Moon Lake Gets New Name and Branding as Work Continues to Improve Former School Property

Efforts continue to bring new life to the former Moon Lake Elementary School. The property, owned by the Town of Mentone, will soon have a new name and logo to help market the site.

The property is being renamed “Moon Lake Campus.” It is located on East River Road, just off Alabama Highway 117 behind the Moon Lake Library.

With the new name comes a new logo. It includes the name of the property and the town, along with a simple but direct tagline to communicate the features of the campus. Anchoring the text is an image of a white oak leaf, honoring the majestic tree that was already a century old when the original Moon Lake schoolhouse was built in 1911. This also ties in with the public art display in front of the main building.

When the school closed in 2021 and the Town took possession of the property, its name was changed to Moon Lake Village. Over time, it became apparent that the name caused some confusion about the purpose of the property. Further, visitors would sometimes confuse it with the Log Cabin Village, the collection of shops and galleries near the top of Highway 117.

The word “campus” is often used by other communities when repurposing former school properties as a way to embrace the past while highlighting a future as a gathering place for networking and experiences. “The new name pays tribute to the original purpose of the property,” says Mentone Mayor Rob Hammond. “It also recognizes and celebrates its role in the social, creative, and economic future of our town.”

For more than a century, the school was the heart of Mentone. The outstanding education it provided its children was a product of not only a quality staff but also of a community dedicated to the success of these students and their school’s mission.

Though the institution was closed in 2021, that community spirit did not falter. The Town of Mentone was determined to maintain — and also revitalize — the historic property. Today, the former school is home to art galleries, shops, dining, offices, and events, drawing thousands of visitors to town each year.

Classes are being taught at Moon Lake once again, thanks to the involvement of Northeast Alabama Community College.

New signage is under development that will feature the new branding. Look for the new logo to begin appearing in other marketing efforts soon, including a new website at www.moonlakecampus.com.

These efforts continue the progress that has been made on the campus since the Town of Mentone took possession of the property. The Town has made cosmetic and infrastructure improvements, and work will soon begin on major enhancements made possible by an Appalachian Regional Commission grant in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. A new HVAC system will be installed in the gym this summer. And plans are underway by the Little River Arts Council for the Moon Lake Arts Collective, a public access art studio to be built behind the Moon Lake Library.