HISTORY

Oak Grove, Alabama, is rich in history and full of promise for the future. In July 1966, residents voted to incorporate, aiming to preserve the charm and uniqueness of their hometown. Located in Talladega County between Sylacauga and Childersburg, Oak Grove is bisected by Highway 280, which connects several major county roads. The town features a vibrant business community and has approximately 600 residents.

Elected officials and dedicated volunteers are actively planning for Oak Grove’s future, sharing a vision that balances business vitality with the preservation of the peaceful, uncomplicated lifestyle residents cherish.

Currently, Oak Grove offers public transportation, senior services, a walking track, and a park with a pavilion. The Senior Center and pavilion are available for rent for weekend events.

Stars Fell On Alabama

Hodges Meteorite Exhibit at the Alabama Museum of Natural History.

Oak Grove is the site of a remarkable event in world history, which took place right here in Alabama. On November 30, 1954, a meteorite crashed through the roof of the Hodges home, ricocheted off a radio, and struck Mrs. Ann Hodges on the hip, causing severe bruising. This incident garnered worldwide attention and remains the only documented injury to a human caused by a meteorite. The impact site is located about 1.5 miles from Town Hall, and in May 2010, a historical marker was erected by the Alabama Tourism Department. Visitors continue to come to see the site. The meteorite itself is housed at the Alabama Museum of Natural History in Tuscaloosa and has made appearances at our annual fall festival.

In 2012, a journalist from Germany spent time in Oak Grove while researching unusual events for a book. This extraordinary incident was even featured on the popular nationally televised program NCIS, where the character "Abby," played by the daughter of a Coosa County Commissioner, recounted the story in an episode.

Even today, the event of a meteorite striking a person remains compelling. People view this "rock" from outer space, marveling at an artifact that has traveled millions of miles through the galaxy before ultimately crashing into a home and striking Ann Hodges in our small community of Oak Grove. The odds of such an occurrence are truly astonishing. This 8.5-pound traveler from the universe found its resting place in Oak Grove, and we can’t help but be amazed.

We have numerous photographs and a wealth of newspaper and magazine articles documenting this event, which was reported globally at the time and continues to captivate people everywhere.

The significance of this event has persisted on national, state, and local levels. There is no other incident in recorded history that matches this extraordinary journey of a "rock" from outer space landing in the quaint community of Oak Grove.

What other worlds did this "visitor" pass by? Where did it originate? How long did this piece of history travel before making Oak Grove its home? This is a story that deserves to be told and remembered.