Reviewed by: Caleb Turrentine
This Alabama town looks like a 50s movie set
Reading time: 3 minutes
Most small towns in America are full of charm, character, and rich history, but none may be as vintage and vibrant as the small town of Abbeville.
Looking straight out of Back to the Future, this town has plenty of great sites to offer visitors. Read on to learn more about this neon covered blast from the past.
Neon + nostalgia in Abbeville
Want to escape where the streets are filled with old neon signs that still shine as brightly as ever? Look no further than Abbeville, Alabama, where downtown square has been restored to resemble its original 1950s glamor.
From Coca-Cola to Rexall Drugs, vintage signage makes downtown Abbeville a feast for the eyes (especially at night).
A main attraction being the historic Archie Theatre, whose renovated entrance and neon highlights take folks back to a time when James Dean was on the silver screen.
Rane restores
The restoration’s been led by Great Southern Wood Preserving Company CEO and Abbeville native, Jimmy Rane.
On top of adding vintage neon signage throughout downtown Abbeville, Rane has opened his own restaurant, Huggin’ Molly’s, whose name is based on ghost-tale folk lore of the town. More on Huggin’ Molly’s below.
Huggin’ Molly’s
The story of Molly tells of a woman in a hat appearing to children out at night. The figure tightly hugs children and screams in their ears! Molly, theorized by locals as a mournful parent, is the perfect tale to stop your kids from staying out too late!
Having grown up with it himself, Rane opened the vintage restaurant to honor her story. This old-timey eatery serves delicious chicken finger plates (listed on the top 100 Dishes to eat in Alabama), but their whole menu, burgers, malts, floats in all, can take you back in time.
Historic streets + community
Whether you’re a vintage lover or a history buff, Abbeville’s got you covered. Here are some noteworthy sites for travelers visiting the beloved town:
- Henry County Courthouse (built in the early 20th century)
- Bethune-Kennedy House (county’s oldest building)
- Abbeville Methodist Church (built in 1896)
- Vintage neon signs throughout downtown square
- Historic neighborhoods lined with Dogwood trees
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