Selma, Alabama
 Established
in 1815, Selma, Alabama is most quickly associated with
the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s. It is a city where
modern industries neighbor with Victorian mansions and Early
American cottages. Located about an hour from Montgomery,
Selma became an inland port city (1969) when a nine foot
deep channel on the Alabama River was finished.
When in Selma, the historian will find much to enjoy. You can take the Black Heritage Tour and visit Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church where Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke, the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the National Voting Rights Museum, Selma University, the Dallas County Courthouse and the Wilson Building.
At Sturdivant Hall, you can view Greek Revival architecture
by Robert E. Lee’s cousin, Thomas Helm Lee. The house has
Corinthian columns, and the original wrought iron on the
 balconies
and a belvedere roof. The home has been fully restored with
period furnishings and has a kitchen with slave quarters
above, a smokehouse, a wine cellar and a garden. One hour
guided tour is offered daily Tuesday through Saturday from
10am to 4pm. Other historic buildings are the Joseph T.
Smitherman and the Old Depot Museum. The Old Town Historic
District includes more than 1.200 buildings, museums, specialty
shops and restaurants.
Of special interest in Selma is Cahawba, which is Alabama’s first permanent capital from 1820 to 1860. In 1822, the 184 town lots were sold for $120,000. Due to flooding in1825 the capital was moved to Tuscaloosa in 1826. Soon thereafter Cahawba was almost gone, but in 1828 it revived and by 1830 had become the most important shipping point on the Alabama River. In spite of a flood and subsequent re-building, the city reached a population of 5,000 by 1850. Unfortunately, the Civil War and another flood finished the town. Today just a few structures remain.
For more outdoor adventure, head to Paul M.Grist State Park. The 1,080 acre
park has a 100 acre lake where you can go swimming, fishing,
and boating. There is a bath house, picnic area, a playground,
hiking trails and primitive campsites.
So, for a chance to “go back” in time, head to Selma where the past and present
meet.
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