YOUR KEY TO THE CITY
US Facts 
Footsteps of History 
It Happened Here 
Mottos, Slogans and Nicknames 
Noted Notables
Welcome To KEY TO THE CITY's Page For
Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
ZipCodes
35401, 35405, 35406
Motto
The Druid City
History & History-related items
Chamber of Commerce.
Organizations, Churches, and Sports.
Tuscaloosa is known as the Druid City because of its abundance of old oaks and hardwoods. This nickname was given during Civil War times.
Because of the Black Warrior River, many Indian trails came together here. This point was the southern-most spot on the river which could be consistently forded during most of the year. This same network of trails also brought white settlers to the area. After the War of 1812, the number of settlers increased greatly. The settlement of cabins which rose up here was named for the great chief, Black Warrior who met up with explorer, Hernando DeSoto, centuries before. The name, Tuscaloosa is from the Choctaw words, tushka, which means warrior and lusa, which means black. Tuscaloosa was incorporated on 13 December 1819 as part of Alabama territory. This was just one day before Alabama was admitted to the Union as a state, making Tuscaloosa one day older than the State of Alabama. Tuscaloosa was named the state capital in 1826 and served as such until 1846. The University of Alabama was established in Tuscaloosa in 1831. Both the status as the state capital and the establishment of the University in Tuscaloosa helped the city to grow larger. By 1845, the population was 4,250. When the capital was removed to Montgomery in 1846, the population began to fall. By 1850, the population was just 1,950. During this decade the Bryce State Hospital for the insane was opened in Tuscaloosa helping to compensate for the loss of the capital. Many men from Tuscaloosa served in the Civil War, around 3,500. The University was burned during the last part of the war effort with only four of the original buildings remaining.
Learn more about Historic Tuscaloosa from the Tuscaloosa Preservation Society
Return to Index
Attractions
Tuscaloosa has two sister cities - Narashino, Japan and Schomdorf, Germany.
Learn more about Tuscaloosa at this informative sites:
Druid City Online
Your guide to Tuscaloosa, Alabama and the Deep South
Online Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa Web
Alabama Museum of natural History
6th Ave., Smith Hall
University of Alabama Campus
Phone: 205-348-7550
Visit the Grand Exhibit Hall which has the largest mineral and rock collection in the state. Fossils from earlier eras are also on display.
The Battle-Friedman House & Gardens
1010 Greensboro Ave
205-758-6138
This town house was built in 1835 and is an example of the Federal/Greek Revival style. The house has period furnishings and art with a formal garden outside.
Children's Hands-On Museum
2213 University Blvd.
Phone: 205-349-4235 Please call ahead for hours of operation
University of Alabama Arboretum
Box 870344
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0344
Phone: 205-553-3278
Fax: 205-553-3728
Email
natural trails, native southeastern plants, trees and gardens. Located on Loop Road, east of VA Medical Center.
Paul W. Bryant Museum
300 Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487
Phone: (205)348-4668
Fax: (205) 348-8883
Celebrates more than 100 years of football at the University of Alabama
Murphy African-American Museum
2601 Bryant Dr. & Lurleen Wallace Blvd. S.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Phone: 205-758-2861
Depicts the life-style of a professional African-American family in the early 20th century
Return to Index
City Hall
2201 University Blvd
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 2089
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35403-2089
Phone: (205) 349 2010
Fax: (205) 349 0147
Email
Tuscaloosa is the county seat of Tuscaloosa County
Contribute information for this community or any other community on the Key To TheCity website
Be sure to include the name of the community and its state when contacting Key to the City as you are NOT directly contacting this community.
Thanks for visiting Key to the City. Come back again! Soon!