Autauga County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state. The county seat, Prattville, is home to what was once the world’s largest cotton gin manufacturer. The factory complex is part of the historic district in this unique town, along with more than 150 other buildings. The Autauga County Heritage Association and the Heritage Center Museum are housed in a Greek Revival home that was built around 1830. The county’s gently rolling landscape, which includes the Alabama River, is host to several outdoor parks and recreational areas. Music legend Wilson Pickett was born in the county.

Baldwin County, located on the Gulf of Mexico, is one of the premier tourism spots in Alabama. It is also the site of some of the earliest European explorations and settlements in the South. The county is home to many historic sites and districts that attract thousands of visitors. Noted Civil War sites in the county include Fort Morgan and Fort Blakeley. The Baldwin County Heritage Museum, in Elberta, features exhibits on Baldwin County history from 1900 to 1950.

Barbour County was created in 1832 from lands acquired from the Creeks in the Treaty of Fort Jackson. Clayton, the county seat, boasts one of the few octagon houses in the state. The town of Eufaula is home to the second largest historic district in the state and a park that honors six Barbour County citizens who have served as Alabama governors. The county is located on the Chattahoochee River and the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest preserved natural areas in the state.

Bibb County was founded in February 1818 and was originally called Cahaba County, for the river that runs through it. The county is known for its recreational opportunities on the river and in the Talladega National Forest. It is also famous for the endangered Cahaba Lily that grows on the Fall Line. Bibb County was a noted iron, coal, and lumber center and those industries attracted a number of immigrant families from Belgium, Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Bulgaria. It is also home to one of the few remaining traditional potteries in the United States, Miller’s Pottery.

Blount County’s proximity to Birmingham makes it one of the fastest growing counties in Alabama. The county, which was founded in February 1818, is filled with natural beauty and an abundance of outdoor attractions. It is also home to several covered bridges that were constructed in the 1920s. The Blount County Memorial Museum in Oneonta is dedicated to the history of county residents who have served in the military. Rickwood Caverns State Park near Warrior provides an opportunity to tour caves with intriguing geological formations and fossilized marine animals.

Bullock County is renowned as one of the best hunting areas in the state. Many of the fertile fields in this part of the famed Black Belt region have become deer and turkey hunting preserves. The Bird Dog Monument and Field Trial mural in Union Springs highlight the county’s reputation for hosting field trials. The Bullock County Courthouse Historic District includes the Red Door Theater, a venue for plays set in the South. Additionally, Union Springs has one of the oldest surviving jails in the state and remarkable homes reflecting a variety of architectural styles.

Butler County, created by the first session Alabama legislature in December 1819, is the the birthplace of the legendary country music star Hank Williams Sr. His boyhood home in Georgiana is now a museum and the site of an annual festival in his honor. The county seat, Greenville, is known as Camellia City and boasts several historic structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Greenville Railroad Depot has displays on the rail and economic history of the town.

Calhoun County (originally named Benton County) was created on land ceded by the Creeks in the 1832 Treaty of Cusseta. By 1893 its county seat, Anniston, had two iron production furnaces, a cotton textile mill, paved streets, and the first electric lighting system in the state. The county is home to Jacksonville State University and Anniston Army Depot. From 1917 to 1999, it was also home to the U.S. Army training base Fort McClellan. Area attractions include the Anniston Museum of Natural History, the Berman Museum of World History, and Janney Furnace. Th e area’s role in significant 1960s civil rights events is honored with murals in downtown Anniston.

Chambers County is named for a member of the 1819 Alabama constitutional convention, which created the state’s first constitution. During the Civil War, Fort Tyler was constructed in the county, by Confederate forces, to protect the railroad bridge across the Chattahoochee River. The fort is the site of one of the last battles of the war. After the war, the county became a center for textile manufacturing and numerous mill towns were established. The county courthouse in LaFayette features a statue honoring world boxing champion Joe Lewis, who was born nearby.

Cherokee County, which was established in 1836, is named in honor of the Indians who controlled the area until the 1835 Treaty of New Echota. During the Civil War, the county was a center of iron manufacturing and the Cornwall Furnace in Cedar Bluff is a relic of that industry. A museum with exhibits and interactive displays about the county’s history is in Centre, the county seat. The area is also home to Little River Canyon, one of the most extensive canyon and gorge systems in the country.

