Cahaba in Dallas County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Cahaba First State Capital

1818-1826

Photographed by Tim Carr, August 15, 2009

1. Cahaba First State Capital Marker

Inscription.

This stone marks the site of Cahaba, selected November 21, 1818 as the first permanent capital of Alabama, the seat of government remaining here until removed to Tuscaloosa by the Legislature, January 1825.

On December 13, 1819, it was fixed as the Seat of Justice of Dallas County, and so continued until December 14, 1865.

As state capital and as county seat, Cahaba was representative of the best in the life of a Great Commonwealth.

Erected by the Alabama Centennial Commission and by the Citizens of Dallas County, and Dedicated November 11, 1919.

Erected 1919 by Alabama Centennial Commission / Citizens of Dallas County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.

Location. 32° 19.041′ N, 87° 5.804′ W. Marker is in Cahaba, Alabama, in Dallas County. It is on Capitol Avenue near Vine Street, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 178 Vine Street, Orrville AL 36767, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Mound at Old Cahawba Archaeological Park (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Welcome to Downtown Cahawba (a few steps from this marker); Alabama's First Statehouse (within

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shouting distance of this marker); Railroad Depot and Commissary (within shouting distance of this marker); Cahawba - circa 1500 (within shouting distance of this marker); Captive Boys in Blue (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Footprint of a Church (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named A Courthouse Reduced to Rubble (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cahaba.

Other markers no longer nearby. Vine Street (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Welcome to Downtown Cahawba (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Commissary - R.R. Depot (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Alabama's First Statehouse (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Site of Alabama's Statehouse (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with

Cahaba First State Capital Stone Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Carr, August 15, 2009

2. Cahaba First State Capital Stone Marker

another marker now near it); Dallas County Courthouse (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); A Courthouse Reduced to Rubble (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Old Cahawba, "Alabama's most famous Ghost Town". Alabama Historical Commission website entry (Submitted on September 21, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)

Cahaba First State Capital Marker image. Click for more information.

Photographed by W. N. Manning, March 23, 1934

3. Cahaba First State Capital Marker

Historic American Buildings Survey
Library of Congress
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,857 times since then and 46 times this year. Last updated on February 16, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 21, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 3. submitted on October 12, 2009. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.