Why one Alabama town was named among the most eccentric in the South

Monroeville is often recognized for its literary history and downtown architecture. Those are just two of the many reasons the town stands out on a national level.

WorldAtlas, the national travel + geography website, has named Monroeville as one of its six most eccentric towns in the Southern United States.

Find out what the outlet had to say about Monroeville’s history + see what other towns made the list.

Monroeville, Alabama

Monroeville is known as the Literary Capital of Alabama, gaining national recognition as the hometown of authors Harper Lee and Truman Capote.

The town has odes to those authors and several other literary works and artists. The Monroe County Courthouse, which was built in 1904, now serves as a museum dedicated to Lee and Capote, featuring:

• Original manuscripts
• Personal artifacts
• Interactive exhibits

WorldAtlas also highlights the town’s annual Monroeville Literary Festival which is held each March.

“The two-day event includes writing workshops, panel discussions, and readings, transforming Monroeville into a buzzing intellectual hub that celebrates the written word and the town’s unique literary history.”

~ WorldAtlas

WorldAtlas showing love to Monroeville is nothing new. Check out some of the other lists the town was featured on including:

• Monroeville is one of WorldAtlas’ top main streets—here’s why
• Where are Alabama’s quirkiest towns? World Atlas found them and told us why
• WorldAtlas names 9 most beautiful small towns in Alabama
• WorldAtlas names Alabama’s 6 most underrated towns

6 Most Eccentric Towns in the Southern United States

Looking for some eccentric spots around the South to visit? Monroeville may be your first stop but WorldAtlas has some other good options on their list.

“Whether they’re located in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana or the Carolinas, these towns have managed to preserve distinctive traditions and maintain cultural practices that seem either frozen in time or appear wildly innovative. Best of all, these destinations offer curious travelers a unique and authentic glimpse into life in the South.”

~ WorldAtlas

The complete list includes:

• Helen, Georgia
• Monroeville, Alabama
• Eureka Springs, Arkansas
• Micanopy, Florida
• Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
• Darlington, South Carolina

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