Exploring Magnolia Springs

By: Sarah Blizzard Robinson

I already appreciated a few things about Baldwin County’s Magnolia Springs before I got a close-up view of her community. Over the years, whenever we’d visit the area, in my humble opinion, Jesse's Restaurant – Magnolia Springs, AL, has outstanding food, service, and atmosphere. Then I read Fanny Flagg’s charming novel, A Redbird Christmas, with my West Virginia book club before I relocated here. The author shows how a northerner can relocate to the community of “Lost River,” i.e., Magnolia Springs, and find a welcoming community. 

Known for its unique riverside service, where residents’ mail is delivered by boat in what may be the most sought-after postal career by boat enthusiasts, I had yet to discover the waterway. Last month, my eyes perked up at the promotion for the Magnolia Springs Community Association’s “Under the Canopy” Tour of Homes. 

Some weeks before the tour, I read (on Facebook) that Sunday, March 26^th, from 1-5 along Oak Street, the community “Named One of the 55 Most Beautiful Small Towns in America” by Architectural Digest was sponsoring a tour of homes. I put it on my future calendar. 

Tickets were being sold at The Page and Palette, Fairhope’s Book Store that is more in touch with community events than most. But when I went to purchase the tickets, I had a senior moment. Blaming it on a busy schedule, I had to ask the young man at the register if they were selling tickets for an upcoming event. At first, his coworker said, “Yes, we’re having an author event. You’d enjoy it,” as she pointed to the author’s photo on their wall. s

“No, that’s not it,” I said. I knew it was something else entirely, and as I was racking my brain, the young salesperson grabbed an envelope, pulls out two tickets to the Tour of Homes event, and says, “I’ll bet this is it.” Eureka! Don’t you just love young people? I bought two tickets and was glad to have my wits about me again.

“I really have no idea where the tour will take us,” I told my friend Paula. “The only place I ever go to is to Jesse’s.” She concurred. 

Off we went, driving south from Fairhope’s 181 to 98 East. We slowed down over Weeks Bay, glistening in the sunshine, where my Texas son-in-law chartered a fishing boat last year: Weeks Bay Reserve | Outdoor Alabama. The inviting sight strongly hinted at the beauty that awaited us on the nearby Magnolia River. 

Twenty minutes later, we turned right off of 98 and drove toward Jesse’s, arriving at the Magnolia Springs Community Center. It looked to be a sell-out crowd, sidewalks already teeming with tourists, a veritable gala in the making. Not to be missed was a delightful group of southern gentlemen waiting to escort us to the home tours in their fleet of fancy golf carts, my kind of festival!

But first, we had a jaunt through the historic Community Center, where we were greeted by friendly hostesses. A winning photography display covered the walls, so we milled about, noticing how well the center has been maintained. We bought T-shirts and sampled the lemonade and sweet treats. 

No need for golf carts just yet; tours were being given right next door to the historic St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, a well-preserved piece of history, circa 1902. So, this is where the fund-raising comes in, I thought. Proceeds from ticket sales, etc., benefit the preservation of these beloved sites. St. Paul’s displayed some notable fixtures, among them a unique antique cross made from magnolia leaves.

One of the golf carts was waiting for us when we exited the first tour. We decided to walk but thanked the driver anyway. Oak Street has no rivals. Its canopy of tree limbs acts as giant parasols, shading us from the afternoon sun. 

Equally impressive are the mature magnolia trees along the way. But I’m not exaggerating too much to claim that if it’s raining in Magnolia Springs, you could virtually walk down Oak Street and not get wet. In addition, as beautiful as each home is, the trees are the stars.

As the day progressed, the temperatures rose, so we welcomed an escort a bit later. When we climbed aboard his golf cart, the driver said, “Where to?” We suggested he follow the crowd or, in this case, the line of golf carts parading down the street. When we asked our friendly driver how he got the job of carting tourists around, he said, “It’s the only time my wife lets me pick up women.” 

When he stopped in front of The Redbird Cottage, just one of ten tours and a real dream cottage, a group had already begun to gather near the front porch. Volunteers were stationed at both the entrances and throughout the homes relaying facts about the rooms, the owners, and the history. 

Not to be missed were the tours on the opposite side of the street. These gems are on the water. Paula and I practically sprinted to each abode, taking in their sprawling lawns that slope down to the peaceful Magnolia River. I hope you get a chance to experience Magnolia Springs.

‍