COLBERT COUNTY-The Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau invites residents and
visitors to take a stroll through the histories of Sheffield and Tuscumbia
during a series of walking tours on Saturdays in April.
The free tours begin April 4 and continue on April 11, 18 and 25. Each of
the tours will start at 10 a.m. The Tuscumbia tours begin outside Cold Water
Bookstore, 101 W. Sixth St. The Sheffield tours begin at the Municipal
Building, 600 N. Montgomery Ave. The tours will be led by local historians.
Susann Hamlin, president and CEO of Colbert Tourism, said the tours provide
an excellent opportunity to learn about early residents of the towns and the
histories of some of the oldest buildings. In addition, Saturday mornings in
the spring are a wonderful time to explore Alabama. “April is one of the
most beautiful times of the year to be outdoors in Alabama as the spring
wildflowers are blooming and the weather is typically perfect for a morning
walk.”
The Tuscumbia tours are organized by Colbert County Tourism. The Sheffield
tours are organized by the Historic Sheffield Commission.
John McWilliams will lead the Tuscumbia tours. The 90-minutes walks will
include a break for a program on the history of Tuscumbia.
Hamlin said Tuscumbia’s history predates Alabama becoming a state. Native
Americans were living around what is now Spring Park when the first white
family, the Dicksons, arrived around 1817. Alabama became a state in 1819.
Sheffield was founded in the 1880s. However, a town known as York Bluff was
located at what is now Sheffield before 1820. Among the property owners of
York Bluff was Andrew Jackson, who would later become President of the
United States, Hamlin said.
Jimmy Austin, who coordinates the Sheffield tours, said the April 4 and 18
walks will concentrate on the historic homes along Montgomery Avenue north
of City Hall. The April 11 and 25 tours will focus on businesses along
Montgomery Avenue south of City Hall. The walks will last about 2 hours.
The April walking tours are a part of an Alabama Tourism Department
initiative and will take place throughout the state.
Hamlin said walking tour participants should wear comfortable shoes and
dress appropriately for the weather that day. For more details on the
Sheffield or Tuscumbia tours call 256-383-0783 or visit
<http://www.colbertcountytouri
the Calendar of Events.
