Our Genealogy Helper
Introduction ...
We have a couple of goals for our Gazetteer:
- That it be a tool which helps us with planning our trips.
- We're trying to shape our Gazetteer as a tool to help us understand the community in which our ancestors lived, the community that was part of their daily lives.
- On our trips, we try to visit those places where our ancestors left their footprints.
By learning about Opelika (and the surrounding area) during the time that our ancestors lived, we hope to have a better understanding of both their community and its relationship to their lifes. We hope that this tool helps to give us an insight into their world.
As we add data and organize our Gazetteer to help with our family research, we will be adding to this our Genealogical Helper for Opelika. While we don't have information that is specific to any given person or family, we intend to expand our understanding about where and how people lived.
Neighboring Counties ...
When searching for family records, we have frequently made the mistake of not checking the neighboring counties.
For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the northeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors were in the next county to the east. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the north.
So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties instead of the county in which they lived: their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the east contained birth and death records; the county to the north contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.
If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.
Opelika is located in Lee County and is the County Seat.
To see how the shape of Alabama's counties may have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.
The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Lee County: Chambers, Macon, Russell, Tallapoosa, Harris (GA) & Muscogee (GA).
Below are the counties that are near Opelika. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Opelika:
- Lee County (The home county of Opelika)
- The following are listed by their distance from Opelika, with the one closest to Opelika listed first.
- Gwen Mill
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
- Gwen Mill is located in Lee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gwen Mill
- Chewacla
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
- Chewacla is located in Lee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chewacla
- Auburn
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
- The Bottle
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
- The Bottle is located in Lee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for The Bottle
- Beauregard
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
- Beauregard is located in Lee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beauregard
- Salem
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Ridgewood Village
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
- Ridgewood Village is located in Lee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ridgewood Village
- Bleecker
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
- Bleecker is located in Lee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bleecker
- Prince Crossroads
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
- Prince Crossroads is located in Lee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Prince Crossroads
- Loachapoka
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
- Blanton
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the east)
- Blanton is located in Lee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blanton
- Marvyn
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
- Marvyn is located in Lee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marvyn
- Chambers County
- The following are listed by their distance from Opelika, with the one closest to Opelika listed first.
- Cusseta
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
- Boyds
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
- Boyds is located in Chambers County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boyds
- Waverly
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
- Waverly is located in Chambers County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Waverly
- Population from the 2020 Census: 143 people
- Huguley
(14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast)
- Huguley is located in Chambers County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Huguley
- Osanippa
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
- Osanippa is located in Chambers County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Osanippa
- Valley
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
- LaFayette
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the north)
- Eady City
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
- Eady City is located in Chambers County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eady City
- River View
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
- River View is located in Chambers County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for River View
- Blackman
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
- Blackman is located in Chambers County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blackman
- Plant City
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the northeast)
- Plant City is located in Chambers County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Plant City
- Lanett
(18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
- Hale County
- Erie ‑ Historic
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
- Erie is located in Hale County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Erie
- Macon County
- The following are listed by their distance from Opelika, with the one closest to Opelika listed first.
- Society Hill
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
- Society Hill is located in Macon County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Society Hill
- Notasulga
(18 miles [29 km] to the southwest)
- Liberty City
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
- Liberty City is located in Macon County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Liberty City
- Tuskegee
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southwest)
- Franklin
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
- Russell County
- The following are listed by their distance from Opelika, with the one closest to Opelika listed first.
- Crawford
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
- Crawford is located in Russell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crawford
- Hugley
(17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
- Hugley is located in Russell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hugley
- Ladonia
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
- Ladonia is located in Russell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ladonia
- Phenix City
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
- Fontaine Village
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Fontaine Village is located in Russell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fontaine Village
- Hatchechubbee
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the south)
- Hatchechubbee is located in Russell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hatchechubbee
- Seale
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Hurtsboro
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the south)
- Hurtsboro is located in Russell County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hurtsboro
- Population from the 2020 Census: 597 people
- Fort Mitchell
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
- Tallapoosa County
- The following are listed by their distance from Opelika, with the one closest to Opelika listed first.
- Camp Hill
(18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
- Slaughters ‑ Historic
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
- Slaughters is located in Tallapoosa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Slaughters
- Dudleyville
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
- Dudleyville is located in Tallapoosa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dudleyville
- Church Hill
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
- Church Hill is located in Tallapoosa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Church Hill
- Agricola
(22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
- Agricola is located in Tallapoosa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Agricola
- Dadeville
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
- Reeltown
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
- Reeltown is located in Tallapoosa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Reeltown
- Matilda
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
- Matilda is located in Tallapoosa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Matilda
- Susannah ‑ Historic
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
- Susannah is located in Tallapoosa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Susannah
- Frog Eye
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
- Frog Eye is located in Tallapoosa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Frog Eye
- Tallapoosa City
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
- Tallapoosa City is located in Tallapoosa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tallapoosa City
- Benson ‑ Historic
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
- Benson is located in Tallapoosa County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Benson
- Harris County (GA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Opelika, with the one closest to Opelika listed first.
- Mountain Hill
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
- Mountain Hill is located in Harris County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mountain Hill
- Population from the 2010 Census: 11,554 people
- Pine Lake
(21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
- Pine Lake is located in Harris County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pine Lake
- Cataula
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
- Hamilton
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
- Muscogee County (GA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Opelika, with the one closest to Opelika listed first.
