Fairhope Loses A Visionary

Walk almost anywhere around Fairhope and you can see signs reminiscent of the vision one man had for the city half a century ago. James P. Nix, who served as Mayor for 28 years, wanted Fairhope to be a place of beauty and charm. His vision had grown out of a trip he took to the west coast. Among other accomplishments, Nix, who died OCT 14th 2025 at the age of 88, hired the city’s first horticulturist. Building on the vision Nix had laid out, horticulture specialist Tim Kant–who would later become Mayor–oversaw tree, flower and planter box projects to help create the city that today is recognized nationwide for its beauty.

Mayor Sherry Sullivan calls Nix a man of steady force with a vision to make Fairhope beautiful:

Nix’s service takes place at noon Saturday OCT 18th 2025 at the James P. Nix Senior Center at 1 Bayou Dr in Fairhope. Visitation begins at 10am.