Athens “Haunts Walks” Offers Haunted History

Everyone knows that Athens, Alabama is a beautiful historic town. Most people know that many of the structures predate the civil war. You may even know some of the personal history of our founding families. However, not all our history lies on the surface.

Maybe you’ve seen that unexplainable form in the corner of your eye while visiting one our historic homes? Maybe you heard footsteps but couldn’t find the source? Maybe a cold spot you past through in 90 degree heat that chilled you to the bone? Maybe you took pictures at the Fiddlers’ Convention and caught odd round shapes in the picture? Maybe the answers to these occurrences lie in the tales of some of our oldest residents– the ones of ether or malcontent.

The Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association has launched its ticket sales for this year’s “Haunts Walks” and this is your opportunity to get a glimpse into the haunted history and mysterious happenings of Athens through the ghost stories. This walking tour takes you from the Athens Visitors Center through the historic districts, with guides Shane Black and Billy Ward recounting tales, woes, and the unexplained.

Tickets are available for purchase at the Athens Visitors Center, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and Saturday 8:00 am to noon, for the upcoming walks on October 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30. Each walk lasts about 2 hours. Tickets for adults and children age 5 and up are $5.00 each. Children under age 5 are admitted free. There are a limited number of tickets available, so purchase them early.

This year we have added a little more fun for the October 30th walks since they are the day before Halloween. We are asking those who attend on the 30th to come in costume. We will select the best costume from each walk and the winner will receive a prize. It will be lots of fun seeing all the “spooks” walking through Athens.

There are two tours each night. The first group departs at 6:30 pm followed by the second group at 7:00 pm, and both feature a leisurely stroll of downtown Athens. This is a walking tour, and those participating should wear comfortable walking shoes with reflective colors, and bring a small flash light.

Tickets are available for purchase at the Athens Visitors Center, located at 100 North Beaty Street. It’s on the corner of Market and Beaty Streets, next to the Big Spring Memorial Park.

For information about the above walks, as well as other Athens-Limestone County events, call 256-232-5411/256-867-1438 or visit our website www.VisitAthensAL.com.
By Jeanette Dunnavant, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association