Opelika, Alabama

The Opelika area was first settled in 1832 after the Treaty of Cusseta^[4] was signed by the U.S. government and the Creek Nation. This treaty placed the land, and all other Creek territories east of the Mississippi River, under the possession of the United States government. Though the territory now belonged to the U.S., Opelika kept its Creek name, which translates to "large swamp ",^[5] from opilwa (swamp) and lako (big).^[6]

Two decades after settlement, Opelika was chartered as a town on February 9, 1854,^[7] thanks to its rapid growth. This growth was due to the Montgomery & West Point Railroad Company's rail lines, which traversed the town and served as major means of transportation for unprocessed cotton between the northern and southern territories.^[7]

Opelika later received a new charter in 1870, and its rapid growth continued. The town nearly doubled in size between 1870 and 1900.^{[citation needed]}

Opelika's downtown was packed with saloons catering to railroad workers and other men. Frequent gunfire in the street by intoxicated patrons resulted in railroads directing their passengers to duck beneath the windows when their trains passed through the town.^[8]

In 1882, two factions claimed to rule the city government, one known as the "Bar room" headed by Mayor Dunbar, a saloon keeper, and another known as the "Citizens". In a riot in late November–December of that year, a dozen men were wounded. In the end, a few were killed. The Citizens had claimed control of the city via the elections, but Dunbar refused to give up. After continued violence, the state legislature revoked the city's charter and the governor sent in the militia to restore order. The legislature appointed five commissioners to manage the city,^[8] a situation that continued until 1899. That year, the legislature restored the city's charter.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 30,995 people, 11,866 households, and 7,199 families residing in the city.

According to 2009 Census estimates, the median income for a household in the city was $35,243, and the median income for a family was $47,864.^[14]

The per capita income for the city is $18,023. Residents with income under poverty levels are 23.1% of the population, while 31.1% of children in the area are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 14.9% are 65 or older.^{[15][failed verification]}

 

Opelika's economy continues to grow at a healthy, diversified pace, and since 2004, has experienced revitalization in many segments of the economy, including commercial, residential and industrial activity. Over the last 20 years, since 2005, the city announced new industry investments and existing industry expansions totaling more than $2.6 billion and the creation of over 4,700 additional jobs. ^[16]

Currently, Opelika's largest employer is East Alabama Health, which employes more than 3,700 employees. ^[16]

Companies located in Opelika, or planning to locate here include:

In 2021, the city opened the Opelika Public Library. It is the only public library in the city. The library holds a large main area of books with a teen and kid room in the far back. It has quiet study rooms and work spaces. It also has fun activities for family, teens etc.

 

Spring Villa Park, a 350-acre (140 ha) park in Opelika, features picnic and play areas, nature trails, and camping.^[19] Spring Villa, an antebellum house located in the park, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.^[19]

In 2019, the city opened the Opelika Pickleball Facility, featuring 24 regulation courts.

In 2009, the City of Opelika built the Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatics Center, a $32 million facility.

The RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, is located in Opelika, and has hosted national championships.^[20]

 

Opelika is governed by a mayor-council government, with a mayor and a five-member city council. The chief executive official of the city of Opelika is the mayor. The mayor is elected at-large for a four-year term. The mayor has complete executive power in the city, and can appoint and dismiss department heads at will.

The mayor of Opelika is Gary Fuller.^[21] Council members include:^[22]

In 2007, the city council designated Opelika as a City of Character, to recognize, emphasize and enforce 49 character traits throughout the community, and to mandate character training.^[23][24][25]

 

Opelika City Schools is the public school system of Opelika. The Opelika City School System consists of eight schools. There are three primary schools serving grades Kindergarten – 2, three intermediate schools serving grades 3–5, one middle school (grades 6–8), and one high school, Opelika High School (grades 9–12).^[26]

A campus of Southern Union State Community College—a public, two-year college—is located Opelika.^[27]

Opelika is included in the Columbus, Georgia market according to Nielsen.^[28] The Opelika-Auburn News is a city newspaper.

The movie Norma Rae (1979) was filmed in Opelika.^[29]

Lee-Russell Public Transit provides dial-a-ride transit service through Opelika and the region.^[30]

The last passenger train service was the Illinois Central Railroad's City of Miami (Chicago - Miami), having its final run in 1971. The Illinois Central's Seminole (Chicago - Jacksonville) served Opelika until 1969. Amtrak service is proposed under the American Jobs Plan.^[31]

• Alabama State Department of Education. Accountability Reporting. Retrieved June 13, 2004.
• Alabama State Department of Education. Reports. Retrieved October 5, 2006.
• Auburn, Alabama, City of. (2000) The City of Auburn, Alabama Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2000. Finance Department.
• Auburn, Alabama, City of. (2000) The City of Auburn Proposed Biennial Budget for FY 05 & FY 06 Budget Message. Office of the City Manager.
• Center for Demographic Research, Auburn University – Montgomery. U.S. Census Reports for Opelika City for the years 1950, 1960, 1970, and 1980.
• Conway Data. (May 2004). Top Groups of 2003. Retrieved on October 14, 2006, from Press Release: Site Selection’s 2003 Top Deals and Top Groups. Also available in Site Selection magazine (May 2004).
• Department of Industrial Relations, State of Alabama. (1978–2005). Total Nonagricultural Employment for Lee County. Montgomery, Alabama: Author.
• Duran, Rachel (2003). "Automotive Industry in the Driver's Seat", Global Corporate Xpansion, July 1, 2003. Birmingham Ala., Latitude 3 Media Group.
• EDAA Newsletter (Fall 2006). EDAA/SEDC Community Awards Presented at Conference. Economic Development Council of Alabama. Retrieved on October 14, 2006, from Economic Development Association of Alabama.
• Golf Digest, August 2005 Vol.56, No. 8
• Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc. (1999). Strategic Plan for the City of Opelika.
• Nunn, Alexander (Ed.) (1983). Lee County and Her Forebears. Montgomery, Ala., Herff Jones. LCCCN 83-081693
• Opelika, Alabama, City of. (2005). Comprehensive Plan for the City of Opelika. Opelika, Alabama. Opelika Planning Department.
• Opelika, Alabama, City of. (2005). Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2005 Archived July 13, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 9, 2006.
• Opelika, Alabama, City of. (2005). Our City Council Members Archived August 31, 2005, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 9, 2005.
• Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. (Summer 2005). Alabama Reading Test Results Show Overall Improvements from 2004 to 2005, but School System Results Vary. The PARCA Quarterly, 3–7.
• Randle, Mike. (Spring 2006). Top Deals & Hot Markets 2006: Alabama and North Carolina: Performing Economic Miracles. Southern Business and Development Magazine. Retrieved on October 14, 2006, from Southern Business and Development.
• Site Selection online. (May 2006). Top Groups 2005. Retrieved on October 14, 2006, from TOP GROUPS 2005-- Site Selection magazine, May 2006. Also available in Site Selection magazine (May 2006).
• Jake Hess, New York Times Obituaries, January 11, 2004.

• City of Opelika official website
• Opelika Chamber of Commerce