Historical walking tours of Troy continue this weekend with plenty of information about the city that even the locals may not have heard.

According to Kathleen Sauer, Pike County Chamber of Commerce president, the Saturday walking tours part of a statewide program. Participating cities host one-hour walks each Saturday in April, inviting the public to learn more about their communities.

On the first and second Saturdays in Troy, the participants will walk down commercial area.

For the third and fourth week, the path changes to the College Street historical neighborhood, she said.

The historical walks are guided tours based on two historical architecture surveys.

“A couple of years ago we received a state grant from the historical department that allowed us to hire a trained specialist to look at different buildings in the city’s commercial area,” Sauer said. “He helped determine whether the building were qualified to be historically recognized by the state and the country.”

Sauer said another survey was done on College Street in the 1980s.

“We want to go by the facts that were recorded in the surveys,” she said. “And we also discuss rumors about the buildings.”

Sauer said the surveys studied what was in the area and its formation

“The sharing of information is fun,” Sauer said. “Many people who take part in the walk have grown up here and remember what they did, who they talked to.

“We will talk about the development of Troy since it was founded, the coming of the railroad and its progress to stay vibrant,”

Sauer said the chamber has made follow-along sheets for the participants to read as they walk, and for them to keep and share afterwards.

“The sheets describe specific buildings that we visit during the tour with details including the time it was built, its history, what stores have been there and their historical values,” she said. “We are not just going to look at buildings but also structures like the Confederate statue.”

Sauer said the tour includes a visit to City Hall and the library among other stops and discuss the transformation of these buildings.

“We may go into stores if they are open to look at their architecture,” she said.

On April 25, the tour will be headed by members of the local Historical Society.

“They will be sharing their wealth of information,” she said. “They are walking history books.

“Participants will have a better historical knowledge of the buildings and the people who had invested to make the city as it is now. They might learn things that they never know before even though they have been here all their lives.

“Every downtown is usually the heart of a city. Knowing how it was founded and its changes throughout history would gibe you the foundation of what the city is about. Plus, it’s going to be a nice, healthy walk.”

Walks will start at 10 a.m. at the Chamber office. The chamber advises participants to wear comfortable shoes and light clothing.

A group of 10 people or more should let the chamber know in advance for material preparation. Call the Chamber office for more information at 334-566-2294.