A Brief History of Shoal Creek Park
Shoal Creek Park is the result of the generosity of Elizabeth “Betty” Mahler coupled with the vision, hard work, and dedication of numerous volunteers, elected and appointed City of Montevallo officials, and with support from Shelby County.
In November 2013, Ms. Mahler donated her family’s 167-acre estate to be developed into Shoal Creek Park. The property was once part of an 800-acre plantation established by Scion Jacob Perry. The home on the property was built in 1834 with the labor of enslaved people and was significantly remodeled by the Mahler family after they purchased the farm in 1946. Prior to the Perry family's ownership, the area of the park was part of the Muskogee Creek Nation.
The park has been informally open to the public since 2015 with the creation of an entrance and parking lot and was officially dedicated on Love Montevallo Day, March 16, 2019.
Today the property is cherished as a public historic and recreation site. Shoal Creek, a tributary of the Cahaba River, winds through the park providing numerous scenic vistas and areas for enjoying the shoals. There are over 9 miles of walking, hiking, and biking trails, two bridges, and a pavilion with restrooms and water.
Learn More
The history of the family and farm that became Shoal Creek Park.
Mahler Family: 20th-Century Pioneers by Terry Arnold
View the following historical documents on the Internet Archive:
Mahler Family photo album
History of Sion Jacob Perry by Thomas E. de Shazo
Learn more about the historic home at the park.
Perry Hall (The Mahler Farm) Historic Structures Report (2015) by Schneider Historic Preservation, LLC
Learn more about the deep history of the park. Research is ongoing.
Archaeology Report: Phase Ib Archaeological Research for the Mahler Property (2017)
In November 2013, Ms. Mahler donated her family’s 167-acre estate to be developed into Shoal Creek Park. The property was once part of an 800-acre plantation established by Scion Jacob Perry. The home on the property was built in 1834 with the labor of enslaved people and was significantly remodeled by the Mahler family after they purchased the farm in 1946. Prior to the Perry family's ownership, the area of the park was part of the Muskogee Creek Nation.
The park has been informally open to the public since 2015 with the creation of an entrance and parking lot and was officially dedicated on Love Montevallo Day, March 16, 2019.
Today the property is cherished as a public historic and recreation site. Shoal Creek, a tributary of the Cahaba River, winds through the park providing numerous scenic vistas and areas for enjoying the shoals. There are over 9 miles of walking, hiking, and biking trails, two bridges, and a pavilion with restrooms and water.
Learn More
The history of the family and farm that became Shoal Creek Park.
Mahler Family: 20th-Century Pioneers by Terry Arnold
View the following historical documents on the Internet Archive:
Mahler Family photo album
History of Sion Jacob Perry by Thomas E. de Shazo
Learn more about the historic home at the park.
Perry Hall (The Mahler Farm) Historic Structures Report (2015) by Schneider Historic Preservation, LLC
Learn more about the deep history of the park. Research is ongoing.
Archaeology Report: Phase Ib Archaeological Research for the Mahler Property (2017)
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