Exploring Alabama’s Stagecoach Stop at Blount Springs

DeBandi...was your area affected by the storms yesterday? (heard that north of Bham was hit hard - not sure how far north.)

We are safe, others, not so lucky.

Thanks for asking.

Do you know how much of the current HWY 31 is overbuilt on the old L&N RR?

This kind of reports are what make this place so AWESOME!!!

Philip

The one with the rock was great..
But the other, that with the fireplace...
WAY too cool!
Congratulations, you make some really inspired threads and photo series!

there are some awesome ride reports on adv rider and this is at the top of the list. thanks for taking the time and making the effort to do this. very enjoyable and incredibly educational.

I was in Alabama last fall and was really impressed with how cool the northern end of the state is for riding and history. Thanks for bringing it to all of us! You should teach history to the local high school kids!

Yes, I have all the old maps.

Thanks Philip......

Pelham local here would love to go on one of these rides.

I enjoyed the history.

Great report Debandi!

Very interesting !!!!!!!!! and good job !!!!!!

One of the most amazing ride reports I have read!

Thank you.....

Wow. This is one of the most outstanding ride reports I've read. What an incredible job of sleuthing out the locations, mapping out roads, and creating the regression photographs. I got a pointer to this thread from the "Then and Now Images" in Pics, Pics, Pics. I'm so glad I did.

My grandpa was from Jasper. I've never been to Alabama. I hope I get to go someday.

I just recently discovered ADV. I've been riding for close to 40 years. And, grew up just north of you in Garden City. Back in the 70's, when I was a teen (And in Alabama they allowed MC Licenses at age 14 back then) I had a group of friends that all rode DP bikes. And, one friend had a WW2 era Jeep. We spent a LOT of time riding the Blount Springs / Bangor area.

I absolutely love your threads - they bring back a lot of memories. I'm a bit surprised at what it seems like you've missed though. Have you made it to Bangor Cave? Also, there was a place high on a mountain with no roads that had a small grave yard along with a decayed house with beautiful views. And, there was an old mill with a small waterfall. Both were on the right side of HWY 31 if you were headed away from Garden City. There was a really great abandoned rock quarry we used to all swim at - and do stupid cliff dives from (sadly one of my high school classmates didn't survive one dive - RIP Tony S.). Also, on top of the hill over Garden City there is an old abandoned water tower that's kinda cool to ride to.

My friends and I used to hang out with a bunch of old timers at the general store in Garden City (I think it was called Shaffers). We would drink cokes with peanuts while they drank god only knows what. They gave us great tips on places to go visit on our bikes or in the jeep. That was 30-35 years ago so I guess they're probably all gone now. I left the area in 1983 but still have several friends in the area.

Is the Top Hat still around? They had great BBQ.

I really envy your ability to ride the area. I miss it a lot. As well as being an immortal carefree teenager with absolutely no regard for trespassing laws and being willing to ride on active RR tracks.

Oh, and as you were heading toward Garden City on 31 there used to be a large old hotel with several cabins around it on the right side of the road. Is that still there?

Thank you so much for your posts and I'll be looking for more of them.

Hello dkcambel & welcome to ADV.

A few of the items you mentioned are discussed in other Exploring Alabama ride reports.

I believe the old graveyard you mentioned can be found on pages 2 & 10 of the Exploring Alabama’s long lost cemeteries ride report. The link is below.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=577490

I've been to Bangor Cave many times and frequent the RR tunnels. Blount Springs is a great place to live, ride & discover. Top Hat still makes great BBQ. The old mill is gone, and the old motel is all but a shell of what it once was. Thanks for the kind words. And again, welcome to ADV!


Thanks everyone for the all the responses and interest in the subject of history.

I'll keep looking around.

Thank you very much Sir>

Excellent lesson. Looking forward to the conclusion.

that was just great.....