Sister Cities International Statue
Located on the Riverwalk, the Sister Cities International statue and fountain represents the bond that Tuscaloosa shares with her 3 sister cities: Narashino, Japan; Schorndorf, Germany; and Sunyani-Techiman, Ghana.Tuscaloosa and Narashino first became sister cities in 1986, due not only to a similarity in population and density, but also because JVC, a Japanese electronics producer, opened a plant in east Tuscaloosa. Although this plant was later sold, Tuscaloosa and Narashino remain close sisters to this day. Tuscaloosans celebrate a Sakura (cherry blossom) festival every year in the early spring, during which residents of Alabama can learn more about Narashino and Japanese culture.Ten years after the sisterhood with Narashino, Tuscaloosa’s international family grew larger. In 1996, as the new Mercedes-Benz plant opened between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, the Druid City became sisters with Schorndorf, located in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Schorndorf is the birthplace of Gottlieb Daimler, the automotive pioneer who founded the parent company of Mercedes-Benz. In recent years, the bond between these cities has been celebrated during “Volksfest,” a festival started in 2016. Sunyani-Techiman is the most recent addition to the family, becoming sisters with Tuscaloosa in 2011. Sunyani and Techiman are actually two separate cities but are considered a single entity for the purpose of the Sister Cities project.Today, the Sister Cities International Program promotes cultural understanding and acceptance, offering opportunities for Tuscaloosans to live and study in our sister cities across the globe.Accessibility: The Riverwalk is handicap accessibleParking: Parking can be found at either end of the Riverwalk, including around Riverwalk MarketCost: Free!
Tuscaloosa County Public Library
Public LibraryThe first Tuscaloosa city “library,” established in 1879, was a short-lived Library Room in a parlor above a drugstore stocked with donated books. The next library was established in the basement of the old Tuscaloosa County Courthouse in 1911. In 1926, the expanding library was moved to the George Searcy House on Greensboro Avenue, where it remained until 1958, when it was relocated to the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion. It was not until 1979 that the library’s current location on Jack Warner Parkway (at the time called River Road) was opened. Today, the library also has two satellite branches (the Brown Branch and the Weaver-Bolden Branch) as well as two bookmobiles with a catalogue of over 225,000 items. Its services include print and electronic books, DVDs, reference assistance, genealogical services, computer classes, children’s story times, and book discussions.Open Times:Monday-Thursday 9am-9pmFriday 12pm-5pmSaturday 9am-5pmSunday 2pm-6pmAddress: 1801 Jack Warner Pkwy, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401Handicap Accessible?: YesPhone Number: (205) 345-5820Website Link: http://www.tuscaloosa-library.org/Visit Duration: variesParking Availability: SubstantialCosts: Free admissionTags: Library, Education
Trail of Tears Indian Removal Sign
Downtown History MarkerThe Indian Removal marker signifies a tragic moment in the history of Tuscaloosa and the nation. Under President Andrew Jackson, Congress passed the 1830 Indian Removal Act, leading to the removal of over 45,000 people. The Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations were forced against their will to leave their homelands. The physical demands of the trip, over 2,200 miles, resulted in significant loss of life among the tribes. Some estimate that there was a loss of as many as 6,000 Cherokee people alone. In 1831 the Choctaw were the first Native Americans forced to relocate. The other tribes followed from 1831 through 1837. Take time to read and reflect on the words of Chief Eufaula, also known as Yoholo-Micco, the Creeks' leader, who addressed the Alabama legislature here in 1836.Further up the hill, up you will find the Old Tavern, Old Jailhouse, and Capitol Ruins that are within walking distance of the sign.• Open 24hrs• 446 28th Ave, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401• Handicap Accessible: Yes• Phone Number: (205) 758-2238• Website: N/A• Tour time/Visitation: N/A• Parking Availability: Street parking available at the western edge of University Blvd.
