Where is the state line between Alabama and Florida? I see those signs that tell me I am leaving Alabama and entering Florida, but where is the actual state line?

I became interested in a recent article on the question because I was born in Florala. Florala is near the state line. The name of the town – Florala – incorporates Florida and Alabama. I am actually listed as being born in Alabama, since Florala is a part of the state of Alabama. But is its location really accurate to the real state line? Could Florala be in Florida?

I also was interested because the person who is solving the debate is a man from Tuscaloosa who is working with Auburn University to rediscover it. Anytime people from Tuscaloosa and Auburn work together, I know it has to be pretty important!

Milton Denny is a surveyor who is trying to rediscover the original state line. The original line was probably the least defined line between the states because of the references to a mound line and nobody knows where the mounds were.

Now actually the original line won’t change the official state line. Alabama and Florida have decided on 31 degrees latitude as the border. That can be located with modern technology. But the interesting thing is that land surveys on either side of the border are based on the original line.

Even with all of our modern technology and years of referring to the Alabama-Florida line, there are still unanswered questions today. There are a lot of people doing a lot of work to establish a standard to define accuracy and truth.

That is really what the Bible is about. It is our standard. It is our plumb line. It is the accurate base line from which other decisions are made. It is the standard by which God has revealed Himself to us and the standard He sets for our relationships with Him and with each other.

Luke writes “…they received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11 NAS) Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures…” (John 5:39 NAS) Paul writes “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.” (II Timothy 3:16 NLV)

For the time being, I am continuing to fill out any forms stating that I was born in Florala, Alabama. I don’t think the establishment of the original state line will change that.

I am also certain that the Bible is the Word of God, is accurate, and it still speaks the truth!