A visit to the Attalla Downtown Historic District

Due to the presence of U.S. Hwy. 431, U.S. Hwy. 11 and I-59, hundreds of thousands of people travel through Attalla each week. But, only a small percentage of the passersby realize what an interesting downtown historic district is found there.

The Downtown Historic District was accepted into the National Register of Historic Places at the end of 2013. Thirty one of its buildings and structures were considered contributing resources. Attalla’s U.S. Post Office (c. 1931) was already in the register, having been admitted in 1983.

The post office sits at the end of the historic district on 4th Street

Most of the district is along 5th Avenue and 4th Street. Highlights include the c. 1916 T. Walker’s Drug Store Building at the corner, the c. 1929 Alabama Power building at 311-13 5th Avenue, the c.1895 buildinat 309 5th Avenue, the c. 1890 building at 321 5th Avenue and the large c. 1910 that sits from 325 to 329 5th Avenue. Across the street, you’ll see some interesting brick work on the connected red buildings at 316 and 318 5th Avenue (c. 1885 and 1890 respectively).

Other 100 to 135 year old places in Attalla
There are several historic homes, a couple of churches and some other commercial buildings in the same area as the historic district. The c. 1915 bank building at 301 5th Avenue stands out with its columns, fancy main entrance and light gray brick. An old opera house was damaged by a thunderstorm in June 2018, and was later demolished. 

What to do in the Attalla historic downtown
Shopping for antiques is obviously the dominant commercial activity in the district as seven or eight antique shops are found scattered about 5th Avenue and 4th Street. There are also a pair of hair salons, and a pair of florists.

Fun fact:
Former Crimson Tide quarterback and current NFL coach Freddie Kitchens, former Auburn Tiger and first-round NFL draft pick Carnell iIlliams, and former Alabama Supreme Court chief justice Judge Roy Moore all graduated from Etowah High School in Attalla.

The Attalla city limits shares a good bit of its eastern border with Gadsden which has two historic downtowns of its own. See my articles: 

Take a stroll in Gadsden’s enduring historic downtown

Alabama City Wall Street Historic District

See also, Where to enjoy some waterside fun on your next trip to Gadsden.