09/11/2026
24 years ago tonight, fire changed the face of my beloved hometown forever. There are a thousand things I remember about the night the Gurney Mill burned, but three memories have never faded.
1. Topping Gin Shop Hill.
I can still remember coming over that hill, seeing the sky, and literally screaming. From where I was, it looked as though the entire city of Prattville must have been on fire. I don’t think I will ever forget that sight—or that feeling.
2. Seeing my Daddy.
I ran across the bridge toward downtown like I was going to do something and then stopped dead in my tracks. There stood my daddy, who was the city councilman for that district at the time. He was 6’4”, larger than life to me, and quite simply the strongest man I knew. I had never seen him look helpless before. But that night, standing in front of that enormous fire and watching a piece of Prattville history burn, he did. That image of him has stayed with me for 24 years.
3. The fire trucks.
In the middle of all that fear and sadness, I remember looking around and seeing fire trucks everywhere. They lined the streets of downtown—departments from near and far had come to help. And I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. They had come to help my town. The town I grew up in. The town I loved. The town I still love fiercely today.
That fire took a lot from Prattville. We lost a piece of our history that could never be replaced. But look at what that cleared piece of land has given us now. Today, that same area provides a beautiful outdoor gathering place overlooking Autauga Creek. We gather at Spillway Park with our neighbors. We listen to music. We celebrate. And at Christmastime, our little downtown turns into something that could give a Hallmark movie a run for its money.
Losing history is painful. But I’ve come to realize that we’re making history, too. The memories our children and grandchildren are making in downtown Prattville today will someday mean just as much to them as our memories of growing up here mean to us.
Prattville changed forever 24 years ago tonight. And somehow, through loss, rebuilding, progress, and a whole lot of love this community just keeps getting better.
I love this town.
Always have. Always will. ❤️
🔥 REMEMBERING THE GURNEY MILL FIRE — SEPTEMBER 10, 2002 🔥
Twenty-four years ago tonight, Prattville firefighters faced one of the most significant fires in our city's modern history—the fire that destroyed the historic Gurney Manufacturing/Prattville Manufacturing Company mill along Autauga Creek.
The mill was more than an old building. It was a part of the story of Prattville itself, dating back to the 1800s and representing the industrial heritage established by Daniel Pratt and generations of people who built our community.
That September night, the fire quickly became a multi-alarm incident involving numerous local departments. Nearly 4 million gallons of water were ultimately used to battle the blaze, and firefighters continued returning to the scene for hot spots for almost 48 hours.
As we look back 24 years later, events like the Gurney fire remind us that firefighting is about more than extinguishing flames. Our firefighters are entrusted with protecting lives, property, history and the community we call home.
