Why Travelers Are Falling for This Small Historic Town in Alabama

History lovers, look no further than this small historic town in Alabama which is a standing testament to economic recovery, persistence, and overcoming adversity.

What was once a booming center of steel production and coal mining, the buzz of activity and economic prosperity of Helena, Alabama, was silenced by a tornado that nearly destroyed the town in 1933. Current-day Helena is bouncing back from its turbulent past by constructing new housing, an industrial park, and more. 

The History Behind This Charming Town

All the way back in 1849, this small historic town in Alabama was referred to as the town of “Cove” and thought to be little more than a crossroads stop. In the years following, a rolling mill was constructed to produce materials for the confederate war effort during the Civil War. Following the war, the railroads brought growth to the area, eventually leading to the city being renamed Helena after the completion of the “Helena Station” train station. 

Afterwards, Helena played a vital role in the Birmingham, Alabama, steel industry and fostered numerous prosperous coal mines. However, the city experienced a rough patch around 1920 when the coal mines closed their operations, and many townspeople were soon out of a job. After the Great Depression hit, Helena was nearly destroyed after a tornado tore through town in 1933, causing loss of life and over 100 houses to be flattened. Nevertheless, Helena has persevered through all of the adversity, and the citizens of the past have realized a better future for one of the historic towns in Alabama. 

Best Things to Do in This Historic Gem 

To start your tour of this small historic town in Alabama, stroll along to the Helena Welcome Center to visit a bright red train car filled with puzzles and books, which is a special reminder of the town’s railroad history. Right across from the red train car sits the Helena Freight House and Depot, which was constructed by the South and North Alabama Railroad Company in 1872. It’s miraculously one of the oldest structures that remains in the town after fires, tornadoes, and numerous floods, but it serves as a historical marker of being the place where goods and people would pass through when arriving or departing Helena from 1872 to 1905. Now, you can get your history with a side of a hamburger at The Depot Deli & Grill located inside the depot itself. 

Buck Creek runs right through Downtown Helena and is the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer’s day. The Cahaba River is the perfect place to unwind in nature, where you can take a kayak or canoe out on the serene water and see the famous Cahaba lilies from mid-May to mid-June. As another historical treat, Helena has the Kenneth Penhale City of Helena Museum, which highlights the history of the city from its railroad heyday to the devastating tornado that swept through the town amid the Great Depression in 1933. 

Seasonal Events or Festivals in Helena 

For more fun, the city hosts a rubber duck race down the Cahaba River every October during the Buck Creek Festival hosted at Helena Amphitheater Park. Thousands of bright yellow ducks are released at the top of the dam and travel down the waterfall into the nets of the “duck wranglers.” If the Cahaba lilies are top of mind, the Cahaba Lily Festival is hosted annually near Helena in West Blocton on the third Saturday in May, where festival goers can rent canoes to check out the lilies in bloom. 

From historic insights to natural wonders, Helena is full of wonderful surprises. Travel back in time and plan your trip to Helena with Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner, and book a stay at one of these unique rentals in Alabama. Fittingly, you can even sleep in a vintage train car at this Airbnb near Birmingham!