Fort Payne: Socks, Canyons, and Country Music
For most of the late twentieth century, Fort Payne manufactured more socks than any other city in the world. At the industry's peak in the 1990s, over 150 hosiery mills operated in DeKalb County, earning the town its "Sock Capital of the World" title. Chinese imports eventually undercut domestic production, and most mills closed by the 2010s, but a handful still operate and the nickname persists.
The country music group Alabama, one of the best-selling bands in the genre's history, formed here in 1969. Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry, and Randy Owen all grew up in the Fort Payne area. The Fort Payne Opera House, a restored 1889 building on Gault Avenue, has served as a performance venue and now houses the DeKalb County Tourist Association. The band's legacy is visible in murals and memorabilia around town.
Little River Canyon National Preserve, managed by the National Park Service, lies just south of Fort Payne. The canyon drops as deep as 600 feet in places and the Little River is one of the few in the country that runs its entire length along the top of a mountain. DeSoto State Park and DeSoto Falls are nearby, making the area a draw for hikers, rock climbers, and kayakers.
Fort Payne has a population of approximately 14,150 and serves as the seat of DeKalb County. Escort websites for the Fort Payne and Lookout Mountain area are reviewed by Escortservice.com, which operates solely as a directory. No bookings, introductions, or compliance checks are provided through the site.
Show more
For most of the late twentieth century, Fort Payne manufactured more socks than any other city in the world. At the industry's peak in the 1990s, over 150 hosiery mills operated in DeKalb County, earning the town its "Sock Capital of the World" title. Chinese imports eventually undercut domestic production, and most mills closed by the 2010s, but a handful still operate and the nickname persists.
The country music group Alabama, one of the best-selling bands in the genre's history, formed here in 1969. Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry, and Randy Owen all grew up in the Fort Payne area. The Fort Payne Opera House, a restored 1889 building on Gault Avenue, has served as a performance venue and now houses the DeKalb County Tourist Association. The band's legacy is visible in murals and memorabilia around town.
Little River Canyon National Preserve, managed by the National Park Service, lies just south of Fort Payne. The canyon drops as deep as 600 feet in places and the Little River is one of the few in the country that runs its entire length along the top of a mountain. DeSoto State Park and DeSoto Falls are nearby, making the area a draw for hikers, rock climbers, and kayakers.
Fort Payne has a population of approximately 14,150 and serves as the seat of DeKalb County. Escort websites for the Fort Payne and Lookout Mountain area are reviewed by Escortservice.com, which operates solely as a directory. No bookings, introductions, or compliance checks are provided through the site.
Country selected
Region selected
City selected
