Gary W. Beam - Mayor
740 North Main Street
Arab, Alabama 35016
Office: (256) 586-8128
Home: (256) 586-6420

e-mail: gbeam@arabcity.org

Gary W. Beam was elected to the office of Mayor on October 7, 2008, and is serving in his first term as Mayor. His current term expires in 2012.

Gary is a graduate of Arab High School and Auburn University. He is married to Olethia Bentley Beam, and they have two sons and three grandchildren.

The office of Mayor is a part-time position as an administrator of Arab City government. Becky Hawkins is the Administrative Assistant.

The City of Arab, along with our many friendly residents, is delighted to welcome you to our community. Whether you are planning a brief visit, looking for a new home, considering establishing a new business, or looking to relocate an existing business, we’re glad you decided to take a look at us.

Arab is a great place to live and raise a family, a great place to do business, and a place that offers an unequaled quality of life. Academically, our city school system is one of the highest achievers in the state; and, our community offers outstanding medical care along with an extremely low crime rate.

Arab has a rich heritage, and the way our city was named, is truly, a unique story. Prior to the post office being established, the city was known as Thompson’s Village, named for the Thompson family, who had moved into what is now Arab in 1858. When the local post office was established in 1882, the names Ink, Bird and Arad were submitted. Officials in Washington, D.C., mistook the “d” in Arad (a first name in the Thompson family) for a “b”, the name Arab was approved, and the error was never corrected. Arab, Alabama was incorporated in 1892.

Originally inhabited by the Cherokee Indians, Arab’s first settlers came from Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The mountainous region surrounding Arab provides breathtaking views from beautiful peaks, like Brindlee Mountain and Gunters Mountain, and the scenic route of state Highway 75. Gunters Mountain, along U.S. Highway 79, runs through Cathedral Caverns State Park. More outdoor opportunities are available at William Bankhead National Forest, which is between Arab and the Mississippi border.

We hope our website will provide helpful information to you. There is so much more to Arab than what is contained here, and you must experience it firsthand to appreciate all we have to offer. Our doors are always open and we invite you to visit soon.

If we can answer any questions or assist you in any other way, please contact us at 256-586-8128, or e-mail my office at gbeam@arabcity.org.

We are confident that you will discover what we already know: We’ve got a good thing going here in Arab, Alabama!

Cordially,
Mayor Gary W. Beam

Mission Statement

The City of Arab has a mission to provide a living environment that encourages progressive thinking and the acceptance of diverse cultural differences within the concept of a wholesome family environment.