America's Best History Spotlight

On this page we're going to Spotlight the lesser known historic sites and attractions that dot the history landscape across the USA and are worth a visit if you're in their area. And while they may be lesser known, some are very unique, and will be that rare find. You'll be, at times, on the ground floor, or maybe even know something others don't. It'll be fun. Visit them.

Old Alabama Town

Six blocks of restored buildings have been brought to the site, a project of the Landmarks Foundation of Montgomery since its founding in 1967. Since that time, more than fifty structures have been saved from destruction somewhere else, and representing a cross section of central Alabama life in the 19th and early 20th century, these buildings provide the backdrop for taking a step back in time. How old are some of these structures? The Ordeman Townhouse, for one, dates back to 1850.

All the buildings are original and restored, not constructed to look like old buildings, so there's definitely a genuine vibe to the structures, even though they've been transported from various small Alabama towns around the state. You can almost imagine the two women in the picture above coming to one of these buildings at some time in their life, or one almost exactly like them.

Photo above: Alabama farm women spending a day in a typical Alabama Town, Eden in 1936, Dorothea Lange. Courtesy Library of Congress.

Where Is It

Old Alabama Town is located at 301 Columbus Street, Montgomery, AL 36104. That's about three blocks north and three blocks west of the state capitol grounds. The area is a bit hardscrabble, with an old industrial feel until you get inside the grounds.