History peeks from behind colossal oak trees on Government Street, waiting to be recognized.

Many buildings endure prominently from the Port City’s past, while others stick around to decay.

But a new historic tax credit, approved by Gov. Robert Bentley in May, may help lift the lagging development into a new existence. The antidote could be the state’s $20 million worth of tax exemptions provided annually, some say, combined with federal tax exemptions.

Only time will tell.