Hampton Cove, Huntsville facts for kids

Hampton Cove is a planned community with many homes. It's located in the Big Cove area, near Huntsville, Alabama. It sits among the beautiful foothills and valleys of North Alabama. This large community, about 2,800 acres big, is nestled between mountains like Monte Sano Mountain and Green Mountain. It is also close to Keel Mountain.

Hampton Cove has over 2,000 homes. These homes come in many styles, from smaller patio homes to large family houses. The community also has 28 lakes filled with fish. There are three golf courses and 20 miles of paths for walking and biking.

It's right next to the Hays Nature Preserve, a big natural area. It is also near the Big Cove Creek Greenway. Hampton Cove is not a separate city. It shares land with nearby places like Huntsville and Gurley. It does not have its own high school or zip code.

The Story of Hampton Cove

The Hampton Cove community started in 1992. Brothers John and Jimmy Hays, along with their nephew Jeff Enfinger, worked together. They bought land near Monte Sano Mountain. This area was open countryside at the time. Their goal was to build a golf course and a new neighborhood.

More land was bought from a local farmer. The area became even more popular when three golf courses were built. These courses are part of the famous Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Much of the golf course land used to belong to the Burritt family.

How Hampton Cove Got Its Name

This area was once a rural community. It was known as Horse Cove. During the American Civil War, local people hid their horses here. This kept the horses safe from the Union Army.

Long ago, the Cherokee and Chickasaw tribes lived on this land. In 1806, it became part of the Mississippi Territory. Early settlers were drawn to the area. They liked its rich soil and the beauty of the mountains. The nearby Flint River was also a big draw.

Today, Huntsville provides all the services for Hampton Cove. The community shares a zip code (35763) with Owens Cross Roads. Big Cove, another nearby community, is also close by.

Neighborhoods and Schools

Hampton Cove is made up of 20 different neighborhoods. Each one has its own unique feel.

Hampton Cove has two elementary schools and one middle school. Hampton Cove Elementary was built in the 1990s. It was needed because more families were moving to the area. As the community grew, a second elementary school opened in 2011. This school is called Goldsmith-Schiffman Elementary School.

Students from both elementary schools go on to Hampton Cove Middle School. The middle school shares a campus with Hampton Cove Elementary. After middle school, students attend Huntsville High School. This high school is about 12 miles away. All four schools are part of the Huntsville City Schools system.

Fun Things to Do

Hampton Cove is a great place for recreation. It has one of the ten stops on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. This golf facility is 630 acres large. It has three courses and 54 holes. It's open all year round. There's also a clubhouse with a pro shop, meeting rooms, a bar, and a restaurant.

The community also has 28 lakes where you can go fishing. There are miles of trails for walking, biking, and even horse riding. A 100-acre city park offers fields for baseball, softball, and soccer.

Other fun places nearby include the Flint River. You can also visit the Hays Nature Preserve. The Goldsmith Schiffman Wildlife Sanctuary also offers more outdoor activities.

Hampton Cove has its own magazine called LIFE in Hampton Cove. It also has a website that shares local events. The Hampton House is a community center. It has six clay tennis courts with lights for night play. There is also a large Olympic-size swimming pool.

Famous People From Hampton Cove

• Michael Luwoye – An actor and singer. He is famous for playing the main role in the musical Hamilton.
• Jonathan "Rudy" Ford – A professional football player. He plays cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals. He also played for the Auburn Tigers in college.