Stroll down a street lined with a canopy of oak trees to join a community potluck supper…Sit on the front porch of a quaint bed and breakfast and sip sweet tea…Check out the produce and cheese at the general store…Go to church services at the historic white wood frame church.
A visit to Magnolia Springs, Ala., is a step back in time where traffic congestion is rare and the local mail is delivered by boat along the river. Magnolia Springs is a small Southern river town that was incorporated two years ago and has only 600 full-time residents.
Magnolia Springs gets its name from the abundance of Magnolia trees and natural springs located along the river. The slow pace and natural beauty of Magnolia Springs brings tourists to visit. The town is located near Gulf Shores, Ala., so it makes a great side trip to your beach vacation.
Be sure to go to a service or at least a tour of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, which was built in 1902. The historic white frame church is beautiful and you get a peaceful tranquil feeling sitting on the wooden benches. It is open until 6 p.m. each day. Services are held at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Sundays.
Another stop should be the community hall built in 1894 that is still used for community meetings and events. On the first Saturday of the month in May through September, a pot luck supper is held with old-fashioned Southern cooking featured. Area residents say it’s a “phenomenal feast.”
For a wonderful meal of Southern treats, make a stop at Jesse’s Restaurant. Start your meal with Oysters Lydia, brie and apples en croute and fried green tomatoes and a cup of champagne and crab bisque. For my entrée, I chose Jesse’s 16-ounce ribeye served with asparagus and brie mashed potatoes. Another good choice is the coffee rubbed hand-cut eight ounce filet.
Jesse’s is connected to Moore Brothers, an old-time grocery store, filled with wonderful food and staples you might need during your stay in Magnolia Springs.
Unofficial tour guide and area historian David Worthington is a wealth of information on Magnolia Springs. He is also owner of the bed and breakfast located at the end of a tree-lined street of beautiful historic Southern homes.
Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast is located at 14469 Oak Street in a lovely home built in 1897 and it is know for its “classic Southern hospitality.” The property is listed on the National Register and it offers five guest rooms with private baths and cable TV, as well as afternoon tea, evening dessert and a gourmet breakfast.
For more information on Magnolia Springs, go to www.magnoliasprings.com.
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