Welcome to Loxley: Home to ‘strawberry festivals forever’
Reading time: 3 minutes
Year after year, between April showers, Loxley has hosted Baldwin County’s Strawberry Festival at the Loxley Municipal Park. Previously known as “the biggest little town in the county,” it gained its official city status in 2022.
Approximately 4,623 people call Loxley home — but countless more pass through daily as they drive on Alabama Highway 59 on their way to the sandy shores of Orange Beach + Gulf Shores.
Read on to learn more about Loxley’s history + what this city has to offer!
The history of Loxley
Before Loxley was Loxley, it was a village named Bennett. It wasn’t until about 1900 that Michigander John Loxley took to the virgin pine forests of south Alabama to create a lumber camp.
Those who were drawn to the camp for work remained + settled with their families there.
The first schoolhouse was built in 1908, although high school age students had to travel via train to Bay Minette for an education.
By 1920, Loxley was teeming with businesses — from an egg shop to a cement block plant — and U.S. Highway 90 was the town’s main road, albeit an unpaved one. The railroad era in Loxley went up in flames in 1965 when a fire erupted at the train depot + nearby storage sheds.
Despite it being incorporated into Baldwin County in 1957, the Town of Loxley didn’t officially become the City of Loxley until 2022, following a period of rapid growth.
Baldwin County Strawberry Festival
This past April, the Loxley Municipal Park saw its 36th Annual Baldwin County Strawberry Festival. The tradition brings out Loxley locals + visitors from all over the Southeast to join in the spring festivities.
The festival each year features:
- A car show
- Arts + crafts
- Live music
- Carnival rides
- Games
- A 5K run
- Strawberry shortcakes
The festival serves as a fundraiser for both the ARC of Baldwin County + Loxley Elementary School. Admission + entertainment is free of charge + a free shuttle service is available at the Board of Education Building on B Avenue + Loxley Elementary School on Magnolia Street.
- Location: 4198 Municipal Park Dr, Loxley, AL 36551
- Dates: Second weekend of April
- Website | Facebook
Loxley Public Library
The building that the Loxley Public Library now resides in was originally created in 1916 as St. Raphael’s Catholic Church — its stunning windows serving as a testament to the small building’s rich history. You’ll want to check out the calendars posted monthly on their Facebook for special events to attend!
- Location: 1001 E, 1001 Loxley Ave, Loxley, AL 36551
- Hours: Mon. to Wed., Fri., 9AM – 5PM | Thurs., 9AM – 7PM | Sat., 9AM – 12 PM | Closed Sun.
- Website | Facebook
Their June Calendar can be seen below:
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