UA Joins Rural Partners to Expand Tourism along Lower Cahaba with Unveiling of Nature-Historic Site Signs

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development in partnership with several agencies will be unveiling a series of signs highlighting Alabama’s natural beauty to guide visitors through a four-county area along the Cahaba River.

Facts about rare birds, mussels, butterflies and where to see these endangered species are included on the signs, as well as a synopsis of 10 highlighted historic/nature and outdoor recreation sites that can be explored and visited.

The signs can be used as a guide to explore Alabama’s past, says Nisa Miranda, UCED director. “Whether you want to connect with the Civil War, the civil rights movement, watch the birds, bicycle, camp, or browse through a museum, there is plenty to discover along the lower Cahaba River.  The signs include a detailed map so travelers can locate charming towns and their nearby historic treasures – all within a 1-1/2-hour drive.”

To mark the unveiling of the new signs, five unveiling events will take place in selected areas on Friday, Dec. 4, including:

-The ceremonies will begin in Hale County at 8:30 a.m. at the entrance to the Moundville Archaeological Park.

-The next ceremony will take place in nearby Brent at 10:30 a.m. at the park in front of Brent City Hall, 22 1^st St.

-Following will be the Cahaba River Historical Park, 421 Montevallo Road, in Centreville with a ceremony at 11:30 a.m.

-From Centreville, the next ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the Perry County Chamber of Commerce, 1200 Washington St., Marion.

-The final ceremony will take place at the Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center on Hwy. 175 near Marion at the entrance road to Perry Lakes Park and Barton’s Beach Preserve at 2:30 p.m.

UCED has partnered with the Corp. for National and Community Service-AmeriCorps VISTA, USDA Forest Service Oakmulgee District, Bibb County Commission, Alabama Historical Commission, Perry County Chamber of Commerce and Moundville Archaeological Park with the goal of expanding tourism and outdoor recreation in west central Alabama.

Bibb, Hale, Dallas and Perry Counties were targeted by the team. The rural areas feature the Cahaba and Black Warrior Rivers, national forests, state lands and a host of historic sites.

Over the past several months, the team has gathered input from The Cahaba River Society, The Nature Conservancy, Auburn University, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Alabama Black Belt Heritage Area, as well as other outdoor recreation groups, elected officials and community organizations to finalize and produce the informational signs. Interpretative signage was identified as one of the foremost needs in the four-county area.

The www.lowercahaba.com Web site has been created to focus on west central Alabama and includes neighboring hospitality outlets such as restaurants, lodging/camping, historical sites and other points of interest for tourists.

A second unveiling day will be held for the informative signs that will be placed at the West Blocton Historic Beehive Coke Ovens Park, Tannehill Ironworks Historical Park and Brierfield Ironworks Historical Park. Plans are also under way to place two additional signs within the project area for a total of 10 signs.

The project coincides with the Alabama Tourism Department’s focus of supporting and organizing Black Belt counties to achieve National Heritage Area status. The National Heritage Area program is administered by the National Park Service and makes the area eligible for federal and private grants for development.