Surrounded on three sides by Appalachian ridge lines, the Dunnavant Valley is a unique topographical area in northeast Shelby County, Alabama. Because of its embracing mountains, the Dunnavant Valley was secluded for generations. The pilgrims who settled it sought quiet and nature's unassuming splendor. They found it. The Dunnavant Valley Journal contains eighteen true stories from the history of the valley. The stories are factual but written in an entertaining, easy-to-read style with injections of humor.
The history of Dunnavant Valley traces back to the War of 1812 and General Jackson's rout of the Creek Indians at the battle of Horseshoe Bend, Alabama. The stories discuss the travails of early settlers and in particular the routes and roads that led to the valley's settlement and later development. One story centers on the why's and what-for's of the moonshine industry in the area. The history includes development of the railroad that crosses the valley and its mountain tunnels including the connection to the legend of "John Henry, the still driving man." The book moves into contemporary tales of "life between the ridges" and the challenges faced by a county that is part rural and part suburban. The Dunnavant Valley Journal is dedicated to the fire companies that protect the valley and contains an article delving into the brotherhood of firefighters. The book includes a stylized map of the region and is helpfully annotated with source references.