Alcoa in Blount County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The Commercial Building
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 10, 2022
1. The Commercial Building Marker
Inscription.
The Commercial Building was constructed by the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) in 1919. Commercial businesses for the Hall community were located there, and until Charles M. Hall School was opened in 1926, the school for African American youth was located on the second floor of the building. On August 22, 1968 the Alcoa City Commission named the building the Martin Luther King Center, and the building became one of the first structures in America named for assassinated civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Captions (clockwise from top left) , . The Commercial Building on Hall Road c. 1960s. The building originally housed a drug store, meat market, dry goods store, grocery store, and a barbershop. , . The Commercial Building. , . The Commercial Building grocery store. , . Alcoa's present Martin Luther King, Jr. Center. , . The Commercial Building meat market. , . The Hall community in 1920 as new streets and utilities were being installed. The Commercial Building can be seen in the background.
The Commercial Building was constructed by the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) in 1919. Commercial businesses for the Hall community were located there, and until Charles M. Hall School was opened in 1926, the school for African American youth was located on the second floor of the building. On August 22, 1968 the Alcoa City Commission named the building the Martin Luther King Center, and the building became one of the first structures in America named for assassinated civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Captions (clockwise from top left)
• The Commercial Building on Hall Road c. 1960s. The building originally housed a drug store, meat market, dry goods store, grocery store, and a barbershop.
• The Commercial Building.
• The Commercial Building grocery store.
• Alcoa's present Martin Luther King, Jr. Center.
• The Commercial Building meat market.
• The Hall community in 1920 as new streets and utilities were being installed. The Commercial Building can be seen in the background.
Erected by City of Alcoa • Arconic Foundation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee, City of Alcoa series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.
Location.
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35° 46.794′ N, 83° 58.825′ W. Marker is in Alcoa, Tennessee, in Blount County. Marker is on East Howe Street, 0.1 miles north of North Hall Road (Tennessee Route 35), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 140 E Howe St, Alcoa TN 37701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 10, 2022
2. The Commercial Building Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 12, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
