Hartselle Alabama
Discover this treasure in Northern Alabama
by Nick Watkins

   The first thing I do when I wake up each morning is look out my bedroom window toward the huge pasture in my backyard. Sometimes I see a doe drinking from the pond, but usually I just see some of my grandparent's cattle grazing in the distance. That is one of the great things about Hartselle. I never have to wake up and see twenty skyscrapers on the horizon, a factory with smog pouring from its smoke stacks, or a parking lot being built in my back yard. Hartselle is one of those small towns where everybody knows your name and it's safe to leave your door unlocked at night. That is one of the major attractions that bring people to Hartselle, along with a growing economy, great job opportunities, and a wonderful school system. Hartselle is also known for its great sense of history, its Depot Days celebration, and its state-of-the-art baseball complex.

   The city of Hartselle was established in 1870 as a strategic site alongside the South and North Alabama Railroad. Originally the town was located a half-mile north of its current location, but upon the request of the railroad owners, Hartselle was moved to its present day location. The small town was named after George Hartselle, one of its founding fathers. The city of Hartselle began to grow immensely with the establishment of a post office, a newspaper, and several churches. In 1872, Dr. S. L. Rountree helped organize the Methodist Church. The Baptist and Presbyterian Churches were organized in 1877, and the Christian Church was founded in 1881. Hartselle's first newspaper was established in 1876; it was called The Investigator. The paper was later changed to The Hartselle Enterprise and finally changed to The Hartselle Enquirer. Hartselle established its own postal facility in 1873, but it wasn't chartered by the state until March 1875.

   One of Hartselle's greatest claims to fame is the great bank robbery of 1926. It began in the early morning hours of March 15, 1926, when fifteen men arrived at Hartselle's telephone exchange. Using a handsaw, the men cut the three cables that linked Hartselle to the outside world. After the men had finally arrived at the bank, it took eight nitroglycerin blasts to open the vault. The whole town was held hostage for the next four hours as the men took cash, gold bars, and some silver coins. The bandits got away with over $15,000 and were never caught.

   Hartselle has a strong economy with a few major and several hometown businesses in the area. These businesses produce a wide range of products such as wood and steel reels, electric wire, building components, compressors, furniture, doors, gaskets, lumber and plywood, and molded rubber products. Of these businesses, all but three were established before 1988. This shows Hartselle's economic ability to support a wide range of companies. Countless other companies are located in Decatur and Huntsville, which are within a reasonable commuting range. With all these job opportunities from Hartselle and the surrounding communities, it's no wonder that people live in Hartselle for all its economic benefits.

   But one thing that attracts so many visitors to this lovely community is its large assortment of antiques and gift shops located in the historic buildings of the downtown area. There are over 30 shops to explore and find that one-of-a-kind item or gift. Many of the buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Some of the shops boast 20 ft. ceilings of molded tin, hardwood floors, and original or restored wood interior detailing. Even those who are not avid shoppers will enjoy the architecture of the old-fashioned surroundings.

   The Hartselle City School System is fully accredited by the Alabama State Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Hartselle schools currently rank in the top ten in statewide achievement testing with one-half of the yearly graduates scoring above the national average on the ACT and 80% of the graduates go on to college. System-wide Hartselle averages 15 students for every one teacher, with the teachers averaging approximately 13 years experience all together. 67% of Hartselle's certified teaching staff hold an advanced degree. Programs at the high school level are designed to help students prepare for college, technical and occupational trades as well. The students are required to pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam, but are given the choice of receiving the "standard diploma" or the "advance diploma" based on graduation requirements for each student. More than 2900 students are enrolled in grades K through 12, but all of the school facilities are well maintained thanks to a $17.1 million properly tax designated for Hartselle City Schools. The tax allows the entire school system an annual operating budget of $14.7 million. Hartselle boasts a great extracurricular lineup with competitive athletic teams in baseball, basketball, cheerleading, football, girls' softball, golf, gymnastics, soccer, tennis, track, volleyball, and wrestling. In fact, Hartselle held the state championship in baseball, softball, and wrestling in 1999-2000. Hartselle also offers marching, concert, and jazz bands as well as color guard and many choral activities.

     Plenty of fun can be found in Hartselle! The Depot Days Festival, held annually the last Saturday of September, celebrates the towns railroad heritage. Depot Days includes many special activities, including a 5K run, an arts and crafts show, a automobile show, a health and pet fair, a silent auction, children's games, storytelling, musical entertainment, food and plenty of family fun. The holidays in Hartselle are also a very special time of the year. October brings the school-sponsored Halloween Carnival; and in November, merchants open their doors to begin the "Hartselle for the Holidays" activities, and the community wide Thanksgiving Service. In December, Santa makes his annual appearance during the Christmas Pa­rade and residents graciously open their doors for the annual Clean City Association's "Tour of Homes". Throughout the year, there are banquets, neighborhood block parties, school festivals, school choral and band concerts, as well as lots of regularly scheduled activities at the Civic Center. Sparkman Park, an 80-arce recreation complex is in the center of town, and features full size basketball courts, racquetball courts, lighted tennis courts, lighted baseball and softball fields, a walking trail, an Olympic-size swimming pool with slides and a concession stand, and twenty acres of wooded area with picnic pavilions, tables and playground areas.

   Hartselle also organizes community youth baseball, softball, football, basketball, and soccer leagues.

   At the end of each day one of the last things I do is glance out my bedroom window and reflect on the day. Usually I think how lucky I am to be growing up in Hartselle, a small town that has everything: a great sense of heritage, a sound economy, a wonderful school system, and plenty of activities to participate in throughout the year. Hartselle boasts the nickname "The City of Southern Hospitality," which in my opinion fits this small, southern town perfectly.

For additional information concerning the City of Hartselle, please feel free to contact the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, at (256) 773-4370 or the City of Hartselle, Dwight Tankersley, Mayor, at 200 Sparkman Street, Hartselle, Alabama 35640 or call (256) 773-2535, Fax (256) 773-2257.
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   Editor's Note: Southern Discoveries is extremely proud to publish the following article, written by Nick Watkins, a student at Hartselle High School and winner of the essay contest held for aspiring journalists. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the faculty and staff at Hartselle High for their continued efforts in "passing the torch" to preserve the history of their of their community.