Vandalized Alabama historical marker honoring Black heritage replaced
In Decatur, Alabama, an African American Heritage historical marker, which was destroyed in March, has been swiftly restored, as announced by local historian Peggy Towns. Towns expressed her gratitude to Mayor Tab Bowling for his support in bringing the marker back. Originally installed in 2016 to honor the significant contributions of the Old Town community, this marker acknowledges Decatur’s oldest property continuously occupied by African Americans since the early 1900s. Old Town was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
The Decatur Preservation Society had previously estimated that replacing the marker could take up to a year and cost thousands of dollars, making the quick restoration a significant achievement. As the marker was being investigated by local police, tire tracks found at the scene have raised questions about the circumstances leading to its destruction. Towns urged anyone with information about the incident to report it to the police.
In addition, the city has yet to provide updates regarding the National Votes for Women Trail marker, which was similarly damaged last month. The community’s response highlights the importance of preserving historical markers that celebrate African American heritage and the contributions of marginalized communities in Decatur.
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