Semmes, Alabama

Infobox Settlement |official_name = Semmes, Alabama
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map_caption = Location of ZIP code 36575 including Semmes in Mobile County and the state of Alabama
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Alabama
subdivision_name2 = Mobile
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population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =Population figures are for ZIP code 36575 which includes Semmes as well as a small part of the city of Mobile]
population_note =
population_total = 15389
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timezone = CST
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
latd=31 |latm=17 |lats=8 |latNS=N
longd=88 |longm=25 |longs=9 |longEW=W
elevation_m = 66
elevation_ft = 217
website =
footnotes =

"For other uses, see Semmes (disambiguation)".

Semmes ('semz') is an unincorporated community, and a suburb of Mobile, AL, in western Mobile County, Alabama, in the Mobile metropolitan area. The 2000 census records show a population of 15,389 [cite web | title="Statistics and More..." | work= | url=http://www.relocationnow.com/profilecitybreakout-Semmes-AL-all.html| accessdate=2007-02-11] in the 36575 zip code which includes the community. It is part of the Mobile metropolitan statistical area.

Geography & Climate

Geography

Semmes is located at 30.778N, -88.259W. Elevation is 256 feet. [cite web | title="Semmes Community Profile" | work= | url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=12194| accessdate=2007-02-11] The Semmes area is bounded to the North by the Citronelle area, bounded to the East by the cities of Saraland and Prichard, bounded to the South by the city of Mobile, and finally bounded to the West by Big Creek Lake.

Climate

Semmes is on the central Gulf Coast and has a subtropical climate, which consists of warm, wet winters and very hot, very humid summers. Semmes is also vulnerable to hurricanes, which the area frequently experiences.

History

The community was named for Admiral Raphael Semmes (1809-1877), an officer in the United States Navy from 1826 to 1860 and the Confederate States Navy from 1860 to 1865.

Education

Semmes is a part of the Mobile County Public Schools system, with a total enrollment of over 65,000 students. [cite web | title="Facts About Mobile County...." | work= | url=http://www.mcpss.com/websites/MCPSS/MCPSS/Default.asp?PN='AboutUs'&ShowNav=" | accessdate=2007-02-10]

Public schools

Secondary schools

High schools

* Mary G. Montgomery High School (9-12)

Middle schools

* Semmes Middle School (6-8)

Primary schools

* Semmes Elementary (K-5)
* Allentown Elementary (K-5)

Private schools

* ABC Kindergarten (K3-K5)

Higher Education

Semmes is within 30 minutes driving distance to four universities:
* Faulkner University, Mobile Campus
* Spring Hill College
* University of Mobile
* University of South Alabama

Parks

The first-ever Community Park in Semmes opened on February 3rd, 2007. [cite web | title= "Semmes gets a new park" | work= | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16963854/
accessdate=2007-02-11] Deadlink|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16963854/|date=January 2008 The 10,400 sq. ft park was built adjacent to the Semmes Community Center at a cost of $600,000. [cite web | title= "Mobile Co. Commission..." | work= | url=http://www.siteone.com/towns/MobileCounty/countynews.shtml| accessdate=2007-02-11]

emmes Heritage Park

Semmes School is the oldest continuous-in-use school in the State of Alabama and is listed on the Alabama Historical Landmarks.
In 1994, a group of volunteers, former students, teachers and community citizens formed "Alumni & Friends of Semmes School, Inc." to preserve the 1902 one-room Semmes School and return it to its original location. The Mobile County School Board had planned to tear down the school when concerned citizens formed a group to save to school. The School Board gave a 99 year lease to the group and moved the school back to its original site. The school was restored to its 1902 status in 1998 by volunteers and donations, and continues to operate with volunteers as a hands-on 1900's school.

Alumni & Friends of Semmes School is a volunteer organization whose goal is that Semmes 1902 School will continue to be used as a living history classroom. Malone Chapel is a replica of Mt. Pleasant Church that was located on this exact spot. The chapel is rented for weddings and special events with the funds going towards operational expenses.

INCORPORATION EFFORTS

[http://www.incorporatesemmes.org INCORPORATE SEMMES]

A group of community members and leaders have been looking into the possibility of incorporating Semmes into a City. Incorporation of Semmes is important to protect the character of our Semmes community and allow residents to have a voice in the growth, future and quality of life in Semmes. People are making decisions about our future and quality of life but they do not live in Semmes and are not accountable to the residents of Semmes. However, incorporation of Semmes will enable the community to have a stake in its own future. Many residents of Semmes have lived here for many generations because of the quality of life, the land and the community closeness.

As a city, the residents of Semmes can have a voice in decisions involving development and land use, public services, public safety, traffic management, parks and recreation, planning, regulation and historic preservation of our community. We will be able to preserve the character of Semmes and its history. The City of Semmes will also be able to have a strong voice in the County.

The process for incorporation is extensive and requires a great deal of effort and commitment on the part of Semmes residents. We look forward to working together to incorporate the City of Semmes and plan the future of our community.

For more information or if you would like to volunteer and assist with the effort to incorporate Semmes, please contact us at [e-mail]

(Not so) Popular Tourist Destination

The gas station that the British television programme Top Gear vistited in the American special is located in North Semmes. Clarkson, May and Hammond had each emblazoned their cars with slogans on the their vehicles to attract the attention of local hicks. Whilst fueling, the manager of the station called upon local hicks which resulted in a car chase which the BBC crew successfully managed to evade from.

References

External links

* [http://friendsofsemmes.com/ Friends of Semmes]
* [http://savesemmes.com/ Save Semmes -- A Website for the Community of Semmes AL]
* [http://semmesheritagepark.com/ Semmes Heritage Park -- Original 1902 Semmes School House & Replica Malone Chapel; Operated and Maintained by Alumni and Friends of Semmes School]
* [http://incorporatesemmes.org/ Incorporate Semmes]
* [http://www.wunderground.com/US/AL/Semmes.html Current Weather from Wunderground]
* [http://www.archives.state.al.us/counties/mobile.html Alabama Dept of Archives & History]
* [http://www.mcpss.com/websites/MCPSS/MCPSS/Default.asp?PN='School'&SchooLID='4' Allentown Elementary]
* [http://www.mcpss.com/websites/MCPSS/MCPSS/Default.asp?PN='School'&SchooLID='79' Semmes Elementary]
* [http://www.mcpss.com/websites/MCPSS/MCPSS/Default.asp?PN='School'&SchooLID='80' Semmes Middle School]
* [http://www.mcpss.com/websites/MCPSS/MCPSS/Default.asp?PN='School'&SchooLID='65' Mary G. Montgomery High School]