Southwest Decatur, on the river side of town
1306 Garth Ave SW sits in southwest Decatur, a quiet grid of ranch houses and mature trees about two miles from the Tennessee River. Decatur itself is a river town in Morgan County, opening directly onto Wheeler Lake, and it carries its history lightly: a downtown of brick storefronts, a riverfront park, and a natural science museum that draws visitors from all over the state.
For commuters, Huntsville is about 26 miles away, a 25 to 30 minute drive up I-565. For everyone else, the river is the anchor: Wheeler Lake is Alabama's second-largest lake, and the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge sits right across the water.
- River
- Tennessee · ~2 mi
- Huntsville
- ~26 mi · 25-30 min
- County
- Morgan
A river town with room to roam
The Tennessee River and Wheeler Lake
Decatur sits on the Tennessee River, opening directly onto Wheeler Lake, a TVA reservoir of roughly 68,300 acres and Alabama's second-largest lake. The Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is right across the water, which means herons, eagles, and wintering waterfowl are part of the local scenery.
The commute to Huntsville
Huntsville is about 26 miles from the house, typically a 25 to 30 minute drive via I-565 and US-72 Alternate. That puts Huntsville's jobs, research parks, and airport within an easy morning commute while the house stays in a quieter, lower-key town.
Point Mallard Park
Roughly 500 acres of parkland opened in 1970, anchored by one of America's first wave pools at the J. Gilmer Blackburn Aquatic Center. There is also an 18-hole golf course, a campground, an ice complex, and a lazy river, all a short drive from Garth Ave.
Decatur City Schools
The house is in the Decatur City Schools district. Each address in the district zones to a specific elementary, middle, and high school, so the definitive assignment for 1306 Garth Ave SW comes from the district's official zoning lookup.
Check the zoning lookupWest Decatur Elementary
708 Memorial Dr SW · nearby
A neighborhood elementary school in southwest Decatur, close to the house. Verify zoning for the exact address.
Woodmeade Elementary
1400 19th Ave SW · nearby
Another southwest Decatur elementary within the same district. The zoning lookup settles which one serves this address.
School assignments change with district lines, so always confirm with Decatur City Schools before relying on a zone.
Field notes on nearby places
A hand-kept index of the spots worth knowing, in the order you will actually use them: coffee first, then food, then somewhere to walk it off.
Coffee & markets
- The Mallard Coffee Company
14 Lee St, downtown
Bakery and cafe in the old downtown, good for a long Saturday morning.
- Jane Dough's Coffee Parlour
214 Moulton St E, downtown
Coffee parlour on Moulton Street, a few blocks from the riverfront.
- High Point Market
307 2nd Ave SE
Cafe and market with a loyal local crowd.
Places to eat
- Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q
1715 6th Ave SE
The Decatur original, famous for white barbecue sauce.
- Moe's Original BBQ
202 Moulton St E
Alabama-style barbecue downtown on Moulton Street.
- Mellow Mushroom Decatur
202 Moulton St E
Pizza and a patio on the same downtown block.
- Mi Hacienda Mexican Restaurant
2148 Beltline Rd SW
Family-run Mexican spot on the Beltline, minutes from the house.
Parks & the river
- Point Mallard Park
2900 Point Mallard Pkwy SE
Roughly 500 acres with a wave pool, golf, campground, and ice complex.
- Delano Park
825 Gordon Dr SE
Decatur's oldest park, with gardens and walking paths.
- Rhodes Ferry Park
100 Market St NW
Riverfront park on the Tennessee River with a walking trail.
the best way to read a neighborhood is on foot
Come walk the block at the open house, Sunday Sept 13, 2 to 4 PM.