History of Red Bay, Alabama

​Red Bay, Alabama, with a population of about 3,500 residents is located in the Northwest corner of Alabama on the Mississippi state line. Our community is named for the red clay soil and bay trees, both in abundance when the town was founded, The post office was established in 1887, but the city wasn’t incorporated until July 1907. It was in this year that Red Bay become a “train town,” with the first self-propelled train, known as a “Doodlebug,” rolled into town. The Depot, a treasured landmark in the history and growth of Red Bay, was built by Illinois Central Railroad in 1907. Red Bay was served many years by two local Doodlebugs, one northbound and one southbound between Corinth, Mississippi and Haleyville, Alabama. The “Seminole Limited,” Illinois Centrals crack passenger train came through Red Bay non-stop on its regular run from Chicago to Jacksonville, FL.
 
The Red Bay Hotel property dates back to 1838 when Littleberry Vincent was the owner. The hotel was built in 1907. It was then called Central Hotel. The building was torn down in 1924. A new hotel was built and the name changed to Hotel Red Bay. It was later changed to Red Bay Hotel, which is currently being renovated.

One of the city’s most well known and admired features are the Red Bay Oak trees. The trees, planted by the Red Bay Garden Club in the 1930’s, cast a canopy over Main Street. 

For more on the City of Red Bay, please visit the link below:
http://cityofredbay.org/