Leeds in 1940

Over 75 Reenactors will be on the streets of Leeds, Alabama

Our Leeds Trails and Tours planning committee is putting together a spectacular event on Saturday, April 13, 2024 to celebrate the City of Leeds in the year 1940. 75+ reenactors will portray people and share stories that will warm your heart. It's the people that make Leeds, Alabama what it was then and what it is today and that's why we put a priority on historic walking tours to bring our stories to life!

We will be highlighting people, places and history with approximately 30 historic landmarks with local businesses that were in business in 1940 who are still in business today.

Leeds Historic Downtown Walking Tour 2024
Celebrating the City of Leeds in the Year 1940
Walk the Story of Our Past
Explore Landmarks Celebrating People, Places & History of Leeds, Alabama

Come to the Leeds Historic Downtown Walking Tour 2024 sponsored by Leeds Trails and Tours, the City of Leeds, Leeds Historical Commission, Leeds Redevelopment Authority, Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce and Leeds Water Works Board and supported by Leeds Historical Society, Leeds Main Street and Leeds Jane Culbreth Library celebrating the City of Leeds in the year 1940. We hope you will visit Leeds, Alabama on Saturday, April 13, 2024 (rain date: April 27) between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm to participate in this special walking tour to see a host of other historical downtown buildings, businesses and people.

Begin the walking tour at any stop

Once you arrive in downtown Leeds on Parkway Drive, you may begin the tour at any tour station that you desire, visit each site and different stations around town where historical tour guides and reenactors will share information along the way.

Over 75 reenactors in full costume will share stories of old about Leeds people and places

Leeds looks forward to telling the historical significance and an interesting story of how each location helped build and establish our legacy and celebrate Leeds, Alabama in 1940.

Step back in time with the Greenwave Jazz Fest Concert

2:30 PM - Jazz Fest concert in the Green Space at 8149 1st Avenue!

Plan to step back in time at 2:30 pm at our green space with the electrifying Green Wave Jazz ensemble! Join us for a spectacular afternoon of music and memories with our "Leeds-Swinging into History" concert, a 45-minute journey through the swing and popular tunes of the early 1940s! (The Leeds Green Space is located in front of Heidelberg Materials with a street address of 8373 1st Avenue. You are welcome to bring your lawn chairs and blankets!)

Don't miss the Old Time Hymn Sing

10:30 am - 2:00 pm - Old Time Hymn Sing at Mosaic Chapel on the Parkway next to Library.

An Old Time Hymn Sing will be happening simultaneously with the walking tour with different area churches participating. Stop in, stay a while and enjoy some old-fashioned hymn singing just like it was back in 1940. This part of the walking tour will be held at Mosaic Church on the Parkway located at 8110 Parkway Drive.

#LeedsWalkingTour2024

Check out the map and layout of the tour. You can start the tour at any stop along the way.

Driving Directions

Leeds Downtown Walking Tour 2024 Travel Directions: From Birmingham traveling I-20 East, take Exit 140, travel 3 miles to the downtown area of Parkway Drive between 8th Street and 9th Street to begin the walking tour.