Free Walking Tours

Alabama Fairhope It's being called one of the top free things to do this summer taking a Saturday walking tour.

by Rose Ann Haven

Published: Thu, June 11, 2009 - 8:09 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, June 12, 2009 - 4:45 pm CST

Fairhope, Alabama makes a lovely backdrop for a historic adventure. You'd be hard pressed to find a better tour guide than Donnie Barrett.

Pointing to small two story building with a metal roof downtown, Barrett says "That little brown building over there was built in 1903, as Fairhope's first black barber. In 1903, he was welcome to build that business, and he was in business not too long. Then a Doctor Moore bought that building and it really became Fairhope's first hospital".

It houses an antique store now, not far from one of the longest surviving pharmacies in Alabama, Fairhope Pharmacy. If you like history, you'll love the Fairhope Museum of History where Barrett is the curator, "our policy is if you can touch it you can touch it".

You can climb aboard a shiny 1935 fire truck, or grab a fire hose a hit among children and grown ups, 'They're just as serious as they can be. They're going Arrrrrrrr, you know, like they're putting out fires.".

Historic dates reveal code numbers. Try to crack an old safe for a prize inside, or get your feet moving with a pump organ purchased with moonshine money.

"I think it's all cool and it's very old..so I haven't seen this..and it's all interesting to me", says 10 year old Grace Bishop of Fairhope.

The jail at the museum is a big time favorite. You get a feel for what it's like to be locked up, and examine the metal beds. If you grab the keys and open the lock, you'll take a certificate home for bragging rights declaring that you broke out of the Fairhope, Alabama jail.

Barrett's favorite walking tour is at the colony cemetary where characters come to life. Fairhope had it's share of colorful personalities, "They squabbled all the time, about single taxes..why we're here, says Barrett.

Barrett says the cemetary holds two thousand bodies and 600 stories. That's where you'll find the tombstone of Fairhope's Founder, E.B. Gaston, "Fairhope was started by single taxers as a model community. They came here to build Utopia. I dare say we may have Utopia here in Fairhope", says Barrett.

Fairhope's free walking tours are every Saturday in June and begin at 10 am. The museum is always free.
The newest exhibit features the works of Fairhope Photographer Frank Stewart.
For more information on the Museum, call 251.929.1474.

Reservations are not required for tours. For more information call 251-929-1466
June 13 - Single Tax Tour - Meet at the Welcome Center
June 20th - Colony Cemetary Tour - Meet at Colony Cemetary
June 27 - Fairhope Museum of History Tour

To check out all of the Alabama cities offering free saturday walking tours, click here.

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