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Overview

Selma is dubbed as the Queen City of the Black Belt and Butterfly Capital of Alabama. As of the 2000 census, population is already pumping to more than 20,000 residents. It is a city that was built by the bravery of its ancestors during the Voting Rights Movement and the three historical marches that Selma is very popular for. Today, it is home to historic buildings, notable museums, celebrated churches and wonderful people.

Exploring the City

For first time visitors, it is always best to start off at the Welcome Center of Selma which is located at 132 Broad Street. The center offers brochures, listings of tourist areas, reservations for tours and information center. One way to tour the city is to join the walking tour; there are also haunted story tours to spook up your stay. Don’t forget to make a stop at the Sturdivant Hall—a mansion built for residence but today houses antiquities and a collection of local artifacts. Take a ride to the Joseph Smitherman Historic Building and explore the city’s past that was preserved for the purpose of making its rich history available today. Be sure to make reservations!

Fast Facts

• William R. King gave the city a strong plan towards progress so that today it is the center of Dallas County.
• Its name came from the poem “Songs of Selma” where Selma means “throne”
• During the war, Selma was a center for iron works, providing weaponry and armory.
• Civil Rights Movement was an important part of Selma’s history to eradicate racist perspectives amongst its townsfolk.
• On March 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. fronted a band of people towards the bridge where people were attacked by the local government for the civil rights march.
• Selma is also known for giving rise to famous personalities such as Mia Hamm, and professional football players, Michael Johnson and Benjamin Obomanu

Tourist Attractions

Notable museums, celebrated churches and the Edmund Winston Pettus Bridge are few of the many tourist attractions at Selma. The museums include the Old Depot Museum which houses a collection of a time when Selma was but a town of manual labor and agricultural industry. Another is the National Voting Rights Museum that is positioned right where the “Bloody Sunday” happened. It showcases photos and videos of that gory day when people marched for civil rights, a reminder of the city’s dark past. The Edmund Pettus Bridge, on the other hand, is the set where the march from Selma to Montgomery took place in 1965.

Best Hotel Accommodations

When coming to Selma, the Holiday Inn is on top of the list of choices for a good night’s stay. This charming property allows every guest to experience home away from home. It offers good value for money with clean rooms and an accommodating staff. Choose to stay at the Holiday Inn and fine peace and quiet at night while you sleep securely. Super 8 also offers average value for money and serves as a perfect venue for an overnight stay.