Did you know Alabama's first state capital is now a ghost town?
Hidden near the banks of the Alabama and Cahaba Rivers in Orrville, Alabama, lies one of the state's most fascinating historic destinations. Old Cahawba Archaeological Park preserves the remains of a once-thriving town that served as Alabama's first permanent state capital before eventually being abandoned.
Today, visitors can explore forgotten streets, historic cemeteries, crumbling ruins, and archaeological sites that reveal the remarkable story of a town that nearly disappeared.
If you enjoy discovering ghost towns, abandoned places, and unusual historical attractions, Old Cahawba is one of Alabama's hidden gems worth exploring.
Alabama's First State Capital
When Alabama became a state in 1819, Cahawba was selected as the location of its first permanent capital.
Situated where the Alabama and Cahaba Rivers meet, the town was intended to become an important center of government, commerce, and transportation.
The town quickly developed, with government buildings, homes, businesses, and streets laid out near the riverbanks.
However, Cahawba's time as the state capital was surprisingly short.
In 1826, just seven years after Alabama achieved statehood, the capital was relocated to Tuscaloosa.
But Cahawba's story was far from over.
From Thriving River Town to Abandoned Ghost Town
Although Cahawba lost its status as the state capital, it continued to develop into a prosperous river town.
During the years before the Civil War, its location along the waterways helped support trade, agriculture, and commercial activity.
The town became an important center of the region's cotton economy, which depended heavily on enslaved labor.
During the Civil War, Cahawba also became the site of a Confederate prison known as Castle Morgan, where Union prisoners were held.
Following the war, Cahawba entered another significant chapter of its history.
Formerly enslaved African Americans established homes, acquired property, built community institutions, and participated in political life during Reconstruction.
For a time, Cahawba became an important center of African American community and political activity.
However, the town's population continued to decline.
By 1870, approximately 300 residents remained, and by the early 1900s, most of the town's buildings had been destroyed by fire, deterioration, or dismantling.
Nature gradually reclaimed the streets and abandoned properties, transforming the former capital into the ghost town visitors can explore today.
Walk Through the Streets of a Forgotten Alabama Town
One of the most interesting things about Old Cahawba Archaeological Park is that visitors can explore the actual site where the town once stood.
Rather than walking through a reconstructed historic village, you'll encounter remnants of the original community scattered throughout the landscape.
Some of the fascinating sights include:
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Abandoned Town Streets: Follow historic routes that once connected homes, businesses, and government buildings
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Historic Cemeteries: Discover burial grounds that preserve the stories of Cahawba's former residents
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Old Building Foundations: See archaeological remains of structures that once stood throughout the town
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Crocheron Columns: View surviving brick columns associated with a once-impressive historic mansion
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Historic Church Sites: Discover places connected to the town's religious and community life
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Riverfront Landscape: Experience the natural setting that originally made Cahawba an important transportation and trading location
Interpretive signs throughout the property help visitors understand the history of the surrounding ruins and former town sites.
It's a fascinating place to imagine what everyday life might have looked like more than 150 years ago.
The Fascinating Story of Castle Morgan
One of the lesser-known chapters of Cahawba's history involves Castle Morgan, a Confederate prison established during the Civil War.
The prison held captured Union soldiers under difficult conditions.
Its history is also connected to one of America's deadliest maritime disasters.
After the war, some former prisoners who had been held at Castle Morgan were aboard the steamboat Sultana when it exploded on the Mississippi River in April 1865.
The disaster killed hundreds of passengers, including many recently released Union prisoners of war.
Although little remains of the prison itself, its story is an important part of the history preserved at Old Cahawba.
Discover the Historic Cemeteries
Old Cahawba's historic cemeteries offer another fascinating glimpse into the lives of the people who once called the town home.
The burial grounds contain graves associated with different periods of Cahawba's history, including its years as a state capital, prosperous river town, and post-Civil War community.
The Alabama Historical Commission has offered special cemetery walking tours that explore the personal stories of former residents.
These guided experiences help bring the town's history to life while explaining the importance of preserving its historic burial grounds.
Special tours and educational programs are offered periodically, so visitors interested in guided experiences should check the park's current event schedule.
Archaeologists Are Still Uncovering Cahawba's History
Although much of the original town has disappeared, its story is still being discovered.
Old Cahawba is an important archaeological site maintained by the Alabama Historical Commission.
Archaeologists and historians continue researching the former town, studying historic landscapes, identifying building locations, and preserving evidence of the people who lived there.
The archaeological record includes evidence of Indigenous occupation, Alabama's early statehood, slavery, the Civil War, emancipation, and Reconstruction.
These discoveries help historians better understand the many communities that shaped Cahawba over time.
In 1973, Old Cahawba was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its historical significance.
Today, the park offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience Alabama history in the very place where it unfolded.
Plan Your Visit to Old Cahawba Archaeological Park
Address: 9518 Cahaba Road, Orrville, AL 36767
Phone: 334-872-8058
Park Grounds Hours:
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Daily: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Visitor Center Hours:
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Thursday–Monday: 10:00 AM–4:30 PM
Holiday Closures: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day
Listed Admission Prices:
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Adults: $2
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Children ages 6–18 accompanied by a parent: $1
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Annual Individual Pass: $25
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Annual Family Pass: $35
Special Tours: Guided walking tours and other educational programs may be available for an additional fee.
What to Wear: Comfortable walking shoes are recommended because portions of the park include unpaved roads, outdoor pathways, and uneven ground.
What to Bring: Water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a camera are helpful when exploring the historic grounds.
Visitor Tip: Begin at the Visitor Center when it's open to learn more about the site before exploring the historic streets and ruins.
Getting There: Old Cahawba is located southwest of Selma. From Selma, travel west on Alabama Highway 22, then follow County Road 9 and County Road 2 toward the historic town site.
Because hours, admission prices, and tour availability can change, visitors should confirm details with the Alabama Historical Commission before making the trip.
For additional information, visit the official Old Cahawba Archaeological Park website.
Why Old Cahawba Belongs on Your Alabama Bucket List
There's something remarkable about standing in a place that once served as the center of Alabama's government, knowing that an entire town once surrounded you.
Today, quiet roads, historic cemeteries, scattered ruins, and wooded landscapes are reminders of the thousands of lives connected to Cahawba's past.
Unlike traditional museums, Old Cahawba allows visitors to experience history outdoors, walking through the remains of a community that played an important role in Alabama's early development.
Whether you're interested in ghost towns, archaeology, Civil War history, or simply discovering unusual places around the state, Old Cahawba Archaeological Park offers an unforgettable journey into Alabama's past.
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