HISTORIC CAMP HILL, AL

Camp Hill, Alabama was home to leaders of the historic Sharecroppers Union (a powerful southern Union, 6000 strong, primarily African-American in membership), as well as the Alabama Communist Party. Local leaders of the Sharecropper’s Union traveled from Alabama to as far as Moscow to train in organizing methods. Camp Hill was the site of numerous historic events, including an organized attack in 1931 by (some) local whites on the Sharecroppers Union - which resulted in the brutal lynching of Ralph Gray as well as others, and a prolonged, concerted attack on the local community.  The courage of many Camp Hill citizens and the violent retribution that followed became a moment of International significance, and was covered in international news outlets as far away as Russia.  Despite the political and personal challenges, the citizens of Camp Hill moved forward, and continue to live proudly in one of the more progressive communities in the Deep South. 

 

Today, Camp Hill is a small, diverse community undergoing a cultural revival, with an extremely diverse population - including ordained Buddhist ministers, Harvard graduates, podcast superstars, former university faculty, talented musicians, professional screenwriters, local chefs from distinguished restaurants, numerous arts studios, as well as strong families, strong churches, strong community organizations, and budding entrepreneurs.