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Old Cahawba Archaeological Park: Alabama's Ghost Capital

Discover Alabama's first capital, a ghost town with picturesque ruins and a rich history, at Old Cahawba Archaeological Park in Orrville.

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Explore the haunting ruins of Cahawba, Alabama's first permanent state capital from 1820-1825, now an archaeological park. Roam the abandoned streets, discover moss-covered ruins, and learn about the town's fascinating rise and fall at the confluence of the Alabama and Cahaba Rivers.

A brief summary to Old Cahawba Archaeological Park

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing a lot of walking on uneven ground while exploring the ruins [7].
  • Consider bringing a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray, especially during the warmer months [7].
  • Visit the park's Welcome Center to view the exhibits and get instructions for self-guided tours [3].
  • Borrow bicycles at the visitor center to explore the park's five miles of smooth, level roads [4, 7].
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Getting There

  • Driving

    Old Cahawba Archaeological Park is located east of Orrville. From Selma, take Highway 22 west for approximately 9 miles [3, 5]. Turn left onto County Road 9 and follow it for 5 miles [3]. Then, turn left onto County Road 2 and continue into the park [3]. Admission to the grounds is $2 for adults and $1 for children (ages 6-18) [2, 9, 17]. Guided tours are available for an additional fee but must be booked in advance [2, 7]. Parking is available at the visitor center.

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Discover more about Old Cahawba Archaeological Park

Old Cahawba Archaeological Park, near Orrville, Alabama, invites visitors to step back in time and explore the remains of Alabama's first permanent capital [2, 3]. Founded in 1819 and serving as the capital from 1820 to 1825, Cahawba was initially a promising town at the confluence of the Alabama and Cahaba Rivers [3, 12]. However, its low elevation led to frequent flooding, and the capital was moved to Tuscaloosa [12]. Despite losing its status as the capital, Cahawba rebounded as a thriving river town and a major cotton distribution point [3, 12]. The arrival of the railroad in 1859 spurred further growth, and by the eve of the Civil War, its population exceeded 3,000 [12]. During the Civil War, Cahawba served as the site of Castle Morgan, a Confederate prison for captured Union soldiers [14]. The town's fortunes declined after the war, with the railroad being seized, a major flood in 1865, and the county seat moving to Selma in 1866 [12]. By 1900, Cahawba was virtually a ghost town [3, 12]. Today, the Old Cahawba Archaeological Park preserves the ghostly remains of this once-important town [3, 9]. Visitors can explore the abandoned streets, view the moss-covered ruins, and read interpretive signs that tell the story of Cahawba's rise and fall [3, 9]. The park features several points of interest, including the Crocheron Columns, the site of Castle Morgan, and the Old Capital Cemetery [9]. Nature trails, like the Clear Creek Nature Trail, offer opportunities for hiking and birdwatching [3, 4]. The Visitor Center houses exhibits of archaeological finds and photographs, providing insights into life in Old Cahawba [3, 4].

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