Welcome to Longleaf

About Longleaf Farm and Lodge

Longleaf Farm is a 340-acre natural growth tree farm located near Deer Park, Alabama. The farm is 60 miles north of Mobile, Alabama and is situated in the watershed of the Escatawpa River. The land is a rich natural ecosystem that features longleaf pine savannas, pitcher plant bogs, rolling hills and hardwood bottoms. There are several natural springs located on the property providing water for outdoor activities and wildlife. A 4.5-acre lake was built on the property for recreational use in 2000. The lake is stocked with bass and bream and has become home to turtles, wood ducks, herons, kingfishers, otters and the occasional water moccasin, osprey and bald eagle.

The Alabama Forestry Commission has certified the property as an Alabama Treasure Forest. We actively manage the land to provide open spaces for wildlife habitat and biodiversity. We have received several federal grants to improve habitat for the four endangered species located in our ecosystem. Wildlife in the area is diverse and abundant. White tail deer, turkey, hawks, owls, native quail, fox squirrel, bobcat, beaver, gopher tortoise, eastern bluebird, black bear, and coyotes are all plentiful in the area. Unfortunately, feral hogs have recently entered our area.

We used an early 1900’s photo of my grandfather standing in front of a dogtrot house as inspiration for the lodge. That building was in Sims Chapel, less than 7 miles from here. It was the site of our family homestead just after the Civil War. We used architectural rendering from the WPA era and existing historic buildings as models to ensure accuracy. Over five years we collected vintage and recycled materials, and our family hand built the lodge over 8 years. By choice, there are no utilities on the property. We rely on rainwater collection for water in the lodge. Heating is provided by wood stoves and cooling provided by the passive ventilation generated by a dog trot porch. We have a solar/battery powered LED system for lighting and pumping water. We also use kerosene lamps for lighting.

One portion of our land features a large sandy hill formerly used as a cattle pasture. It is the last stand for a group of endangered gopher tortoises we have pledged to preserve. This property was homesteaded by another family in the 1800’s and the water source looks like it must have 150 years ago. There is a moss-covered ring of bricks the water seeps upward and into. It trickles down the side of the hill and later mysteriously disappears back into the ground. There are very large tulip poplars surrounding the spring and old broken-down fence posts strung with wire to keeps the cows out. My favorite thing about the spot is a metal ring nailed into a tree to tie your horse.

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Directions to Longleaf Farm and Lodge

GoogleMaps will take you nearby to your destination, but not all the way.

Navigate to Dobby Cut-off Road (31.22715, -88.26160)-- see Google image attached. From This point, heading north-bound, you will turn right (eastward) into LongLeaf by identifying the sign (which will have the distinctive 3 circular saw blades with bullet holes in them!) Follow the arrows on small signs until you reach the cabin; If you're going in the right direction, you'll pass a small building called (with appropriate green sign) the "Tavern" on your right.

It is HIGHLY recommended to check your navigation system of choice using the following route (please note that navigating to Bud Odom road and you will get lost! There are many Bud Odom streets in a relatively small area):

From the coast, take 1-65 north to Hwy158, then you turn left, west, toward Citronelle. (It’s the first big Saraland exit –the churches give it away). If you pass it, your next exit is Celeste Rd.

Hwy 158 West
Exit right on Highway 45 and yield right at the light
Go 31 miles on Highway 45 N. You will pass through Citronelle and later pass an abandoned gas station on your right.
Just past the 40-mile marker, turn right on Bud Odom Road (a dirt road). If you make it to Deer Park, you’ve gone too far.
Drive about 3 miles on Bud Odom to the Dobby Cutt Off Road (there is a road sign on your left). It’s slightly faded by the sun. Take a left.
At about a half mile down Dobby Cutt Off you will see a small group of buildings on the right, go past them.
Go about 1 mile (total) down Dobby Cutt Off to the metal gate on the right and you’ll see a green sign that says Longleaf. There are 3 red circular saw blades nailed to the top of the right side post, they are riddled with bullet holes! This is where you turn on to our property.
Go through the gate and up a hill. On your way in, we have placed directional signs with arrows tied (marked with colored tape) in the ground at the various small dirt road turns. Follow the arrows.
As you climb up the hill into an oak grove you will bypass a turn to the left and you will see a small tin building on the right with a porch (we call it the tavern). Go past it. Follow the arrows until you go up a hill to the lake and lodge. You can’t miss it. Park in the back.

There is no direct interstate route to Longleaf Farm. You will need to look at your atlas and decide if it is better to go I-20/59 through Tuscaloosa from Birmingham or take I-65 south through Montgomery. If you choose to go through Tuscaloosa, you will need to get to I-20 toward Meridian, MS. Just before you get to Meridian, you will turn off on Hwy 45 south. Hwy 45 will take you directly to the Bud Odom Road in Deer Park. It takes 3 hours to get to Longleaf from Tuscaloosa.

If you take I-65 south, then get off at HWY 158 (see directions above).