One Of The Biggest Names In Sports Grew Up In One Of The Smallest Towns In Alabama
By Jennifer Young
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Published May 16, 2023
Over the years, many Alabamians have gone on to become quite famous. For example, there are several actors, actresses, professional athletes, authors, and more that are from our great state. Some of these famous people from Alabama were even born in small towns such as Atmore. To learn all about Atmore, including one of its most famous past residents, take a look below.
Atmore is a small Alabama town that's located on the Florida state line in Escambia County.
Incorporated in 1907, Atmore welcomes thousands of visitors each year, many of whom are traveling to Alabama's beautiful Gulf Coast beaches.
Atmore was first known as Williams Station. There was talk about changing the town's name to Carney to honor William Marshall Carney, the man who helped with the town's growth. However, because of a nearby town with the same name, Williams Station was eventually renamed Atmore to honor Charles Pawson Atmore.
In 1985, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians opened their first Wind Creek Casino in Atmore. They eventually opened several other casinos.
Many people have grown up in Atmore, Alabama. However, one of the town's most famous residents was Evander Holyfield. Born in 1962, Evander was the youngest of nine children. At the age of eight, he discovered his love of boxing, and when he graduated from high school, he had earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic boxing team.
Following the Olympics, Evander became a professional boxer. In fact, he went on to become a five-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion.
Today, Evander Holyfield is much more than just a boxing champion. He's a humanitarian and a proud father. In fact, his son Evan even followed in his father's footsteps and became a professional boxer.
What do you think? Did you know Evander Holyfield grew up in Atmore, Alabama? Let us know in the comments below.
There are plenty of other famous people from small towns in Alabama , including some of today’s biggest stars.
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