This Timeless Alabama Village Is Full Of Old-School Architecture, Culinary Delights, And Historic Charm

One of Alabama's historic jewel towns, Mooresville is the perfect place to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and take a step back in time. Gravelly avenues flanked by leafy trees are your red carpet to some of the state's best preserved and oldest buildings. From Alabama's oldest post office, still sending out letters from its quaint wooden boxes, to historic houses and churches in the solemn Greek Revival style, Mooresville is full of enchanting old-school architecture.

Without any doubt, you are spoiled for choice when looking for one-of-a-kind, pretty towns in Alabama, making the state the perfect playground for those who are after experiences full of history and timeless charm. Continuing an age-old tradition of Southern delicacies, Mooresville and its surroundings are also a hub for good food. This tiny town has kept its people sweet with boutique bakeries such as Dogwood & Magnolia and old-style candy shops such as Lyla's Little House towering above other culinary establishments.

You can reach Mooresville from Huntsville International Airport 9.5 miles away, or with a 10-minute drive from Decatur across the Beeline Highway crossing the Tennessee River. One thing is sure: Once you leave your car behind and stroll around the town, it will feel like you just hopped inside a picturesque postcard full of stories from a bygone era.

Though the majority of buildings dotting the tiny town date back to the 1800s, the history of Mooresville extends further back to when the land was home to the Chickasaw Nation. Spotting a great opportunity to grow it into a cotton hub, the Territorial Legislature (the ruling body of Alabama at the time) bought Mooresville from the Chickasaw people in 1832.

The historic sites making the village unique were built around this time, including Alabama's oldest working post office established around 1840. This wood-paneled building contains 48 mailboxes, some of which have been in the same family for generations, according to a glossy plaque affixed outside. A short stroll away along the leafy High Street lies the Stagecoach Inn and Tavern. Once a rest stop for mailmen with their horse and cart, today it is home to a museum and the town hall. The many objects hosted inside are a great way to immerse yourself in authentic American history.

As you stroll and soak in the town's storied atmosphere, the Brick Church is sure to catch your eye. This 1839 church is a perfect example of the Greek Revival style, with its red-brick coat and two columns standing out like two ivory-white teeth. The most peculiar feature of this church is the hand pointing to heaven, replacing the usual cross on top. Another splendid historical site, the Church of Christ — only a three-minute walk away — is less austere, and brighter looking, with its whitewashed panels and detailing typical of the Federal style. Luckily, churches and public buildings are not the only surviving tokens of Mooresville's old-school architecture. Two private houses, the Campbell-Woodroof and Peebles-McCrary residences, are still gracing the beautiful streets today.

Mooresville's strategic location between the fertile marshes of Wheeler Lake and the busy, industrial Huntsville makes it a perfect starting point to hop onto a culinary tour of the area. With only a few streets and a handful of residents, it's no surprise that culinary gems are located closer to more populous arteries of the region. Yet, Mooresville is sure to leave you with a sweet treat.

An artisanal candy and ice cream shop doubling as a historic antique emporium, Lyla's Little House has gone almost untouched since its establishment in the 19th century. One Tripadvisor visitor praised it as a "unique place" where traditional sweets, fudge, homemade ice cream, and cheese straws are always on the menu. Both for its looks and taste, Lyla's should be a stop in your quest to find the best historical buildings dotted across town. The current owner, Lyla, took it upon herself to restore the little Downing Gothic-style house that Aunt Mandy, the original owner and a beloved local figure, used to sell jellies and pickles from. If you have space for one more bite steeped in history, boutique bakery Dogwood & Magnolia is located inside a cozy brick structure. Famous bakes coming out of D&M's oven include "Nanny's pound cake" and "Mummy's divinity," a contemporary take from chief baker Alexis' family recipe books.

When heading out of Mooresville, spots like Alabama's "cultural capital" with a thriving food scene and the wider Gulf region, boasting some of Alabama's best seafood, are true culinary hubs upholding the state's reputation for mouth-watering Southern food. It is worth adding another stop or two to your Southern journey to savor the culinary delights the Cotton State has to offer.