Here Are 12 Of The Oldest Towns In Alabama...And They're Loaded With History
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Jennifer Young
Author
As mentioned in recent posts, there’s a lot of great history in Alabama. As a matter of fact, several Alabama towns where historical events have taken place are still thriving today. And some of these towns are among the oldest in the state. Let’s take a look at 12 of the oldest towns in Alabama that are loaded with history.
Mooresville, located in Limestone County, Alabama, is one of the oldest towns in Alabama. It was incorporated in 1818, and the entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mooresville's post office was established in 1840 and remains the state's oldest post office in operation today, with call boxes dating prior to the American Civil War.
Incorporated in 1889, Childersburg, located in Talladega County, calls itself "The Oldest City in America." The city claims to have a history dating prior to 1540.
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In 1702, Mobile became the first capital of colonial French Louisiana. This historic port town became a part of the United States in 1813. Mobile is the county seat of Mobile County, Alabama and is one of the state's largest cities.
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Florence, the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, is well known for the following events: W.C. Handy Music Festival and the Renaissance Faire. One of Florence's popular landmarks includes Frank Lloyd Wright's Rosenbaum House. Florence was incorporated in 1826.
Columbia, located in Houston County, Alabama, was founded in 1820. This historic Alabama town served as a major trading center for communities throughout the Wiregrass Region of Alabama between the years 1822-1833. During the 19th century, Columbia was the largest town in the area.
Selma, the county seat of Dallas County, Alabama, is best known for the 1960s Selma Voting Rights Movement and the Selma to Montgomery marches. Selma was incorporated in 1820.
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Montgomery, the capital city of Alabama, was incorporated in 1819. However, it didn't become Alabama's capital until 1846. Montgomery played a major part in the Civil Rights Movement, which included events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Selma to Montgomery marches.
Tuscumbia, the county seat of Colbert County, Alabama, was incorporated in 1820 and is one of Alabama's oldest towns. On December 22, 1822, this historic town's name was changed from Big Spring to Tuscumbia. Tuscumbia is the birthplace of Helen Keller.
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Greenville, the county seat of Butler County, Alabama, is nicknamed "The Camellia City." Greenville was first settled in 1819, and during World War II, a satellite camp for German prisoners was based there.
Athens, a city in Limestone County, Alabama, was founded in 1818 and is one of the oldest incorporated cities in Alabama. During the Civil War, Athens was seized by Union Forces.
In 1833, Tuskegee, located in Macon County, Alabama, was founded and laid out by General Thomas Simpson Woodward. It was later incorporated in 1843. Tuskegee is home to the famed Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American military pilots that fought in World War II.
Daphne, located in Baldwin County, Alabama, dates back (at least) to the Paleo-Indian period and Native American tribes around 9000 BC. Following a variety of wars and treaties, Daphne and the surrounding areas became a part of the United States in 1814.
Do you currently live in one of these 12 historic Alabama towns? If not, which one(s) have you visited, or plan to visit soon?
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