Chilton County produces more than 80 percent of Alabama's peach crop. To honor the famous product, its county seat, Clanton, boasts a peach-shaped water tower. The town also holds an annual peach festival on the last weekend in June. From 1902 to 1939 the county was home to Alabama's only home for Confederate veterans; today the historic site operates as Confederate Memorial Park. The importance of railroads to the area is reflected in the crossroads community Maplesville. Several buildings in its Railroad Historic District are listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.

Choctaw County was created from land formerly within the Choctaw Nation, and the town of Pushmataha is named for a noted Choctaw chief. Buildings from the county’s early years are featured at Broadhead Memorial Park in Needham. The Choctaw County Courthouse, in Butler, is on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. The Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge, located in the county along the Tombigbee River, was created to provide habitat for nesting wood ducks and to serve as a wintering area for migratory waterfowl.

Clarke County was created in December 1812, when the region was part of the Mississippi Territory. The county lies between the Tombigbee River, which flows along the western edge, and the Alabama River, which runs along the eastern edge. The two rivers meet and form the Mobile River at the county’s southern end. The Clarke County Historical Museum, in Grove Hill, displays many artifacts and historical items, including prehistoric whale fossils. The Kathryn Windham Tucker Museum, which honors renowned the Alabama storyteller, is located at Alabama Southern Community College in Thomasville.

Clay County, in the foothills of the Appalachia Mountains, is one of the state’s most rural counties. The Talladega National Forest, Lake Wedowee, Flat Rock State Park offer numerous recreational activities. The hilly terrain was home to Alabama’s first graphite mine; gold was also discovered here. Clay County was also home to Hugo Black, who served 34 years on the U.S. Supreme Court. The county courthouse in Ashland is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The unique water tower in Lineville is an Alabama historic landmark. Learn about the area’s history at museums in Ashland and Lineville.

Cleburne County is home to the highest point in Alabama, Cheaha Mountain. In addition to Cheaha State Park, the heavily forested county also contains a large portion of the Talledega National Forest. Heflin, the county seat, thrived as a railroad town in part because it is located halfway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Georgia. Its courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic and rustic Shoal Creek Church, which is located deep within the Talledega Nation Forest, serves as a reminder of how early pioneers in the area lived and worshiped.

Coffee County is famous for its tribute to the boll weevil, an insect that destroyed cotton crops across the state. The statue in downtown Enterprise is the only known monument to an insect pest. It serves as a reminder how the farmers in the county embraced crop diversity, especially peanuts, to avoid financial disaster. There are also several murals celebrating the area’s agricultural history. The county is also home to part of Fort Rucker, the state’s largest military installation. It is home to U.S. Army Aviation. The Pea River is considered one of the best canoeing areas in south Alabama, and is also is ideal for fishing.

Colbert County is where Alabama’s musical influence on the world is deeply rooted. It is home to the acclaimed FAME and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio recording studios. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame, in Tuscumbia, celebrates Alabamians who have made significant contributions to the music industry. Ivy Green, the childhood home of acclaimed human rights activist Helen Keller, is also in Tuscumbia. The state’s hunting tradition is honored at the cemetery for coon dogs, claimed to be the only one in the world, near Cherokee.

Conecuh County was established in February 1818, almost two years before Alabama became a state. Its name is derived from the Creek phrase for being located near canebrakes. The name is associated with a popular locally-made sausage, and the town of Evergreen holds an annual festival each fall to celebrate the famous product. Also in Evergreen, at the airport, is one of the nation’s few remaining original beacon towers for the old Civil Air Mail route. The Old Post Office in the community of Paul is listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.

Coosa County is home to Lay Lake, Lake Martin, and Mitchell Lake. They were created as part of a hydroelectric power system developed in the early twentieth century. Recreational opportunities are found at all three lakes. Flagg Mountain, the most southern mountain of the Appalachian chain, is in Weogufk a State Forest. In addition to a loop trail for hiking and birding, there is a historic tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s. Old Rock Jail, in Rockford, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the oldest jail in Alabama. The county’s largest town, Goodwater, retains many elements from its days when coal powered trains stopped to refuel there.

Covington County is home to most of the Conecuh National Forest, where some of the best examples of native longleaf pine exist. The county seat, Andalusia, has a commercial historic district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Also in Andalusia is the Three Notch Museum, with a historic post office, log cabin, and exhibits of railroad memorabilia and other aspects of the city’s and county’s history. Florala City Park, located on the Alabama-Florida line on the shores of Lake Jackson, offers swimming, fishing, paddleboating, and picnicking.

Crenshaw County is a center of Alabama’s timber industry. It is also home to the annual “World’s Largest Peanut Boil,” which is held every fall in Luverne, the county seat. The historic district in Brantley includes a number of Victorian cottages and a commercial district, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Crenshaw County Historical Society is there too. Patsaliga Creek is a coastal waterway that originates in and runs through much of Crenshaw County. The creek is popular for fishing.

Cullman County was founded by German immigrants in the 1870s. Each fall the county seat, Cullman, honors that heritage with a week-long Oktoberfest celebration. The city also hosts the state’s oldest strawberry festival each spring. The county is home to the famous tourist attraction, Ave Maria Grotto, which features miniature replicas of world-famous sites, made from found materials by a Benedictine monk. The Clarkson Covered Bridge, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the centerpiece of a park that features a working grist mill and other period structures. The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of Angels Monastery are in Hanceville.

Dale County bears the name of one of Alabama’s celebrated frontiersmen, Samuel Dale, who helped create the state from Mississippi Territory. The county is home to Fort Rucker, the largest military installation in the state and headquarters for U.S. Army Aviation. The aviation museum on the fort displays more than 160 aircrafts. Ed Lisenby Lake in Ozark, the county seat, offers hiking and fishing opportunities. A feature of the park at the lake is a memorial to Samuel Dale and his role in the Creek War of 1812.

Alabama’s first state capital, Cahaba, was in Dallas County. Two hundred years later, visitors can explore the ruins of the town at the archaeological park established to preserve the site. In the 1960s, the county seat, Selma, was at the heart of significant civil rights activities. The Edmund Pettus Bridge is one of several sites with commemorative displays honoring that struggle. Selma also played an important part in the Civil War as a center of the munitions industry. The city’s rich history is represented in the state’s largest historic district, which include more than 1,250 structures listed on state and national historic registers. U.S. vice president William Rufus King is one of many important Alabamians buried in Live Oak Cemetery in Selma.

DeKalb County offers much that is associated with Alabama’s culture. It is home to influential musicians, stock car racing legends, and remarkable scenery. Cherokee silversmith Sequoyah lived in the area when he developed his famed syllabary. Fort Payne, the county seat, is known as the “Sock Capital of the World” because so many were manufactured there. The Little River Canyon National Preserve, atop Lookout Mountain, offers gorgeous views and a variety of recreational activities. The annual DeKalb County Fiddlers Convention, which was founded in 1908, is held every June in Fort Payne.

Elmore County bears the scars of the only identified meteor crater in Alabama; the ridge of the impact site is still visible on east side of Wetumpka, the county seat. Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park features a reconstructed French outpost that was established in 1714. The Treaty of Fort Jackson, which ended the Creek War of 1813-1814 and ceded millions of acres of Creek territory to the United States, was signed nearby. Jasmine Hill Gardens hosts an outdoor museum featuring classical Greek sculpture. Elmore is home to some of the most navigable and recreational waterways in the state and several architecturally interesting bridges, including the Benjamin Fitzpatrick Bridge, which is one of the longest curved bridges in the U.S.

Escambia County has longleaf pine forests that provide travelers a glimpse of a landscape that dominated the region when Alabama became a state. Conecuh National Forest is home to efforts to restore that unique native ecosystem. In the 1790s, Creek Indians began settling in the area around Atmore, where the Poarch Band of Creek Indians government is headquartered today. The tribe has a museum that showcases that heritage. The commercial district of Brewton, the county seat, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Flomaton, near the Florida state line, has a memorial honoring Sidney Manning, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during World War I.

Etowah County, the state’s smallest county by size, became one of Alabama’s industrial centers as the result of the natural resources in the area. A major attraction in the county is Noccalula Falls, a 90-foot waterfall that is easily viewable from a city park in Gadsden, the county seat. There is also a trail to the base of the falls and activities, including a petting zoo, at the park. Also in Gadsden is the Etowah Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to the preservation and commemoration of local and Native American history, and a monument honoring a local Civil War legend, Emma Sansom.

Fayette County, in northwestern Alabama, is a named for Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette. Set at the juncture of the East Gulf Coastal Plan and the Cumberland Plateau, the county offers numerous recreational opportunities, notably in the Sipsey River wilderness. For visitors interested in other pursuits, the Fayette Art Museum and Civic Center highlights the works of regional artists, such as Jimmy Lee Sudduth, and the Fayette County Depot Museum houses exhibits on city and county history.

Franklin County has a long and deep history, being one of the oldest counties in the state. It is rich with natural wonders, most notably Phil Campbell's Dismals Canyon National Natural Landmark, home to stunning geological formations as well as the fascinating "dismalites," larvae of the fox firefly that glow in the dark. For the more historically minded, the Red Bay Museum in Red Bay offers visitors exhibits on town and county history, with special emphasis on country music superstar Tammy Wynette, who spent much of her childhood in the town.

Geneva County is located just above the Florida Panhandle and its beaches. The county's rivers offer recreational enthusiasts miles of canoeing and boating through cypress swamps teeming with fish. During periods of low water, the wreck of a steamboat becomes visible in Choctawhatchee River. The town of Geneva is home to the ancient Constitution Oak, likely the oldest live oak in the state, as well as the Emma Knox Kenan Public Library, housed at the historic 1931 building.

Greene County was founded one day before Alabama became a state. It boasts dozens of historically significant buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the impressive Kirkwood Mansion in Eutaw. This rich architectural history is celebrated each October with the Eutaw Pilgrimage. Steeped in folk art and music, the county hosts the Black Belt Roots Festival in Eutaw each August.

Hale County is home to Moundville Archaeological Park, which preserves the site of one of the largest prehistoric Native American settlements in the nation. The historic district in Greensboro, the county seat, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes nearly 150 structures. The Greek Revival style mansion Magnolia Grove, built in 1840, was the birthplace of Spanish-American War hero Richmond Pearson Hobson. The Oakmulgee District of the Talladega National Forest encompasses portions of Hale County, including Payne Lake and its hiking and camping opportunities.

Henry County is the center of the peanut industry in Alabama. Land that was originally incorporated within the county, when it was created on December 13, 1819, was later carved out for nine other counties. Abbeville, the county seat, formed as a community when it served as a trading post on the juncture of two stage coach roads. The town’s oldest remaining structure is the Bethune-Kennedy House, circa 1840, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. World War I soldiers are honored in Headland, with a statue on the town square.

Houston County preserves the Wiregrass region’s agricultural heritage at Landmark Park. The focal point of the science and history museum is an 1890s farm featuring period buildings, animals, and crops. Dothan, the county seat, hosts more than 20 building-size murals illustrating the region’s history. The George Washington Carver Interpretive Center honors the scientist who promoted peanuts as an alternative crop, after boll weevils destroyed cotton crops in the 1910s. The legume is celebrated with oversized, unique, peanut statues placed around Dothan, and with the annual National Peanut Festival every fall.

Jackson County was created the day before Alabama became a state in 1819. The county is home to Russell Cave National Monument, where archaeologists have found evidence of human habitation dating back more than 10,000 years. The site’s museum offers exhibits of artifacts found in the cave. Scottsboro, the county seat, is surrounded by natural beauty, including the Tennessee and Paint Rock rivers, which provides numerous recreational activities. The region’s experiences during the Civil War are addressed at both the Stevenson Railroad Depot Museum and Bridgeport Railroad Museum. The Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center commemorates a series of trials that became a significant turning point in U.S. legal and civil rights history.

