HISTORIC WALKING TOURS
Walk through history.
Our strong culture and rich history is waiting to be explored. Incorporated as the city of Decatur in 1821, there is so much to learn about our Alabama community. From walking trails to Victorian-era homes, discover the history of Decatur Morgan County at the area’s many historic locations!
A Walking Tour of Historic Decatur
The Old Decatur and New Albany Historic Districts, located near downtown off the southern bank of the Tennessee River, boasts one of the best preserved concentrations of Victorian and Craftsman era homes in Alabama. The two historic districts also feature houses and buildings built from the late 1800s to present, including Colonial and Tudor Revivals, Dutch Colonials, and American Four-Squares.
Walking/driving tour brochures and maps are available at the Decatur Morgan County Tourism Visitor Center.
Historic Hartselle Walking Tour
In the beautiful city of Hartselle, Alabama, a grand train depot stands proudly in the heart of downtown. Join the Historic Hartselle Walking Tours to learn about this historic building's significant contributions to the area's history and its enduring impact on Hartselle today. Discover the infamous 1926 Robbery of the Bank of Hartselle as the Hartselle Historical Society, led by President Betty English, delves into the captivating history of the city’s most famous crime story.
Civil War Walking Tour
The Civil War Walking Tour is located in the Old Decatur and New Albany Historic Districts, just off the southern bank of the Tennessee River near downtown Decatur. Covering thirteen blocks, the self-guided walking tour chronicles events surrounding Confederate General John Bell Hood’s attempted advance across the Tennessee River, a four-day battle that took place in October of 1864.
The tour also showcases the largest concentration of Victorian-era cottages and bungalows in Alabama. The Civil War Walking tour, part of the national Civil War Discovery Trail, begins at the Old State Bank Building (925 Bank Street NE).
Scottsboro Boys Trial
The Scottsboro Boys trials of the 1930’s, most of which took place in Decatur, Alabama, rank among the most significant cases in American legal history.
Tommy Lee Hines Trial
Tommy Lee Hines, a 25 year old black man with an IQ of 35 and the mental capacity of a six year old was arrested for loitering. Within minutes, he was accused of raping three white women and robbing one of them. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), a Civil Rights organization sent representatives to Decatur, Alabama.
Numerous rallies and demonstrations were held in support of Hines’ innocence. Tensions were high and racial turbulence exploded when the Ku Klux Klan clashed with protestors. A change of venue moved the case to Cullman County. Hines was found guilty by an all-white jury and sentenced to 30 years in prison. Later, an appeal in Jefferson County found him incompetent to stand trial. The impact of the case produced improvements in employment and better relations within the City.
Trail of Tears Walking Tour
The Trail of Tears Walking Tour Brochure takes visitors on a walking tour of the forced removal of Native American tribes from tribal lands as they passed through Decatur, Alabama influences.
You can also pick up free walking/driving tour brochures at the Old State Bank Building and the Decatur Morgan County Tourism Office (350 Market St. NE)
