Alabama Campgrounds
Brierfield Ironworks Historical Park
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Brierfield Ironworks Historical State Park is an attractive, open park with a friendly staff.
civil war
Affair At Madison Station
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Affair At Madison Station
May 17, 1864
The largest engagement of the Civil War in Madison County Alabama was fought during a driving rainstorm in Madison, Alabama at the site of the railroad depot. Under the command of Col. Josiah Patterson, the Confederate forces (~1000 cavalry and a battery of artillery) crossed the Tennessee River near Triana and attacked a garrison of ~350 men of the 13th Illinois Infantry. Union forces fell back along the railroad toward Huntsville to Indian Creek. They counterattacked after being reinforced by infantry from Huntsville.
Alabama Gulf Coast Region
Swift-Coles Historic House
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Swift-Coles Historic House
17424 Swift Coles Lane
Bon Secour AL 36511
(251) 949-9550
This 1882 Tidewater Mansion is located on the Bon Secour River and was the home of the Charles Swift Family. It was purchased in 1976 by Nick Cole who restored the home to it original beauty. The property is now owned and operated by the Baldwin County Historic Development Commission. This beautiful 16 room mansion and grounds take you back in time to the twentieth century and life along the river. This 6000 sq ft home began in 1882 as a simple four-room structure in the bend of the Bon Secour River. In 1898, Charles & Susan Swift bought the house and brought their growing family here to begin a sawmill and lumber business that continues in south Alabama to this day. They built a sawmill on the river east of the house, and although it burned in 1913, their business continued to expand. Eleven of their children grew to adulthood here, and the house was enlarged in 1902 and in 1908.
In 1976, the home was purchased by Nicholas Coles. An entrepreneur and antiques collector, he made this his home until his death in 2007. Open Tuesday and Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. Last tour start at 3 pm.
Alabama State Parks
Monte Sano State Park
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Monte Sano State Park
Huntsville AL
Monte Sano State Park is a 2,100 acre mountaintop park at 1,600 feet above sea level. East of Huntsville Alabama on the eastern portion of Monte Sano Mountain, the dog-friendly park offers camping, Arts and Crafts Style cabins, outstanding picnic areas, playgrounds and over 14 miles of hiking and biking tails. Viewpoints near the trail heads include “North Plateau Loop” and “South Plateau Loop” that offer outstanding panoramic views of the Tennessee Valley. Mountain views and wateralls are a bonus of the picnic area pavillions built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s. Exotic plants and wildlife are in abundance and are protected by law.