Fort Payne - is a small city in the northeast corner of Alabama with a population just under 13,000. It is the county seat and largest city in DeKalb County.
Understand edit
Originally Fort Payne was an important Cherokee village called Will's Town. In 1838 Captain John G. Payne selected the site to build a stockade to house Native Americans that would later be sent on the Trail of Tears. Fort Payne became the county seat of DeKalb County in 1878, and was incorporated in 1889.
Fort Payne is known for the large number of sock mills in the area, and is sometimes referred to as the Sock Capital of the World.
Fort Payne is in a valley bordered by Sand Mountain to the north and Lookout Mountain to the south. Visitor's can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in the area.
Get in edit
By plane edit
Isbell Field - 2200 Terminal Road. No commercial passenger service available.
By car edit
I-59 - connects Fort Payne with Chattanooga, TN to the northeast and Birmingham, AL to the southwest.
Get around edit
The best way to get around Fort Payne is by car.
See edit
Attractions edit
- Desoto State Park, 7104 DeSoto Parkway NE. Located on Lookout Mountain. Great location for hiking, camping, and enjoying the great outdoors.
- Little River Canyon National Preserve, 2141 Gault Ave N. Located just outside of town on Lookout Mountain. Great location for hiking.
- Opera House, 510 Gault Avenue N. Historic opera house built in 1889. For tours call 256-845-6888.
Museums edit
- Alabama Fan Club, 101 Glen Blvd SW. Fan club and museum dedicated to the country music band Alabama.
- Depot Museum, 105 5th St NE. The old Fort Payne train station now serves as a museum dedicated to the history of Fort Payne.
- Fort Payne Hosiery Museum, 514 Gault Ave N. Museum dedicated the history of the sock industry in Fort Payne.
Do edit
Popular outdoor activities include camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, birdwatching and skiing.
Rock climbing is another popular activity which can be attempted at Buck's Pocket State Park, DeSoto State Park[dead link], or Little River Canyon National Preserve.
Learn edit
Community College edit
- Northeast Alabama Community College[dead link]. Located in nearby Rainsville, AL, about 10 miles north of Fort Payne on Sand Mountain.
Public Library edit
- DeKalb County Public Library - 504 Grand Avenue NW
Buy edit
Anything and everything at Trade Day in nearby Collinsville, AL.
Eat edit
Budget edit
- Not Your Mama's Deli, 203 Gault Avenue, ☏ +1 256-273-6963. S
- Waffle King, 2605 Greenhill Blvd NW.
Mid-range edit
- New China Restaurant, 230 DeKalb Plaza Blvd. SW
- Santa Fe Cattle Co., 305 Ruby Tuesday Lane SW.
Drink edit
Sleep edit
- DeSoto State Park Lodge, 1299 Blalock Dr NE. You'll be quite close to nature here. +1 256-845-5380.
Go next edit
Routes through Fort Payne |
Chattanooga via ← Wildwood ← | N S | → Gadsden → Birmingham |