Overview
Valley is a child of the Age of Textiles in the Deep South. After the civil war, people turned from raising cotton in fields to milling cotton in factories. Cotton was King back then. Textile companies organized mill towns where their workers lived and built them schools, hospitals and stores. Four of these towns were joined into one big community that became Valley City which was incorporated in 1980. After nearly a century, the world’s largest textile company is gone. The Age of Textiles is at an end. The automotive industry has taken its place and now employs about 10,000 people. The city of Valley is becoming a modern bedroom community where people continue to remember and honor their past.
Restaurants And Dining
People of the Valley love their barbeque, slabs of pork ribs, and beef brisket rubbed with a spice mix and smoked for 12 hours until they are a deep and rich brown and falling-off-the-bones tender. Some swear by tomato based barbeque sauce while others mix the still warm meat with some good vinegar and sugar. Nothing else is added. So where else do you eat in the Valley but David’s Bar-B-Que and Chuck’s Bar-B-Que with their down-home cooking that goes beyond barbeque with fried chicken, country fried steak, and mac n’ cheese. David’s even celebrates Friday night as All-You-Can-Eat-Catfish Feast.
Exploring The City
The Chattahoochee Valley Railroad carried people, cotton, cloth and other supplies for nearly a hundred years. In 1992, the trains stopped and the railroad bed became a trail that begins in Shawmut mill town, passes by Langdale and the mighty Langdale Textile Mill, and ends at the mill towns of Fairfax and Riverview. Valley City has turned the railroad into a 7 mile hike-bike trail. It is the perfect way to get to know Valley City now and Valley City then. Valley also has hidden treasures–architectural gems scattered all over the four mill towns; among them is the Langdale School, a Georgian-style tile building with a saddle roof and fanlights.
Things To Do
Head straight for the Valley City Community Center where you can swim and play racquetball and tennis in six courts. Take a big bottle of water and hike along the old railroad bed. When you reached the Chattahoochee River, you can go canoeing, kayaking and swimming and simply enjoy the beautiful landscape. If you’re feeling nostalgic, visit the Days Gone By and Timeless Antiques and Flea Market or the Langdale Candle Company. You will be able to find beautiful gifts and souvenirs of your Valley visit.
Best Hotel Accommodations
There is at least one Valley hotel where you are assured of a satisfying stay. Holiday Inn Express Valley gets a passing grade on all basics—spacious and spotless rooms, excellent service and affordable rates. Plus, you can get a full breakfast with ham, pancakes, oatmeal, fruits, juices and free coffee. AAA rate can be as low as $57 for a one night’s stay. In this case, you will feel that you got more than you paid for. You can also opt to stay in the hotels or B&Bs in nearby Lanett, LaGrange or Opelika.