Elodie Todd Dawson Monument in Selma’s Old Live Oak Cemetery

Elodie Todd Dawson (1844-1881) was a staunch Confederate supporter and sister-in-law of Abraham Lincoln. Her husband, Col. N.H.R. Dawson (1829-1895), was a Confederate colonel who later was appointed U.S. Commissioner of Education. He was also a member …

Fairoaks Square located in the Old Town Historic District at Selma, AL

Once a gracious turn-of-the-century neighborhood, many of the homes here were close to condemnation when purchased by Circle “S” Industries, Inc. in 1980. In all, 12 Victorian cottages were renovated in the area. Built between 1870 & 1920, the vari …

Federal Building at Selma, AL (completed 1909; listed on the NRHP)

The Federal Building, originally the U.S. Post Office, was completed in 1909 from plans by James Knox Taylor, Supervising Architect of the Treasury 1897-1912. In front of the building is a free-standing memorial arch which was erected at the time of th …

First Baptist Church on M. L. K. Street at Selma, AL (built c. 1894: listed on the NRHP)

This Gothic Revival-style church building was constructed in 1894 by a local black architect, Dave Benjamin West. This church, along with its nearby neighbor, Brown Chapel AME Church, played pivotal roles in the Selma marches that helped lead to the pa …

First Presbyterian Church at Selma, AL (built 1893-1894, listed on the NRHP)

Organized in 1838, the Presbyterian congregation built the present church in 1893-1894. This is their third church building and the second on this site. It is a two-story, Romanesque Revival-style structure with a soaring tower on its east corner. The …

Gen. William J. Hardee Grave in Selma’s Old Live Oak Cemetery

William J. Hardee (1815 – 1873) graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1838. He served in Florida during the Second Seminole War and was a veteran of the Mexican War. Hardee published Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics for the Exercise …

George O. Baker House at Selma, AL (built ca. 1854, listed on the NRHP, site of numerous reports of paranormal activity)

This house was built circa 1854 by Selma businessman George O. Baker. The Neo-Classic architecture features a front porch with pillars and a small cupola that was saved after a fire destroyed the second floor. Lincrusta, a wall covering made to simulat …

Grace Hall at Selma, AL (built ca. 1857, listed on the NRHP)

This Italianate-style house was built circa 1857. In 1865, Wilson’s Raiders spared the house out of respect for Selma’s Mayor M. J. Williams. For many years, it was a prominent bread and breakfast where former first lady Lady Bird Johnson stayed on sev …

Henderson House at Selma, AL (built ca. 1855; listed on the NRHP)

This Greek revival mansion was built c. 1855 for William B. King and named “Fairoaks” for the many trees found about the place. King was the nephew of Vice President William Rufus King. Ann B. Wilson, a half-sister of the builder, inherited the house i …

Jackson Manor at Selma, AL (c. 1890, listed on the NRHP)

This one-and-one-half story, Queen Anne style house was built circa 1890. Features of the house include a hip roof with gables, a corner turret with a conical roof, cutaway bays, and an inset bowed porch with classical columns on wood piers and lathe-t …

John Tyler Morgan House at Selma, AL (built 1859, listed on the NRHP)

This was the home of John Tyler Morgan (1824-1907), one of Alabama’s most honored political and military leaders. Constructed in 1859 by Thomas R. Wetmore, it was purchased by Morgan in 1865, and served for many years as his principal residence. Morgan …

Keith House at Selma, AL (built ca. 1884, listed on the NRHP)

This is one of the few Gothic Revival style homes built in Selma. It was built in 1884 for Chambliss Keith and his wife, Ada Hooper Keith, and has remained in the same family since. In 1964, their son, Alston Keith, moved his law office into the buildi …