In Barbour County, tales of the past come alive even for those who've recently arrived. Whether it's the stories of founding fathers, war heroes, Southern belles, or daring heroines, their indelible marks are etched into the fabric of the region. Some may dismiss these narratives as exaggerated, blending facts with imagination. However, for others, the resonating echoes of heels clicking on hardwood floors during home tours transport them to a bygone era, evoking a nostalgic immersion akin to wading into a cool stream on a mid-July day. These visitors, in a temporal reverie, can relive a leisurely afternoon on a veranda, gazing at the meandering river. For those with a discerning perspective, Eufaula transcends being merely a beautiful house with enchanting allure; it becomes a legendary entity, rich with historical significance.

Alabama's Civil War Governor, John Gill Shorter, was laid to rest, along with the Governor's father, the famous Indian fighter General Reuben Clark Shorter, in Shorter Cemetery. The cemetery's graves date back to 1840.

Contact the Staff at Shorter Mansion for access to this gated attraction. Phone (334) 687-3793 for details.

A new outdoor adventure program is being offered at Lakepoint State Park in Eufaula, Alabama. This initiative, developed by the City of Eufaula Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with Alabama Power and Innovate Alabama, offers guided and solo kayak tours, fishing kayak rentals, and educational programs suitable for all ages and skill levels. Participants can explore the scenic waterways of Lake Eufaula, known as "The Bass Capital of the World," while learning about the area's rich ecological history. The program emphasizes safety with certified guides, small group sizes, and a commitment to preserving the park's natural beauty. For more information or to book a trip, visit kayakeufaula.com.

Local tradition maintains that this fountain was purchased by the City of Eufaula sometime between 1880 and 1885. It was supposedly designed by noted sculptor Frederick William MacMonnies and purchased from the city of Dayton, Ohio. How that story started is unknown as the fountain was purchased and erected in 1888, was not designed by MacMonnie and not acquired from Dayton, Ohio. It only became known as MacMonnie’s Fountain in the mid to late 1960’s during the early years of the Eufaula Pilgrimage.

An article in the February 23, 1888 issue of the Eufaula Times and News noted that the fountain would be “…fourteen feet two inches high. An octagonal basin will receive the water at the base, which will be twenty-one feet between opposite ‘trusses’. There will be three pans at intervals of four feet eight inches, two feet eight inches, two feet three inches respectively. The lowest of these pans will be a figure of a nude boy [cherub] and from a horn he holds in his hands a stream will cover the whole. Below the first pan three pelicans will spout forth limped water. The whole thing will be bronzed and quite ornamental.”

In 2007, the Eufaula water Works and Sewer Board, in cooperation with the Street and Horticulture Departments, invested $20,000 in the restoration of the fountain. At that time, work on the fountain was long overdue as it needed to be painted and repairs made to deteriorated and broken portions of the cast iron. On occasion, during the winter months, heavy ice accumulates on sections of the ornamental iron which causes damage and, over time, has changed the appearance of the fountain.

For over 137 years, the Broad Street Fountain has been the signature feature of the Broad Street and Randolph Avenue intersection. The Broad Street Fountain is an integral part of the downtown Eufaula streetscape to be enjoyed by area residents as well as visitors to the Bluff City on the Chattahoochee.

In honor of Eufaula being the "Big Bass Capital of the World," it is only appropriate that we have a big bass named Manny in honor of renowned fisherman Tom Mann, who helped make Eufaula a fisherman's paradise.

“Tom Mann achieved fame as a fishing lure designer/manufacturer and helped put Lake Eufaula on the map with his popular television shows,” the inscription states. “with an investment of $5, he and his wife, Ann, started Mann's bait company in 1958. Later, he would launch Humminbird Industries and Southern Plastics…he made Eufaula the hub of the fishing lure industry.”

Mann was inducted into the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2003 and was named by the Alabama Tourism Department as one of Alabama's “most unforgettable faces.”

