Tallassee
About Tallassee
Tallassee is a town of just under 5000 people situated on the banks of the Tallapoosa River. It’s one of just a few unique cities in Alabama whose city limits reside in two counties, Elmore and Tallapoosa. Tallassee was recently cited on al.com as one of the top 10 places to retire in Alabama!
The Tallapoosa River is a sight to behold, and people enjoy fishing, kayaking, canoeing, or just simply sitting and enjoying the view. Tallassee’s section of the Tallapoosa River is on the Alabama Scenic River Trail.
Just a few miles south of the heart of downtown lies the former capital of the Creek Nation, Tukabachi. It was here that the great warrior Tecumseh made his impassioned speech to the Creeks to become part of a confederation to fight the white settlers. Ultimately, the Creeks joined in the war party, called the “Red Sticks,” but were defeated by Andrew Jackson.
Tallassee has a long industrial history, beginning in the 1840s when the Tallassee Falls Manufacturing Company was established. But the cotton mills were just the beginning. That strong manufacturing base has continued with Neptune Water Meter Company, GKN Aerospace, AES, and numerous other industries located in our industrial park.
The city of Tallassee has an excellent city school system under the leadership of superintendent Wade Shipman and the Tallassee City School Board. The school system will be expanding its Pre K program in 2017, and has built a career tech center for high school students where technical courses are taught, including classes offered on site by Trenholm State Technical College. The high school offers AP classes and dual enrollment, and the middle school has an outstanding robotics program. Tallassee High School hosts the Capital City Classic, a state wide show choir extravaganza, and has one of the best band and music programs in the state. Athletics is also a huge part of the Tallassee schools. Sports that are offered include football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, softball, baseball, track, wrestling, golf, and swimming will be added in the 2017-18 school year. THS is home to several individual state wrestling champions, a team state wrestling championships, a long history of baseball championships, and area championships in several sports. FFA is also very active in the school and community, hosting community plant sales and participating at the district and state levels.
Tallassee is a family friendly town with lots of activities for all ages. With four dance studios, a strong parks and rec department, private music teachers, and numerous other school and private programs that offer enrichment and academics, opportunities for children abound here.
Community events that attract visitors include Trade Day in the fall and Tallassee Now! in June. The Christmas parade and the Easter egg hunt are favorites of the children.
One of the biggest days of the year is THS Homecoming. Nobody does Homecoming at the small town level like Tallassee! From a Thursday night candle ceremony and bonfire to a parade and pep rally, followed by the big game where the Queen is crowned, this is a great occasion for everyone. The class that has been out of school for 20 years is honored throughout the festivities.
Tallassee citizens have always felt the call of duty to community and country. Many men and women have left home to serve their nation, and there is an active VFW and American Legion. On Memorial Day and Veterans Day you will find citizens in Veterans Park and at our memorial wall at City Hall honoring the memory of those who served and thanking those who continue to serve.
In Tallassee, you will find not only popular retail chain stores like Wal Mart, CVS, Tractor Supply, and Tallassee True Value but many locally owned shops. From jewelry to ladies’ clothing and bridal and prom gowns to flowers, office and computer supplies, sports uniform stores and barber and beauty shops, the local merchants are so happy to provide their services to the community.
Besides team sports, the Tallassee Riverwalk provides a place to walk, run, and picnic for any fitness level. It’s a short easy walk on Lake Talisi and the nature trail, opened in 2015, is a beautiful addition to the area. The asphalt trail is accessible for the handicapped, and the shady trail scattered with benches makes for a pleasant stroll or run.
Thurlow Dam is situated right in the heart of downtown Tallassee and when all the gates are down, it’s easy to see why it’s called “Little Niagra.” The Benjamin Fitzpatrick bridge, which spans the dam and river, is a feat in engineering. The power plant, which is open for tours during Tallassee Now!, sits on the west side of the dam.
Healthcare in Tallassee includes Community Hospital, which includes Community Home Health, Community Hospice, New Day Senior Center and Community Skilled Care and Rehab; Community Medical Arts; Covington Healthcare; Ivy Creek Urgent Care; Tallassee Rehab Physical Therapy; Tallassee Assisted Living; and Tallassee Health and Rehab along with several dentists and chiropractors.
There is an old legend that says once you put your feet under someone’s table and drink the water from the Tallapoosa River, you never want to leave Tallassee. Come to Tallassee, taste, and see!
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