Overton Farm still an issue
Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow is hoping that a new piece of legislation will help get one of Franklin County historical landmarks restored and reopened to the public.
Morrow announced at a meeting on Friday that he, along with Sen. Roger Bedford, had pushed through House Bill 528, which allows the governor to make an at-large appointment to the Bear Creek Development Authority (BCDA) board.
Morrow said previously, the governor had to make an appointment to that board using a member of his staff or cabinet, but this bill will allow the governor to make an at-large appointment that can include a local resident who is more familiar with the needs and issues being addressed by the BCDA board.
“We believe this will be instrumental in the current issue we are facing with the deteriorating condition of Overton Farm,” Morrow said.
“We need to make sure we have people on the BCDA board who are familiar with this issue and who are dedicated to supporting not only Overton Farm, but any other local issue that might come up.
“We think a local person will have more knowledge and have a more vested interest in these types of issues than someone from Montgomery.”
Morrow and Bedford announced that their choice to replace the governor’s current appointment would be Patricia Overton Montgomery, who is a member of the Overton family who homesteaded the Overton Farm property.
“I don’t think we could have a better representative on the BCDA board than Patricia Montgomery,” Morrow said.
“She cares deeply about the Overton Farm issue and she is also an important part of Franklin County’s business and industrial community.”
Montgomery said she would be honored to serve on the board and to help get the Overton Farm property back where it needs to be and reopened to the public.
“I have so many memories of going to Overton Farm when I was growing up,” Montgomery said.
“This is a wonderful place for both children and adults to go. There’s a rich history there and it’s something that should be readily available to anyone who wishes to go there.”
Montgomery said when she heard the property had been padlocked and was falling into disrepair, she, along with her mother, Marie Johnston, were shocked.
“There is also a cemetery located at Overton Farm, so it was very disappointing to us to hear that the property had been padlocked and there wasn’t any other way to access it,” she said.
When the Overton Farm issue was first brought before the BCDA board in January, the decision was made to form a committee that would decide the best course of action for the property.
Morrow said the town of Hodges was willing to accept responsibility for the property and make it part of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail.
“Overton Farm is on the National Historic Registry, which is a designation it received after myself and a group of students from Northwest-Shoals Community College worked to restore it in the 1970s,” Morrow said.
“It has been a place to help educate our young people over the years and is a historic treasure, so if the BCDA isn’t able to maintain the property anymore, I believe transferring the property to the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park in Hodges is an excellent option.
“The officials with the equestrian trail will be able to maintain the property and use it to further promote tourism in our area, and we hope the BCDA committee agrees to this.”
Red Bay native Kreg Kennedy, who is a field representative for U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, said the congressman is in full support of the property transfer and will offer whatever help he can.
“I think everyone knows how important this issue is to me and to Rep. Aderholt,” Kennedy said.
“Getting this legislation passed to allow a local representative on the board was an important step in this process. We want this process to be done right and we want to make sure this property is preserved. It will be positive for everyone involved.”