Jefferson County is home to Alabama's largest city, Birmingham, and is the most populous county in the state. Numerous sites in the county provide visitors with opportunities to learn more about the history of Alabama, from its industrial revolution in the late nineteenth century to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. For visitors seeking other experiences, music and sports halls of fame, public gardens, and notable architectural sites abound.

Lamar County was created in 1867 during Reconstruction. Th e county’s grassy woodlands offer hunting and other outdoor activities, including fishing at Lamar County Lake and Sulligent Lake. Visitors interested in architectural history can drive the quiet rural roads to view historic homes such as the Moore-Hill House, the oldest remaining building in the county, the Ogden House, Clearman House, and the Dick Mixon Farm. Several are listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.

Lauderdale County was formed, from lands that were once part of the Chickasaw Nation, in February 1818, when Alabama was still a territory. A visit to the county seat, Florence, provides an opportunity see the largest Indian mound in the Tennessee Valley, experience a historic stagecoach tavern, learn about blues musician W.C. Handy, and tour the only dwelling in Alabama designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Joe Wheeler State Park, which is on the Tennessee River near Rogersville, offers hiking, fishing, and other recreational activities. Wilson Dam, also on the Tennessee River, is designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Lawrence County was established a year before Alabama became a state in 1819. It is home to an 83-acre park, in Oakville, which protects prehistoric mounds built by Native Americans. The town also has a museum honoring the accomplishments of Olympian Jesse Owens, who was born there. Pond Spring, the plantation home of Gen. Joseph “Fightin’ Joe” Wheeler, is in Hillsboro. The historic district in Courtland includes a local history museum. Thousands of acres of natural beauty can be explored in the Bankhead National Forest. Prairie Grove Glades, near Moulton, is the largest intact glade left in Alabama.

Lee County, best known as the location of Auburn University, also offers visitors opportunities to explore the region's history. The Museum of East Alabama in Opelika and the Lee County Historical Museum at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka feature exhibits ranging from prehistoric Native American occupation to farm life to the modern day. Toomer's Corner in Auburn is the iconic gathering place where Auburn's college sports fans celebrate victories with the tradition of rolling trees with toilet paper. Chewacla State Park offer mountain biking trails and other recreational opportunities.

Limestone County was created from former Chickasaw and Cherokee Indian land in February 1818. The oldest operational post office in the state has been in its current building, in Mooresville, since around 1840. A train depot in Athens, the county seat, houses the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives. During the Civil War, the county experienced numerous skirmishes including the Battle of Sulphur Trestle and the Sack of Athens. Fort Henderson, an earthen structure, was constructed by U.S. Colored Troops in 1864. The site later became the state’s first high school for African American students. The Donnell House was used by the Union Army to quarter soldiers.

Lowndes County is in the heart of Alabama’s Black Belt region. A major battle in the Creek War of 1813-14 took place on a bluff above the Alabama River at Holy Ground. Fort Deposit, now the county’s largest city, started as a military fort built on the Old Federal Road in 1813. The salvaged cupola of Alabama’s first capitol building still tops the CME church in the Lowndesboro Historic District, which includes many structures listed on the National Register of Historic Place. Also on that list is the county courthouse in Hayneville, built in 1856. The county’s role in the civil rights era of the 1960s is highlighted at the Lowndes Interpretive Center established by the National Park Service in White Hall.

Macon County has one of Alabama’s most famous small towns, Tuskegee. The name is associated with the influential institute founded there in 1881, a squadron of World War II airmen, and more. The Legacy Museum on the Tuskegee University campus houses collections amassed over the institution’s 130-year history. Look for gargoyles on the tower of the county courthouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in downtown Tuskegee. The town’s official visitor center is in the Tuskegee History Center. One of the first Rosenwald Schools in Alabama has been restored in Notasulga. The Bartram National Recreation Trail, named in honor of the famed naturalist who traveled the area in the 1770s, runs through Tuskegee National Forest.

Madison County is home to Huntsville and the Marshall Space Flight Center. Named for James Madison, who was U.S. Secretary of State at the time, it was created in 1808, some 11 years before Alabama gained statehood. The Alabama Territorial Legislature held the 1819 constitutional convention, which formed the first state’s government, in Huntsville. That setting has been faithfully recreated in Constitution Hall Park. Many individuals prominent in early Alabama history are from the area. The state’s role in space exploration is highlighted at the U.S Space and Rocket Center.

Marengo County was created in February 1818, from lands acquired from the Choctaw Indians. A year earlier, a group of French immigrants started growing crops near what is now Demopolis. The Black Warrior and Tombigbee Rivers, which merge at Demopolis, contributed to the town’s prominence in the Black Belt cotton economy. That wealth built many notable homes, including Gaineswood, Bluff Hall, and Lyon Hall. The Demopolis historic district includes the Marengo County History and Archive Museum. The old Marengo County Courthouse in Linden, the county seat, was built in 1850. Chickasaw State Park, near Linden, is a stop on the Black Belt Birding Trail.

Marion County, one of the oldest counties in the state, was founded in 1818, when Alabama was still a territory. It is most widely known as the home of the Jerry Brown Arts Festival, held to honor the famous potter from Hamilton. Outdoor enthusiasts and hunters will enjoy the county's natural areas and lakes. The railroad depot n Brilliant is the only depot still standing in Marion County. Communities across the county host a variety of festivals throughout the year, including Mule Day in Winfield, Mayfest in Guin, Buttatchee River Fall Fest in Hamilton, and Coalfest in Brilliant.

Marshall County, set in the hilly northeastern part of the state, offers nature-loving visitors several state parks, including one devoted to the remarkable Cathedral Caverns. For those more interested in history, the Guntersville Museum and Cultural Center and the Albertville Museum contain exhibits ranging from Native American artifacts to nineteenth and early twentieth century clothing and household items. The Arab Historic Village immerses visitors in pioneer and early modern life.

Mobile County was founded in 1812, predating Alabama statehood by nearly seven years. The city of Old Mobile was even older; it was founded by the French in 1702 and served as a capital of French Louisiana. Mardi Gras festivities in the area date back to 1699, the first in the nation, and are celebrated at the Mobile Carnival Museum. The region’s rich history and cultural significance is showcased in many other museums and historic homes, including the childhood home of baseball great Hank Aaron. On the harbor, the World War II-era battleship USS Alabama and submarine USS Drum are preserved and open to visitors. The Archaeology Museum, on the University of South Alabama campus, offers many exhibits including a series of dioramas focusing on Native American cultures.

Monroe County was established in 1815, when the area was part of Mississippi Territory. One of the earliest settlements was Claiborne, which grew up around a fort built on the Alabama River in 1813. Monroeville, the county seat, is the hometown of Harper Lee, author of the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. Her childhood playmate was renowned author Truman Capote. The museum at the old courthouse has exhibits on both authors, and preserves the iconic courtroom replicated for the film version of Lee’s novel. The tiny community of Perdue Hill is home to several historic structures, including a home of William Travis, one of the Texas militiamen who died at the Battle of the Alamo. The grist mill at Rikard’s Mill Historical Park, in Beatrice, has been in operation since 1845.

Montgomery County was created in 1816, three years before Alabama became a state. The city of Montgomery became the state capitol in 1846. It is known both as the “Cradle of the Confederacy” and the birthplace of the modern Civil Rights movement, and many of its historic sites and museums recount those roles. The Museum of Alabama at the Alabama Department of Archives and History offers artifacts, videos, murals, and a detailed diorama of a Native American village to tell Alabama’s history. A park on the Alabama River has a replica of the Wright Brother’s flyer to commemorate the county being the home of the nation’s first flying school. In addition to a zoo, fine arts museum, and planetarium, the county is also home to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

Morgan County was created in February 1818 as Cotaco County; the name was changed in 1821. Somerville, the former county seat, was incorporated 11 days before Alabama became a state. It is home to the oldest courthouse building in Alabama, which was constructed in 1837. Rhodes Ferry Park, on the Tennessee River in Decatur, has markers explaining the site’s role in the Cherokee removal and the Trail of Tears. Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, between Decatur and Hartselle, is the largest national refuge in the state and attracts migrating waterfowl. The Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic is held annually on Memorial Day in Decatur.

