ANNISTON — Nestled alongside the Talladega National Forest, the city of Anniston was the first in Alabama to be lit by electricity in the late 19th century.
The city's intricate planning and success in industrial iron production led to its nickname "The Model City." Over the years, industry thrived.
In 1917, the federal government established Camp McClellan, a military training site north of Anniston. In the 1920s, the site was renamed Fort McClellan, and hundreds of thousands of military personnel stepped foot on Fort McClellan over the next 60 years.
Unfortunately for Calhoun County, President Bill Clinton's administration moved to close the base and transfer operations to other bases in 1999.
The closure meant more than 10,000 military members would leave and more than 1,500 civilians would be left with no job. North Anniston businesses were hit hard.
Businesses closed, and the once bright and thriving city began to dim.
Twenty-five years later, the impact is obvious. Buildings in North Anniston sit abandoned and dilapidated. With a declining population of just over 21,000, the city's median household income is half the national median.
The city has topped national "Most Dangerous City" lists, and residents are now asking Anniston city leaders to step in and make a difference.
Karla Hughes lives near what used to be known as "Lenlock Center," at the corner of McClellan Boulevard and Glade Road. The area was once a lively, notable part of North Anniston. A popular strip mall has since been demolished.
Two vacant buildings sit at the corner of the lot. Hughes addressed the Anniston City Council and asked them to pressure the owner of one of the buildings to clean up the blight so she could open her own business in the building next door.
Hughes said the owner does not keep up with maintenance on the building or the landscaping. Graffiti has also been spray-painted on the side of the building.
"There was an opening where there was a door and I guess that door rotted or fell off," she told 1819 News. "For the longest, there wasn't a door there so the homeless were in and out."
"There was trash and it was awful," she said.
The door has been boarded up since.
Hughes is not the only one concerned. Pam Turner, a business owner, pleaded with the council to do something.
"I know Lenlock was once thriving, years ago when the fort was here," she said. "I feel like when the fort left, the city kind of left it, too."
Turner owns the apartment building behind the property. She said the blight is attracting unwanted guests to the area and wants to see the Lenlock Center revitalized.
"It is my duty to keep my tenants safe and to keep my property free of all that hoopla, as much as I can," she added.
1819 News tracked down the owner of the building. The owner identified himself as "Mike." He also owns Smokin' Joe's. He said it wasn't the homeless who broke into the building.
"The people behind, there's an apartment complex," he said. "They opened my doors up, they walked in, they took all my stuff."
Hughes and Turner denied taking things from the building.
Mike said he plans to rehab the building, fix a roof leak and open a restaurant. However, the Anniston City Council declared the property a nuisance, so he will have to appeal to the City before he can do anything with it.
Anniston Mayor Jack Draper told 1819 News there will be a hearing on the matter next Tuesday.
"The City's code enforcement had been working with them for a while, but then it got to the point where the council needed to take action," he said.
Draper said the City has been working on North Anniston. A new development has been built on city property off McClellan Boulevard, near Lowe's, but he said there is still more to do.
"North Aniston clearly needs some infrastructural improvements, but I will tell you that in the 14 months I have left in office and that this council has left an office, north Aniston is a priority," he said.
Draper said the city is working with federal and state partners to secure funds for the improvements.
Meanwhile, Hughes said she is willing to use her own funds to do her part to improve the area.
"I will redo my building on the outside and inside," Hughes said. "But I mean, I hate to put a 10-foot privacy fence up to block everything, but if that's what I have to do, then that's what I'll do."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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