Most People Have No Idea The Oldest City In America Is Hiding Right Here In Alabama
Jennifer Young
Author
It’s hard to believe the oldest city in America is right here in Alabama. Sure, the state is filled with great history, but it’s surprising the history goes back as far as it does for this one Alabama city.
With a history dating back to 1540, Childersburg, Alabama is proclaimed as the “Oldest Continually Occupied City in America.” Located in Talladega County, and incorporated in 1889, Childersburg’s beginnings date all the way back to Coosa, which was a village of the Coosa Indian Nation that was located in the area at the time.
In June of 1539, Hernando de Soto, the Governor of Cuba and Adelantado of Florida, was accompanied by six hundred men as he marched across the Southeastern section of North America. While making their travels, de Soto’s men desperately searched for gold and other riches. The area in which his expedition took place would later become the state of Alabama.
On July 2, 1540, after seven days of marching down the bank of the Tennessee River, de Soto stumbled upon the town of Coste. His expedition then proceeded to Tali, which was also located on the bank of the Tennessee River. It finally reached the bank of the Coosa River.
On July 16, 1540, a large group of Spaniards arrived to the town of Coca Coosa, which was located on the east bank of the Coosa River between the mouths of two creeks, now known as Talladega and Tallaseehatchee. Hernando de Soto and his men eventually left the Coosa in August of 1540.
During a period of two hundred fifty years, explorers, conquistadors and pioneer settlers lived in this area that’s known today as Childersburg, Alabama.
A few of Childersburg’s notable landmarks include Kymulga Grist Mill Park and DeSoto Caverns Park.
Kymulga Grist Mill Park
Kymulga Grist Mill Park
7346 Grist Mill Road
Childersburg, AL 35044
DeSoto Caverns Park
DeSoto Caverns Family Fun Park
5181 DeSoto Caverns Pkwy
Childersburg, AL 35044
Did you already know the “Oldest Continually Occupied City in America” is right here in Alabama? Have you ever visited this historic city?
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