As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.

A getaway to the Historic Bridge Tender’s House in Selma, Alabama, is high on my bucket list. I cannot wait to step back to the 19th century, take in the expansive views of the Alabama River, and surround myself with colorful art, books, and whimsical decor at this historic cottage. Here’s a bit of a back story on the cottage and the bridge that existed 55 years before Selma’s more famous bridge was built.

While this unique home is located next to the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, it is much older. The 1884 cottage served as the living quarters for the tender of this bridge's predecessor.
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The first bridge spanning this point of the Alabama River opened one year after the cottage was completed. In order for boats to pass under it, someone had to collect tolls and manually open a section of the bridge. That was the round-the-clock job of the bridge tender. He and his family lived in the home.
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In 1940, the Edmund Pettus Bridge replaced the old bridge, which was demolished. Its original footings can be seen from the cottage's downstairs porch.
The Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society restored the home, which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can now book it through Airbnb for a one-of-a-kind getaway.
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The sitting room library greets guests upon entry with colorful, cozy decor, shelves piled high with books, and a lovely front-window view of the "new" bridge and river.

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There's a day bed for relaxing in the sitting room and a cozy full bedroom adjacent to that space.
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The cottage's decor is artfully curated, reflective of the people who lived in the home and the rich heritage of those in the Black Belt region.
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While the interior of the cottage is filled with delightful colors and textures, most people agree that the covered, riverfront porch is about as good as it gets for peaceful relaxation with a view.
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Check out the cottage’s Airbnb listing to see more images and book your stay at this historic Bridge Tender’s House in Selma, Alabama. Tell us about your visit when you go!

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Bridgetender's House, 2, Lafayette Park, Selma, AL 36703, USA