Where to find 200-year-old historic places in North Alabama
There are more 200-year-old — and nearly 200-year-old — historic places in north Alabama than most people would guess. Luckily, many of these old places are located in remarkable, tree-filled residential districts where many other historic houses and churches from later in the 19th-century are found. That makes it easy to get a good look at a variety of historically alluring structures from different eras while enjoying a leisure walk or bicycle ride.
A good number of the most-noteworthy, easily-viewable ones are located in the north central portion of the state around the Huntsville and Athens downtowns. Nearby, the village of Mooresville has more than a half dozen, and the city of Decatur has a few, too. In the northwest corner of the state, Florence and Tuscumbia contain a good number of interesting 1830s-1850s houses. In northeast Alabama, a few nearly 200-year-olds are found in clusters in a pair of towns.
A somewhat-shocking number of 200-year-old historic places have been lost over time. Fortunately, an unexpected number have defied the odds by surviving well into the 21st century, and seem poised to be around for another 100 years or more. Here’s where in the upper regions of Alabama to find the best-preserved, easy to view, early and mid-19th-century landmarks.
North Central Alabama
Downtown Huntsville
The oldest part of Huntsville is home to the greatest concentration of remaining 200-year-old houses in Alabama. Clusters of houses that were already standing when Alabama became the 22nd state are found in the Twickenham Historic District. The c. 1826 Cox House and the c. 1815 Perkins House, above, are two of the 18 remaining houses in the district that are over 199 years old. Featured at the top of the page, the c. 1821 Bradley House is one of over a half dozen 200-plus-year-old houses found along Franklin Street alone. The c. 1814 Leroy Pope Mansion, north Alabama’s oldest remaining house, is also in the district. Another is the c. 1819 Weeden House, which serves as an event venue on weekends and a museum on weekdays.
While you’re in the historic downtown, many other nearby attractions including a variety of excellent museums and the amazing courthouse square provide numerous things to do. See my article: The sites in the heart of the city that every history themed Huntsville itinerary should include.
Downtown Athens
Above, the c. 1824 Vasser-Lovvorn House was Athen’s first remaining structure to reach the 200 year milestone. Anchoring the Robert Beaty Historic District, it’s a Federalist period house that gained a Greek Revival portico around the mid-19th century. The district contains five other houses that were built between 1826 and 1860. Nearby, the George S. Houston Historic District features three houses built in the 1830s and 1840s. Also, Athens State University features the c. 1840s Founders Hall and the c. 1855 Sloss-Pettus-Cook House. Learn more about Athen’s historic places: Six itinerary ideas for a history themed trip to downtown Athens, Alabama.
Downtown Decatur
The Decatur State Bank Building, pictured above, was built in the 1830s. If you go, plan to see the city’s other primary historic places which includes two old downtowns, a train depot and the c. 1829 Dancy-Polk House. Also, the c. 1836 Rhea-McEntire House is still standing about two blocks from the bank and Dancy-Polk. The historic commercial streetscapes are stunning, so a walking tour of Bank Street is a must. Learn more about Decatur’s historic places: Don’t dodge Decatur’s historic downtown.
Mooresville
As north Alabama’s other old towns expanded throughout the 19th century and beyond, Mooresville got stuck in 1865. Near to Decatur, Athens and Huntsville, the frozen-in-time village is worth the visit for the amazing streetscapes such as the one you find at the c. 1820s Woodroof House, shown above. Learn more about Mooresville’s historic places: Historic-places fans should plan a visit to tiny Mooresville.
Northwest Alabama
The Shoals
Florence features seven landmarks that are over 170 years old, including:
- The c. 1850s Rogers Hall on the UNA campus which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places as Courtview
- The c. 1840s Colby Hall, a Greek Revival style house which is also part of UNA
- The Italianate-style c. 1830 Thimbleton
- The c. 1833, Pickett Place
- The castle-like c. 1855 Wesleyan Hall at UNA
Learn more about Florence’s historic places: Where to enjoy the best historic sidewalk scenes in Alabama’s Florence.
Tuscumbia features the 1820s Ivy Green — the Helen Keller Birthplace — and the state’s oldest remaining block of connected commercial structures. See Helen Keller’s birthplace is not the only must-see point-of-interest in Tuscumbia.
Northeast Alabama
Downtown Ashville
The c. 1835 Dr. James J. Bothwell House, above, is one of over a half dozen fine historic structures within a small radius in the middle of this small St. Clair County, Alabama, town. The 200-year-old Alemeth-Byers House is right on the courthouse square. The oldest part of the courthouse itself is c. 1844. Two other houses and a frame Mason Lodge — all between 170 and 190 years old — and a pair of amazing Victorians, are also found nearby. Learn more about Ashville’s historic places: Downtown Ashville: More than a fare share of stately historic places.
Downtown Jacksonville
In Calhoun County, the college town of Jacksonville contains some nice early- to mid-19th-century historic places including the c. 1850s Ten Oaks, above, the c. 1832 Snow-Felgar House and the c. 1850s St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Learn more about Jacksonville’s historic places: Jacksonville is a college town with plenty of historic places to enjoy.
Other early- to mid-19th-century historic places
Older 170- to 210-year landmarks are not as rare in north Alabama as most people would assume. While there are many other fine historic districts in the upper part of the state — most featuring post-Civil War downtowns and houses — you will not find any other clusters of antebellum structures like those mentioned above.
Above: Originally a simpler 1830s pioneer home, the Winston Place in downtown Valley Head was remodeled in the late 19th century, now looking the part of an antebellum mansion. Most similar, stand-alone, early to mid-19th century houses in North Alabama are not easily observable from the street.