OXFORD, Alabama, Celebrates 173 YEARS

OXFORD, Alabama, Celebrates 173 YEARS

The city of Oxford turned 173 years old on February 7 and commemorated the occasion with a special celebration on February 11, 2025, at Oxford City Hall.

The afternoon was coordinated by Historic Main Street Oxford and the Oxford Arts Council.

Historic Main Street Oxford director Hunter Gentry opened the festivities with an Oxford trivia quiz, offering city-themed prizes to the ones with the correct answers.

Council President Chris Spurlin led the invocation, saying the birthday party was “something to be proud of.”

“A lot of cities just do the big ones,” Spurlin said. “I’m thankful to the Arts Council and Historic Main Street Oxford, who always do a good job.”

Mayor Alton Craft said it is the city’s people who make Oxford special.

“I look around after 45 years of service and see we have world competitions here – world softball championships at Choccolocco Park, world pianists playing at OPAC, people from all over the state and nation playing championships here,” Craft said. “They want to bring the state and world robotics championships to Oxford. We are very blessed.”

“When you ask these people from all around the world why they like coming to Oxford, they will tell you it’s the hospitality and people who care, and they love to be here,” Craft said. “You are remarkable people.”

Oxford Arts Council president Cindy Williams spoke of all the city’s positive attributes and how the Arts Council is sponsoring programs for students and citizens to participate and express their pride in their hometown.

“Oxford is Alabama at its best,” Williams said.

The event was topped off by a special “Happy Birthday” performance by the Oxford High School Show Choir and snacks provided by the Arts Council.