Prattville, just a stone's throw west from Montgomery, was once known as "The Fountain City" for the artesian wells flowing around the New England-style city. It's a city that also boasts being the "birthplace of industry in Alabama."
Besides history, Prattville is also noted for outdoor adventures like canoeing, hiking, fishing and golf, balanced by a quaint historic setting for its antique and specialty stores.
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*WHAT TO DODaniel Pratt Historic District Downtown: Driving tours through Prattville feature the areas Pratt designed for manufacturing, retail businesses, churches, schools and homes. The Prattaugan Museum or the Chamber of Commerce has maps.Buena Vista Mansion: Located near downtown, the former home is said to be the model for Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage in Nashville. The circa 1830 Buena Vista Mansion is open to tours from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., or by appointment. (The state of Alabama is in the Central time zone.) Historic tours are $5 per person. The facility is also available for weddings and other events. (641 County Road 4 E; 334-365-3690.)Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill: Known throughout the golfing world, the Prattville location features three highly praised 18-hole courses. Golf Magazine called Capitol Hill’s Judge course one of the 10 public courses in America worthy of hosting the U.S. Open, and the Zagat Survey of America’s Top Golf Courses ranked it among the top 50 courses in the nation. The Senator course was named among the Top 10 New Courses in the nation by Golf Magazine and is the host course for the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic. Capitol Hill’s three 18-hole championship courses make up more than 1,500 acres of golf and nature. (2600 Constitution Ave.; 334-285-1114; rtjgolf.com.)Pratt Park: Its splash pad is a popular summertime spot for kids, and there’s a horseshoe pit, sports fields, disc golf, walking, biking and nature trails, picnic tables and an amphitheater. (256 Doster Road; 540-658-5019.)Creative Arts Center: Housed in an 1890’s-era building behind City Hall, this museum includes a permanent exhibit of masterpieces from area artists like Russell Everett, Charlie “Tin Man” Lucas and Nancy Ria. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. (All times are Central.) Open during the week by appointment. There is no charge for admission to the gallery. (342 Chestnut St.; 334-595-0854.)*Source: Autauga County Heritage Association; Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce; Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
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THAT’S AMOREPasta Pizzeria and Grill in Prattville’s historic district features Italian fare in a repurposed historic retail space across from Heritage Park and Autauga Creek. The menu features traditional Italian entrees, brick oven pizza, sandwiches and wings. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 5-9 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. (205 S. Court St.; 334-365-6227; buildyouawebsite.com/pastapizzeria.)
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*FAST FACTSPopulation: 35,420Biggest employer: International PaperLandmarks: Downtown Prattville is home to the Daniel Pratt Historic District, a collection of homes, schools and businesses in an early “planned community.” The historic area was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Some sites predate the Civil War.Date founded: 1839History: Founder Daniel Pratt was first enticed by the sparkling waters of Autauga Creek when it was home mostly to American Indians and a few settlers. Pratt bought 1,000 acres to build the manufactories for his cotton gin operations and a community for the budding town’s citizens. Pratt began building the town in the late 1830s, erecting striking brick and stone homes and industrial buildings, some of them still used today in the cotton industry.Most famous resident: The 1960’s superstar singer Wilson Pickett, known for a number of hits including “In the Midnight Hour” and “Mustang Sally,” was born in Prattville in 1941. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.Unique fact: Prattville is known for the numerous artesian wells scattered across the town, with some still flowing in the city’s parks. Join people lining up for a drink of the sweet, free-flowing waters at some of the public wells in town. One well on Doster Road is under a tin-roofed shed behind the Prattaugan Museum/Heritage Center where visitors can enjoy a sip from a dipper.*Source: City of Prattville; Autauga County Heritage Association; Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame