Residents and visitors alike can enjoy a free, guided walking tour of downtown Madison on April 16 and 23. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Which downtown houses were built from Sears & Roebuck kits shipped by train to Madison? How did Buttermilk Alley get its name? How was Madison United Methodist Church ‘relocated’ to Church Street?

Residents and visitors alike can enjoy an hour of the city’s history and downtown’s beauty during the first weekend of 2016 Spring Walking Tours on April 16.

Individuals will assemble for the tour at 10 a.m. at the Roundhouse on Front Street in downtown Madison. Larry Anderson will share stories about the homes’ owners, along with recognizing the distinctive style and architecture of the houses and businesses.

The free, guided history tours are one component of the Alabama Tourism Department’s walking tours initiative. Alabama is the first state to coordinate these annual, statewide events.

Locally, Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau coordinates tours in Madison and Huntsville each spring and fall. Local experts who are avid historians or members of the city’s founding families guide the tours and share historical facts, handed-down anecdotes and tall tales.

Tour organizers recommend wearing comfortable shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. The tour is held regardless of weather, unless severe storms are in the vicinity.

Another tour in Madison will be held on the following weekend on April 23. Tours of the Twickenham Historic District in downtown Huntsville are scheduled for April 2 and 9.

The convention and visitors bureau staff urges tourists planning a visit to the Huntsville or Madison area in April or October to save time in the vacation itinerary for these annual, free events.

Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau’s address is 500 Church St. NW, Suite One in Huntsville. For more information, call 256-533-5723, email Info@huntsville.org or visit huntsville.org/events/tours/guided-history-tours.