The Old Brick Store

Photographed by Tim Carr, August 15, 2009

1. The Old Brick Store Marker

Inscription. By 1858 many brick stores had been built in Cahaba, so everyone called this the "old brick store." Merchant Sam M. Hill turned the building into one huge dry goods store where shoppers could buy just about anything!

Col. Hill, like most of the merchants in Cahaba, traveled to New York twice a year to stock up on new seasonal goods. They traveled by steam-boat down the Alabama then by packet boat from Mobile or New Orleans to New York via Cuba. In 1859, Col. Hill made this trip in less than four days!

Erected by Alabama Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 32° 19.161′ N, 87° 5.746′ W. Marker was in Cahaba, Alabama, in Dallas County. It could be reached from 2nd Street North near Vine Street. On a trail at the end of Vine Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Orrville AL 36767, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

Globally, it was in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: General Lafayette Visits Cahawba (a few steps from this marker); Death in the Street (a few steps from this marker); The Hole That Was Once a Row (within shouting distance of this marker); Drug Store & the Rooms Above (within shouting distance of this marker); Yankees in Cahawba (within shouting distance of this marker); A River of Riches (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Saltmarsh Hall (about 400 feet away); Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cahaba.

Other markers no longer nearby. Crocheron's Row (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Cahaba Drug Store (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Crocheron Columns (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Saltmarsh Hall (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Old Cahawba, "Alabama's most famous Ghost Town". (Submitted on October 4, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)

Newer "The Old Brick Store" marker and area (old marker has been removed). image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 6, 2018

2. Newer "The Old Brick Store" marker and area (old marker has been removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,010 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on October 12, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. Photos: 1. submitted on October 4, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 2. submitted on March 22, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.