Decature? More info Please? (Athens, Jasper: appointed, houses, buy)

[ionlife]

Well we drove to Decatur today for a lark--saw the bbq place--didn't go in as wanted to keep rollin' but we'll be back--

That being said, there was a sewage plant smell as we came over the bridge--we didn't see any "cool" spots other than the bbq place. Where is the historic district?

We did see some potential for amazing historic homes but they were run down and we weren't thrilled with I31 strip--lots of pawn shops and title type buy shops for cars--

I was disappointed. Is there some place we missed? What is the Historic District truly like?

Athens--liked it--will explore more.

JM and Fam's opinion.

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by cglover

That being said, there was a sewage plant smell as we came over the bridge--we didn't see any "cool" spots other than the bbq place. Where is the historic district?

Our city council just approved charging the industries causing the smell more for treatment. I agree...it's truly awful. For years, the council has declared the plant smell free. And for years, they usually wrong.
You passed right by the two major historic districts. Old Decatur is on the right. Turn right at the second traffic light (Church Street). Albany is on the left. Turn left at the fifth traffic light (Grant Street) or right OR left at the sixth light (Jackson St.).

Originally Posted by cglover

We did see some potential for amazing historic homes but they were run down and we weren't thrilled with I31 strip--lots of pawn shops and title type buy shops for cars--

I was disappointed. Is there some place we missed?

Point Mallard...the "lovely" Beltline, Decatur's main shopping area...Burningtree area...
More info: Welcome to Decatur-Morgan County, Alabama: Great Schools, High Quality of Life and Low Cost of Living in Decatur, Alabama, Hartselle, Alabama and more and Home / Decatur, Alabama, USA and Home :: Decatur-Morgan County, Alabama Convention & Visitor's Bureau ::

[ionlife]

Thanks Southlander--we'll try again with more specific destinations in mind. We plan to go back to the BBQ place and then explore the historic areas. WE saw the one off of Church St. We'll go left as well at the streets you wrote about.

[southern by choice]

Just come right over the bridge, make a left on Jackson St, you will see 2 beautiful historic churches, to the left is Grant St, make a right onto either 8th or 10th Ave onto Sherman St ( depending on how far down on Jackson you are ) and go out to Gordon St, make a right and stop and walk around Delano Park Rose garden, its beautiful. On Mother's Day several homes' gardens were open for touring, there were refreshments across the st from the garden and a symphony playing . Christmas time is the best time to come out here, its amazing.....our quiet streets get kind of clogged with slow moving cars oohing and aahing over the decorations...during the Christmas tour of homes there is a horse drawn buggy for rides and a Decatur "history lesson" lecture at the Presbyt. church on Jackson. You can drive straight across 6th avenue ( 31 ) on Jackson St, ( youll still be on Jackson st ), take it down to 4th Avenue, make a right and youll soon be in Old Decatur, youll see the post office, etc. Oak st, Canal St, lots of pretty streets there. This area is very old, older than Albany. Houses have their date markers out front.
Got to go to Bank St Antiques, its been written up in Southern Living, its a great place to browse. Across the st is Simp Mcgee's, a wonderful place for dinner, it is named after a colorful riverboat captain who reportedly drank with his pet pig whenever he was in town 100 yrs ago. Food is some of the best we've eaten anywhere.
Lots of interior designers and such on Bank St....oh, another shop not to miss is SamFrank and Moore.
Take 2nd Ave and youll see the historic Princess Theatre, which has great concerts and plays throughout the year. Church St is home to the Carnegie Visual Arts center, Ive been too busy lately, dont know what exhibit is going on there at the moment. Along the Tennessee River downtown you will see Rhodes Ferry Park, during the summer there are outdoor concerts Monday evenings, and outdoor movies too. Right next to the park is Market St deli, a must for dessert.
The Brick Deli and Tavern is a great place for lunch ( Moulton St ) and there's live music on weekends.
Ladies, for shopping, on 2nd Ave check out Red Jasper Spa, the owner Glenn is currently on Shear Genius on Bravo. She sells Laundry clothes, it is an Aveda salon, next door on the right is a great home decor shop with one of a kind items.
Of course, as in any older, urban or historic area, there are dead spots, rundown spots, homes in various stages of renovation, but overall, Decatur's downtown/historic area is up and coming and has alot of promise. There is alot of money living here, so people certainly havent been afraid to settle here. It is home to alot of interesting people.

Hope this helps and that your next trip out exploring is better !

[ionlife]

Thanks! I think we did see some of the places you wrote about, but certainly not all of them. We determined we should have taken a left at some point after our drive through was almost over. Now that my daughter is in school, I'll check it out more thoroughly.