“Alabama’s most famous Ghost Town”

Cahawba was once Alabama’s state capital (1819-1826) and a thriving antebellum river town. It became a ghost town shortly after the Civil War. Today it is an important archaeological site and a place of picturesque ruins, providing insight into the antebellum ear of Alabama.

The park’s highlights include the remains of government buildings, a cemetery, and an interpretive center that provides historical context. Visitors can take guided tours, explore the trails, and attend events and programs hosted by the park.

Nature has reclaimed much of Old Cahawba, but historians and archaeologists from the Alabama Historical Commission are working hard to uncover Cahawba’s historic past and to create a full-time interpretive park.