Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Heroes' Welcome

— Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail —

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 11, 2015

1. Heroes' Welcome Marker

Inscription. The ranks of marchers swelled enormously by the last leg of the trip on Wednesday, March 24, 1965. By the time they arrived at the last campsite, only two miles from the city limits at the Saint Jude complex, they were 10,000 strong. Dirty and disheveled, they slogged through a field of mud to reach the tents, their shelter for the night.

For the exhausted marchers, the welcome and hospitality they received from the local black community surrounding St. Jude—known as the Liberation Neighborhood—was transforming. People ran from their homes, cheering wildly others opened their doors to complete strangers. Many brought out food, drink, or simply joined the throng. Marcher Richard Leonard recalled, "One could imagine how veterans returning from a foreign war might feel, in our time or in Caesar's."

Erected by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights. A significant historical date for this entry is March 24, 1965.

Location. 32° 21.103′ N, 86° 19.549′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker is at the intersection of West Fairview Avenue and Oak Street, on the right when traveling

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west on West Fairview Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2048 West Fairview Avenue, Montgomery AL 36108, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Refuge (here, next to this marker); Campsite 4 (within shouting distance of this marker); Marching to Montgomery (within shouting distance of this marker); City of St. Jude/The Selma to Montgomery March (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic Sites Near Fairview Environmental Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Support: Local and Organizational (approx. half a mile away); Charlie and Lucille Times (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bertha Pleasant Williams Library (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.

Former St. Jude's Catholic Hospital (closed 1985) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 11, 2015

2. Former St. Jude's Catholic Hospital (closed 1985)

View down Fairview Avenue and the "City of St. Jude" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 11, 2015

3. View down Fairview Avenue and the "City of St. Jude"

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 714 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 11, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.