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

Industrialization / Iron Boom

Industrialization Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 26, 2021

1. Industrialization Marker

Inscription.

Industrialization, also, Iron Boom. . Industrialization. In the 1870s, Alabama began a lengthy period of industrial development led by railroad expansion, lumber production, textile manufacturing, coal mining, and ironmaking. The growth made Alabama the most industrialized state in the South. Investment came from northern capitalists and some Alabama planters who advocated a diversified economy., New jobs attracted rural residents to quickly expanding cities and company towns. In 1900, more than 33,000 Alabamians found steady work in 5,500 factories, producing a wide array of goods including cloth, fertilizer, furniture, pottery, and food. Town life brought new opportunities for education and recreation., Many workers joined national labor unions, which clashed with management over pay and working conditions. In some industries, young children joined their parents on the payroll., Until 1928, industry also made use of low-cost labor available through the convict-lease system. The convicted, mostly black men and often arrested for misdemeanors, generated revenue for state and county governments by working in bondage as miners and in other dangerous jobs., Iron Boom. In 1871, a railroad junction in central Alabama's Jones Valley saw the rise of a new industrial center named Birmingham. The town grew so quickly that it became known as the “Magic City.” The proximity of coal, iron ore, and limestone, the essential ingredients for iron production, spurred a boom in the output of pig iron statewide from eleven thousand tons in 1872 to more than one million tons in 1900. , Other industrial boomtowns included Gadsden, Anniston, and Sheffield. Cast iron pipe became a leading product, but Alabamians also made stoves, lamp posts, skillets, and other items shipped all over the country., The abundance of jobs drew immigrants from Europe and blacks and poor whites from Alabama farms. Birmingham became home to an array of ethnicities and cultures., On April 12, 1882, workers at Sloss Furnace Company in Birmingham tapped the furnace for the first time and channeled molten iron across a massive sand floor, where it hardened into ingots called "pigs."

Industrialization In the 1870s, Alabama began a lengthy period of industrial development led by railroad expansion, lumber production, textile manufacturing, coal mining, and ironmaking. The growth made Alabama the most industrialized state in the South. Investment came from northern capitalists and some Alabama planters who advocated a diversified economy.

New jobs attracted rural residents to quickly expanding cities and company towns. In 1900, more than 33,000 Alabamians found steady work in 5,500 factories, producing a wide array of goods including cloth, fertilizer, furniture, pottery, and food. Town life brought new opportunities for education and recreation.

Many workers joined national labor unions, which clashed with management over pay and working conditions. In some industries, young children joined their parents on the payroll.

Until 1928, industry also made use of low-cost labor available through the convict-lease system. The convicted, mostly black men and often arrested for misdemeanors, generated revenue for state and county governments by working in bondage as miners and in other dangerous jobs.

Iron Boom In 1871, a railroad junction in central Alabama's Jones Valley saw the rise of a new industrial center

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named Birmingham. The town grew so quickly that it became known as the “Magic City.” The proximity of coal, iron ore, and limestone—the essential ingredients for iron production—spurred a boom in the output of pig iron statewide from eleven thousand tons in 1872 to more than one million tons in 1900.

Other industrial boomtowns included Gadsden, Anniston, and Sheffield. Cast iron pipe became a leading product, but Alabamians also made stoves, lamp posts, skillets, and other items shipped all over the country.

The abundance of jobs drew immigrants from Europe and blacks and poor whites from Alabama farms. Birmingham became home to an array of ethnicities and cultures.

On April 12, 1882, workers at Sloss Furnace Company in Birmingham tapped the furnace for the first time and channeled molten iron across a massive sand floor, where it hardened into ingots called "pigs."

Erected 2019 by the Alabama Bicentennial Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1882.

Location. 32° 22.669′ N, 86° 18.118′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Dexter Avenue west of North Bainbridge Street, on the left when traveling east. Located in

Iron Boom Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 26, 2021

2. Iron Boom Marker

Alabama Bicentennial Park in front of the Lurleen B. Wallace Office Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Dexter Ave, Montgomery AL 36130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Emancipation / Reconstruction (a few steps from this marker); Secession & Confederacy / Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); Populism / 1901 Constitution (within shouting distance of this marker); The Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March (within shouting distance of this marker); Cotton State / Slavery (within shouting distance of this marker); Professor John Metcalfe Starke / Starke University School (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Rural Life / Agricultural Economy (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.

Industrialization / Iron Boom Marker with the Alabama State Capitol in background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 26, 2021

3. Industrialization / Iron Boom Marker with the Alabama State Capitol in background.

Closeup of bronze relief scuplture. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 26, 2021

4. Closeup of bronze relief scuplture.

Markers are located in the Alabama Bicentennial Park. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 26, 2021

5. Markers are located in the Alabama Bicentennial Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 338 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 26, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.