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All the United States Alabama Orrville Old Cahawba Archeological Park

Old Cahawba Archeological Park

This ghost town houses the remains of Alabama's old state capital.

Orrville, Alabama

Added By
Partridge
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“Behind the big house” - former slave quarters.   Partridge / Atlas Obscura User
“Behind the big house” - former slave quarters.   Partridge / Atlas Obscura User
  Rachel Preskitt / Atlas Obscura User
  Rachel Preskitt / Atlas Obscura User
  Rachel Preskitt / Atlas Obscura User
Signs of a more recent inhabitant.   Partridge / Atlas Obscura User
  breaingram / Atlas Obscura User
  Rachel Preskitt / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Cahawba (also known as Cahaba) was the state capital of Alabama from 1819 to 1826. It was also the county seat of Dallas County, Alabama, until 1866, at which point its population was a little under 2,000. But by 1900, most of Cahawba's inhabitants had left. Its buildings were dismantled, their materials used elsewhere.

Cahawba is no longer inhabited, but the ruins of the former town and a couple of remaining buildings can be viewed as part of today's archeological park. It's incredible to make out the foundations of what had been a major town, complete with a church, prison, two cemeteries, river access, and many houses. The streets are accessible as they were laid out at that time (on foot and by car).

Related Tags

Abandoned Ruins Ghost Towns Parks Archaeology

Know Before You Go

Cahawba is around a 20-minute drive from Selma. Plan around an hour there to drive around and view the various remaining ruins and artifacts.

Community Contributors

Added By

Partridge

Edited By

jdmatt999, breaingram, Rachel Preskitt

  • jdmatt999
  • breaingram
  • Rachel Preskitt

Published

March 12, 2019

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Sources
  • https://cahawba.com/
  • https://web.archive.org/web/20080105174041/http://www.preserveala.org/oldcahawba.aspx?sm=g_l#
Old Cahawba Archeological Park
9518 Cahaba Rd
Orrville, Alabama, 36767
United States
32.319663, -87.104787
Visit Website
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Photo of Alabama

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