Capitol Park
- Capitol Park,
- just west of downtown Tuscaloosa on University Blvd. You will find the reconstructed
architectural features of the Capitol building when Tuscaloosa was the state's capital from 1826-1846.
Designed by state Architect William Nichols, this arcaeological site uses
actual bricks and stonework from the original Capitol building to outline
the ground floor plan and the partial rotunda. Several of the massive
columns have been repaired and placed on their original sites.
Interpretive plaques are located around the park.
(Open daily during daylight hours).
- The Old Tavern,
- located in Capitol Park. Built in 1827 as an inn
and stagecoach stop. It was a hotel untill 1882 and was the scene of
many heated political debates as legislators gathered here while
Tuscaloosa was the state capital. The two-story brick building was also
the home of Alabama Governor John Gayle. Unique gifts are available in
the gift shop.
(M-F 8am-5pm, Sat. 10-12 & 1-4, 205-758-2238).
-
McGuire-Strickland House,
- also located in Capitol Park. Two-story
raised cottage built in 1820, it is noted as the oldest wooden dwelling
in Tuscaloosa.
(Not open to the public).
-
The Old Jail,
- located across the street from Capitol Park. Built
by the state of Alabama as a hotel for out-of-town members of the State
Legislature while Tuscaloosa was the state's capital. Federal-style
architecture with 28-inch thick walls, the building was remodeled in 1856
as a county jail and is one of Alabama's finest antebellum jails. Placed
on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
(Not open to the
public).
On to: Downtown Tuscaloosa * West Alabama * Online
Tuscaloosa
West Alabama Attractions:
info@dbtech.net
The source for the information presented above is:
West Alabama Planning & Development Council
4200 Hwy 69 North, Suite 1
Northport, AL 35476
back to Online Tuscaloosa Index