Talk a walk!

By: Laura Ivie
Staff Writer
May 24, 2011

Over the course of the next month, the Florence/Lauderdale Tourism office will be hosting the Annual Walking Tours of Historic Florence. This is an excellent way for residents and visitors alike to learn more about the history of our wonderful town! The tours will be each Saturday, starting May 28, with the last tour of the season on June 25; they last approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours and are free to the public. Each week a local historian will guide attendees through a particular district and point out the historic sites, neighborhoods, and unique architecture.

The first of the tours will be Saturday, May 28 in the North Court and Seminary Street area, beginning at 10 a.m. Those who wish to participate should meet at Rogers Hall, otherwise known as Courtview, on the UNA campus. Billy Warren will be your host for the morning.

On June 4, Harry Wallace will guide you around the Florence City Cemetery, pointing out unique headstones, as well as the resting place of two governors. This tour begins at 10 a.m. and attendees should meet at the cemetery entrance.

June 11 is one tour that is sure to please, as Harry Wallace takes us to The Forks of Cypress Plantation and Cemetery. Those interested are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for the beginning portion, which will be followed with a walk to the Jackson Cemetery that is located on the property. Once again, 10 a.m. is the meeting time and directions are: take Cox Creek Parkway to Jackson Road and make a right; turn right at the dead end and park either along the road or enter the gate to park in the field that lead up to the columns. I'll definitely be attending this one, as I've been wanting to photograph the site for a couple of years now!

June 18 brings us back to downtown Florence for the Wood Avenue tour with Lee Freeman, beginning at 10 a.m. The Wood Avenue Church of Christ at 400 Wood Avenue will serve at the starting point.

Billy Warren will wrap up the tours on June 25 with a walk through the Walnut Street Historic District, starting at 10 a.m. The parking lot of the UNA Tennis Courts will serve as the starting point, as well as parking for those attending.