Alabama Front Porches: The official website for Alabama's Black Belt

Baldwin One of the most brutal massacres in American history took place at Fort Mims during the Creek Indian War. The Creeks, led by Red Eagle, took the fort killing all but about 36 of some 550 in the fort. The Creeks had been armed by the British at Pensacola in this phase of the [...]

The first school in Camden was built on the site of a block of brick stores now owned by Mrs. C. B. Jones’ heirs. Afterwards this school was closed and the Wilcox Female Institute was built and chartered. Later it was used as the county high school. This Institute was built according to authentic sources [...]

Gainesville Historic District is on the List of Registered Historic Places in Sumter County. There are many picturesque sites, antebellum homes and numerous shops. The churches and many monuments are all something to see in Gainesville. The town of Gainesville incorporated in 1838 and grew rapidly as a commercial center and cotton shipping port on [...]

The Alamuchee-Bellamy Covered Bridge is a county owned wooden covered bridge that spans the northeast corner of Duck Pond in Sumter County located on the campus of the University of West Alabama behind Reed Hall, off Student Union Drive in Livingston. The Alamuchee-Bellamy Covered Bridge was originally designed and constructed over the Sucarnoochee River by [...]

Marion Military Institute, as a school and college for young men, traces its origin back to 1842. During the Civil War, the Chapel and Lovelace Hall were used as Breckenridge Military Hospital, treating Confederate and Union soldiers. These facilities still serve the college well. MMI operated as Howard College until 1887. Their intention was to [...]