The Snowball Tree

We have snowballs in April!

This snowball tree graces the rear courtyard at the Vaughan-Smitherman Museum.

 I've seen quite a few of these small trees around town,

 and they are just magnificent!

The structure in the background was built with part of the facade

 from the old Hotel Albert, which was located where the City Hall complex 

now stands. Designed after the Doge's Palace in Venice, Italy,

 the hotel was built before and after the Civil War.

 It was demolished in 1969, a loss that spurred Selmians to try harder

 to preserve their historic structures.

Linking to Our World Tuesday and City Daily Photo Blogs

Columns of the Hotel Albert (Night View)

Here's a night view of the columns of the Hotel Albert. The hotel, which was modeled after the Doges Palace in Venice, Italy, was torn down in 1969, but part of the facade was saved and rebuilt in the courtyard of the Vaughan-Smitherman Museum. The hotel once stood where Selma City Hall is located.