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

Eddie Kendricks Memorial Park

Destination

— Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail —

Eddie Kendricks Memorial Park Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

1. Eddie Kendricks Memorial Park Marker

Inscription. Built 1999, SW corner of 4th Ave. N. & 18th St. N.
Urban Impact worked with artist Ronald McDowell who wanted to create a public park along Fourth Avenue to honor Eddie Kendricks, Birmingham native and a lead singer of the legendary Motown singing group, The Temptations. After a successful career, Kendricks died of lung cancer in Birmingham on October 5, 1992 at age 52. The park sits on the site of the former Brock's Drugs Building in the Historic Fourth Avenue District. Construction on the park was completed in 1999. The memorial is a popular tourist destination, attracting more than 100,000 tourists since its opening.

“We drank out of the white fountain to see if the water tasted different from ours."
Eddie Kendricks
singer, speaking about growing up in segregated Birmingham as a child in "Eddie Kendricks: The Urban Street Interview." 1991.

Lesson C20: How do you think growing up and living in a racially segregated society influenced the musical African Americans?

Erected by the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail. (Marker Number C20.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music

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• Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 5, 1992.

Location. 33° 30.93′ N, 86° 48.652′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. Marker is on 4th Avenue North west of 18th Street North, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1727 4th Ave N, 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. Famous Theatre (here, next to this marker); Brock Drugs Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Eddie James Kendrick (within shouting distance of this marker); Green Acres Café (within shouting distance of this marker); Alabama Penny Savings Bank/Pythian Temple Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Fourth Avenue Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); 4th Avenue District (within shouting distance of this marker); Dunbar Hotel Building Urban Impact Office, (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

Regarding Eddie Kendricks Memorial Park. Sculpted by Ronald Scott McDowell, the Kendrick statue captures for eternity the magic moves of

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

2. Eddie Kendricks Memorial Park Marker

his Motown music. Inlaid in a granite backdrop behind Kendrick, the four other Temptations energize the work with their fine-tuned choreography. The singers’ cuffs each have a letter on them, together spelling “BHAM” from left to right. Inscribed on the granite are the names of the Temptations’ hit songs. The park uses Kendricks’ family name without the “s”, which was added early in his career.

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

View of marker next to the Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

3. View of marker next to the Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park.

Eddie James Kendrick (December 17, 1939 – October 5, 1992) image. Click for full size.

Public domain, July 1, 1972

4. Eddie James Kendrick (December 17, 1939 – October 5, 1992)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 319 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 10, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.