The Opelika area was first settled in 1832 after the Treaty of Cusseta[4] was signed by the U.S. government and the Creek Nation. This treaty placed the land, and all other Creek territories east of the Mississippi River, under the possession of the United States government. Though the territory now belonged to the U.S., Opelika kept its Creek name, which translates to "large swamp".[5]
Two decades after settlement, Opelika was chartered as a town on February 9, 1854,[6] thanks to its rapid growth. This growth was due to the Montgomery & West Point Railroad Company's rail lines, which traversed the town and served as major means of transportation for unprocessed cotton between the northern and southern territories.[6]
Opelika later received a new charter in 1870, and its rapid growth continued. The town nearly doubled in size between 1870 and 1900.
Opelika's downtown was packed with saloons catering to railroad workers and other men. Frequent gunfire in the street by intoxicated patrons resulted in railroads directing their passengers to duck beneath the windows when their trains passed through the town.[7]
In 1882, two factions claimed to rule the city government, one known as the "Bar room" headed by Mayor Dunbar, a saloon keeper, and another known as the "Citizens". In a riot in late November–December of that year, a dozen men were wounded. In the end, a few were killed. The Citizens had claimed control of the city via the elections, but Dunbar refused to give up. After continued violence, the state legislature revoked the city's charter and the governor sent in the militia to restore order. The legislature appointed five commissioners to manage the city,[7] a situation that continued until 1899. That year, the legislature restored the city's charter.
Geography
Climate
Climate data for Opelika, Alabama, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1957–present
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 30,995 people, 11,866 households, and 7,199 families residing in the city.
2010 census
According to 2009 Census estimates, the median income for a household in the city was $35,243, and the median income for a family was $47,864.[13]
The per capita income for the city is $18,023. Residents with income under poverty levels are 23.1% of the population, while 31.1% of children in the area are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 14.9% are 65 or older.[14][failed verification]
Economy
Northeast Opelika Industrial Park
Opelika's economy has shifted from textile manufacturing, and since 2004, has experienced revitalization in many segments of the economy, including commercial, residential and industrial activity. In 2005, the city announced new industry investments and existing industry expansions totalling 1.5 billion and 4,004 additional jobs.[15]
In 2009, Opelika's largest employer was the East Alabama Medical Center, which employed more than 2,700 employees that year.[16]
Companies located in Opelika, or planning to locate here include:
In 2021, the city opened the Opelika Public Library. It is the only public library in the city.
Parks and recreation
Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatics Center splashpark
Spring Villa Park, a 350-acre (140 ha) park in Opelika, features picnic and play areas, nature trails, and camping.[20]Spring Villa, an antebellum house located in the park, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[20]
In 2019, the city opened the Opelika Pickleball Facility, featuring 24 regulation courts.
In 2009, the City of Opelika built the Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatics Center, a $32 million facility.
The RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, is located in Opelika, and has hosted national championships.[21]
Government
Memorial at Opelika City Hall
Opelika is governed by a mayor-council government, with a mayor and a five-member city council.
The chief executive official of the city of Opelika is the mayor. The mayor is elected at-large for a four-year term. The mayor has complete executive power in the city, and can appoint and dismiss department heads at will.
The mayor of Opelika is Gary Fuller.[22] Council members include:[23]
Eddie Smith - Ward 4 (president)
Erica Baker-Norris - Ward 2 (president pro-tem)
George Allen - Ward 1
Tim Aja - Ward 3
Todd Rauch - Ward 5
In 2007, the city council designated Opelika as a City of Character, to recognize, emphasize and enforce 49 character traits throughout the community, and to mandate character training.[24][25][26]
Opelika City Schools is the public school system of Opelika. The Opelika City School System consists of eight schools. There are three primary schools serving grades Kindergarten – 2, three intermediate schools serving grades 3–5, one middle school (grades 6–8), and one high school, Opelika High School (grades 9–12).[27]
Alabama State Department of Education. Reports. Retrieved October 5, 2006.
Auburn, Alabama, City of. (2000) The City of Auburn, Alabama Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2000. Finance Department.
Auburn, Alabama, City of. (2000) The City of Auburn Proposed Biennial Budget for FY 05 & FY 06 Budget Message. Office of the City Manager.
Center for Demographic Research, Auburn University – Montgomery. U.S. Census Reports for Opelika City for the years 1950, 1960, 1970, and 1980.
Department of Industrial Relations, State of Alabama. (1978–2005). Total Nonagricultural Employment for Lee County. Montgomery, Alabama: Author.
Duran, Rachel (2003). "Automotive Industry in the Driver's Seat", Global Corporate Xpansion, July 1, 2003. Birmingham Ala., Latitude 3 Media Group.
EDAA Newsletter (Fall 2006). EDAA/SEDC Community Awards Presented at Conference. Economic Development Council of Alabama. Retrieved on October 14, 2006, from Economic Development Association of Alabama.
Golf Digest, August 2005 Vol.56, No. 8
Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc. (1999). Strategic Plan for the City of Opelika.
Nunn, Alexander (Ed.) (1983). Lee County and Her Forebears. Montgomery, Ala., Herff Jones. LCCCN 83-081693
Opelika, Alabama, City of. (2005). Comprehensive Plan for the City of Opelika. Opelika, Alabama. Opelika Planning Department.
Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. (Summer 2005). Alabama Reading Test Results Show Overall Improvements from 2004 to 2005, but School System Results Vary. The PARCA Quarterly, 3–7.
Randle, Mike. (Spring 2006). Top Deals & Hot Markets 2006: Alabama and North Carolina: Performing Economic Miracles. Southern Business and Development Magazine. Retrieved on October 14, 2006, from Southern Business and Development.