Perry County has some of the richest soil in Alabama and was a center of cotton production well into the twentieth century. It was also a center for education in the Black Belt, serving as home to the Marion Female Seminary, Howard College, and the Lincoln Normal School, founded in 1867 by freed slaves. Judson College, founded in 1838, and Marion Military Institute are located in Marion, the county seat. Civil Rights leader Coretta Scott King grew up in the county. Many buildings in Marion and Perry County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Moore-Webb-Holmes Plantation, with more than 20 farm buildings from the 1800s.

Pickens County was created, in 1820, from shared Choctaw, Chickasaws, and Creek hunting grounds. Pickensville, on the Tombigbee River, is home to one of the last steam-powered sternwheeler on Southern rivers, U.S. Snagboat Montgomery. The vessel is open for tours at the Tom Bevill Lock and Dam. The site also features a reproduction antebellum mansion that houses exhibits about the region’s history. The Old Jail in Gordo, which was built in 1914, is on National Register of Historic Places. Aliceville is home to a museum about the World War II prisoner of war camp that was located there. The old courthouse in Carrollton has a window that was etched with a face by lightening, according to local lore.

Pike County was founded in 1821 and the Three Notch Road was cut in 1824, which brought settlers into the area. The town square in Troy, the county seat, is considered a landmark area, and the restored 1911 post office houses the Johnson Center for the Arts. Nearby Troy University has an arts park and international arts center. The Pioneer Museum of Alabama preserves the buildings and folkways of the state's early settlers. The park is also home to Conecuh River Depot Military Museum. One of the first peanut butter mills in the Southeast is the focal point for the annual Peanut Butter Festival in Brundidge.

Randolph County was formed in 1832 after the Treaty of Cusseta was signed by the Creek Indians. Lake Wedowee, which was formed by Harris Dam on the Tallapoosa River, offers boating and fishing opportunities near the county seat. The Randolph County Historical Museum, in Roanoke, includes a collection of the Indestructible Doll, which was invented by local resident Ella Smith. Th e doll won the grand prize for most innovative toy at the 1904 World's Fair. Roanoke's downtown district has several buildings in the Renaissance and Romanesque styles. The Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail is in Wadley.

Russell County was created from territory that belonged to the Creek Nation until 1832. The Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center features a 21-foot high sculpture representing the ceremonial fire that was the heart of Creek towns that once existed in the region. Adjacent to the heritage center is the Fort Mitchell historic site. The original fort was built, in 1812, on a trail that would become the Federal Road, which passed through Creek territory. Visitors can tour a reconstructed fort with a defensive moat, palisade, houses, and barracks. The county seat, Phenix City, has a riverwalk that follows the Chattahoochee River along the Alabama-Georgia state line and includes the Dillingham Street Bridge, which was built in 1912.

Shelby County was created in February 1818, before Alabama became a state. Columbiana is home to the Shelby County Museum and Archives, located in the old courthouse, and the Harrison Museum of George Washington, which has artifacts and art from America's colonial and early republic periods. American Village, in Montevallo, is an educational complex with replicas of buildings that are significant to the nation's early history. A feature of Montevallo's Orr Park is a walking trail with more than 30 cedar tree carvings. The railroad museum in Calera features operating trains, restored depots, and a collection of locomotives and cabooses. Shelby County is also home Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama's largest state park, and the University of Montevallo.

St. Clair County, founded in November 1818, is the only county in the state with two seats of government, Ashville and Pell City. This arrangement was established because the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains made traveling across the county difficult. The courthouse in Ashville, built in 1845, is the centerpiece of the historic district. A block from the town square is the John W. Inzer Museum. Not far from Ashville is the John Looney Pioneer House Museum, which is a two-story, dogtrot house built in the 1820s. It is considered one of the oldest of its type in the state. The nature park Horse Pens 40, which sits atop Chandler Mountain, features unique sandstone rock formations.

