Historic

U.S. naval commander Admiral David Farragut and his fleet charged into Mobile Bay in August of 1864. His objectives were to capture the forts at the entrance to the bay, destroy Mobile's Confederate naval squadron and close Mobile to blockade runners. At the Battle of Mobile Bay Civil War Trail, visitors can retrace the path of this significant campaign. The trail stretches over 90 miles through Baldwin and Mobile counties, and documents the movements during the Battle of the Bay (August 1864) and the Overland Campaign (March-May, 1865). A series of interpretive signs at more than a dozen sites tells the stories of ship captains, fort commanders and common fighting men.

The Battle of Mobile Bay Civil War Trail comprises more than a dozen sites where action took place during both the Battle of Mobile Bay and the Overland Campaign. The stories of ship captains, fort commanders and common fighting men are told through first hand accounts, historical references and detailed illustrations displayed on interpretive signs placed at many of the sites along the trail.

Originally founded in 1702 at 27-Mile Bluff up river, Mobile was relocated in 1711 to the current site where a temporary wooden stockade fort was constructed to protect the town. It was named Fort Louis after the old fort up river. In 1723, construction of a new brick fort with a stone foundation began. Renamed Fort Condé in honor of King Louis XIV’s brother. Fort Condé protected Mobile and its citizens for nearly 100 years from 1723-1820. It was built by the French as a defense against British and Spanish attack on the strategic location of Mobile and its Bay, the eastern most part of the Louisiana colony. The military importance of Mobile and Fort Condé was huge. The fort and town protected access into the strategic lands between the Mississippi River and the Atlantic colonies along the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers. Fort Condé and its surrounding features covered about 11 acres of land. It was built of local brick, stone, earthen dirt walls, and cedar wood. Twenty black slaves and five white workmen did initial work on the fort. If the full size fort were present today, it would take up large sections of Church, Royal, Government, St. Emanuel, and Theatre Streets in downtown Mobile. From 1763 to 1780, England was in possession of Mobile and the fort was renamed Fort Charlotte in honor of King George III’s wife. From 1780 to1813, Spain ruled Mobile and the fort was renamed Fort Carlota. In 1813, Mobile was occupied by United States troops and the fort again named Fort Charlotte. In 1820, Congress authorized the sale and removal of the fort since it was no longer needed for defense. City funds paid for the demolition to make way for new streets and construction built towards the river and southward. By late 1823, most above ground traces of Mobile’s fort were gone. The current Fort Condé, about 1/3 of the original fort recreated in 4/5-scale, opened on July 4, 1976 as part of Mobile’s United States bicentennial celebration.

Mobile's waterfront has seen unlimited transformations aince its 18th century beginnings. Its the heart of our city, economy and our culture. Mobile Landing brings us back to the water-a gateway for our community that connects us again with the rest of the world.

Ever since its founding in 1963 by the Mobile Art Association, the Mobile Museum of Art has offered the community an opportunity for a fascinating adventure into the world of visual arts.

Discover Beautiful Southern History at Oakleigh, Mobile's Official Period House Museum

The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (ASHOF), founded in 1967, is a place where heroes and their memories live forever. No other state can match the number of great sports legends that have ties to this state, either through birth or performance.

Bring your imagination and sense of adventure to the Revolutionary American Village! The American Village welcomes the general public visitors during our regular hours (no reservation necessary), and welcomes school and other groups by pre-reservation.

Explore the wilds of Africa, the wonders of the North American wilderness, and the mysteries of 2,000 year old mummies in the seven fascinating exhibit halls of the Anniston Museum of Natural History. Open-air exhibits place you face to face with majestic-and often deadly-animals! See one of the country's oldest exhibits of birds in their habitats, and explore the children's discovery room for hands-on experiences with Alabama's natural wonders. Visit the Changing Exhibit Gallery for a look at how artists interpret nature. Stroll along outdoor nature trails and enjoy global shopping in the Museum Store.

Arlington is a fine example of Greek Revival architecture dating from the 1840s. The house was built by Judge William S. Mudd, one of the ten founders of Birmingham. The house is furnished with a collection of 19th century decorative arts. Located on six acres in the heart of Old Elyton, the first permanent County Seat of Jefferson County, Arlington is a center for historical, cultural, and civic activities.

The Battle of Horseshoe Bend In March 1814, General Jackson's army left Fort Williams on the Coosa, cut a 52-mile trail through the forest in three days, and on the 26th made camp six miles north of Horseshoe Bend. The next morning, Jackson sent General John Coffee and 700 mounted infantry and 600 Cherokee and Lower Creek allies three miles down-stream to cross the Tallapoosa and surround the bend. He took the rest of the army - about 2000 men, consisting of East and West Tennessee militia and the Thirty-ninth U.S. Infantry - into the peninsula and at 10:30 a.m. began an ineffectual two-hour artillery bombardment of the Red Sticks' log barricade.

