Fairhope Single Tax Corporation

Because Henry George's proposal was intended for implementation within the entire country, and the Fairhope experiment dealt with just one small community, significant changes from the original theory were required. Henry George never endorsed these changes or the Fairhope experiment, and declined all invitations to visit the community.

Under George's plan the land would remain in private ownership, and the full rental value would be taxed each year. Under the approach established in Fairhope, land was acquired by the Fairhope Industrial Association (the name was changed to the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation in 1904), and those who wanted to make use of a site would lease it from the Single Tax Corporation. The lease would be for 99 years, and was renewable. In theory, the Single Tax Corporation would charge a rent that attempted to capture the full annual rental value of the land. In practice, however, it was not necessary to charge such a high rent, because the Single Tax Corporation was receiving significant income from the usage fees on the Fairhope Pier. With the opening of the causeway in 1927, however, this income source dried up.

​

In theory, when real estate was sold, the selling price reflected the value of the improvements on the land, but not the value of the land itself. This was because the land (in theory) had no value to the person renting the land (i.e. the lessee) since the annual return on the full value of the land was (in theory) taken each year in land rent. There are cases where lessees renting sites with minimal improvements merely gave their leasehold back to the Single Tax Corporation rather than attempting to sell their right to the 99 year lease.
 

For a time, the Single Tax Corporation gave a rebate to lessees for certain other taxes they were required to pay, such as taxes on improvements or personal property. This was an attempt to move the system closer to the single tax (i.e. a tax only on land value) envisioned by Henry George.

 

Whatever attempt there might have been to reap the full annual return on the value of the land, however, fell apart entirely during the Great Depression of the 1930's. So many Fairhope families were not able to make their rent payments that the Single Tax Corporation relaxed its assessment and collection policies. This was the compassionate thing to do, but it did accelerate a precedent that has led to an even more drastic departure from the original theories of Henry George.

 

The Fairhope Single Tax Corporation today owns about 4,600 acres in and surrounding Fairhope. Those buying real estate on colony land, secure ownership of the improvements, but only a leasehold on the land. They pay rent to the Single Tax Corporation every year, but this rent in no way reflects the annual return on the value of the land.

 

Rather, the rent reflects the total amount of city, school district, county, and state real estate taxes due, plus an amount added by the Single Tax Corporation. The add-on reflects the cost of administering the Single Tax Corporation office, plus an additional amount called a "demonstration fee". This demonstration fee is used to complete projects that improve the community of Fairhope and demonstrate the usefulness of the single tax approach.

​

Among the types of projects supported by the demonstration fund have been 63 acres of bay front park lands, 11 acres for the Organic School plus some financial support in the early years, the Centennial Hall auditorium, 24 acres for Founders Park softball and soccer complex, a 43 acre city nature park, the original city hall/police station/jail location, funding for improving the emergency room facility at Thomas Hospital, significant funding for a performing arts center to be built in conjunction with the Fairhope High School, and improvements to roads, sidewalks, curbs and drainage.

 

While the national tax system and the Alabama Constitution prohibit the implementation of a pure Georgist single tax in Fairhope, the social philosophy of Henry George and the early single taxers who settled in Fairhope have created the unique community we have today. Fairhope remains today a highly vital and attractive community, due largely to the impact of its status as a single tax colony, and to the philosophy, character, idealism, and vision of the early settlers attracted to Fairhope because of their enthusiasm for the single tax theory.
 

The social theories of Henry George attracted progressive, free-thinking liberals and socialists to Fairhope. His economic theories attracted more conservative individuals. Together they have formed a diverse activist independent community that in turn attracted artists, writers, educators, and eccentrics of all types.

 

It is this open and independent attitude that helps make Fairhope the wonderful community it is.

​