Eufaula

Eufaula: Shorter Mansion

Eufaula, city, Barbour county, southeastern Alabama, U.S. It lies on the Chattahoochee River (dammed south of the city to form the Walter F. George Reservoir [or Lake Eufaula]), at the Georgia state line, about 90 miles (145 km) southeast of Montgomery. Settlers first arrived in the area, which was occupied by the Eufaula band of Creek Indians, in 1823 and named their settlement for the band. The town was temporarily renamed Irwinton for General William Irwin, a hero of the War of 1812, but in 1843 the name was changed back to Eufaula. The city became a shipping point for cotton.

The area’s economy is now based on agriculture (especially peanuts [groundnuts]), forestry, and tourism. Poultry processing is also important. Eufaula is at the centre of the Chattahoochee Trace, an area along the river in both Alabama and Georgia that is a focus of recreation and historical preservation. The city is home to many historic buildings, including the Shorter Mansion (1884) and Fendall Hall (1860), which can be toured during the annual pilgrimage in April. The Seth Lore and Irwinton Historic District is one of the largest in Alabama. The reservoir, which covers about 71 square miles (183 square km), is a popular recreation area. A bridge over it connects Eufaula with Georgetown, Georgia, and Lakepoint Resort State Park and Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge are at its northern end. Inc. 1832. Pop. (2000) 13,908; (2010) 13,137.