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U.S. 31: Cullman, Alabama,
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Heading south on U.S. 31 from its junction with U.S. 278 in Cullman, Alabama, you pass through business and residential sections in this part of the community.
After a pleasant five-mile drive, you will arrive in Hanceville, Alabama, home of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery.
"Build Me a Temple"
The shrine traces its beginnings to a business trip to South America, during which a statue of the child Jesus spoke to a nun, saying: "Build me a temple and I will help those who help you."
Less than five years later the shrine was consecrated on what was formerly a soybean farm east of the town.
From the junction of U.S. 31 and Arkadelphia Road, take Arkadelphia Road northeast for three miles to Center Hill, County Road 747 east for one mile to County Road 548 and then south two miles to the shrine.
Time for a Root Beer Float
If you're ready for a sweet treat instead, continue south on U.S. 31 for a couple more blocks until you see the Hanceville Drug Co. Old Time Soda Fountain and Pharmacy on the east side of the highway. Here, you can step up to the counter or grab a bright red booth and suck down a root beer float, chocolate malt or some other ice cream concoction.
Leaving Hanceville, you'll notice U.S. 31 is four lanes between here and Garden City, Alabama. I can't believe there's enough traffic on this stretch of highway to require four lanes, but nevertheless, it is.
At the south end of Garden City the highway returns to two lanes as it meanders up and down and around the beautiful foothills of the Appalachians on its way to Blount Springs, Alabama.
Blount Springs has a colorful history, its therapeutic springs enticing the wealthy for a little R&R from 1843 to 1914. A fire in 1915 brought Blount Springs' heyday to an abrupt end as more than 60 years would pass before new construction would begin.
Rising from the Ashes
Today, the Village at Blount Springs, a lavish gated community, is springing up from the ashes of the property that once was the play area of Alabama's rich and famous.
Continue four miles or so south until you come to the junction of Interstate 65. We'll have to jump into the fastlane to continue our journey on U.S. 31.
Continue south on U.S. 31 (Coming soon!)
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