Decatur

About this city

Also known as: The River City

Affectionately known as 'The River City', Decatur is beautifully positioned on the south bank of the Tennessee River in northern Alabama. Incorporated in 1826 and named after the renowned naval officer Stephen Decatur, the city developed rapidly as a vital transportation crossroads where the river met early railroad lines. Because of this high strategic value, Decatur was heavily contested during the American Civil War, resulting in the near-total destruction of the town with only four buildings surviving the conflict. During the 20th century, the city successfully rebuilt and diversified into a powerhouse of chemical manufacturing and heavy cargo shipping, while simultaneously cultivating a charming historic downtown filled with Victorian-era residential architecture.