Sumter County is noted for the white chalk cliff s of the Tombigbee River, which are rich in fossils. Fort Tombecbe, built by the French in 1737, is located on the river near Epes. One of the state's oldest covered bridge is preserved on the University of West Alabama campus, in Livingston. The town is also home to the Spence-Moon House, built in 1834, and a 1902 Beaux-Arts style courthouse. Many of the small towns in this Black Belt county-Cuba, Gainesville, Ward, and others-are home to architecturally significant buildings. The Sucarnochee Folklife Festival is an annual event held in Livingston that showcases Black Belt pottery, metal crafts, and quilting, and features storytelling, music and food.

Talladega County is famous for a type of rock and auto racing. The marble found in Sylacuaga is among the highest quality in the world, and the city celebrates its famous product with sculptures and an annual festival. The Talladega Superspeedway is one of the largest and fastest racetracks in the world. The nearby International Motorsports Hall of Fame preserves the history of stock car racing. A natural attraction in the county is Desoto Caverns, in Childersburg. Places of interest in the city of Talladega, the county seat, include the Ritz Theatre, the Jemison-Carnegie Heritage Hall Museum, and the "Silk Stocking" historic district, with dozens of significant homes.

Tallapoosa County is the site of the last battle of the Creek War of 1813-14, on the Tallapoosa River. The grounds are preserved at the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, which includes exhibits on the battle, Creek Indian culture, and frontier life. Lake Martin, one of the largest manmade lakes in the state, provides multiple recreational opportunities, including fishing, boating and camping. Wind Creek State Park is located on its shoreline. Dadeville, the county seat, is home to the Tallapoosee Historical Museum and the Smith Mountain Fire Tower Trail. Alexander City, which was home to large textile mills, has several historic districts, including the downtown area.

Tuscaloosa County was formed in 1816 from former Choctaw and Creek Indian lands. Its county seat, Tuscaloosa, later served as the state capitol from 1826 until 1846. During this time and prior to the Civil War, the city became a center of the cotton-based economy in west Alabama. The wealth generated then is still evident in the Battle-Friedman House, the Jemison-Van De Graaff Mansion, and Drish House. The University of Alabama was established and would later help lead the region out of the depression left by the Civil War. It is a leading educational institution in the state and long a national football power.

Walker County is named for John Williams Walker, the president of the 1819 convention that drafted Alabama's first constitution. Settlers began arriving in Jasper, the county seat, around 1815. The county courthouse, built in the 1930s in Art Deco style, is the center of Jasper's downtown historic district. The city is home to the Bankhead House, now a local history museum, and the longtime home of Congressman Carl Elliot, who was presented the first John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. The county is dotted with communities that were once coal mining towns, and the museum at the Nauvoo Depot Museum highlights the mining heritage of the area. Lewis Smith Lake on the Black Warrior River provides a variety of recreational activities.

Washington County, Alabama’s oldest county, is where the territorial capital, St. Stephens, was located from 1817 to 1819. Visitors can tour the active archaeological site in St. Stephens Historical Park. Artifacts related to area’s history, including a 750-year-old Native American canoe, are on display at the historical museum located in the county courthouse at Chatom. One of the state's few remaining log churches and a historic marker for the location where former U.S. vice president Aaron Burr was arrested, in 1807, on charges of treason are found in the community of McIntosh.

Wilcox County was established the day before Alabama became a state in December 1819. This Black Belt county is dotted with communities like Pine Apple, Furman, and Canton Bend that are pockets of architectural treasures. And the county seat, Camden, has an annual tour of homes. The Gee’s Bend Quilt Mural Trail highlights the area’s famed, distinctive quilt patterns. Visitors can find the work of the region’s many artists for sale at Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center in Camden. Roland Cooper State Park is on the shores of Dannelly Reservoir, which is renowned in the region for its large populations of game fish.

Winston County is named in honor of the first governor of Alabama to be born in the state. This mountainous county is home to the William Bankhead National Forest and the Sipsey Wilderness, the state’s first national wilderness area. It is also home to one of the longest natural bridges east of the Rocky Mountains. Haleyville is where the first 9-1-1 emergency telephone system in the U.S. was implemented. In Double Springs, a statue the courthouse highlights the region’s affiliation with both Union and Confederate sympathizers during the Civil War; the Union supporting members of the county wanted to secede from the state and the Confederacy.