Almost anybody who knows me knows that I'm not from New Orleans. Even if I'm not talking about it (though I practically always am), my slight accent gives me away pretty readily. For a long time, I took my hometown for granted, but moving away drastically changed my perspective. A new appreciation was born, along with a realization that though Prattville may be small, it definitely has its own, unique individuality.
1. You tell everyone you're from Montgomery.
Because if you don't, you have to spend ten minutes explaining how Prattville is thirty minutes from Montgomery, but an hour from Birmingham. And nobody has time for that.
2. You've had your pictures made in downtown Prattville at least once.
Even if you're not having your pictures made, walking downtown will usually leave you running into at least one person who is.
3. Speaking of downtown, everyone's climbed up on the dam, even though we probably shouldn't.
And before the gate was locked, some people had the privileged of walking across the rickety, rusted bridge across it.
4. You've had water from an artesian fountain.
As a kid, the moss covered fountains grossed you out. But with age, it became pretty clear how unique having not one, but multiple within one area was.
5. You know all the backroads.
Nobody has time to be stuck in highway 31 traffic. Not only do you know the backroads, but you probably know the cycle the redlights run on too. If you get stopped by one, you're gonna get stopped by all of them.
6. You're not afraid to swim in creeks.
If you're an outsider, these little swimming holes are probably cringe-worthy, but if you're from Prattville you know they're a perfectly good place to spend a hot summer day.
7. You've visited all the hole-in-the-wall places that nobody else knows about.
Including the bamboo park, the Daniel Pratt cemetery, Confederate memorial park, the Buena Vista, and the Cross Garden.
8. Going to the movies is the only thing to do as a teenager.
And because you and all your friends were broke, you probably tried to catch the matinee times as often as possible (five dollars versus ten is a no-brainer).
9. So inevitably, you end up going to Montgomery for entertainment.
Montgomery zoo, the Alley, Biscuits games, Eastdale (before it became scary), and East Chase just to name a few things.
10. And if not Montgomery, you went north instead.
Clanton has Peach Park and Birmingham has the Galleria. And on the way, you always see the infamous "Go to Church or the Devil Will Get You!" sign.
11. Everyone is still upset about High Point Town Center being practically empty.
And rightfully so, because Prattville continues to build new buildings elsewhere. C'mon Prattville, get it together.
12. If there's anything going on, it's either along the Autauga creek, in Pratt Park, or Spinner's park.
And you're probably going to go, if only for ten minutes to walk around once and then leave.
Hate it or love it, there's definitely something unique about Prattville and even it's surrounding, often forgotten cities (Millbrook, Marbury, Deatsville). It's sometimes hard to appreciate, but it's beautiful in it's own way. It's rich with history and full of quirky little niches that those who simply pass through could never know about. And whether you stayed or left, there will always be a part of Prattville that sticks with you.
