Before settlers came to the area in the early 1800’s, what is now Grove Hill was inhabited by Choctaw Indians. The first known white settlement in the area was near Magoffin’s Store, on the north side of town. The county seat of Clarke County was located here in 1832 because the spot was more central to the rest of the county. Known as Smithville, then Macon, the name Grove Hill was selected around 1850 because of a large grove of oak trees. The town was officially incorporated and chartered in 1929.

Grove Hill Town HallGrove Hill is situated in the heart of Alabama’s timberland. As the county seat of Clarke County and the crossroads of U.S. Highways 43 and 84, Grove Hill serves as the geographic center of industrial and commercial activities for the region.

All of the county governing offices are located in Grove Hill; most are located in the Courthouse building, which is on Court Street in the middle of the downtown area. The county is governed by a five-member commission elected from geographic districts. The chairmanship rotates among the five commissioners.

Grove Hill’s business development ranges from nationally known chains to unique individually owned stores where one can uncover that unique, one-of-a-kind gift for a special someone. Fast food restaurants are available, or you can dine in at any of the locally owned restaurants.

Offices for the Town of Grove Hill are housed in Town Hall on Church Street. The town is governed by a mayor and five council members. The police and volunteer fire and rescue departments are also housed at Town Hall.

Hudson ParkThe S.P. Hudson Park and Recreation Facility is open to the public with seven ball fields, a walking trail, basketball court, playground, lighted pavilion, restrooms, practice batting cages, two concession stands, and more. The town has a full-time recreation director. Spring, summer, and fall programs are offered for youth and adults at the park.

The Timberlane Club is a private club requiring a paid membership. It offers a pool, tennis courts, volleyball, basketball, ping pong, a covered pavilion, gas grills, and a picnic area.

In addition, Grove Hill is central to some of the best hunting and fishing in the state.

The Clarke County Museum, a project of the Clarke County Historical Society, is located on Cobb Street here. The building was once the residence of Lemuel L. Alston. It was purchased by the historical society and restored in 1980. It’s open to the public Monday – Friday.

The Grove Hill Public Library was established in 1939. This town-owned facility offers a large selection of books and research materials as well as internet service. The library is a haven for genealogical research. It has many records on microfilm. In addition, it offers free online researching through www.ancestry.com.

There are a number of Protestant churches and one Catholic church in the Grove Hill area.

Two banks serve Grove Hill; Merchants Bank and First United Security Bank.

The Grove Hill Memorial Hospital is a 50-bed facility. Two clinics are adjacent to the hospital. Five physicians have their offices at the clinics, and they also are on staff at the city-owned hospital. Doctors in varying fields of specialty medicine see patients at the clinics and hospital.

Two dentists also have offices in the medical complex. Orthodontic services are provided on a monthly basis.

Grove Hill is home to one chiropractic clinic and two locally owned drug stores.

The area is also served by several medical supply businesses, two ambulance companies, the county health department, home health providers, hospice care providers, and state mental health providers.

Utilities include electrical service by Alabama Power and Clarke Washington Electric Cooperative. Natural gas is provided by Clarke-Mobile Counties Gas District. Blossman Gas and Parden LP Gas and Service Company are propane dealers in town. Water and sewerage service is provided by the Grove Hill Water Works. Browning Ferris Industries (BFI) has contracted with the town to provide solid waste pick-up. Telephone service is by TDS Telecom. They also provide other services including dial-up internet service.

Galaxy Cable provides not only cable television service but also broadband internet service.

The Clarke County Democrat is a weekly newspaper published in Grove Hill.

Delivery services include UPS and Fed-Ex, which have drop points here.

The timber industry is the backbone of the area’s economy. Major employers include paper mills, sawmills, wood products dealers and harvesters. Grove Hill is home to two church furniture manufacturing companies also, and several trucking companies operate out of the Grove Hill area.

The Chamber of Commerce office is located behind the museum in a structure built in the 1830’s to house the law offices of Judge John Gates Creagh. For more information on visiting or relocating to Grove Hill, contact Cheryl Horton at the Grove Hill Chamber; P.O. Box 567, Grove Hill, AL 36451; phone, 251-275-4188.