Located in southwest Alabama in Baldwin County, Foley is named for John B. Foley of Chicago, who bought land in the area in 1901 and then formed Magnolia Springs Land Company. He persuaded the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N) to run a spur to the area and the town incorporated in 1915. Foley is a vibrant and rapidly growing city. It has grown from a population of just over 14,500 in 2009, when it joined the ACE program, to just over 20,0300.
Foley’s historic downtown district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is alive with shops, restaurants and museums – in particular the Foley Depot Museum, which houses the city archives and history museum as well as a model train exhibit. Foley has multiple municipal parks with athletic fields for softball, baseball and soccer, as well as basketball and tennis courts, and two swimming pools. The city also features a hiking and biking trail and a horse arena. In addition to hosting a number of annual events and festivals, Foley is also known for the Tanger Outlet Center, offering more than 115 true outlet stores, as well as the award-winning OWA (oh-wah) theme park with its many outdoor rides and large, indoor waterpark.