Nestled in a valley at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Birmingham, Alabama owes its origin to abundant deposits of iron ore, coal and limestone, the essential ingredients for iron and steel making. Ambitious industrialists and land speculators began developing natural resources immediately after the Civil War, or as many southerners called it the War Between the States. A labor force of native white and Black Alabamians, white immigrants from Europe, and prison convicts mined the minerals for capital-intensive corporations.

The Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington collection focuses on art and artifacts from the colonial period through 1865. The collection contains paintings, letters, furniture, porcelain, glassware, silver, jewelry, busts and more. Martha Washington’s prayer book printed in New York in 1783, an original 1787 Samuel Vaughn sketch of Mt. Vernon grounds, writing instruments and tools from George Washington’ s survey case and an original tintype depicting Robert E. Lee in his uniform for the last time are just a few collection highlights.

Welcome to Moundville Archaeological Park. Eight hundred years ago, Moundville was the largest city in North America. Experience the wonder of this vanished Native American civilization. Choose from the topics to begin your adventure.

The Paul W. Bryant Museum opened its doors to the public October 8, 1988. The museum exhibits artifacts and memorabilia that trace the long history of University of Alabama football. State-of-the-art displays enhanced by videos highlighting great players, plays and games are produced from the museum's archives. A special video production narrated by Keith Jackson chronicles the career of the legendary Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant.

The Ballpark - History Built in 1910 by Birmingham industrialist Rick Woodward for the Birmingham Coal Barons. Rickwood Field was modeled after Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field and Connie Mack designed the field dimensions. Opening Day was on August 18, 1910 at 3:30 p.m. The Barons defeated the Montgomery Climbers 3-2 before more than 10,000 fans. The Barons played at Rickwood Field until 1987, when they moved into the suburban Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. The famous Black Barons of the Negro Leagues also called Rickwood home during their existence. The legendary Willie Mays, who grew up minutes away, got his start with the Black Barons as a 16-year old center-fielder on the championship 1948 squad. Championship pennants from both teams are painted on the exterior of the ballpark behind the third base grandstand. The 1983 Barons were the last Rickwood tenants to celebrate a championship when they won the Southern League in 1983.

On April 18, 1882 Sloss Furnaces began producing iron and did not stop until ninety years later. Over the decades, Sloss Furnaces gave rise to the city of Birmingham and served as a battleground for economic, employment and social reform. Now recognized as a National Historic Landmark, Sloss Furnaces is open to the public as a museum of industry which speaks to the contributions of the working men who labored there. With its massive furnaces, web of pipes, and tall smokestacks, it offers us a glimpse into the great industrial past of the South and our nation.

Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park has more than 1,500 acres in three counties set aside for hiking, camping and outdoor recreation. A miniature railroad chugs through the pines. From spring through fall, the blacksmith, miller and craftsmen demonstrate their trades. Craft shops occupy restored pioneer cabins and artisans chat with visitors from their front porches. Steeped in history, Tannehill feels timeless. The cotton gin, pioneer farm and working gristmill preserve a long-gone way of life. Hiking trails retrace historic roadways. Artifacts of Alabama’s 19th century iron industry displayed in the Iron and Steel Museum put in perspective the massive stone furnaces, Tannehill’s awe-inspiring centerpiece.

Vulcan Park is home to the world's largest cast iron statue and features spectacular panoramic views of Birmingham. We tell the story of Birmingham's past, present and promise for the future.

Established to Preserve memories of our veterans. Permanent resting place for artivacts and memorabilia, displaying uniforms, medals, weapons, photos, books, tapes and news clippings.

While at Bear Creek Log Cabins, you can enjoy: Hiking, Swimming, Sight-seeing, Fishing or you can just relax by the mountain fireplace. ~ Make this your perfect surprise vacation or get-a-way ~ Take a trip back to a slower pace, stress free and very restful way of life.

Take the mystery out of history at the South's largest hands-on history museum. The South's largest hands-on history museum! Your trip back in time begins in the stately EarlyWorks Children's Museum Rotunda where exhibits bring to life Alabama's early history. Hear stories from the talking tree, play a tune on the giant-sized instruments at the Alabama bandstand and try your hand at building a house in the interactive architecture exhibit. Walk the gangplank and explore a 46-foot keelboat, stroll through Alabama's agricultural and industrial history and try on 1800's clothing in the Federal house.

