Alabama boasts many historical places that are significant to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture at local, state or national levels.
Calera Railroad Museum is one of Alabama’s Historic Landmarks, while Ivy Green in Birmingham marks where Helen Keller was born.
Fort Morgan and Gaines
Fort Morgan was constructed during Alabama statehood to safeguard its coastline, serving a critical function in closing Mobile Bay to blockade runners during the Civil War and again during World War I and II.
In 1861, state militia seized Fort Morgan and held it until federal naval forces under Admiral David Farragut captured it during the Battle of Mobile Bay. Today it remains standing but is one of America’s most endangered historic sites due to ongoing shoreline erosion.
Confederate Monument
In 1900, Birmingham’s John Pelham Chapter of United Daughters of the Confederacy under Jennie Rountree as president began raising funds to construct a monument. They held annual bazaars and made weekly appeals through newspaper ads to do this work.
Recent years have seen Alabama towns that have long opposed white supremacy take steps to remove Confederate statues from their town squares and pass laws preventing relocation, alteration or renaming of such markers.
Fort Mitchell
This site in Russell County served as a military post for General John Floyd’s troops during the Creek War between 1813-1814, as well as hosting an Indian trading house or factory run by the Federal government.
Historians have discovered through monthly status reports submitted by Fort Oglethorpe that morale was low and life difficult in this small stockaded fort near the Chattahoochee River; eventually it was abandoned in 1840.
Today, Fort Benning is a family-friendly community offering newly built homes with updated styles and sizes that accommodate families of various sizes. Additionally, this area boasts five archeological sites.
American Village
The American Village in Montevallo is a reconstructed colonial village featuring costumed historical interpreters and is designed to teach children about liberty while encouraging them to serve their nation as leaders and citizens. Additionally, this village honors veterans through the National Veterans Shrine and Registry of Honor.
The Village offers replicas of 18th century buildings, such as Independence Hall and Colonial Courthouse structures modeled on those found in Philadelphia and Williamsburg respectively. Also featured is Bruton Parish Chapel from Williamsburg which has inspired one chapel replica in its Village grounds.
The Village serves school groups from across the Southeast and hosts general tourism and conferences. It is managed by Alabama law’s Citizenship Trust established in 1995.
Bottle Creek Site
The Bottle Creek Site is the largest multi-mound community on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Occupied from AD 1250-1550 by Pensacola culture – an offshoot of Mississippian stage cultures – and likely used as an important center of politics, religion, and trade activity.
This book brings together extensive research on this fascinating site and its evolving lives. Including essays by many anthropologists on subjects like mound architecture, prehistoric diets, pottery classification and manufacture, microlithic stone tool technologies and water travel – this work provides a wealth of knowledge that sheds light on its past lives and present realities.
Rikard’s Mill Historical Park
Rikard’s Mill Historical Park on Flat Creek features a water-powered grist mill built in 1845 that has served Monroe County residents ever since. Additionally, there is also a museum dedicated to preserving folk traditions like blacksmithing and cane syrup making at this site.
Jacob “Jake” Rikard (1806-1880) first built the mill, before its original structure was destroyed by flooding. Following that event, however, his family rebuilt and eventually sold it to Monroe County Heritage Museums (MCHM), making the mill available to visitors who wish to see how grain is processed; additionally the park features covered bridge gift shops, hiking trails, barn exhibits, blacksmith shops and pioneer cabins – among many other amenities.
