along."

North Main Street, a part of Highway 9, is a hub. While it isn't as glamorous as the Magnificent Mile, it has a charm all itself. The people watching is unique. The watching, though is less watching than you expect, as walkers will interact with you to say hello.



I would have loved to try Royal Pizza, but it was not open. This and That's everything store seems to have taken its place.







This store looks as though it once sold top of the line electronics. The pandemic has hurt many similar stores throughout the nation, and hopefully when Alabama opens tomorrow, this store, shoe store, Bill's, which had a clearance sale from the looks indoors, local gas station, and Swimdale's Super Saver can get up and running again.











Goodwater's history goes back to antebellum days, and was named as being the source of very good spring. Louis Crew was founded in 1877 by Colonel Madison Crew and served the needs of this quiet town for over a century. It was last owned by Johnny Crew Watson. I do not know if they plan on reopening. Even in small town Alabama, Amazon has stretched its tentacles to harm bricks and mortar stores.





Friends, my eyes are becoming heavy, so I will leave you now with some more pictures:

































Faith, Hope, and Love,
TulaneLSU