There is a town whose passion for its history has ignited an effort to preserve the best of yesterday for today and tomorrow. On November 19, 2011 citizens of Fredonia, Alabama celebrated our 3rd Annual Fredonia Heritage Day. We began the day serving a hearty country breakfast of country sausage, biscuits, gravy, and pancakes and thinge went uphill from there.

All day excellent holiday shopping opportunities were available from many area crafters, artisans, and vendors while children were entertained at the Kid’s Fun Tent with fun activities. Throughout the day we feasted on Fredonia Freedom Foods while enjoying a full day of free entertainment from the stage, and much more; at no admission or parking cost.

Featured were unique exhibits, antique tractors, old-fashioned cake walks, historic re-enactors and heritage stories. Kids of all ages enjoyed mule-drawn wagon rides. We were also proud to offer a museum room to view items from days gone by and there was a treasured items auction and sale.
The day just was not be complete without food and music. For everyone's enjoyment, we had a variety of Country, Bluegrass, Gospel, and other music all day free of charge. Throughout the day, we feasted on Polish sausage, fried fish, chicken wings, barbeque, and more.

There is no charge to attend this event located at the Fredonia Community Club at 6160 Chambers County Road 222, one block west of downtown Fredonia intersection with Chambers County Road 267. For vendor spaces or more information, contact 706-207-2396 or 334-499-2380. We’re looking forward to seeing you there and sharing our past with you! (Read on to learn about our July 11, 2012 Independence Day!)

Navigational coordinates are: N 32° 59.374 and W 085° 17.376

Fredonia located in Chambers County does not have any sidewalks, streetlights, or traffic signals. You won’t find any shopping malls or gasoline stations. Instead, you’ll see farms with cows and horses, chickens, goats, donkeys, tractors, and a clubhouse teeming with all kinds of activities. That’s the way the good folk of Fredonia like it!

However, Fredonia wasn’t always like this. The native people of this area were the Creek Indians. White settlers travelled through this area from the Savannah River to the Tallapoosa villages via the Oakfuskee Path (aka Horse Path.) Settled in the 1820’s before Chambers County, Alabama was organized; this area became the location for the first trading post to facilitate commercial trade with the Creek Indians. Shortly thereafter, a post office and stage stop developed. The area was known as Hurst’s Store, named after owner/operator, John Hurst.

The early inhabitants changed the name from Hurst’s Store to Fredonia; meaning, “a place of freedom.” It is believed that Dr. Samuel Latham Mitchil created this town name with the intent to use it as the name for our nation. He was both a Senator and Representative for the state of New York, which has a town named, “Fredonia.” Court records indicate an early settler named, Alexander McDonald had originally been a citizen of the township of Fredonia of the Commonwealth of New York and may have proposed the change.

Before the Civil War, sixteen major businesses existed including hotels, the jug factory, dry goods, the tan yard, taverns, family groceries, a temperance house, wood workman and maker of fine coffins and buggies, and blacksmith shops and livery stables. Now, all those are gone. There is a remaining structure called, Cumbee’s General Store. Built in 1838, the big red building was the site of the post office, the law enforcement office, and the first meeting place for newly established churches, town meetings, and weddings. Its rustic charm is a treasure to the community.

WE value our history. BUT on October 20th, 2008 the Chambers County Commission passed a resolution to forfeit our town’s official charter because the town had become “dormant.” On December 2nd, Probate Judge John T. Crowder signed the petition from the commission to forfeit the town’s charter, although the town was well represented against this action and filled the courtroom. We were told that, “You can always appeal the decision.” And, that’s just what we did.

July 11, 2011 is our new Independence Day. This is because after years of research, fund raising to support lawyer fees, continued debating with the Chambers County Commissioners, and maintaining our stamina to continue to fight for our rights, we are able to celebrate the Chambers County Commission on that date signing a resolution to return our town status to what it was prior to their forfeiture – a dormant town, but a town nevertheless.

Fredonia is currently re-stitching the historic fabric of our county and preserving a tangible connection to our heritage. We see value in saving small rural America for our future. We would like to share that history with you in person and hope to see you on November 19th!