Delicious food & great customer service. Healthy options were available. Will be back next time I'm…read morein town.

In Decatur, there are four buildings that survived the Civil War, including The Old State Bank. I…read morehad really intended on just snapping a picture but it happened to be open late that day for high school seniors taking pictures so the old judge/tour guide ushered me in. Such a neat building and the guide was full of good information. The tour is free, doesn't take long and you get to see the vault used as a hospital in the Civil War, as well as the bankers apartment upstairs. Beautiful house. The second floor apartment area is furnished with antiques from the 1830's, and gives a glimpse into life in the early Tennessee Valley. The coolest part to me was seeing the big dents in the columns out front where canon balls hit and bullet holes from the CIVIL FREAKING WAR! Never would have known that without the guide! This bank was one of three banks authorized by The Alabama General Assembly in 1832. Few structures can boast as varied a past as the Bank. Since its construction, the building has weathered two depressions and a Civil War, and has served as a hospital guardhouse, bank, and dance hall. Named to the National Register of Historical Places in 1972, the Classic Revival architecture of the Bank is symbolic of the period in which it was built. The building is decorated with antique pieces from the Federal and Empire period. It's the oldest standing bank in Alabama. In the early 1800's the settlement of Decatur was virtually unknown. The placement of the state bank in Decatur gave the area a new significance and aided in its transition to established town. In addition to establishing Decatur's importance in the state, the bank also heralded a new era in which banking played an increasingly important role in developing state economy. The decision to locate a branch of the state bank in Decatur was one of the first events in the town's early history to lift Decatur from relative obscurity and give it a special role in the state. Several previous attempts to institute a state banking system had failed, but the legislature would again pass a bill in 1830 to establish a state bank. Branch bank locations were established in Mobile, Montgomery and Decatur; with the Decatur bank opening on July 29, 1833. The Decatur bank reported a profit of $84,028.22 in its first year of operation. A spirit of optimism surrounded the banks and is evidenced by the legislature's decision to run the sate government from the bank profits and abolish direct taxation. Unfortunately, the good times were short-lived, as a nationwide depression in 1837 and other factors contributed to the decline of the state banks. Despite attempts to improve and reform and improve the state banks, the Decatur bank franchise was revoked by 1845. Though the banking experience ended in failure, it showed the importance of banks in a developing state economy, and the need for a safe and stable bank system. On a local basis, the bank would serve as a catalyst for Decatur's transition from "frontier village" to "town." Architecturally, the Old State Bank played a significant role in the influence and development of architectural style in Alabama for several decades. By combining elements of the Federal style with the Greek Revival style, the Old State Bank introduced a new look and influenced building style in Alabama until the Civil War.

Can't talk personally about the inside of the complex we have not been in…read more The tennis court on the other hand we really enjoy it. Occasionally, you'll have garbage left behind on the courts. We tend to bring a bag to stick any garbage we find. They sure aren't as busy as the pickleball courts! That's a win!

I was so happy we drove by and walked around the Sandra Moon complex last month. Although we didn't…read morego inside, I understand the library opened late last year. This is a special place for me, personally, because the complex is in honor of my long-time best friend's Aunt Sandy, Mrs. Sandra Moon, Huntsville's first female council person. Best Friend and I attended one of the fundraisers for this complex several years ago, and its so nice that everything finally came together and it's opened! The library is a 30,570 sq. ft. facility that replaces the former Bailey Cove Library in Weatherly Plaza. Amenities include an open floor plan designed in a bookstore style, classroom space, private study rooms, art exhibit spaces, A Friends of the Library bookstore, an indoor fireplace, children's room and puppet theater, teen gaming room, outdoor seating with Wi-Fi, a Makerspace Studio, and a children's garden. There is also an on sight coffee shop with snacks available. The Gem and Mineral Society meets in what I think may have been the former Grissom High School field house [or whatever it's called area the football team gets dressed in]. Behind the library are 12 new outdoor lighted pickleball courts; at least one soccer field; walking area; and I think they kept the Grissom High School Tennis Courts. Directly across from the library where the former GHS gym and cafeteria were has been renovated for use in performance and meeting spaces particularly for smaller, community theater-type events. The theater and lunchroom that will be upgraded on the south end of campus will provide more performance opportunities to meet the increasing demand of local groups looking for showtime space. This complex really does have something for everyone! I know Aunt Sandy would be so proud! I cannot wait to actually visit inside both buildings! Glad this has come to fruition ~6 years after fundraising began.

The guides are fantastic. Tons of information on the history of Decatur. The model train set is…read morereally something to see. Tour is free. Seriously go see the model train setup. The models of the local houses are incredible.

