Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Boutwell Auditorium
(Former Municipal Auditorium)
— Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021
1. Boutwell Auditorium Marker
In 1924, Municipal Auditorium was one of the South's largest (6,000 seats) and most modern auditoriums. In April of 1956, Ku Klux Klansman Asa Carter led an attack on Montgomery native and renowned singer Nat King Cole who performed before a White audience. The attack on a prominent African American was an act of terror designed to intimidate anyone fighting to end racial segregation in Birmingham. The auditorium was also one of the targeted destinations for "Project (” marchers during the 1963 demonstrations. It was renamed in honor of Albert Boutwell. In April 1963, he defeated Public Safety Commissioner Eugene “Bull” Connor in the city's first mayoral race after Birmingham citizens successfully changed their commission-led government to one led by a mayor and city council.
"To deny people their human rights is to challenger their very humanity."
Nelson Mandela
South African Civil Rights Leader, President and Statesman.
Lesson C34: Do you listen to different types of music? Does the race or national origin of the singers or musicians matter to you?
Erected by the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail. (Marker Number C34.)
Topics and series. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 33° 31.278′ N, 86° 48.671′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard and 20th Street North, on the left when traveling east on Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Blvd, Birmingham AL 35203, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Raymond Weeks (a few steps from this marker); The Boy Becomes a Man (within shouting distance of this marker); Love & Marriage (within shouting distance of this marker); Answering the Call (within shouting distance of this marker); Shuttlesworth Goes to Work (within shouting distance of this marker); Birth of an Icon (within shouting distance of this marker); Shuttlesworth Starts the ACMHR (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A City of Two Governments (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.
More about this
Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021
2. Boutwell Auditorium Marker
Regarding Boutwell Auditorium. The Civil Rights Activist Committee “Home of the Foot Soldiers“ is the Information Center for the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021
3. Boutwell Auditorium Marker at Boutwell Auditorium.
Linn Park is in background.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 317 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 7, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
