Selma, AL

About Selma

• • Singer Dinah Washington, the "Queen of the Blues", was born in Selma.
• • Sturdivant Hall, a significant example of Greek Revival architecture, originated here.
• • Its strategic location for Confederate manufacturing during the Civil War boosted its prominence.
• • A replica of the Wright Brothers' 1902 glider is housed at the Civil Rights Memorial Park.
• • The Civil War era saw the Battle of Selma, leading to the city's capture by Union forces.
• • Named for a poem by Ossian, Selma was officially incorporated in 1820.
• • With around 17,700 residents, its population is less than half of its peak in the 1960s.
• • Sitting at 125 feet, it's slightly higher than the Alabama River it borders.
• • Healthcare and social assistance are significant sectors in Selma's economy.
• • A palpable sense of history and reflection permeates every corner.
• • The Atlanta Braves, about a 4-hour drive, won the 2021 World Series.
• • The 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches significantly impacted the Civil Rights Movement.

Songs About Selma