SPRINGVILLE LAKE ESTATES

The Known “Unknown” Legacy

Located about 35 minutes North East of Birmingham, AL Springville Lake Estates is nestled off the beaten path in its own section of St Clair County.

About Us

Hailed as the Finest Privately Owned Negro Lake Resort In Northern Alabama

In 1957, Resort Properties incorporated two tracts of land to promote resort developments in St. Clair County, Alabama. Springville Lake Estates, Inc. was incorporated in December 1957 as a non-profit corporation for Negroes and Pinedale Shores was established for others. The resorts were styled as a private membership association.

In 1958 Springville Lake Estates was known as the finest Negro private lake resort in Northern Alabama. It was a first of its kind for Negro Educators, Lawyers, Doctors, Entrepreneurs, Steel workers, Coal miners, and those who enjoyed water sports.

Many beautiful summer homes were built in the area. One of the most favorite sites was the Candy Cane Cottage. This home was a concrete block trimmed in red and white with stripped barber style poles.

Some others were the Top Ten Sportsman Club, the Massage Parlor, J &M Hide-A-Way, Selvenkay Isle, and a bus converted into a house known as the Windham House on wheels.The pride of the estate was the twenty-acre lake fed by several under-ground springs. The estate was divided into approximately 400 lots with an average size of 50’x150”. The lake was bordered with lots on each side, two beachheads. Big Bass fishing was a drawing card for those who took fishing seriously. The average bass caught in Springville weighed in at about 7.5 lbs.

Our History

Springville Lake Estates is rich in history

Springville Lake Estates is rich in history but has been neglected by the state historical society, the media, black sites, and other outlets. It seems as if it was left out of the history projects because no movie stars or famous musicians came to visit. However, most of our incorporators were outstanding blacks who in 1950’s to the late 1960’s were first in many fields.