Loxley honored for bicentennial efforts

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LOXLEY, Alabama — Joan Richardson, chair of Loxley Bicentennial Committee, presented a special plaque to the Loxley Town Council at its regular monthly council meeting on Monday, Nov. 9, commemorating the town’s outstanding contribution to Alabama’s recent bicentennial celebration.

The town was one of 41 community committees and organizations throughout the state to receive commendations from the Alabama Bicentennial Commission.

Between March 3, 2017 and Dec. 14, 2019, every county, more than 200 local community committees and dozens of organizations throughout the state participated in Alabama’s bicentennial commemoration, according to a release issued by the Alabama Bicentennial Commission.

They undertook hundreds of projects and activities over the three-year celebration. From those the Alabama Bicentennial Commission selected 21 projects to receive legacy awards and 41 to receive commendations. All made a significant and/or lasting contribution to the state’s commemoration.

“Alabama people, communities and organizations showed their creativity and resourcefulness throughout eh commemoration, but nowhere more than in the programs and projects they brought to life,” said Alabama Bicentennial Commission Executive Director Jay Lamar. “They helped ensure the bicentennial engaged all ages and interests. The bronze plaques are permanent testimonies to their contributions.”

The Town of Loxley held its first event on Feb. 24, 2018, dedicating Cedar Street Park (Loxley’s first park) by placing a bicentennial marker, tree and flower bed to mark the occasion.

As part of this dedication, Friends of Cedar Street Park was formed as a neighborhood association to encourage families and friends of the park to get to know their neighbors and providing a gathering place for more family activities and working toward more beautification projects for the park.

The Bicentennial Committee had a booth at the Strawberry Festival and presented educational programs for children and adults, including a history program for 35 Summer Day Camp children at Town Hall and exhibits and other presentations regarding Alabama 200 and the history of Loxley at Town Hall, Loxley's Public Library and various organizations.

The plaque presenation came one year to the day following the town’s final event for the Bicentennial Celebration, Honoring Our Founder, Loxley Families & History” presented as part of Founders Day, held Nov. 9, 2019 at the Loxley Civic Center.

The celebration included events, dedication of a pair of plaques and memorabilia, which filled the Civic Center. The town also welcomed the family of founder John Loxley.

Richardson said plans are to build a museum which will house all of the memorabilia collected from the celebration. A temporary museum will be housed in the old Loxley Community Center located on Relham Drive. An open house celebration is being planned for early next year, Richardson said.

“As bicentennial chair I was able to go to most of the plaque dedications throughout the county,” she said. “In Elberta I was approached about building a museum and literally two days later I get a call from (Loxley Mayor Richard Teal) asking if I would help form a committee to build a museum, so we’ve been working on it ever since.”

A committee has been formed and the town is looking into a grant that will help build the museum. In addition to Teal and Richardson, committee members are Council member Kasey Childress, former Loxley activities director and town historian Joey Knight, and library director Patty Hudson.

Among the award recipients were exhibitions, school projects and city murals. Many initiatives were locally focused, while others involved regional or even statewide interests. Many are especially notable for their long-term relevance and impact.

The awards also represented every region of the state and ranged from small towns to major metropolitan centers. Community partners included junior colleges, county commissions and historic sites.

In addition to Loxley’s commendation, Baldwin County received two legacy awards from the Alabama Bicentennial Commission.

The Baldwin County Department of Archives and History received an award for the Baldwin County Bicentennial Marker Series and Bicentennial Battle Site Paintings.

The Baldwin County Heritage Museum also received a legacy award for its exhibit “WWI and WWII: Memories of Baldwin County.”

The Baldwin County Department of Archives and History also received a commendation for “Baldwin County: Our People. Our Place. Our Stories.”