DECATUR, Ala. — Decatur is known as the River City, but did you know that its history includes, bootleggers, civil rights, rail travel, and historic architecture?
Decatur Morgan County Tourism hosts five free walking tours in April. Each takes a different deep dive into Decatur's past while showing guests where the history took place. Hour-long tours start at 10:00 a.m.
April 2:
Downtown Crime Tour led by John Allison, Morgan County Archivist
Bootleggers, bloodletters and brothels! Old Decatur was once a hotbed of illegal activity, vice and murder. Host Johnny Four Eyes takes participants on a tour of the neighborhood's notorious past, sharing stories never told before. Tour begins at the Morgan County Archives located at 624 Bank St. NE.
April 9:
Old Town & Scottsboro Boys - This tour, led by Peggy Allen Town, a local Black history historian, starts at the Turner-Surles Community Center (702 Sycamore St NW) and highlights the story of the nine young Black men who, after being falsely accused of rape by two White women, changed the U.S. Justice system.
April 16:
Decatur City Cemetery Tour - This tour, hosted by local historian Phil Wirey, starts at the cemetery chapel (1001 Wilson St NW), shares the stories of the five generations of Decatur residents laid to rest there.
April 23:
Albany District and Delano Park Tour - Hear about the architectural history, neighborhood stories, and development of the New Decatur/Albany Historic District and visit historic gardens and a splash pad that's almost 100 years old.
April 30:
Streetcars and Railroads Tour - The tour, which starts at the Old State Bank (925 Bank St NE) will parallel real streetcar tracks on the way to Decatur’s Railroad Depot Museum.
More information on the tours and other Decatur events here.