Welcome to Magnolia Manor

Welcome to our newly constructed lake house named “Magnolia Manor”, with a hint and a taste of Old Southern Charm. We named it this because the area has abundant ”cowcumber” magnolias growing everywhere. Address is 128 County Road 327. On Google Maps just across the lake (West side) from the Bridge at Trident Manna next to the peninsula. I grew up in Crane Hill and went to Dowling Jr. High School from grades 1 to 7th grade whereupon I started school at Cullman Middle School. I have been around Crane Hill for 64 years and know most of the history of the local folks including who is kin to who and who works or worked where.

Short story here……I remember that the favorite past time of my Grandmother Harris was to listen in to other folks conversations on the phone line back when we had a “8 party” phone system. Can you imagine that? We had to share the same phone number with 7 other families and the only way to tell which call was for your was according to the rings being “short” or “long”. My grandmother would run to the phone and pretend to put it down on the receiver when it was not for her but I would “catch” her listening in to hear the conversations of other talking with her hand cupped over the mouth piece so no one would hear her! I was about 5 years old. Smith Lake was built and opened when I was about 7 or 8 years old. We had a farm in Crane Hill and my father also worked as a welder in Birmingham at the railroad. On the weekends, his friends would come up from Birmingham and we would ride around and he would show them where the water would rise to and what farm land would be covered with water. It was amazing to me so see what took place at the time. I remember that some of my cousins had “waterfront” land on the “backwater” and sold the lots for $500 or $1000 each back in the early 1960’s!

Magnolia Manor is located in Crane Hill, a small community on the Western side of Cullman County. Cullman used to be spelled “Kullman” after the Colonel that tried (unsuccessfully) to assassinate the Prince of Austria, at the time. He fled Europe (wonder why, lol?) and settled in “Kullman” Alabama, whereupon he brought many of his kin to Cullman. Even when I was in high school, many of the older folks still spoke German in their homes and to this day they continue to produce many a gallon of good German Wine which is stored (legally I add) in their cellars. Cullman has its own special law regarding the art of wine making which makes it totally legal.

Broadband Internet and Free WiFi

The Top Rated and best Marina on Smith Lake (Trident Marina) is just across the water from Magnolia Manor in your boat or just 2-4 minutes away by road. We are 8/10 of one mile from the Bridge (called “Big Bridge” or “Phillips Bridge” and the Marina. Live Music every Saturday night during the summer peak months at Trident Marina. Our spacious, non-smoking home, available for rent, will help you get away from city life and enjoy the easy-going pace of the Northern Alabama countryside in the foothills of the Appalachian chain. Whether you choose to stay in Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall, you will feel at home while only an hour away from Birmingham and Huntsville. Perfect for family, family reunions, church and/or company retreats. To find us on Google Maps, just find Trident Marina on County Road 222. Magnolia Manor is 2/10 of one mile West of the Marina by land or by boat, just across the lake next to the peninsula that juts out on the map. Coming from I-65, we are 7.1 miles West of Interstate 65 down State Highway 69. After driving 7.1 miles on Hwy 69 South towards Jasper, one turns right or West onto County Road 222 at Hwy 69 mile marker 228. Head West on County Road 222 up the hill 1.5 miles where you will find a 4-Way Stop sign and a grocery/gas store called “JD 4-Way.” Keep straight on 222 another 5.2 miles and you will come to Trident Marina. Go 8/10 mile further on 222 and turn right onto County Road 327 into Sunrise Pointe Estates Subdivision (there is a sign there). We are 1/10 mile on the right, the first drive on the right (Lot 2) With a concrete drive leading down into the front of Magnolia Manor. You have arrived!

Comments from our Guests

Magnolia Manor is a hide-away overlooking Smith Lake placed upon a rolling hillside about 270 feet from waters edge where we have 140 feet of water frontage. The upper deck is perfect for sunbathing, just hanging out, BBQ’s, cooking relaxing, boating, fishing or skiing. Put in your boat just across the way at Ryan’s Creek Manna, Tie down your motor boat or pontoon after a day of swimming, water-skiing or fishing for large mouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, bream, and crappie, and enjoy the beautiful sunset over the lake.

