View from the Top: It is good to come back home to Huntsville

View from the Top is an opinion column exploring all things Huntsville, coordinated by Doug Martinson. Today's guest columnist is Gary Brown, a 1980 Huntsville High graduate who previously served as a University of Alabama cheerleading mic man.

Coming Home to a New Frontier

By Gary Brown

For decades after leaving in 1987, the word 'home' carried a specific, lingering nostalgia for me. I often found myself talking about the Rocket City so much that friends likely grew tired of my stories. When I finally decided to move back, those friends were thrilled for me, assuming the transition would be purely joyous. While I was excited, I also felt a deep uneasiness about leaving behind the wonderful life and friendships I had cultivated in Wichita, Kansas.

Beyond the personal adjustment, I faced the reality of returning to a place I had never truly lived in before. The Huntsville of my youth had evolved significantly. Landmarks like Big Brothers on Whitesburg Drive, Terry’s Pizza on Governors Drive, and the legendary Dipped Dogs at Zesto’s in Five Points have become nothing more than memories, often following fires or the relentless march of time.

The Enduring Spirit of the Rocket City

Despite the physical changes, the city's fundamental charm remains intact, even with a population that has more than doubled since I left. Big Spring Park still serves as the city's magnificent front yard, and the Saturn V replica on the west side continues to stand as a welcoming beacon for those of us returning home.

Huntsville has always been defined by a unique cohort of brilliant people tackling massive challenges. Much like Wichita, which staked its identity on the aviation industry, Huntsville has cemented its reputation as the nation’s premier hub for reaching not just into the sky, but into the depths of space. In Wichita, neighbors casually flew aircraft on weekends; in Huntsville, we launch into the stars.

A Culinary and Cultural Evolution

Living in New Orleans for three years taught me that it is unfair to compare any city’s food scene to the Big Easy, though I am still on the hunt for a proper po’boy here. Still, our local culinary landscape is improving, with the downtown square offering excellent options. Perhaps most importantly, Huntsville remains a bastion for the 'meat and three'—a Southern tradition that, to my disappointment, never took root in Kansas.

Ultimately, like my time in Fort Smith, Arkansas, I have found that Huntsville is a community built on the strength of family and friends. While I deeply regret not returning before my sister passed, I have found great pride in watching my nieces grow into impressive women and seeing the lives my brothers have built. Rekindling old friendships while forming new ones has been the highlight of my return.

The essence of Huntsville persists through its people—those who value our greenways, invest in the arts, celebrate our sports teams, and honor our traditions while looking toward the future. It is a spirit that is truly contagious. It is good to be home.