Washington County State Public Fishing Lake, also known as J. Emmett Wood Lake, lies two miles west of Millry, Alabama. From Chatom, you can reach it via Alabama Highway 17, Healing Springs Avenue, and State Lake Road. This connects the lake with two specific reference points: Millry marks its location to the west, while Chatom is the starting point for the route described.
Water Landscapes and Activities
The Tombigbee River and its tributaries run throughout Washington County. Several access points to the Tombigbee River offer a starting point for anyone wishing to explore the river. Canoeing and kayaking are open to the public in the county; water skiing and jet skiing are also offered as public activities. At Washington County State Lake, a spring-fed lake, visitors can fish and go boating.
The Piney Woods Birding Trail offers a perspective beyond the county’s borders: in southwest Alabama, the route connects 22 birding sites in Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Conecuh, and Escambia counties. Washington County is thus part of a trail that spans multiple counties, rather than defining the route’s full extent on its own.
St. Stephens: Territorial History on Site
The St. Stephens Historical Park focuses on the history of Alabama’s territorial capital. The grounds include the remains of the original town of St. Stephens, which flourished from 1799 to 1829. These dates provide a clear historical context for a visit: they refer to the town’s heyday, not to present-day use. The restored “New” St. Stephens Courthouse now serves as a town museum, adding another historic building to the story of St. Stephens.
The Washington County Museum in Chatom offers a different perspective on the county’s history. It is maintained by the Washington County Historical and Genealogical Society. Its exhibits include a 750-year-old Native American canoe recovered from the Tombigbee River in 1973. Other displays cover the timber and turpentine industries, as well as the county’s transportation and communications history. In this way, the museum connects a single artifact with themes from the region’s economic and everyday changes.
Culture and Historic Buildings
At the MOWA Choctaw Cultural Center, exhibits explore the culture, history, and daily life of the MOWA Choctaw and the modern MOWA Choctaw community. Reservations are currently required for tours; check the current arrangements before your visit. The MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians hosts several public powwows each year. If you plan to attend one, it is a good idea to check the event dates before your trip.
McIntosh Log Church, also known as Andrews Chapel, was built in 1860 and is one of the few surviving log churches in Alabama. In Jackson, the Taylor House was built around 1841: Walter Taylor had it constructed on Commerce Street. In 1985, the house was moved from its original site to its present location and restored as a branch of Washington County State Bank under the name Leroy Branch. The two buildings offer different historical reference points: the church is notable for its date of construction and its preservation, while the Taylor House also tells a story of relocation and later use.
Sullivan Cabin dates to 1874. The log cabin was built from round logs and has a two-part floor plan with a dogtrot passage. It became a community gathering place because it was one of the few homes in Washington County with a cooling board. The house’s architecture is thus connected to its role in the county’s community life.
Another Look at Chatom
The Pines of Chatom is an 18-hole golf course in Chatom and is owned by the town of Chatom. If you plan to play a round, check the current course details in advance, as they may change. Together with the museum, it showcases two different sides of Chatom: historical collections and a municipal recreational facility.
Discover more destinations: Sunflower, Dekalb County, Lee, Greene County, Tuscaloosa, Etowah, Conecuh County, Colbert County.
For the main travel overview: Alabama.
