Gilbertown, AL

Gilbertown is a quiet, tight-knit community in southwest Alabama with a unique claim to fame. Founded as a timber and railroad hub in the early 1900s, it made state history in 1944 when drillers struck Alabama's very first commercial oil well. That discovery put the small Choctaw County town on the map, kickstarting an oil boom that shaped the local economy while keeping the relaxed, rural atmosphere residents enjoy today.

You can still see reminders of that history around town, from a vintage drilling rig to a restored caboose parked near Town Hall. Day-to-day life here revolves around the outdoors and community get-togethers, with walking trails at the park, youth sports leagues, and seasonal events at the local amphitheater. Surrounded by quiet pine forests and open countryside, Gilbertown offers a friendly, unhurried place to put down roots.