Massee

Massee is an unincorporated community located in the northeastern part of Chambers County, Alabama, United States. It lies within the Appalachian foothills, approximately eighteen miles southeast of Arab, the county seat, and roughly sixty-five miles northeast of Birmingham. The surrounding landscape is dominated by gently rolling hills, scattered pine and oak trees, and a network of small farming streams that feed into the Coosa River watershed.

The community first appeared on maps in the late nineteenth century, named after early settlers who established a modest homestead along what was then a thick forested corridor. Its history is closely tied to the broader development of central Alabama’s agricultural sector, particularly cotton and later soybeans. In the early 1900s a small post office served the area, but it closed in 1952 when mail services were consolidated with the nearby town of Guntersville.

Massee remains largely rural today, with residences spread over a wide acreage rather than concentrated in a central village. The population has never exceeded a few hundred individuals, and most residents rely on neighboring towns for employment, education, and healthcare services. The community’s economy is primarily agricultural, with some small-scale timber operations. Seasonal festivals such as the annual community picnic and the surrounding County Fair draw visitors from adjacent towns, preserving local traditions.

The area is also notable for its proximity to natural attractions such as the nearby Tennessee River, which offers fishing, boating, and recreational opportunities. Conservation efforts in the region focus on protecting the native habitat and maintaining the scenic quality of the Appalachian foothills.