If you’re on the hunt for a road trip that combines history, arts and crafts and much more, Lowndes County is the place to be.
On January 20, 1830, Lowndes County was established by an act of the Alabama General Assembly. The county was named in honor of William Lowndes, a US Congressman from South Carolina, and was formed from parts of Montgomery, Dallas and Butler counties. The earliest settlers came to the county from Georgia and Tennessee.

Through the civil rights era of the 1960s, Lowndes County was at the forefront of efforts to reform voting and other areas of racial injustice in the South. Today, Lowndes County hosts a site commemorating the Selma to Montgomery March.

Hayneville is Lowndes County’s first and only county seat, established in 1830. It was named for South Carolina politician Robert Y. Hayne. The town is one of the stops on the Selma to Montgomery March National Historic Trail. The 1856 Greek Revival courthouse is a historic building and is one of only four antebellum courthouses that remain in use in Alabama. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 24, 1971.

One of the most beautiful and well-preserved antebellum communities in the entire South can be found in Lowndesboro, located in northern Lowndes County. The town was also named in honor of the South Carolina Congressman Lowndes. By the time of the Civil War, Lowndesboro had become a community with a variety of architectural styles representing the Greek Revival, New England, Raised Cottage and other well-known types of design.

Additionally in Lowndesboro is the McCurdy Plantation horse, a gaited breed of horses developed by the McCurdy family of Lowndes County in the late nineteenth century. Originally bred to serve as a working breed for plantation and ranch work, the McCurdy horse is now a popular pleasure and trail animal and has become known throughout the South.

A commanding bluff overlooking the Alabama River near the small community of White Hall holds a significant place in Alabama history and legend. This was the site of Holy Ground, the town of a Creek Prophet and a base of operations for Red Stick during the Creek War of 1813-14.

The site is now Holy Ground Battlefield Park and is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The facilities include a boat launch ramp, a swimming beach, a bird watching center and other outdoor accommodations.

Named for a fort constructed by federal troops during the Creek War of 1813-14, Fort Deposit was established to serve as a supply base. The facility has been described as a fortified camp that housed as many as 1,200 men. Some remains of the fort are visible in town, including wells and munitions bunkers.
In 1935, Priester’s Pecans was established in a gas station in Fort Deposit and is now a worldwide supplier of the southern delicacy, and its headquarters is a popular destination for travelers along I-65.

Since 1972, the town has also held the Calico Fort Arts and Crafts Fair during the second week of April and is one of the oldest and largest fairs in the South. This year, Calico Fort will celebrate its 53rd show on April 12 and 13. Admission is $10 for adults and $2 for children 18 and under.

“We threw around a lot of ideas that would benefit Fort Deposit, draw crowds and be something special for the community, and we came up with an arts and crafts fair,” said Frieda Cross, President of the Fort Deposit Arts Council.

While many names were discussed, the group settled on “Calico Fort” due to the area’s Native American history with the fort and on the fact that calico is synonymous with variety.

“Most of the ones involved in the first fair were female,” said Cross. “Our husbands made fun of us because we thought we were going to have a function and draw 5,000 people in Fort Deposit. They laughed at us. Well, we did! And in fact, it was a little over 5,000.”

After breaking their self-appointed record that first year, attendance has continued to grow, and Cross anticipates this year to be another booming year. Cross said the fair easily draws anywhere from 10,000 – 20,000 visitors annually.

Attendees can expect a wide variety of exhibitors when visiting Calico Fort. Along with food, live music and children’s activities, the previous years have also showcased hand-blown glass, paintings, jewelry, crafts, sculptures, birdhouses and feeders, woodworking, hand-made soaps, seamstresses and quilters and so much more. Cross said they have anywhere from 150-200 exhibitors each year.

“Two of the rules for exhibitors are that items must be hand-made, and they must be there on the premises with their booths,” said Cross. “It’s always fascinating to me to see the creativity of people and what they come up with.”

Cross adds that there’s also a designated area where attendees can sit on a shaded porch with access to fans and still experience the fair and entertainment. Cross said the entertainment is a mix of local and imported talent, and the food vendors are primarily manned by local organizations such as churches, schools, fire departments and more.

“All towns need things that pull people in the area together, and that’s what Calico does for us,” said Cross. “Everybody’s involved, and we have the full support of the community.”

Whether it’s the history that draws you in, the scenery and outdoor opportunities or the allure of a good old fashioned arts and crafts fair, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Lowndes County.