A newly opened 1400 Acre OHV (Off Highway Vehicle Park) is only 15 minutes away The County of Cullman, AL built and maintains this Park called “Stoney Lonesome.” Very popular with folks driving in from AL, TN, and MS. According to the Birmingham News article on June 12, 2008, “ The commission bought the land – seven miles southwest of the Interstate 65 exit at Dodge City – last year for just more than $1.8 million. Much of the money came from an Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs grant designated for an OHV park. “By the fall, when we plan to be in operation, we’ll have some of the basic trails open for the ATVs, the motorcycles, the mountain biking,” Sellers said……rock crawling, so 4×4 vehicles with oversized tires can crawl over large boulders or up steep inclines, Sellers said. The country plans to get rock crawlers to help design and build that section from quarried boulders….When we bring it out, we want it to be of a standard that there is not anything to compare to it…An expert in trail construction will be brought in to teach county workers how to build the trails, so in the future they can maintain them or make changes, Sellers said. Cullman County officials said they don’t yet have an estimate for how much it will cost the county to develop the trails and buildings. Park fees also have not been set. “ This park is now open and attracting many OHV fans!

Bed and sleeping details

Magnolia Manor bedding is as follows:

  • 1 King Bed (sleeps 2)
  • 2 Queen Beds (sleeps 2 per bed)
  • 2 Twin Bed each sleep 1
  • 2 Futon Sofa/Beds (sleeps 2 per futon)
  • 5 Bunk Beds (sleeps 10 total in Bunks)
  • 1 New Leather Sofa folds out and sleeps 2
  • 1 Full Size Bed (sleeps 2)
  • Total of 26 can sleep in beds !

Our beautiful rock and brick home has five bedrooms and three and one-half baths on three floors spread over 4300 square feet. Enjoy the sound of the rushing stream that runs near the house. In the late, cool of the evening, all you hear is a few birds chirping and the sound of water running over the rocks in the stream …truly tranquil…….:)

From both the upper-level living room, as well as the master bedrooms, and from the lower-level den, you can look down on Smith Lake.

Lewis Smith Lake is a reservoir in North Alabama. The three-fingered lake was created by Alabama Power to produce hydroelectric eco-friendly power and improve river traffic conditions on the Black Warrior River, as well as to provide recreation opportunities. The largest earthen dam in the eastern United States, it stretches 2,200 feet in length and reaches a maximum height of 300 feet. Construction began on November 25, 1957, and the dam entered service on September 5, 1961.

Besides fishing the lake offers excellent opportunities for other water sports, including swimming, boating, jet-skis, and water skiing, as well as non-water related activities like camping, picnicking and just plain relaxing. Smith Lake draws campers, fishermen and recreational boaters from all over the Southeast. This Lake Home is about 1 hour North of Birmingham and about 2 hours South of Nashville, 2 and 1/2 hours from Atlanta, just 15 minutes off Interstate 65. Smith Lake is located between Birmingham, AL and Huntsville, AI and is nestled among the pastures and rolling hills of northern Alabama. Smith Lake serves as a perfect get away for individuals in both Birmingham, Atlanta and Nashville.

We welcome church groups, scrap book groups, quilting groups, families, conferences, seminar groups, small business, continuing education groups, school groups, retreats and other groups.

Theme

  • Luxury
  • Retreat

General

  • High Speed Internet-Wi-Fi
  • Accept credit card-Visa, Mastercard, Paypal
  • Ceiling fans
  • Cold water dispenser
  • Local maps
  • Paper towels
  • Shampoo
  • Soaps basic
  • Toilet paper
  • Jet spa, Jacuzzi or whirlpool bath in each master bedroom
  • Air-conditioning, one unit for upstairs and one for main level and lower levels
  • Central heating
  • Linens provided
  • Towels provided (bring your own for lake activities)

Kitchen

  • Iron & board
  • Cooking utensils
  • 2 Coffee makers-Paper filter type
  • Toaster
  • Grill
  • Dishwasher
  • Refrigerator
  • Freezer
  • Oven
  • Microwave
  • Washing machine
  • Clothes dryer
  • Blender
  • Icemaker in the Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stove top burners
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