FOLEY — Did you know Foley was once home to a voodoo doctor?

Or that bank robbers targeted the city's first financial institution?

Some downtown buildings hold secrets about Nazis stationed at Fort Morgan, or a current eating establishment that was once a long-gone skating rink, and even a table rumored to have come straight from the White House.

These are the kind of hidden stories you'll discover when you lace up your walking shoes for Foley Walking Tours, new guided and self-guided experiences that turn a sidewalk stroll into a step back through time.

Founder Ashley Crosland, who has called Baldwin County home since she was 15, said she dreamed up Foley Walking Tours to share the city's forgotten tales in a fun, family-friendly way. Backed by research and a theater degree from DePauw University, Crosland's tours feel more like interactive storytelling than a dusty history lecture.

"Our tours are a celebration of Foley's past with a playful twist," Crosland told Gulf Coast Media during a previous interview. "We're proud to offer something that's fun for families, friendly to strollers and rooted in real history."

On Saturday, July 5, Gulf Coast Media joined Crosland and a group of local history hunters for both the Time Traveler and Haunted History tours. Crosland made learning fun, slipping into character as an old-fashioned telephone operator for the Time Traveler Tour then transforming into a lingering spirit for the Haunted History Tour, both characters she portrayed based on real people. Even when the Haunted History Tour left our group huddled together under the overhang of the Truist Bank building to escape the rain and lightning, Crosland kept the ghostly lore alive and shared stories some had never heard — and a few we thought we knew until she added a new twist.

Alongside us on the Time Traveler Tour and Foley Walking Tours inaugural run was GCM reader Barbara from Daphne who read the original article on Crosland's new offering that published in The Baldwin Times on June 27. According to her, a history lover, she was excited to learn of the tours and enjoyed the first one.

Crosland gave gifts to the participants: a handkerchief to symbolize the Time Traveler Tour and jewelry that symbolizes the Haunted History Tour (and that may or may not be haunted). We also snagged a few doubloons that symbolize the Pirate Treasure Hunt — a tour that is on our radar for the future.

Foley Walking Tours currently offers three adventures each about an hour long. The Time Traveler Tour highlights the people who and moments that shaped the city. The Haunted History Tour takes guests through downtown after dark, blending local folklore with family-friendly chills. For those who prefer to explore at their own pace, the Pirate Treasure Hunt is a self-guided scavenger game inspired by the notorious Jean Lafitte.

"I like to keep things interactive and theatrical so everyone has a good time," Crosland said.

Tickets for guided tours are $35 for adults and $27 for children ages 5-12, with kids under 4 free. The Pirate Treasure Hunt is $30 per group and includes coupons for local restaurants and businesses. Group rates and custom bookings for schools, birthdays or team outings are available.

Tours begin at the Foley Welcome Center, and Crosland encourages guests to wear comfortable shoes, bring water for warm evenings and swing by local Foley favorites for snacks before or after.

Currently, tours run Fridays and Saturdays with the Time Traveler Tour at 5:30 p.m. and the Haunted History Tour at 7 p.m. Crosland plans to add daytime options during peak seasons and special Halloween nights this October.

She said the research behind every tour is part of the magic — from digging through old books at the library to chatting with longtime locals and descendants tied to the city's past.

For tickets or details, visit www.foleywalkingtours.com.