Located eight miles from the capital of Montgomery, it remains steeped in history and known for its beautiful outdoor spaces. Conveniently located near Interstate 85 and less than 25 miles southeast of Prattville, The Crossings at Eastchase is an inviting, full-service senior living community where exceptional service and enjoyable experiences are our specialty. Discover the joy of a maintenance-free lifestyle, well-appointed residences, chef-prepared cuisine, a fitness and therapy gym, unique programming, and a variety of activity rooms and public living spaces. Our full-service retirement community in Montgomery offers the perfect blend of care and convenience.
In the 1830s, as the westward movement poured settlers into the new state of Alabama, fertile farmland became available for growing cotton. Daniel Pratt brought cotton gin manufacturing from Georgia to meet the new demand and, over time, became the world’s foremost producer of cotton gins, earning Prattville the distinction of the “Birthplace of Industry in Alabama.” Pratt brought in mechanical, industrial and business leadership from his native New England, establishing multiple industries to support the growing town’s needs. Land was set aside for schools, churches, shops and homes along the Creek. Rather than building around a central square, as is typical of Southern towns, Prattville developed along the banks of Autauga Creek, earning it a new distinction: “New England Village of the South.”
By 1860, Prattville had a population of 1,500 people, most of whom worked in the factories and supporting businesses. It boasted four churches, two schools, a public library, a Town Hall, medical doctors and attorneys. Incorporated on August 8, 1865, present-day Prattville features the Daniel Pratt Historic District, listed on the National Record of Historic Places, with some sites predating the Civil War.
Prattville: Historic Districts Featuring Artesian Wells
The Daniel Pratt Historic District is approximately fifteen city blocks, encompassing the nineteenth-century New England-style downtown area, which consists of over 200 properties representing a diversity of architectural styles, including Greek Revival, Italianate and Bungalow styles, from 1840 to 1930. Also located in town is the Prattaugan Museum & Archives —history buffs and those interested in genealogical research will enjoy a visit to this 1840 Greek Revival house, which also features artifacts depicting the history of Prattville and Autauga County. Old Prattvillage is a collection of remodeled structures from the 1800s, currently thriving as quaint shops and businesses, including the historic Mims Hotel and Slaton House. Lastly, the Creative Arts Center houses a small permanent collection which includes several pieces by Charlie “Tin Man” Lucas and local artists.
Prattville is also recognized for its parks and recreation facilities. Heritage Park offers the relaxing sound of a fountain, the opportunity to drink from an artesian well, a view of the Autauga Creek dam, millpond and Daniel Pratt’s industrial buildings. The Doster Road Artesian Well is one of a series of historic wells that supplied the town’s water system. This natural well continues to produce gallons of sweet, clear and free-flowing water. Enjoy a drink of water as you sit under the tin-roofed well pavilion. Prattville Creekwalk runs along Autauga Creek, featuring a small garden with picnic tables, a gazebo and another artesian well. Wilderness Park features giant oriental bamboo, soaring 60 feet to form a canopy in the sky. The bamboo competes with native trees and shrubs to create this lush park, which also contains the state’s second-largest beech tree. Lastly, Prattville is home to Capitol Hill, named the second-best public golf facility in the country by Golf World readers, and features three 18-hole championship courses. With more than 1,500 acres of golf and nature, the sheer magnitude of this facility is impressive, allowing each course to be distinctly different from the others.