Gainesville AlabamaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Gainesville, Alabama.
1. Gainesville Historic District
STEP BACK IN TIME
The Gainesville Historic District is a hidden gem in Alabama where history and charm converge to create an unforgettable experience. As visitors stroll through its picturesque streets, they'll encounter historical buildings dating back to the 19th century that showcase a delightful blend of Greek Revival and Victorian styles. This district is also a vibrant community hub with local shops, cafes, and galleries that reflect the creative spirit of Gainesville.
2. Gainesville Confederate Cemetery
CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL GROUND
The Confederate Cemetery in Gainesville serves as the final resting place for 250 Civil War soldiers who were injured in the Battle of Shiloh. These soldiers were brought to the hospital in the Female Academy in Gainesville for treatment but unfortunately did not survive their wounds. The cemetery offers visitors a solemn reminder of the town's significant role during the American Civil War.
3. Gainesville Park and Bandstand
HISTORIC COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE
The Park and Bandstand in Gainesville is a charming historic site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located on the north side of Gainesville near the river bridge, this park area features historical markers that tell the story of the town's founding and development. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of this designated Tree City USA while learning about local history.
4. Main-Yankee Street Historic District
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SHOWCASE
The Main-Yankee Street Historic District represents one of Gainesville's two recognized historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This area features numerous pre-Civil War structures that showcase the architectural heritage of what was once Alabama's third-largest town. Walking through this district offers visitors a glimpse into the prosperous past of this former river port town.
5. Aduston Hall
ANTEBELLUM ARCHITECTURAL GEM
Aduston Hall stands as one of Gainesville's 67 historic structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This impressive building exemplifies the antebellum architecture that flourished during Gainesville's heyday as a major Alabama port town. Its preserved features offer visitors insight into the lifestyle of wealthy residents during the town's most prosperous period.
6. The Coffin Shop
MACABRE HISTORICAL SITE
The Coffin Shop represents one of Gainesville's more unusual historical structures with its unique connection to the town's past. This preserved building offers visitors a glimpse into 19th-century funeral practices and craftsmanship. Its continued existence serves as a reminder of the daily realities of life and death in a 19th-century Alabama river town.
7. Col. Green G. Mobley House
DISTINGUISHED HISTORICAL RESIDENCE
The Colonel Green G. Mobley House stands as a notable historic residence in Gainesville's collection of preserved structures. This architectural treasure represents the prosperity and social standing of prominent citizens during Gainesville's peak as Alabama's third-largest town. Visitors can appreciate the detailed craftsmanship and design elements that speak to the town's rich architectural heritage.
8. Colgin Hill
HISTORIC ELEVATED VIEWPOINT
Colgin Hill offers visitors to Gainesville a historic site with elevated views of the surrounding area. This location is among the 67 historic sites in Gainesville listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its prominence in the landscape provides context for understanding the geographical advantages that helped Gainesville develop as a major river port in the 19th century.
9. Laura Watson House
PRESERVED RESIDENTIAL HISTORY
The Laura Watson House represents one of Gainesville's individually listed historic structures on the National Register of Historic Places. This residential building showcases the architectural styles and construction techniques of its era. Visitors interested in domestic life and residential design from Gainesville's historic period will find this structure particularly illuminating.
10. Gibbs House
NOTABLE HISTORIC RESIDENCE
The Gibbs House stands as a significant historic residence among Gainesville's architectural treasures. This structure contributes to the town's remarkable collection of 67 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its preserved features offer insights into residential design and living conditions during Gainesville's prosperous days as a major Alabama river port.
11. Aliceville Museum
WWII POW HISTORY
The Aliceville Museum, located near Gainesville in neighboring Aliceville, preserves the fascinating history of one of the largest German prisoner of war camps in America during World War II. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and personal accounts that document the unique relationship between the POWs and local residents. The museum offers a rare glimpse into an often-overlooked chapter of American wartime history.
12. Foscue Creek Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA
Foscue Creek Park offers visitors to the area surrounding Gainesville a beautiful recreational destination with camping facilities along a serene reservoir. Located near Demopolis, this park provides opportunities for fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife observation in a tranquil natural setting. The park's amenities make it an ideal base for exploring the historical and natural attractions throughout the region.
13. Gainesville Landing
HISTORIC RIVER ACCESS
Gainesville Landing represents the town's historic connection to the Tombigbee River that made it a major shipping port in the 19th century. This site recalls the era when Gainesville shipped 6,000 bales of cotton to Mobile each year via steamboats navigating the river. Visitors can appreciate how this river access point contributed to Gainesville's rapid growth into Alabama's third-largest town by 1840.
14. Nathan Bedford Forrest Surrender Site
CIVIL WAR HISTORY LANDMARK
The Nathan Bedford Forrest Surrender Site marks the location where Confederate Lieutenant General Forrest surrendered his men on May 19, 1865, as the Civil War came to an end. This historically significant spot commemorates one of the final chapters in the American Civil War. Visitors interested in Civil War history will find this site adds important context to Gainesville's role in this pivotal period of American history.
15. Gainesville Female Academy Site
CIVIL WAR HOSPITAL LOCATION
The site of the former Gainesville Female Academy holds historical significance as the location of a hospital that treated injured soldiers from the Battle of Shiloh during the Civil War. This location connects directly to the Confederate Cemetery where 250 soldiers who did not survive their injuries were laid to rest. Visitors can reflect on the building's transformation from an educational institution to a wartime medical facility, highlighting how the conflict touched every aspect of life in Gainesville.