- Twin Chapel
(24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
- Twin Chapel is located in Muscogee County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Twin Chapel
- Estimated population in 2019: 1,701 people
- Bibb City
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
- Bibb City is located in Muscogee County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bibb City
- City Village
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
- City Village is located in Muscogee County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for City Village
- Maridale Estates
(25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast)
- Maridale Estates is located in Muscogee County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maridale Estates
- Estimated population in 2019: 60,867 people
- Fortson
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Glenns
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Glenns is located in Muscogee County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glenns
- Estimated population in 2019: 5,020 people
- Lincoln Hills
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
- Lincoln Hills is located in Muscogee County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lincoln Hills
- Population from the 2010 Census: 833 people
- Columbus
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
- Hilton Heights
(27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
- Hilton Heights is located in Muscogee County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hilton Heights
- Estimated population in 2018: 324 people
- Wynnton
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast)
- Wynnton is located in Muscogee County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wynnton
- East Edgewood
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- East Edgewood is located in Muscogee County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for East Edgewood
- Estimated population in 2019: 569 people
- Saint Marys Hills
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
- Saint Marys Hills is located in Muscogee County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Marys Hills
- Estimated population in 2019: 18,567 people
- Troup County (GA)
- The following are listed by their distance from Opelika, with the one closest to Opelika listed first.
- West Point
(18 miles [29 km] to the northeast)
- North West Point
(20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
- North West Point is located in Troup County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for North West Point
- Pioneer Village
(26 miles [41.8 km] to the northeast)
- Pioneer Village is located in Troup County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pioneer Village
- West Lake Village
(28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
- West Lake Village is located in Troup County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for West Lake Village
- Evansville
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
- Evansville is located in Troup County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Evansville
- Abbottsford
(29 miles [46.7 km] to the northeast)
- Abbottsford is located in Troup County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Abbottsford
- Rockwell Estates
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Rockwell Estates is located in Troup County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rockwell Estates
- Vernon ‑ Historic
(30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
- Vernon is located in Troup County (GA)
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vernon
For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Opelika, see our County-by-County Page for Opelika.
Cemeteries Near Opelika ...
Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Opelika.
This is a new section and is likely to have errors. If you find an error, such as a missing cemetery or we have the wrong name, please let us know. If you know of them, we would also appreciate learning about previous or alternate names.
Although we don't have the information ourselves, if you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our list of websites on our Genealogy Helper Page for Opelika - one of the links might be able to help.
If not found below, our Cemetery List for Opelika covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.
The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Opelika, with the one closest to Opelika listed first.
- Rosemere Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the south)
- Ross Cemetery
(Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
- Evergreen Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the southwest)
- Garden Hills Cemetery
(2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
- Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
- Union Grove Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
- Liberty Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
- Scott Cemetery
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
- Morris Chapel Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
- Memory Hill Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
- Union Hill Cemetery
(4 miles [6.4 km] to the north)
- Mt. Olive Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the south)
- Continue List (344 more) ...
- Shady Grove Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
- Flat Rock Baptist Church Cemetery
(5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
- Pine Hill Cemetery
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
Nearby Communities in 1895 ...
We've built the following list with information that came from an Atlas published by Rand McNally in 1895. The Atlas had details such as the population of the community (which appears to have come from the 1890 Census) and whether there was a post office and/or railroad service available. We also indicate if the community no longer exists and is now historic.<3>
The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Opelika had a population of 3,703 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Opelika had a population of 31,135 people.
These communities are listed based on their distance from Opelika, with the one closest to Opelika listed first.
- Chewacla
(3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
- Chewacla is located in Lee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chewacla
- Auburn
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
- Tuckersburg
(6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
- Tuckersburg is located in Chambers County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tuckersburg
- Oak Bowery
(7 miles [11.3 km] to the northwest)
- Oak Bowery is located in Chambers County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oak Bowery
- Gold Hill
(8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
- Gold Hill is located in Lee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gold Hill
- Salem
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
- Cusseta
(9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
- Boyds
(10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
- Boyds is located in Chambers County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Boyds
- Moorefield
(11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
- Moorefield is located in Chambers County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Moorefield
- Beulah
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
- Beulah is located in Lee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beulah
- Waverly
(12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
- Waverly is located in Chambers County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Waverly
- Population from the 2020 Census: 143 people
- Loachapoka
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the west)
- Continue List (15 more) ...
- Mechanicsville
(13 miles [20.9 km] to the east)
- Mechanicsville is located in Lee County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mechanicsville
- Osanippa
(15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
- Osanippa is located in Chambers County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Osanippa
- Alliance
(16 miles [25.7 km] to the southwest)
- Alliance is located in Macon County
- Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alliance
We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Opelika. See our List of 1890's Communities around Opelika.
Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Opelika ...
An ongoing effort between the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has resulted in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).
To share their results, the partnership has created the Chronicling America website. The goal of this partnership is to assemble a database about the current and historic newspapers of the United States. This includes a growing collection of scanned images from selected papers. All of it available to the public on their website.
Using information that we've taken from the Chronicling America website, we've identified 73 newspapers that have been published in the area around Opelika.
We have organized these newspapers into two lists:
- A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Opelika. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Opelika and those printed in the larger area surrounding Opelika.
- An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 18 miles [29 km]<4> of Opelika.
Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...
When we do our genealogical research, we begin with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These helpful websites offer the information directly or else point to where you can find it. Their information is open to everyone.
To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that are relevant to Opelika:
- Websites specific to Alabama
- Pages specific to Lee County
- Genealogy information for nearby counties
- Chambers County
- Hale County
- Macon County
- Russell County
- Tallapoosa County
- Harris County
- Muscogee County
- Troup County
- Cemetery Information and Directories for Alabama
Footnotes ...
| <1> | While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program. |
| <2> | The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com. |
| <3> | We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Opelika, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <4> | Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Opelika) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'. |