Introduction to Fort Payne, Alabama
Fort Payne, Alabama is 47 miles SW of Chattanooga, Tennessee (center to center) and 89 miles NW of Atlanta, Georgia. It is in De Kalb County.
Fort Payne History
Fort Payne was originally inhabited by the Cherokee Indians and known as the village of Willstown. Sequoyah, the inventor of the Cherokee syllabary, also resided in this area for some time. Later on, the area was renamed after a fort that was built along the Trail of Tears in the 1830s. The fort was named after Major John Payne. The city became the county seat of DeKalb County in 1878. Fort Payne was incorporated in 1889.
Fort Payne and nearby Attractions
- Fort Payne Depot Museum
- Little River Canyon National Preserve
- DeSoto State Park
- Lookout Mountain Wild Animal Park
- Cloudland Canyon State Park
- Russell Cave National Monument
Things To Do In Fort Payne
You can visit the Fort Payne Boom Town Historic District and Fort Payne Residential Historic District while staying in the city. It is also worth visiting the Alabama Fan Club and Museum. Golf lovers can enjoy their leisure hours at the Terrapin Hills Golf Estates. The Little River Canyon National Preserve, Fort Payne Depot Museum, and DeSoto State Park are also ideal for spending a family day out.
Fort Payne Transportation
Air transportation is available from Richard B Russell Airport.
Fort Payne Higher Education
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Gadsden State Community College, University of Alabama in Huntsville, and several other colleges and universities offer higher educational facilities.