Old Jail
Downtown JailhouseThe Old Jailhouse faces Capitol Park on 6th Street. It is a two-story brick building that served as the county’s jailhouse from 1856 to 1890. The building was built as a boarding house in the 1840s. During the early 1900s, the Old Jailhouse was a boarding school before serving as a Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall from 1951 to 1979. In the early to mid-2000s, the Capitol School leased the building from the Tuscaloosa City School Board. The now-vacant building was designed by William B. Robertson, who used Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival and Italianate features 28-inch-thick walls. One of the notorious criminals housed at the jail was the “outlaw sheriff of Sumter County,” Stephen S. Renfroe, who burned a hole in the pine floor to escape captivity. Nearby are two historic markers that address Tuscaloosa's complicated history of violence and race. For more information please visit the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society website.• Open: Walk by/Drive by only• 2803 6th St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401• Handicap Accessible: Not Accessible• Phone Number: (205) 758-2238• Parking Availability: Near Capitol Park Entrance, very limited Parking
Capitol Park
Park and Walking TourThis park was the site of the Alabama Capitol when Tuscaloosa was the seat of state government from 1826-1846. In 1847 the capital was moved to Montgomery. After moving, the old Capitol was deeded to the University of Alabama and became the home of Alabama Central Female College. However, in 1923, a construction worker accidentally set the old Capitol on fire while doing repairs and burned it to the ground. A visible reminder of the old capitol building is the stone foundation and two small columns. Today, the Old Capitol sits in the middle of an open green space that is great for picnicking and family time. There is ample seating around the park and trail, as well as near the gazebo. As you continue your walking tour of the historic downtown Tuscaloosa, please take the opportunity to visit the Equal Justice Initiative Lynching Sign and the Indian Removal Sign that detail Tuscaloosa's complicated and difficult history of violence and race. As you continue your tour of Tuscaloosa’s historic downtown, please visit some of Tuscaloosa’s shops and eateries that make up much of the thriving downtown scene. Also, there are several historic sites that are within walking distance of Capitol Park such as the Old Jailhouse and Old Tavern, so please make time to visit these sites on your tour of historic downtown Tuscaloosa. Thank you so much for visiting Tuscaloosa and please enjoy the rest of your tour.For more information and other tips, please visit the Tuscaloosa Society Preservation Society website.• Open 24hrs.• 2828 6th St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401• Handicap Accessible: Yes• Phone Number: (205) 758-2238• Website: https://alarchitecture.ua.edu/the-tuscaloosa-state-capitol-building/• Tour time/Visitation: Saturdays 9-12• Parking Availability: Near Capitol Park entrance, very limited parking• Cost: FreeTags: family, picnic, green space, park, history, capital, ruins, free, attractions, lynching, trail, exercise, downtown,
Visitors Bureau
Visitor CenterThe Tuscaloosa Visitor’s Center is the first stop both for those new to town and for residents looking for new local experiences. The building, which also houses the Tuscaloosa River Market, is modeled on the Chattanooga Rivermarket. Located on the bank of the Black Warrior River and across the street from the Tuscaloosa Public Library, the center is a great place to find information on events, shopping, food, and places to stay in the Tuscaloosa area. Paper maps of Tuscaloosa can also be found here.Open Times: 8:30-5pm M-F, 9am-12pm SaturdayAddress: 1900 Jack Warner Parkway, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401Handicap Accessible?: YesPhone Number: 205-391-9200Website Link: www.visittuscaloosa.comVisit Duration: 10-15 minutesParking Availability: YesCosts: FreeTags: Riverwalk, Tourist Information Center, Travel Agency
Tuscaloosa Riverwalk
The Tuscaloosa Riverwalk is a 4.5-mile paved trail that hugs the banks of the Black Warrior River between Capitol Park and Manderson Landing. The Riverwalk project broke ground in 2002 and has continually grown since then. This well-lit trail includes dozens of benches, gazebos, and dog-friendly parks where you can enjoy the scenic flora and fauna that Tuscaloosa has to offer. Stops along the path include Terry’s Playground, the Sister Cities Fountain, the Bama Belle Steamboat launch, a monument to the Corps of Engineers, The Horace King Bridge Site, and is bisected by the terrace of the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk and Visitors Bureau.
Site of the Horace King Bridge
The first bridge that spanned the Black Warrior River was designed by Seth King and completed in 1834. It was one of the largest engineering tasks undertaken in the state at that time, spanning an imposing 350 yards and completely covered. The bridge suffered tornado damage in 1842 and was completely demolished following the Union attack in April 1865. Robert Jemison Jr. financed the original bridge’s $30,000 construction. Jemison, a slaveholder, businessman, and politician would later form the Alabama Construction Company with Horace King, a former slave and renowned architect. King designed the bridge, which was completed in 1872. He developed new techniques such as utilizing pier foundations formed by combining sand with heart pine; these piers can still be seen today in the Black Warrior River. Between 1872 and 1922, three additional bridges were erected, until the Hugh Thomas bridge was completed in 1974 slightly downstream from this spot.
