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Friday, October 10, 2008

The Brewton Standard
407 Nicholas Ave.
Brewton, AL 36426
(251) 867-4876
(251) 867-4877 (fax)
E-mail The Standard

The Newspaper
The Community

The Community

Market
Brewton and East Brewton are located in extreme south central Alabama, just north of the Florida Panhandle. The community is about an hour north of the beautiful sandy white beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, about an hour and a half from Mobile, Ala., one of the most historic cities in the South, and about two hours south of Montgomery, the state capital. Brewton and East Brewton are unique, offering residents the best of small-town living as well as one of the most advanced telecommunications infrastructures anywhere in the world.

Population
Brewton and East Brewton, 7,994
Escambia County, 38,440

Culture
From Norman Crampton's 'The 100 Best Small Towns in America'

"Once upon a time, Brewton was known as the richest little town in the South. Brewton's high per capita income was created by a small number of "Lumber Barons," as they are remembered, who arrived at the end of the last century to cut pine and stayed to build extraordinary homes along Belleville and Evergreen avenues.

"They were generous people, and their descendants have carried on the tradition, funding many public improvements over the years -- like the YMCA building, schools and parks. Sharing the wealth has been good for business, too. Like many communities, Brewton tries to attract new manufacturers to town by putting up buildings on speculation -- simple, all-purpose structures, ready for occupancy by a new Brewton employer, who buys the building on favorable terms."

Events
Brewton is home to Alabama's Blueberry Festival, held each June on the campus of Jefferson Davis Community College.

Of course, football is one of the hottest attractions in the fall, and when the T.R. Miller Tigers of Brewton take on the W.S. Neal Blue Eagles from East Brewton, the clash is called the Battle of Murder Creek.

As the holiday season begins, Brewton celebrates with special downtown events, a Christmas parade, and, on New Year's Eve, a giant Blueberry Drop.

Climate
Average temperature-64 degrees F; Average rainfall 69 inches; 105 feet above sea level

Major employers

TR Miller Mill; Jefferson Smurfit; Citation Corporation; Natural Decorations, Inc.; Frit Car & Equipment; Brewton Iron Works; Smackco LTD; McPherson Archery; International Plastics; Nutex Manufacturing; New South Apparel

Education
City school system serves Brewton and County BOE serves East Brewton.

Jefferson Davis Community College is a focal point of the community, providing academic and technical programs. The college's 1,000-seat Patterson Auditorium is home to many community events.

History
The first name given to the land between Burnt Corn and Murder Creeks was probably "Crossroads", because of a trail that passed through the area and connected the Old Wolf Trail with several roads at Fort Crawford.

When the Alabama and Florida Railroad came through the area in the spring of 1861, a new station was built and named "Newport" by the railroad officials.

This name was possibly chosen because the settlement was a new port along the two creeks. Shortly thereafter, "Brewton" became the commonly used title in honor of the first depot agent, Edmund Troupe Brewton.

Interesting tidbit: For the first three decades of the 20th century, Brewton had more millionaires per capita than any other city in the United States

Recreation
One amateur theater, 12 ball fields, 30 golf holes, one museum, three parks, three swimming pools, 10 tennis courts and a YMCA

Area information
Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce
(251) 867-3224
www.brewtonchamber.com

Brewton City School System
www.brewtoncityschools.org

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