By Terry Schrimscher, For The Tribune
SPRINGVILLE — The City of Springville celebrated its sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary, Thursday night, Dec. 8, with events in the city’s historic downtown.
“We had a great time last night celebrating The City of Springville’s 150th anniversary. We honored Springville’s past, present, and future,” Rick Hopkins said. “The citizens make Springville so special, and they showed up last night to celebrate.”
Hopkins serves as Director of Springville Parks & Recreation.
“All of the shops that were open this evening were packed full of people,” Mayor Dave Thomas said. “It was fantastic, it really was.”
Stores in the city remained open later for shoppers, and many distributed free gifts of a Springville Christmas ornament or a lapel pin commemorating the event.
“I think our local merchants were quite thrilled with the turnout tonight,” Thomas said.
The event also featured an appearance by Santa Claus, crafts for children, concerts by the middle school and high school choirs, and the unveiling of a design for a potential commemorative feature near Big Springs Park.
The city recognizes the year 1872 as its founding, but the area has a rich history dating back to settlements in the early 1800s, including a church chartered in 1817, two years before Alabama became a state.
First known as Big Springs, the town was renamed Pinkhill when the first post office was opened in 1833, but was soon renamed Springville after the freshwater springs that first attracted settlers and tourists to the area.
“Various sources give dates from the early 1880s as the date of incorporation, but state records show a recording of a city charter in early 1873 suggesting that the date of incorporation was in 1872 as reflected on the city seal,” said Mayor Thomas, who spoke at the event and narrated a video of the city’s history.
Thomas also took a moment to read a proclamation being presented to the City Council in honor of councilmember Wayne Tucker, who has served the city representing his district since first elected in 1980.
“You’ve got to be doing something right and be well thought of to hang onto the same council seat for 42 years,” Thomas said, speaking to The Trussville Tribune after the reception. “Wayne has been able to hold that seat, serve his district and obviously serve it well.”
Thomas spoke about the history of the city and the honor of serving his hometown as mayor as the city turns 150 years old.
“It is truly such an honor to serve as mayor or on the council; it’s certainly an honor,” Thomas said. “To do so at this point in time really is quite memorable.”
Thomas praised City Clerk Lynn Porter for bringing the anniversary to the attention of the City Council and expressed gratitude to city employees and community members who worked together to make the event a reality.
“It was just the quintessential, small town, tight-knit community supporting one another and celebrating with each other,” he said.
Springville will host its annual Christmas Parade Saturday night, Dec. 10, beginning at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks.