There’s no doubt that the buildings and houses in Opelika’s historic district have many stories to tell. From the Civil War to desegregation, the area has been in the heart of many events that have shaped our nation.

The house now known as the Darden Wellness Center is no exception. Recently renovated, it was originally the home of the area’s first African-American physician, J.W. Darden when he built it in the early 20th century. Originally from North Carolina, Darden was one of more than a dozen siblings. Though his family wasn’t wealthy, he completed high school and went onto college and medical school, accomplishments that were almost unheard of just before the turn of the last century. To read more, visit http://tinyurl.com/cvrob8