Fountain Heights in Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Guards at the Gate

March Route to Retail

— Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail —

Guards at the Gate Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

1. Guards at the Gate Marker

Inscription. Unfair laws forced Birmingham Blacks to create their own distinctive world of economic and social self-reliance. The historic Black business district extended several blocks around Kelly Ingram Park and contained a concentration of Black-owned beauty and barber shops, pool halls, restaurants, theaters, professional offices, clothing stores, small shops and other businesses. Here, Blacks were treated with the dignity and respect that Whites denied them in the main retail district located five blocks away.

Erected by the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail. (Marker Number B3.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail series list.

Location. 33° 30.941′ N, 86° 48.826′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. It is in Fountain Heights. It is on 16th Street North south of 6th Avenue North, on the left when traveling south. Locate on west side of Kelly Ingram Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Birmingham AL 35203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker:

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Julius Ellsberry (a few steps from this marker); Black Business Plans (a few steps from this marker); Dr. Ruth J. Jackson (a few steps from this marker); Carrie A. Tuggle (a few steps from this marker); Pauline Bray Fletcher (a few steps from this marker); Kelly Ingram Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Shores-Lee Law Offices/Post Office Garage (within shouting distance of this marker); Foot Soldier Tribute (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

More about this marker. The 2nd "paired" marker is missing. It went missing (removed) sometime after April of 2021. In April 2021 it was leaning against its' paired marker but went missing between April 2021 and January 2022. The pair can be seen, on Google maps, in February 2020 in its original position.

Regarding Guards at the Gate. The Civil Rights Activist Committee “Home of the Foot Soldiers“ is the Information Center for the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail.

Guards at the Gate Marker at Kelly Ingram Park. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

2. Guards at the Gate Marker at Kelly Ingram Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 406 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 8, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of paired "Guards at the Gate" marker (with text). • Can you help?