The Natchez Trace Parkway
by admin on 26/05/10 at 12:11 pm
For over 8,000 years, this timeworn path has felt the tread of travelers. Buffalo and other wildlife were first to wind their way through the wilderness. Later, American Indians, traders, trappers and missionaries joined their fellow creatures on the rough track. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, boatmen floated merchandise downriver to New Orleans [...]
Alabama’s Coastal Connection
Alabama’s southern tip is one of those places where even first-time visitors find a connection. Here, they experience the link between the traditions of the Deep South and a more laid back island lifestyle; between the wildlife of thousands of acres of preserved lands and the good life of a beachfront vacation; between the gun ships of past naval battles and the countless recreational opportunities of the present and the dedication to conservation methods for the future.
Black Warrior River Scenic Byway
Primarily, the urban route encircles approximately 12 miles along the Black Warrior River. Three bridges along the route offer breathtaking views of the river and its riverbanks. The route spotlights the boundless natural scenic beauty of the Black Warrior River and exhibits historic ruins, structures and markers including the site of the Alabama State Capitol from 1826 until 1847. Bicycle and pedestrian trails, parks, picnic facilities, fishing piers, boat landings, historic markers, and restaurants as well as sites for new development align the route.
Talladega Scenic Drive
Catch a bird’s eye view of Alabama when you drive the Talladega Scenic Drive. At its highest point, you will find yourself on Cheaha Mountain, 2,407 feet above sea level, the highest point in Alabama. You will be awe-struck by the view of the Appalachian Mountains, rock outcroppings, and small rural settlements nestled among the [...]
Selma to Montgomery Historic Trail
From beginning to end, the Selma to Montgomery March Byway is filled with civil rights history. Home to one of the most significant events in the American struggle for equality, this 54-mile stretch of highway marks the journey that led to equal voting rights for American citizens, regardless of race. Although the march officially began [...]
The Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway
The Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway passes through some of the most scenic areas of the State of Alabama. The natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains provides a scenic backdrop for travelers on the byway as the route winds along lush vegetation, interesting geologic formations and quaint historic rural communities. Approximately 80 miles in length, the [...]
Leeds Stagecoach Route
Alabama’s Stagecoach Route Through Leeds began as an Indian trail traversing a vast watershed. As a trail, it served as a staging ground for three emerging Alabama cultures. Early Christian Cherokees along with European circuit riders used it to plant Methodist churches. The Christian Indian culture arrived from North Carolina before 1812. Andrew Jackson’s scouts (1812-13) widened the trail as they sought roadways for supply wagons. When Europeans, largely veterans of the Creek Indian War, entered the valley in Leeds (1820), the widened trail became a stagecoach route that lay in its original bed when the first black settlers arrived in the late 1880′s.
Barbour County Governors’ Trail
The Barbour County Governors’ Trail was designated by legislative act in 2000 to recognize those from Barbour County who served as Alabama governors. These governors include John Gill Shorter (1861-1863), William Dorsey Jelks (1901-1907), Braxton Bragg Comer (1907-1911), Chauncey M. Sparks (1943-1947), George Corley Wallace (1963-1967, 1971-1979, and 1983-1987), and Lurleen B. Wallace (1967-1968). In [...]
The Black Belt Nature and Heritage Trail
The Black Belt Nature and Heritage Trail: The Black Belt is named for the rich black soil that grew superior cotton during the 19th century. The collapse of the plantation economy during the Civil War left a legacy of “soul food” cooking, art fashioned from found materials, vast stretches of pristine river bottom land and, [...]
Lookout Mountain Parkway
Real People, Real Places! Northeast Alabama’s Lookout Mountain Parkway Scenic Byway, named by Reader’s Digest as one of America’s Scenic Drives, serves as a gateway to your imagination. Envision a land where real people bring the past alive, with historic town squares, pioneer villages, confederate ironworks, antique shops and Native American folklore and artifacts. Imagine [...]
