OLD CAHAWBA CIVIL WAR WALKING TOUR

03/26/18

For Immediate Release
March 26, 2018
 
Old Cahawba’s Civil War Walking Tour
Saturday, April 7
10:00 – 11:00 am
Old Cahawba Archaeological Park, Orrville (near Selma)

In the waning days of the Civil War, flooding pushed the waters of the Cahaba and Alabama rivers over the banks and across the town of Cahawba leaving over three thousand Union army prisoners standing for days in knee-deep water. Finally released from captivity, many made their way to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and boarded the ill-fated riverboat Sultana only to perish on their way home in the worst maritime disaster in U.S. History.

This walking tour will immerse visitors in the history of Castle Morgan, the POW camp at Old Cahawba, and explore the plight of these unfortunate soldiers. Visitors will also learn of the hardships of the town’s confederate residents who suffered while their husbands, fathers and sons were off to war, many never to return.

Directions: From downtown Selma, take Highway 22 (Dallas Avenue) west 8.6 miles. Cross over the Cahaba River and turn left onto County Road 9 and follow this 3.3 miles until it dead ends. Turn left onto County Road 2 and follow this 1.5 miles until you see the Visitor Center on the right. Visitor Center Address: 9518 Cahaba Road, Orrville, AL 36767.

Fee: $8.00 per person

For more information contact Linda Derry at cahawba@bellsouth.net or call the park at 334-872-8058.

Old Cahawba lies at the confluence of the Alabama and Cahaba Rivers, and from 1819 to 1826 it served as Alabama’s first capital. Today, the Alabama Historical Commission owns and operates this significant archaeological site.

Find Old Cahawba on Facebook or visit ahc.alabama.gov


About the Alabama Historical Commission
Located in historic downtown Montgomery at 468 S. Perry Street, the Alabama Historical Commission is the state historic preservation agency for Alabama. The agency was created by an act of the state legislature in 1966 with a mission to protect, preserve and interpret Alabama’s historic places. AHC works to accomplish its mission through two fields of endeavor: Preservation and promotion of state-owned historic sites as public attractions; and, statewide programs to assist people, groups, towns, and cities with local preservation activities. For a complete list of programs and properties owned and operated by the AHC, hours of operation, and admission fees please visit ahc.alabama.gov  

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