Life is Better Here: The History of Orange Beach, Alabama

This documentary, "Life is Better Here: The History of Orange Beach, Alabama," was commissioned by the City of Orange Beach and produced by Compass Media, Inc. in 2014. Narrated by New York Times bestselling author and Orange Beach resident Andy Andrews, this film tells the story of how Orange Beach went from a small fishing village to a world-class family destination.
Executive Producer - Ken Grimes, Jr., Orange Beach City Administrator
Writer/Director/Producer - Chad Kirtland
Narrator - Andy Andrews
Cameras - Dusty Bias, Scott Lancaster, Eric Lowe and Courtland Richards
Audio - Chris Vanasdlen
Editor - Eric Lowe
Grip - Kassie Krebsbach
Special thanks to Pete Blalock, Earl Callaway, Ella Callaway, Ronnie Callaway, Frank Ellis, Ty Fleming, Foley Public Library, Mayor Tony Kennon, Jim Lauder, Margaret Childress-Long, Godbee Smith and Connie Tampary
A Compass Media, Inc. Production
Presented by The City of Orange Beach, Alabama

[@cripplecreekqueen]

Spending every summer with my grandmother in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Pleasure Isle Motel. Special magical childhood memories are flooding back, seeing the old photos. Thank you for this. I remember the hangout. Crabbing was my favorite thing to do. Go to the old pass with a dip net and cooler. Life was good. ☮️💜😎

[@Navy4mom06]

I grew up there every summer my grandparents built a cottage in the early 60's. They would spend a lot time back during 50's then retired in mid 60's. I remember when it would be a ghost town from Labor Day. Everything was boarded up. I have such great memories of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Wolf Bay Lodge. I remember when there was almost nothing between Gulf Shores all the way to Alabama Point. I had great childhood.

[@scottjennings9293]

Amazing video

[@olddvr]

I LOVE this! I’ve called Birmingham “home” since 1973 and I’ve been to Orange Beach during the summers more times than I can remember. I’ll be winding up a 30 year career with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office soon, and after I tie up a few loose ends, I’ll be living my dream and moving to Orange Beach in less than a year! I hope y’all won’t mind another transplant making my home down there - I can’t wait!

[@jasong428]

Did you move? How'd it go?

[@motelmccready182]

Great Job Andy! The secret of the south has been exposed :)

[@orangebeachmuseum4754]

Just a correction here please. The Canoe in the museum is actually 27 feet 3 inches long, not 35 feet as you were told. thank you.