Historical Treasures
Danielle Gibson • March 25, 2022
STEP INTO THE PAST WITH THESE HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS
Day 1
- Begin the day with a stop at the Decatur Morgan County Tourism and pick up walking guides.
- Start with a cup of coffee at Java Jaay’s (1713 6th Ave SE Decatur).
- Take a tour of Historic Old Decatur with your first stop at the Old State Bank. Take the free guided tour through the building’s vault and replicated period teller’s cage. Learn about the life of Washington Keyes, the bank’s first cashier, while viewing his second floor apartment. See if you can find the marks from Civil War-era musketfire and miniballs.
- Continue walking through Old Decatur Historic District following the walking guide. Many of the houses were built in the early 1900s and represent a wide-range of architectural styles. Also included in the walking tour is Decatur’s first courthouse, Fort Nash, the Carnegie Library, and the Old Cemetery.
- After lunch, begin the walking tour for New Albany. Start on Second Avenue and travel south to St. John’s Episcopal Church. Follow the walking guide to see Victorian, Colonial Revival and other historic homes.
- Finish the New Albany walking tour and roam through the historic shopping districts to find treasures from the area’s many antique stores.
- Return to the hotel to rest.
- End your evening with a quiet dinner at Mellow Mushrrom (202 Moulton St SE).
Day 2
- Begin in historic downtown Decatur and take the Civil War Walking Tour. Visit the sites where Confederate and Union soldiers fought, including Rhodes Ferry Park the location for the Charge of the 14th Colored Infantry.
- Next, visit the Morgan County Archives, genealogical materials, an extensive photograph collection, and other archival and manuscript materials dating from the early 1800s. The archives also contain rare photographs from the infamous “Scottsboro Boys” case.
- Have lunch at The RailYard
- Head south to Hartselle’s Historic District. Make your first stop Hartselle’s Depot Station before wandering through the historic shopping district.
- Return to Decatur for dinner at B B Perrins (608 Holly Street NE) or Simp McGhee’s (725 Bank Street NW).
Counting down to the #1 spot, here’s what you don’t want to miss this month:
Decatur is about to trade its quiet hum for the roar of engines as the Driven To Give Auto & Bike Show takes over the brand-new Morgan County/Decatur Farmers Market on Saturday, September 27, from 3:00–7:00 PM. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Decatur Daybreak in partnership with The Decatur-Morgan County Farmers Market and presented by Lynn Layton Chevrolet, this high-octane gathering isn’t just for car and bike lovers — it’s for anyone who enjoys live music, good food, and giving back to the community.
No matter what type of food sounds good to you, Decatur has good restaurants that fall under every single category! Here is a guide to the most popular menu items at the best restaurants in Decatur!
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Decatur, Alabama, is gearing up for a vibrant and meaningful Juneteenth celebration this year, honoring the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and recognizing the enduring struggle for equality. This important holiday, Juneteenth, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas on June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of slavery. This was nearly two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Black Texans began celebrating the day in 1866, and it has evolved into a widely observed holiday. The Juneteenth holiday is a day for reflection, education, and community celebration. Want to celebrate Juneteenth? Morgan County has a weekend packed with events that celebrate Black history, culture, and achievement! Check out these events... Saturday, June 14th: A Day of Unity and Celebration Morgan County NAACP Juneteenth Parade From Downtown Decatur to A.C. Banks Park 9 AM - 2 PM Kick off the Juneteenth festivities with the annual Morgan County NAACP Parade! This celebratory procession will wind its way from downtown Decatur, culminating at A.C. Banks Park. Join us as we march in unity, showcasing community spirit, honoring our heritage, and looking towards a future of continued progress. Bring your chairs, find a good spot, and cheer on the participants!
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