Be sure to visit and take a picture with Manny, located across from the Eufaula Barbour County Chamber of Commerce, next to the Yoholo Micco Walking Trail.

Ten Wiregrass Counties came together in November 2012 to launch the Wiregrass Birding Trail. This trail of twenty sites is the last of eight organized trails and 250 sites covering Alabama. The ten counties that make up the Wiregrass Birding Trail are Barbour, Bullock, Pike, Crenshaw, Covington, Coffee, Dale, Henry, Geneva, and Houston. Eufaula has four of the sites out of the total of twenty sites in the region. An ongoing project for over five years, trail development has coincided with birding becoming an increasingly important source of tourism revenue for Alabama.

The sites in Barbour County are the Eufaula Wildlife Refuge, Lakepoint State Park, Old Creektown Park, and Yoholo Micco Walking Trail.

In addition to the Eufaula sites, the Wehle Center in Midway provides excellent birding opportunities in nearby Bullock County.

Alabama has perhaps the most diverse habitat in the Southeast, with a tremendous range of birds that can be seen in the state and certainly on the Wiregrass Birding Trail.

Presented by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1904 and standing at 35 feet tall, the Confederate monument towers over the intersection of Broad Street and Eufaula Avenue.

In 2010, the 2nd Phase of the Rails to Trails Project was completed. The conversion of 3.2 miles of abandoned rail bed is now a beautiful walking trail with a gorgeous water view and many other hidden jewels.

The trail begins in the heart of historic downtown Eufaula, Alabama, in front of the Eufaula Barbour Chamber of Commerce. Winding along with the beautiful scenery, you will find squirrel & eagle crossings along with a completely restored railroad trestle that crosses over Lake Eufaula. The trail eventually ends at Old Creek Town, a beautiful waterfront recreational area that houses the Playground of Dreams, a public beach, and a boat launch.

Interesting facts and finds along the trail are:

• 3.2 miles of paved trail perfect for walking, running, and bicycling.
• Several nature trails along the way that are clearly marked.
• Old hardwood forest that leads to a breathtaking waterfall.
• "Treehugger Park" to enjoy an afternoon picnic.
• Bird Watcher's Alley
• Benches along the way, just in case you need to relax and soak up the scenery!
• "Passport to Fitness," one of Alabama's 60 top places to hike or walk.

This statue of a World War I doughboy honors the men from Eufaula who perished in WWI. It was erected and dedicated in 1920.

Renowned outdoorsman and pioneering fishing lure creator Tom Mann, who caught a 1-pound bass at Lake Eufaula in 1973, helped make the unusual fish famous by sharing stories about how the aggressive largemouth with a personality guarded his territory in Mann’s 38,000-gallon aquarium for seven years. Named “Leroy Brown” from the popular Jim Croce song, “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” the fish thrived in Mann’s now-defunct Fish World museum, growing to almost 6½ pounds.

“That fish would follow Tom as he walked around the aquarium,” Scott said. “When Leroy Brown died, Tom called me, and I could almost hear the tears in his eyes.

After the closure of the museum and then Mann’s death in 2005, Mann’s widow asked Scott to take possession of the famous fish and the elaborate tombstone/sculpture with the inscription, “Most bass are just fish, but Leroy Brown was something special.” Scott did it for his dear friend, and now Eufaula is ready to re-take possession of its aquatic superstar.

Leroy brown can be found at the beginning of east broad street beneath the canopy of trees.

The splash pad attraction opened in 2020 and is the product of a community effort spearheaded by the Barbour County Extension office that resulted in grant funding for the construction of this popular attraction. The splash pad is next door to the Eufaula Barbour County Chamber of Commerce and across from the Yoholo Micco walking trail. The facility is open to the public during the spring and summer seasons and is free of charge.

For a personalized experience, Eufaula Historic Tours offers guided journeys through the city's historic homes and buildings, providing accurate historical insights. Whether strolling down the picturesque Eufaula Avenue or riding in a classic cart, these tours offer an immersive experience into the city's storied past.