Florala in Covington County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Downtown Square and Veterans Memorial Park

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 27, 2010

1. Downtown Square and Veterans Memorial Park Marker

Inscription. The name Florala came from combining the names of Florida and Alabama. Lake Jackson, located in Florala, is the state's largest natural lake. It is named for Andrew Jackson, who in 1818 camped on the lake with his soldiers while en route to Pensacola. James Edwin Hughes, best known as the "Father of Florala," arrived in the area in December 1865. He created a homestead and began settling this community. Since 1870, the City of Florala, through Florala's Fidelity Masonic Lodge No. 685 and Chapter No. 441 of the Order of the Eastern Star, has served as the home of the World's Oldest Consecutive Annual Masonic Day Celebration. The celebration is in honor of St. John's Day, which is June 24. Florala was incorporated in 1901. The marker and park are dedicated to the brave military men and women who have served and died for this country and the citizens of Florala, past, present, and future.

Erected 2010 by Alabama Tourism Department and the City of Florala.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Military • Settlements & Settlers. In

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addition, it is included in the Alabama Tourism Department, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #07 Andrew Jackson series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 24, 1818.

Location. 31° 0.369′ N, 86° 19.699′ W. Marker is in Florala, Alabama, in Covington County. It is at the intersection of 5th Street and 5th Avenue (U.S. 331) on 5th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Florala AL 36442, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Wiregrass.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 18 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lake Jackson (approx. 0.3 miles away); W.S. Harlan School (approx. 1.7 miles away); Grancer's Ghost (approx. 17.7 miles away).

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 27, 2010

2. Downtown Square and Veterans Memorial Park Marker

Looking north on 5th Street from near 5th Avenue (US 331).

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 27, 2010

3. Downtown Square and Veterans Memorial Park Marker

Looking north-northwest from the intersection.

Veterans Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 27, 2010

4. Veterans Memorial Park

Names of local veterans and others are inscribed on the walkway bricks.

Veterans Memorial Park fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 27, 2010

5. Veterans Memorial Park fountain

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 27, 2010

6. Florala, AL

looking southwest across the intersection of 5th Street and 5th Avenue/US 331.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, November 27, 2010

7. Florala, AL

Looking east-southeast along 5th Avenue (US 331).

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 3,397 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on May 19, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 17, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.