The high-tech city of Huntsville, which sprawls at the foot of a mountain in North Alabama, is equally at home in the 19th century or the 21st. Huntsville's tourist attractions reflect the heritage of Alabama's first English-speaking city, the strife of the American Civil War and the accomplishments of America's rocket scientists.
The city is nicknamed "The Rocket City" for its close history with U.S. space missions. Huntsville has been important in developing space technology since the 1950s.
Reunion Tours Information
50th Company OCS Huntsville Reunion – Please Sign Up for Two Group Tours
Dear Ladies and Gents of 50th Company:
Huntsville (AKA Rocket City) beckons us in four weeks, and the Reunion Committee needs to hear back from you ASAP on who will be coming to the two Huntsville attractions that we have chosen for our group visits (The U.S. Space and Rocket Center and historic Burritt on the Mountain). We really need attendance information to finalize the arrangements for these visits.
As we have already noted, except for the Reunion Banquet, there are no “required” reunion events. Everything is optional. There is plenty to do in the Huntsville area, and you are free to arrange your own activities, individually or in groups. In the reunion schedule, we provide suggestions of various things to do, but two of the sites that we recommend for group visits require special arrangements, so please let us know whether or not you will be participating. Thank you.
1. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center (Website: https://www.rocketcenter.com/) is the high point (pun intended) of any visit to Huntsville. Our visit will include an introduction to the Center by Mike Stallcup, (a retired NASA Aerospace Engineer who now volunteers there as a senior Docent); a self-guided tour of the Museum which focuses on current space activities happening today; the Davidson Center which describes the origins and history of NASA leading to the Apollo Program (think Man on the Moon); the outdoor rocket display; and a glance into the universe in the Center’s magnificent Planetarium Building. You will be on your feet for a good chunk of the day, so wear comfortable shoes. There are padded benches for resting and you will be seated in the cafeteria during lunch or when you need a spot to sit down for a cup of coffee. In addition, the Planetarium show is a seated venue. Everyone is welcome to stay for the day, but you may leave (and/or come back) as you will. Your passes are good for the day. The admission for everything (not including lunch) costs $29 per person, and this is covered by the reunion fees.
We assume most everyone will want to participate in our visit to the Center, at least for a good part of the day. Please confirm ASAP your (and your spouse’s) attendance or just let us know if you won’t be attending. Email 50thCompanyOCS@gmail.com with a cc to Brian Flora at flora.brian@gmail.com
2. Burritt on the Mountain (Website: www.burrittonthemountain.com/) is an open-air museum whose grounds are on Round Top Mountain, overlooking the city of Huntsville. In 1934 Physician William Burritt designed an eccentric mansion surrounded by 167 acres where he would farm and raise goats in his retirement. Having no heirs, he donated his house and property to the city to establish a museum. The museum began purchasing rural log houses and barns that were in danger of demolition and relocating them to the grounds. Today, twelve historic structures from the 1800s have been fully restored and are part of the Museum. We will split into two groups. Half of us will tour the mansion with one docent, while another leads the rest of us on a tour of buildings outside, and then vice versa. The discounted group rate is $10 per person (including tax). Brian Flora will pay for everyone and then collect at the reunion from those who signed up.
Please let us know ASAP whether or not you (and/or your spouse) would like to participate in our visit to Burritt’s. Email to 50thCompanyOCS@gmail.com with a cc to Brian Flora at flora.brian@gmail.com
Best regards to all.
Very much looking forward to seeing you all in Huntsville.
The Reunion Commo Team
Note from Lou: Many thanks to Mike and Robin Eberhardt and Brian Flora for their work in planning these events. The Eberhardts scouted the sites multiple times, and Brian finalized the arrangements.
Hilton Garden Inn Huntsville/Redstone Arsenal
Off Memorial Parkway, we're 15 minutes from Redstone Arsenal headquarters. Downtown Huntsville and Von Braun Center events are five miles away, while both the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and Huntsville Botanical Garden are within eight miles of our door. Enjoy our 24-hour fitness center and heated indoor pool.
A View From Burritt
This unique museum of regional history is located at the mountaintop home of Dr. William Henry Burritt. The remarkable 14 room mansion built in the shape of an X in the 1930s is insulated with 2,200 bales of wheat straw. The Historic Park features restored farm buildings which interpret 19th century rural life in Alabama. A nature trail winds through heavily wooded forest. The grounds, open year round, offer a breathtaking panoramic view of Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley. On a clear day you can see the Tennessee River and the towering NASA rocket test stands.
Third Annual FUBAR Award,Huntsville 2025
Brian Flora, recipient of the 3rd annual FUBAR award, shares this honor with all the neighborhood children on Halloween night, 2025. Thanks Brian, you make us proud!
