Old Cahawba Archaeological Park: Alabama's Ghost Capital

Old Cahawba Archaeological Park, Alabama's most famous ghost town, invites visitors to step back in time and explore the remnants of the state's first permanent capital. Founded in 1819 at the confluence of the Alabama and Cahaba rivers, Cahawba served as the capital from 1820 to 1825. Though its tenure as capital was brief, Cahawba flourished as a river town and cotton distribution hub. However, Cahawba's prosperity was short-lived. The Civil War brought hardship, with the Confederate government seizing the town's railroad. A prison, Castle Morgan, was established to house Union soldiers. Floods and the relocation of the county seat to Selma further contributed to Cahawba's decline. By the turn of the century, most of its buildings were lost to fire, decay, or dismantlement. Today, Old Cahawba is an archaeological park where visitors can roam the abandoned streets and view the moss-covered ruins. Interpretive signs tell the stories of forgotten people, while wildflowers bloom each spring. The park features a visitor center with exhibits, walking and bicycle trails, and opportunities for bird watching and canoeing. Explore the Clear Creek Nature Trail, see the restored St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and contemplate the mysteries of this ghost town.