Selma sits on the banks of the Alabama river and is the county seat of Dallas, in the state of Alabama. Its name, meaning ‘throne’, was chosen by William R King upon the city’s incorporation in 1820; and this man later became the 13th vice president of America.
The city is famed for the civil rights march of 1965 that started off from Selma with 3,500 marchers; by the time the congregation reached Birmingham city, over 25,000 participants had joined. This historic event is considered a pinnacle in the black civil rights movement in America.
The city’s historic district is the largest in Alabama, with nearly 1,300 buildings dating back to the early 1800s. Selma’s proud history is documented in a number of institutions around the city, including the Sturdivant Hall Museum, National Voting Rights Museum and the Heritage Village.
Highlights
National Voting Rights Museum: chronicles and documents the marches and journey of the black citizens of Selma to win the right to vote.
Old Depot Museum: houses a collection of artifacts and memorabilia spanning the history of Selma, dating back to 1820.
Old Live Oak Cemetery: is a national historic site and resting place for over 8,000 Selma residents, with the remains of many famous men and women born in Selma who went on to do great things for their country.
Sturdivant Hall: features Greek revival neo-classical architecture, it is both a historic mansion and a museum, with a gift shop and beautifully kept gardens.
Historic Water avenue district: with restored riverfront buildings now used as shops, restaurants and businesses, this is a charming commercial area.