If you love history, you’re in luck! There are many towns/cities in Alabama that are home to several historic landmarks and beautifully restored antebellum homes. Listed below are 10 historic towns in Alabama that’ll transport you straight to the past.
- Montgomery
flickr/graywolfx47 Montgomery became Alabama’s capital in 1846. In February 1861, it was chosen as the first capital of the Confederate States of America, and During the mid-20th century, Montgomery was a primary site in the African-American Civil Rights Movement, which included the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Selma to Montgomery marches. Montgomery has been voted Best Historic City by USA Today. Pictured is the Alabama State Capitol.
- Selma
wikipedia Selma, located on the banks of the Alabama River, is best known for the 1960s Selma Voting Rights Movement and the Selma to Montgomery marches, beginning with “Bloody Sunday” in March 1965. The Edmund Pettus Bridge (pictured) was the site of this conflict.
- Mooresville
facebook/Mooresville, Alabama On November 16, 1818, Mooresville was incorporated by the Alabama Territorial Legislature. The entire town of Mooresville is on the National Register of Historic Places. Its post office (pictured) was built in 1840 and is the oldest continually operating post office in the state.
- Tuscumbia
wikipedia Tuscumbia dates back to 1820 and was an early center for agriculture, commerce and industry that included the first railroad west of the Allegheny Mountains. By 1850, the city of Tuscumbia was a major railroad hub for train traffic throughout the entire South. Tuscumbia is also the Birthplace of Helen Keller - America’s “First Lady of Courage.”
- Mobile
wikipedia Mobile is located at the head of Mobile Bay and is Alabama’s only saltwater port. In 1702, this historic city began as the first capital of colonial French Louisiana. Mobile is home to many different types of museums, including Battleship Memorial Park - home to the World War II era battleship USS Alabama (pictured).
- Huntsville
wikimedia commons There are quite a few historic places in the city of Huntsville, including the Twickenham Historic District. This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 4, 1973 and contains the most dense concentration of antebellum homes in Alabama. The Weeden House (pictured) is a part of the Twickenham Historic District and is Alabama’s oldest house that’s open to the public.
- Birmingham
wikipedia The Birmingham Civil Rights District (pictured) is an area of downtown Birmingham where many events in the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s took place, including the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing and the Kelly Ingram Park protests.
- Eufaula
wikipedia Eufaula is home to more than 20 structures and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful city is best known for its magnificent old homes, and its annual Spring Pilgrimage is one of the greatest events in the South.
- Moundsville
flickr/mystuart The city of Moundsville is 911 feet above sea level and is about one half mile from the Black Warrior River. It’s best known for its Native American mounds (pictured).
- Lowndesboro
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Lowndesboro is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved antebellum communities in the entire South. Pictured is St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (1850s) - one of the best preserved structures in the nation.
Are there any other historic towns/cities that you would add to this list? If so, feel free to share them in the comments below!
flickr/graywolfx47
Montgomery became Alabama’s capital in 1846. In February 1861, it was chosen as the first capital of the Confederate States of America, and During the mid-20th century, Montgomery was a primary site in the African-American Civil Rights Movement, which included the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Selma to Montgomery marches. Montgomery has been voted Best Historic City by USA Today. Pictured is the Alabama State Capitol.
wikipedia
Selma, located on the banks of the Alabama River, is best known for the 1960s Selma Voting Rights Movement and the Selma to Montgomery marches, beginning with “Bloody Sunday” in March 1965. The Edmund Pettus Bridge (pictured) was the site of this conflict.
facebook/Mooresville, Alabama
On November 16, 1818, Mooresville was incorporated by the Alabama Territorial Legislature. The entire town of Mooresville is on the National Register of Historic Places. Its post office (pictured) was built in 1840 and is the oldest continually operating post office in the state.
Tuscumbia dates back to 1820 and was an early center for agriculture, commerce and industry that included the first railroad west of the Allegheny Mountains. By 1850, the city of Tuscumbia was a major railroad hub for train traffic throughout the entire South. Tuscumbia is also the Birthplace of Helen Keller - America’s “First Lady of Courage.”
Mobile is located at the head of Mobile Bay and is Alabama’s only saltwater port. In 1702, this historic city began as the first capital of colonial French Louisiana. Mobile is home to many different types of museums, including Battleship Memorial Park - home to the World War II era battleship USS Alabama (pictured).
wikimedia commons
There are quite a few historic places in the city of Huntsville, including the Twickenham Historic District. This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 4, 1973 and contains the most dense concentration of antebellum homes in Alabama. The Weeden House (pictured) is a part of the Twickenham Historic District and is Alabama’s oldest house that’s open to the public.
The Birmingham Civil Rights District (pictured) is an area of downtown Birmingham where many events in the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s took place, including the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing and the Kelly Ingram Park protests.
Eufaula is home to more than 20 structures and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful city is best known for its magnificent old homes, and its annual Spring Pilgrimage is one of the greatest events in the South.
flickr/mystuart
The city of Moundsville is 911 feet above sea level and is about one half mile from the Black Warrior River. It’s best known for its Native American mounds (pictured).
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Lowndesboro is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved antebellum communities in the entire South. Pictured is St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (1850s) - one of the best preserved structures in the nation.
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