Above Their Weight

BY RACHEL CRICK

Steeped in the beauty of the Southeast, small towns on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail offer more than scenery and charm; they’re a testament that the smallest places can set the stage for some of the biggest changes.

The historic buildings, monuments and landmarks on the trail were once sites of protests, secret meetings and, sometimes, tragedies that occurred during the civil rights movement. In each city, visitors will find not only history but also inspiration in true stories of courage and leadership.

Travelers looking to delight in historic architecture, nature and diverse cuisine while gaining perspective about one of the nation’s most critical social movements should add these towns to their itineraries.

Courtesy WVDOT

Selma, Alabama

In 1865, the Battle of Selma in Selma, Alabama, ended in a crushing defeat for the Confederacy as Union soldiers destroyed the Confederacy’s arsenal about a month before the Civil War’s end. One hundred years later, Selma was the site of one of the most significant events in the civil rights movement — Bloody Sunday. To protest the obstacles faced by Black voters and the murder of activist Jimmie Lee Jackson, peaceful demonstrators attempted to march across Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge and were met with violence at the hands of state troopers. Footage of the brutal attacks shocked the nation and eventually spurred the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Today, groups traveling to Selma can visit the bridge, one of many important sites on the Civil Rights Trail, and the National Park Service’s nearby interpretive center. Other important sites include the Tabernacle Baptist Church, where the first mass meeting of the voting rights movement was held, and Brown Chapel, the site of preparations for the march from Selma to Montgomery. Fans of the movie “Selma” can see the Jackson House, which was featured in the film and hosted Martin Luther King Jr. when he stayed in town.

One of the most powerful ways for groups to experience Selma’s extensive civil rights history is with the city’s foot soldiers — tour guides who participated in the march when they were students.

“When you meet one of them, they share their experiences of what they experienced during the movement,” said Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Information.

In addition to its many historic landmarks and its featured spot on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, Selma is known for its hospitality and good Southern cooking. Travelers can eat at Lannie’s BBQ, a well-known stop for a hot meal with a side of history.

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