Crocheron Columns - Old Cahawba, Alabama - Remains of Settlements on Waymarking.com

Cahawba (also spelled Cahaba) was the first capital of Alabama from 1820 to 1825, when the government moved to Tuscaloosa after severe flooding. The town survived as the Dallas County seat and as a place for commerce such as the shipping of cotton on the Alabama River. It was during this period, in 1837, that Richard Crocheron came to Cahawba to help run a family retail business established by his uncles. He built this mansion beside the store and brought his wife here. After her death in 1850, he sold his property and moved back north with his children.

During the Civil War, the house was the place where Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest met with Union General James Wilson after the Battle of Selma. They discussed prisoner exchanges and went their separate ways.

In 1865, another flood led to the move of the county seat to Selma, and the area began its decline. By the late 1800s to early 1900s, many of the brick houses were dismantled to get the brick so for shipment to other places. At that time, used brick was much cheaper than new. By the 1930s, few structures remained. The area is now maintained by the Alabama Historical Association, which continues to purchase land to preserve the site. Information about the Old Cahawba Archaeological Park can be found at (visit link)

The Cocheran Mansion burned around the turn of the century, and the brick was used for other purposes. It is probable that the columns survived as the curved brick was not considered useful. They were part of a side porch.

One can park right by the gate in the fence on what is called 2nd Street North on the park map. As most of the roads in the area, it is not paved, which should be considered in bad weather.

Terrain: Parking: N 32° 19.150 W 087° 05.733 Recommended access: N 32° 19.150 W 087° 05.733

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