Population: 1,264
County: Tallapoosa
About: Camp Hill, AL, is a small town located in east-central Alabama not too far from beautiful Lake Martin and the Tallapoosa River. This area was settled in 1830, just before Creek Indian Removal. The settlement was initially referred to as “Burnt Bull” or “Ashbank,” but likely got its Camp Hill name from its popularity as a camping spot. Like many communities in this area, Camp Hill relied heavily on farming, using mostly enslaved labor as the main source of economic development. However, in 1870 the Savannah and Memphis Railroad came through the area which increased the population and helped bolster the economy. Camp Hill is also home to a historical educational institution. In 1898, Dr. Lyman Ward founded a secondary education institution for rural youth called “The Southern Industrial Institute, Inc.” The school later added the military department and renamed the school “Lyman Ward Military Academy” in honor of its founder. In 2019 the academy rebranded and is now called “The Southern Preparatory Academy.”
Camp Hill is home to a large population of people who identify themselves as Black/African American. In fact, in 2020, 0ver 90% of the Camp Hill population was reported as such. Tallapoosa County is just north of Alabama’s Black Belt, which contains land and soil that is rich for farming. Due to the history of slavery in the Black Belt and areas across the south, many African Americans decided to stay in the south after emancipation.
Fun Fact: Former Deputy Director of NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center, James L. Jennings, is an alumna of Camp Hill’s local high school, Edward Bell High School.
Community Social Media: Town of Camp Hill Facebook Page
Resources
News and More
-
Camp Hill council meets with ENI, water board October 18, 2023
-
Camp Hill is a part of building healthier communities October 12, 2023
-
What is Mental Health First Aid? | May 1, 2023
-
Camp Hill Welcomes ENI | December 3, 2022
Meet the Camp Hill Community Liaison, Bianca Moss
ENI is a community-focused, community-shaped initiative. Community Liaisons act as a resource to help communities shape ENI to fit their needs and wants. If you want to learn more or get involved with ENI, reach out to your Community Liaison.
Bianca Moss is proud to be a mother of two! Bianca graduated from Dadeville High School before accomplishing an Associate’s Degree in Allied Health from South University-Montgomery. Excitingly, she has just been accepted into the nursing program at Central Alabama Community College and will start in spring of 2023! Bianca is a member of Sardis Baptist Church in Camp Hill, Alabama, and enjoys working with the youth and giving back to the communities who came together to help her in her own time of need.
(334) 707-9695