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

First Missionary Baptist Church, Hayneville

The First Missionary Baptist Church in Hayneville is significant for its role in the 1966 elections in Lowndes County. Local black community leaders joined with members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee to form a third party, the Lowndes …

First Oil Well In Alabama at Gilbertown, AL

The State of Alabama granted Hunt Oil Company a permit to drill the A. R. Jackson Well No. 1, near Gilbertown, in January 1944. When the company discovered oil in February, Alabama became an oil producing state. Directions: Turn right on Paragon Rd. fr …

Frank “Bud” Haralson Store

This small country store was the place where the Lowndes County Christian Movement for Human Rights was organized in 1965. This historical site is located on Freedom Road in Hayneville, AL.

Gainesville, Alabama Historic District

The town of Gainesville was incorporated in 1838. It grew rapidly as a commercial center and cotton shipping port on the Tombigbee River. As trains replaced steamboats in commercial transportation, the town’s lack of rail connections contributed to its …

Gaineswood Mansion

Between 1842 and the outbreak of the Civil War, Gaineswood evolved from a two-room cabin surrounded by 1000 acres of cotton into a Greek Revival style mansion. General Nathan Bryan Whitfield, the builder, was his own architect, though he had no formal …

Harry the Slave’s Gravesite

A servant to the president of Howard College (now Samford University), Harry gave his life saving students in an 1854 dormitory fire on the Howard campus. There is a monument in his honor in Marion City Cemetery. East Lafayette Street, Marion, AL 36756 …

Healing Springs at Millry, AL

Healing Springs, located near Millry, AL, was a thriving resort in the early 1900s. Located at this site were 33 overflowing springs and the water from these springs was supposed to have “healing” powers. People from far away came by train and other me …

Historic Downtown Marion

The five historic districts of Marion offer a connection to rich heritage including civil war and civil rights and many Alabama Baptist beginnings. Five historic bed and breakfasts provide lodging. Leisure activities available are arts and antique shop …

Historical

My locationGet Directions Alabama Military Hall of Honor MuseumLocated in Perry County | What you’ll find: Historical | Museum This building was built circa 1832 as a law office. It was the first YMCA building in the South to be owned by a local chapte …

History in the Making

From before Alabama was a state through the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement to today’s changing landscape, majestic cemeteries, stately architecture, all draped in Southern culture are ready to explore.

Holmestead Farms

Seven miles west of Marion, you may visit the site of one of Alabama’s last active plantations, one which has been in the same family since the early 1800s. William “the wagon maker” Moore came from South Carolina to Alabama in 1819 shortly before Alab …

Jonathon Daniels’ Murder Site/Cash’s Store

The Varners Cash Store is the Memorial site of Jonathon Daniels’ death. He was the 26th civil rights worker to be murdered. The 26-year-old died from a shotgun blast while he saved the life of another.

Judson College

  Judson College, founded in 1838 in Marion, Alabama, (as Judson Female Institute), is the 6th oldest existing and only women’s four year college in Alabama. The college was founded by members of the Siloam Baptist Church of Marion and named after …

Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum

The Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum is located on the campus of Alabama Southern Community College in Thomasville, Alabama. It is dedicated to preserving the works of native author, storyteller, and journalist, Kathryn Tucker Windham. Windham has spent m …

La Salle Hotel (Monroe County Public Library)

At this location prior to the construction of this building, there was the Commercial Hotel which was a wood-frame building.  In 1939, this old building was demolished and replaced with a new brick building.  The hotel was sold in 1952 and new manageme …

Lincoln Normal School

  The Lincoln Normal School was a historic African American school in Marion, Alabama. Lincoln Normal was founded in 1867 by freed slaves as a school for African-American children. In 1870, the school expanded to include teacher training and for a …

Live Oak Cemetery

Live Oak Cemetery in Selma is a stunning image of the old South- antebellum mausoleums and grave sites framed by row upon row of massive live oaks, all draped in Spanish moss. The mature hardwoods are spaced in such a way as to provide excellent sight- …

Lowndes County Courthouse

The Lowndes County Courthouse is a historic courthouse building in Hayneville, AL. It has served as the Lowndes County courthouse since 1856. The Greek Revival-style building is one of only four antebellum courthouses that remain in use in Alabama. It …

Lowndes County Interpretive Center

Located in Hayneville, AL, the Interpretive Center is a museum that offers visitors the opportunity to take a look back in time at the events and struggles that African Americans faced during the Civil Rights Era. These exhibits were created and are ma …

Lowndes County Jail House

This county jail was where many blacks from Lowndes County encountered harassment, harsh conditions, etc., while also attempting to register to vote in 1965. This old county jail is located in Hayneville, and is currently in the process of being restor …