Dedicated to a pest

Enterprise, Alabama is a charming mix of the old South and a progressive community dedicated to progress. Whether you are visiting the area or moving here and looking for homes for sale, you will be welcomed by the warm and gracious community.  We are probably best known for our monument on main street - the only monument in the world dedicated to a pest. 

Now,  that calls for some explanation doesn't it?  No description of Enterprise is complete without the story of the Boll Weevil Monument.  The story is very telling when it comes to the spirit of this community.

Enterprise, like much of southeast Alabama, has it's roots in agriculture.  Cotton was a staple for farmers in this area in the 19th century.  But in 1915, about 60% of the cotton crop was destroyed by the Mexican Boll Weevil that had spread from Texas to Alabama. The farmers in the Enterprise area did not give in to the dire circumstances.  Instead they switched to planting peanuts, and a mere two years later the farmers in this Coffee County harvested more peanuts than any other county in the country.  That's enterprising thinking, if you ask us.

So in 1919, a monument was erected in the center of town - right in the middle of main street and a block away from the courthouse.  The inscription on the base of the monument is inscribed: "in profound appreciation of the boll weevil and what it has done as the herald of prosperity this monument was erected by the citizens of Enterprise, Coffee County, Alabama. "

All  Enterprise school children are taught that the Boll Weevil Monument is a symbol of man's willingness and ability to adjust to adversity.  

What a good lesson to learn.

If you are reading this blog and you're looking for homes for sale, we thought you might want to know about the lady in the middle of town.

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