By SAMANTHA BOLDEN | Staff Writer

Old Cahawba Archaeological Park will give visitors the chance to play detective during a true crime tour next weekend.

Cahawba’s True Crime Walking Tour will begin Saturday, Aug. 6 at 10 a.m. It is the park’s second true crime walking tour.

The tour will uncover some of the town’s infamous history. From feuding families delivering street justice to a resident threatening to assassinate President Lincoln in 1864, the town’s haunting history will be revealed on the one hour tour.

Jonathan Matthews, assistant site director, said people know Cahawba as the first state capital, but said its history goes deeper than that.

“This is kind of the underbelly of Cahawba with the murders, fights, threats, and shootouts that occurred,” Matthews said.

Matthews said he’s excited to inform visitors about the town’s hidden tales since most don’t know about it.

“I’m always interested in expanding people’s knowledge of Cahawba beyond the first state capital title that we’re best known for,” Matthews said. “I just hope that people can get a real depiction of what goes on down here.”

Matthews said past visitors were so surprised at the stories told during last year’s tour to the point they wanted to know more.

“They’re so intrigued that even after the tour ends, they’re still exploring the park on their own,” Matthews said.

Old Cahawba lies at the confluence of the Alabama and Cahaba Rivers. From 1819 to 1826, it served as Alabama’s first state capital.

After the tour, visitors are encouraged to explore other areas of the park.

Those who come out are asked to wear comfortable shoes. The admission fee is $8.

For more information about the tour, contact Matthews at (334) 872-8058.