DECATUR – Decatur has a rich and colorful history dating back to the early 1800s, and next month, locals and visitors are invited to take part in a casual stroll winding through the Old Decatur, Old Town, and Albany historic districts for a glimpse into the city’s heritage. Organized by Decatur Morgan County Tourism and the Morgan County Historical Society, the April Walking Tours are held each Saturday in the month of April with each one featuring a different route, theme and tour guide.
Scheduled for April 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, each tour begins at 10 a.m. and lasts approximately one hour. Knowledgeable guides will escort participants through historic neighborhoods and landmarks, where they will share the city’s history and entertaining accounts of the city’s storied past.
April 1: History of New Decatur/Albany, led by John Allison, Morgan County Archivist
New Decatur/Albany was established during an economic boom of the late 1880s and merged with Old Decatur in 1927. The tour covers what makes this historic district so intriguing: the once very successful Buchheit Bottling Works and other commercial enterprises, stories of fires, and more. The tour begins at the Alabama Center for the Arts, located at 133 2nd Avenue NE.
April 8: History of Bank Street, led by local historian Phil Wirey
The tour explores interesting facts, legends, and stories behind the businesses and landmarks that line up and down Bank Street. The tour begins at the Old State Bank, located at 925 Bank Street NE.
April 15: People and Places in Old Town Decatur, led by Dr. Wylheme Ragland
During this inspiring tour, hear stories of the many noteworthy African Americans who championed individual liberties and equality in Decatur’s oldest neighborhood. The tour begins at Turner-Surles Community Center, located at the corner of Vine and Sycamore streets.
April 22: Historic Residential Architecture in Old Decatur, led by Dr. Caroline Swope, historic preservation specialist for the city of Decatur
The tour focuses on the architectural history and neighborhood stories of the old Decatur Historic District. The tour begins at Frazier Park, located at 309 Cherry Street NE.
April 29: Garden Tour, led by the Historic Decatur Association
The public is invited to a peak into some of the residents’ private gardens. The tour begins at Westminster Presbyterian Church, located at 801 Jackson St, SE.
All tours are free, family-friendly and involve easy walking. Reservations are not required, and tours are held rain or shine.
Alabama is the only state in the nation to hold statewide, simultaneous walking tours. Tens of thousands of people have participated in the walking tours ever since the beginning of the program almost two decades ago.
For more information, call Suzanne Langdon with Decatur Parks and Recreation at 256-280-1666.
Media Release/Danielle Gibson, President & CEO
Decatur Morgan County Tourism, Inc.
