The Langdale Mill Revitalization Project

The City of Valley is faced with the daunting task of having to re-invent itself in order to survive the current economic crisis that is taking place here.  With the decline of the textile industry in the USA, this area, which has been almost totally dependent upon textiles for its economy since the 1860s, has lost hundreds of jobs due to the closing of the Langdale and Riverdale Mills.  In addition, the other mills in the area have cutback operations, also resulting in a loss of jobs.  It is apparent that a new economic engine must be created to drive the sluggish economy and this engine will be tourism.  A tourism based on the rich, Southern, textile mill heritage that the City of Valley was built upon and is proud to claim as its own.  After the Civil War, this area was faced with having to change its economy from one that was based on agriculture to one that was based on the industrial revolution that was sweeping the South in the form of textile manufacturing.  Our forefathers dared to make this radical change from what had been their primary means of support to a new and at the time unknown process in order for this area to survive.  Faced with naysayers and doom prognosticators, these visionary leaders ventured forward and, as history shows, following an unpopular path was the right way to go as this area thrived until the 1990s when the outsourcing of textile jobs began the demise of the textile industry in the United States.  Now, a new generation of leaders will have to step up and make the daring and visionary choices and changes that are required to propel the City of Valley into the future.  And once again, they are faced with naysayers and doom predicters just as our forefathers were.  And, just as history shows our ancestors chose the right path, so will future generations of Valleyans look back and see that the present leaders of the City made the right decisions so that Valley, Alabama could survive and be a viable city for future generations.

The Langdale Mill Revitalization Project is the centerpiece for the future plans of the City of Valley.  In 1999, DesignAlabama identified this property as a the major component in creating a major civic space for the City of Valley - a space that could become the downtown area the City has never had.  Because of its central location within the City, its accessibiltiy, and its close proximity to Valley City Hall and several historical buildings, the Langdale Mill Complex is ideally positioned to become this downtown area.  In addition, the Mill is located on the Chattahoochee River which DesignAlabama identified as an untapped natural resource that could be utilized by the City.

The Langdale Mill Revitalization Project is moving forward and gaining attention nationwide.  It is also drawing interest from developers, investors, and architectural firms who can see the potential of this historic piece of Americana.

Visit this page for articles and updates on the Langdale Mill Revitalization Project.

 
National Geographic Article