POWERGRAMS

23 is the longtime seat of government for Shelby County, now the fastest growing county in Alabama. There are new structures for education, community services, county administration, property taxes and licenses on the Main perimeter, surrounding the "new" courthouse built in 1908. The old courthouse at the roundabout east end of downtown opened in 1854. "Come for the history … stay for the shopping" is the mantra of this town of 4,500 residents, which recently was named one of Main Street Alabama's 17 designated communities. Columbiana's Main Street includes majestic mansions and antebellum homes, a dozen or so law offices, several churches, two barber shops, two florists, a weekly newspaper and a charming collection of antiques shops within four blocks that were built in the latter years of the 19th century. "I love this little town," says Edna Felton, manager of the Alabama Power Office on Main Street. Felton echoes the comments of her co-workers, who together with their manager have more than a century of combined service. Customer Service Representative Janice Seale has worked for the company 30 years, Cris Dorough for 22 years, Janice Dates for 17 years, Appliance Serviceman Mark Rawls for 15 years and Merchandise Salesperson Deanna Lee the past two years. They hold yard sales and fundraisers to benefit their community. They take photographs to add to the office wall that features hundreds of smiling customer faces. "That wouldn't work in some offices but it works here," says Felton, a 20-year veteran of APC. "Our customers love coming in and seeing their pictures." 'A genealogical and historian paradise' There's no need for a time machine when all it takes to step back 162 years is to step into the Shelby County Historical Society Museum and Archives. Little has changed about the two- story brick building since county administrators moved two blocks west 108 years ago. Hundreds of engraved bricks surrounding the front steps, however, name many of the local people who helped renovate the older courthouse. "A lot of settlers came through after the Indian Wars," says Jennifer Maier, executive director of the museum. "They liked what they saw and settled here." The museum is free, the first floor filled with important pieces of history. The second floor courtroom is little changed from a century ago but today hosts community Columbiana Felton, Lee, Dorough and Seale in APC office. Looking down Main Street of Columbiana.

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