Phenix City, Alabama
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| Phenix City, Alabama | |
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| Coordinates: 32°28′22″N 85°1′12″W / 32.47278°N 85.02°WCoordinates: 32°28′22″N 85°1′12″W / 32.47278°N 85.02°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| Counties | Russell |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Sonny Coulter |
| Area | |
| - Total | 24.8 sq mi (64.1 km2) |
| - Land | 24.6 sq mi (63.7 km2) |
| - Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km2) |
| Elevation | 243 ft (74 m) |
| Population (2006)[1] | |
| - Total | 30,067 |
| - Density | 1,139.7/sq mi (469.06/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 36867-36869 |
| Area code(s) | 334 |
| FIPS code | 01-59472 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0155193 |
| Website | http://www.phenixcityal.us |
Phenix City is a city in Russell County in the U.S. state of Alabama. Portions of Lee County are addressed as Phenix City, 36870 ZIP code, for the sole purpose that Smith's Station does not have full incorporation to annex the area. As of 2006, the population of the city was 30,067, according to Census Bureau estimates.[1] Phenix City lies in the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the Lee County nominal is in the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area. The city is the county seat of Russell County[2]. It is also a suburb immediately west of Downtown Columbus, Georgia which is just across the Chattahoochee River.
In 2007, BusinessWeek named Phenix City the nation's #1 Best Affordable Suburb to raise a family.[3]
Currently, the mayor is Sonny Coulter, a local businessman, and previous mayor. The city manager, who holds the task of organizational matters is Wallace Hunter.
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[edit] History
In the late 19th century, Girard made up most of current downtown Phenix City, while Phenix City was mostly in Lee County. In the early 20th century, the two towns consolidated into the present Phenix City as county lines were redrawn to account for population shifts involved in the Auburn University opening and expansion.
Phenix City was notorious during the 1940s and 1950s as being a haven for organized crime, prostitution, and gambling. As a result, the city had a negative reputation, and many people still associate this legacy with Phenix City. The Tragedy and the Triumph of Phenix City, Alabama by Margaret Ann Barnes chronicles these events. Which led to the small town to be known as "Sin City, USA".
In 1955, it won the All-America City Award from the National Municipal League.
[edit] Time Zone (official and observed)
Although Alabama is legally part of the Central Time Zone, Phenix City's proximity to the larger city of Columbus, Georgia means that Phenix City and areas within a 10-15 mile radius (such as Smiths Station, Alabama) observe Eastern Time on a de facto basis, including the Phenix City municipal government.
[edit] Media
There are three radio stations licensed to serve Phenix City: WURY-LP (97.1 FM), WGSY (100.1 FM), and WHAL (1460 AM). Also, Phenix City receives television signals from Columbus, Georgia.
[edit] In popular culture
- Ralph J. Bryant, The first black graduate of Columbus College & C.E.O of Decatur Capital Management was born and raised in Phenix City.
- The character "Maggot" from E.M. Nathanson's novel The Dirty Dozen was from Phenix City.
- The 1955 film The Phenix City Story (directed by Phil Karlson) is a biopic film noir focusing on the rampant crime and corruption in the city (then called "the wickedest city in the United States") and the 1954 murder of newly-elected Alabama Attorney General Albert Patterson.
- Ska saxophonist Rolando Alphonso of the Skatalites had a 1960s hit titled "Phenix City"
- The late recording artist Jimmie Spheeris was born in Phenix City in 1949. Also, Freddie Hart a Country singer who wrote and recorded "Phenix City" is from there.
- Gov John Malcolm Patterson (Gov of Ala 1958-61) was from Phenix City.
- The town gained attention in 1999 when Phenix City National Little League advanced to the final of the Little League World Series.
- The city is mentioned in the film Driving Miss Daisy.
- The city is mentioned as a former bootlegging city by the character played by Robert Mitchum in the film Thunder Road.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Alabama, Listed Alphabetically: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006" (CSV). 2007 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. June 28, 2007. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2006-04-01.csv. Retrieved June 28, 2007.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/usamap.cfm. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Best Affordable Suburbs 2007". BusinessWeek. December 13, 2007. http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/12/1213_bestaffordable_subs/index_01.htm?chan=rss_topSlideShows_ssi_5. Retrieved February 11, 2008.
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