I found these images from the flickr account of asbpics. COC is Chamber of Commerce. Opelika is apparently a small town in North Alabama near Auburn just off of I-85. Not only is the old newel beautiful but the balustrade is quite nice.  I like the way the newel is turned out slightly.  The ornate balustrade follows the turn-out.  Asbpics is evidently getting some inspiration from the Chamber of Commerce for his own home. If you view his images you'll see that he was in the midst of a home building project.