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5 million hits and counting

By Michael Butler

The website was launched in the fall of 2008. The first article looked like this:

 

Welcome to www.TallasseeTimes.comTallassee Times is Tallassee’s on-line newspaper. The world wide web has become an integral part of our lives. We hope that Tallassee Times will be an outlet for you to learn more about happenings around Tallassee, and that you will visit the site often. We will make frequent updates and your input is welcome.

Here's what we plan to offer:

1. News & Events. Information on issues surrounding our community. We will offer a forum for you to express your opinons and post your feedback.

2. Sports. Local high school and youth activities will be a priority. We encourage you to help us with this category.

3. Weather. This one is easy. There will be a link to Tallassee's forecast and temperature accesible 24/7.

4. Social Happenings. Send us your announcements for wedding engagements, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. There will be no charge for these listings. We want your pictures too. Send your photos from your parties and events (keep it clean please).

5. Highlights. We will post interviews with a who's who in the Tallassee area.

This is your website. Any comments or assistance you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Another introductory story was written in October, seven years ago:

What is Tallassee Known For

By Michael Butler

Tallassee, it's our town, like the theme song to Cheers, "where everybody knows your name." Tallassee is that kind of community.

When you're out of town and you tell someone you're from Tallassee. After you've explained that this is not Tallahassee, how do you describe Tallassee? Do you still say we're an old mill town? How about that we are now an industrial city? I always give the geographic detail. We're halfway betweeen Montgomery and Auburn off of I-85, on the Tallapoosa River near Lake Martin.

Some say that Tallassee is home to the Hotel Talisi, which garners attention still. Hey, we're home to the Tallassee Tigers. The football team had a 57-game unbeaten streak in the 40's. The baseball team has won seven state championships. We have the world's smallest Wal-Mart.

We do have a rich history that dates back to the Creek Indians. There is a Civil War heritage here. And, this was indeed a textile town with a mill village. Wikipedia lists this information for Tallassee, "At the 2000 census the population was 4,934. It is home to a major hydroelectric power plant at Thurlow Dam operated by Alabama Power Company."

Wikipedia posts are made by the general public, but it is a great source for info. Just remember it is not the gospel. On Wikipedia, Tallassee is the "Treasure on the Tallapoosa," just as noted on the signs entering the city limits. The Wikipedia page already has George McCain as mayor. What are some of the intriguing things that you think of for Tallassee? We look forward to hearing from you.

We have heard from you. Thanks for your submissions and comments. The early numbers grew from a few thousand page views per week to more than 20,000 per week. It's good to know your reading. Tallassee Times is excited about hitting the 10 million hit mark in the near future.

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