The Helen Keller Festival began in 1979 as a tribute to the life of Helen Keller. Thousands of visitors from around the world come to Tuscumbia, Alabama each year to celebrate the achievements of the remarkable woman who has come to be known as America's First Lady of Courage.

The Historic Huntsville Depot is the only surviving pre-Civil War passenger depot in Alabama and one of very few left in the U.S. The three-story building was constructed in 1860 and included the area headquarters for the Memphis & Charleston Railroad. Union forces seized the depot in 1862 and used it as a prison for Confederate soldiers.

Feel the serenity of gliding across the water powered only by the wind. Or motor across the lake, dock your boat next to the Resort Lodge and enjoy a sumptuous meal in luxury surroundings. Enjoy your early mornings in one of the cabins, listening to the birds. Or sip that first cup of coffee by a campfire. Or open a thermos after you've found the perfect spot for the day's fishing. Wake up with a round of golf, a tennis match, or laps in the swimming pool. Or simply sun the morning away. Stroll along the landscaped banks of Wheeler Lake. You might see deer or an eagle or much more of the wildlife so abundant at Joe Wheeler State Park. Located in Northwest Alabama, 2 miles west of Rogersville, off U.S. Highway 72. The Park is approximately 50 miles west of Huntsville, Alabama and 27 miles east of Florence, Alabama. Interstate 65 and Athens, Alabama are 22 miles east of the park.

Travel the route of the Old Natchez Trace and imagine the experiences of those that have traveled before you. The 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway commemorates an ancient trail that connected southern portions of the Mississippi River to salt licks in today’s central Tennessee. Over the centuries, the Choctaw, Chickasaw and other American Indians left their marks on the Trace. The Natchez Trace experienced its heaviest use from 1785 to 1820 by the “Kaintuck” boatmen that floated the Ohio and Miss. rivers to markets in Natchez and New Orleans. They sold their cargo and boats and began the trek back north on foot to Nashville and points beyond. Today, visitors can experience this National Scenic Byway and All-American Road through driving, hiking, biking, horseback riding and camping.

In 1838, the United States government forcibly removed more than 16,000 Cherokee Indian people from their homelands in Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, and Georgia, and sent them to Indian Territory (today known as Oklahoma). The impact to the Cherokee was devastating. Hundreds of Cherokee died during their trip west, and thousands more perished from the consequences of relocation. This tragic chapter in American and Cherokee history became known as the Trail of Tears, and culminated the implementation of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which mandated the removal of all American Indian tribes east of the Mississippi River to lands in the West. The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail commemorates the removal of the Cherokee and the paths that 17 Cherokee detachments followed westward. Today the trail encompasses about 2,200 miles of land and water routes, and traverses portions of nine states.

Blast Off. Land the Shuttle. Visit Mars. Spin 3 G's. See the Moon. Go Shopping. Eat Lunch. See an IMAX movie...

When it comes to history, few can compete. With over 175 years of important events, from before the Civil War through the Civil Rights Era, Selma is the place where the past comes to life. Selma boasts the state's largest historic district, over 1,250 structures. Our museums, historic sites and streets paved in local legend offer a golden opportunity to uncover the South's rich heritage.

The South’s premier history village. Old Alabama Town is a collection of authentically restored 19th and 20th century structures. A magnificent setting, it stretches along six blocks in the heart of historic downtown Montgomery, Alabama. Step back in time and experience over 100 years of history as you embark on a journey where you will see meticulously restored and furnished buildings reflecting the lives of the people who settled and developed Central Alabama. Each building creates its own distinctive image of living and working in Alabama’s past. You will see a cross-section of the way life was from the elegant townhouse lifestyle to rural pioneer living.

The Museum is a major landmark in the revitalization of downtown Montgomery constructed on the site of the old Empire Theatre where Mrs. Parks made her courageous and historic stand in 1955. The interpretive museum occupies the first floor and 7,000 square feet of a three-story, 55,000 square foot building that also contains the TROY-Montgomery Campus Library.

The sky was the limit-literally! After the successful flight of Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903, Americans of all races were stung by the love bug of flight. In the late 1920's and 1930's African Americans in great numbers began their love affair with flight. They learned the basics of flight on either American soil or abroad, and created their own flight schools and clubs. This love affair was kindled in the late 1930's, when the United States Government created Civilian Pilot Training Programs throughout the country to provide a surplus of pilots in case of a national emergency. African Americans were included in these programs, although trained at segregated facilities.

From the Civil War to Civil Rights and new visions for tomorrow, Montgomery is steeped in history, tested by rebellion and always courageous and changing. The Montgomery Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitor Bureau is the source for visitors, meeting planners, and travel information in Montgomery, Alabama. Visit the Capital City of the American South.