Now restored!! Drive by and check it out. The City of…read moreDecatur has bought this historic depot, and completed a $2.5 million major restoration. The south part of the depot will be a museum. It will house a theater, and there will be a large model train layout of the city of Decatur. The museum should be complete about Spring of 2017. I hope to update my review then, and add another star or two! The north part of the building will be used as office space by the Decatur civilian police department.

Decatur Public Library, just off 6th Avenue was my hang out when I attended Calhoun Community…read moreCollege! I commuted to Calhoun in Decatur from Huntsville and rather than drive back to Huntsville between classes, I would hang out in this library! Although not as large as the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, Decatur Public Library had everything I needed to pass the time: magazines, a place to catch up on homework and study, books to flip through, and creature comforts (heating in winter months, A/C in hot months, and restrooms). Based on other reviews here, it appears this library now offers all the "modern" amenities that people look for in a public library these days: Wi-Fi, computing and printing, an online catalog accessible from your home, ebooks, interlibrary loans, meeting spaces, and a Friends of the Library used bookstore. The staff here were always friendly and it made a lovely place to relax or study while attending Calhoun!

The library is a staple in the community. It's easy to find what you need and the staff it's always…read morehelpful.

Meeting rooms require one week of notice to make a reservation even though meeting rooms are not…read moretaken and are available that week. Meeting rooms stay empty and people can use the facilities much more productively request management change policy, the most wait could be 24 hrs or walk ins. Will be the best thing to do as is being he done for the study rooms.

This is not run like a library, it should state community center for loud kids and loud people…read moreplaying cards or games. Dont come if you need to actually study or have a quiet time. If you have 3-4 kids cause you are a stay at "home" mom, then its great. Otherwise, id rather go to the one downtown. And they never have the choice in books, at a library that i need.

JUST LIKE GOING TO GRANDMA'S!…read more This office is located in a cute little house that may remind you go your grandparent's home. It is a yellow two-story home on the corner and you will need to park in the rear. Once you make your way to the front porch, you will need to knock loudly because they are on a busy and noisy main road. They also may be in the upstairs office when you visit. Once you enter, you will feel as if you have entered someone's home office because they have unique antique furnishings and a wooden stairway in the main area. You will find many brochures that are specific to the area. I was specifically interested in their downtown area and the Civil War tour. The employee who assisted us was very helpful and answered all of my husband's questions while I was taking in the decor and ambiance. We were in the area to attend their Third Friday event which proved to be very disappointing. They had no street vendors selling food and when we are attending an event, we don't want to leave the action to hunt for food. I understand that they did not want competition with the local restaurants but snacks and treats would have been appreciated. Also, a main stage with seating would have been nice to showcase the musical act that was located at one end of the street. They were also going to feature dancers but they had not arrived by the time we left around 6 pm. Since we arrived so late in the day, we missed the Civil War tour so that will be first on my list if I get to visit again in the future. I did enjoy visiting the local merchants as they were very warm and welcoming. Thanks Decatur!

Before leaving home, my husband downloaded the Old Decatur Historic District and the Albany…read moreHistoric District walking tour maps. You can stop at the Decatur Visitor Center on 6th Ave. to pick up a brochure. We did this as a driving tour. We enjoyed seeing the old homes (known as the "Painted Ladies") and the different architectural styles of the last 19th and early 20th century homes. Part of the Old Albany tour is the Princess Theater. To really appreciate it would best be done at night to see the neon lights of the marquee.

My family is NASA centric! My brother-in-law retired as a senior manager after co-oping at NASA…read moreMarshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)in college, my sister-in-law retired from NASA MSFC as a Chemical Engineer, and my ex is a PhD in Composite Materials Engineering at this NASA. I spent a lot of time at Marshall Space Flight Center. I've seen one of the "world's flattest floors" at NASA MSFC. Here, Senior Engineer at Marshall's Flat Floor Facility, Tom Bryan said, "I can move 4,000 pounds with just my pinky, and I'm no weightlifter." This floor is used for training, experimenting and testing. I've enjoyed the MSFC exercise facilities which are always well maintained and staffed with knowledgeable helpful people! The main gym I frequented included free weights, a sauna, a hot tub, racquetball courts, ping-pong, badminton, volleyball and held instructor-led classes such as bench aerobics and even had massages! I played on the coed NASA MSFC tennis league (at that time it was called MARS, and likely it still is), and used their four tennis courts for local league play and tournaments. The courts are lighted, have stadium seats for viewers, have a nice restroom/changing facility, and a tennis ball machine! I'm grateful NASA MSFC offers so many amenities for it's employees and their families!