King Hill in Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

King Hill Historic District

Montgomery County

Photographed by Shaun Rose, May 10, 2024

1. King Hill Historic District Marker

Inscription. The area known as King Hill emerged as a residential section for African Americans before the Civil War. Both the enslaved and free Black populations lived in small houses among stables that were used by Montgomery's white upper-class citizens. In 1928, King Hill was platted as Villa Heights and developed as one of the city's original African American neighborhoods. Residents believe the name may have originated from locals referring to the area as "Kin Hill" because many people had relatives who lived there. The 1940 U.S. census along a portion of Stokes Street highlights the occupations in this area as bricklayer, day laborer, farmer, laundress, house maid, and car loader. Residents became involved in the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott and the 1965 Voting Rights March from Selma to Montgomery, especially Claudette Colvin who was arrested on March 2, 1955 for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery city bus. Other notable residents include Mr. Clifford Laws, a local businessman who operated a sandwich shop here and Marie James who established the first kindergarten in the neighborhood and was a beloved

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teacher. King Hill is still populated by many of the original founding families.
Listed in Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage July 19, 2020.

Erected 2020 by Alabama Historical Commission, Councilman Tracy Larkin and Earnestine Woods, Have A Heart 4 Children.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 32° 23.246′ N, 86° 16.754′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. It is in King Hill. It is at the intersection of Upper Wetumpka Road and Claremont Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Upper Wetumpka Road. Adjacent to King Hill Community Garden. In the public right of way at Claremont Ave and Upper Wetumpka Rd. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2001 Upper Wetumpka Rd, Montgomery AL 36107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Alabama’s Tri-Counties River Region.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico

Marker with community garden in background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shaun Rose, May 10, 2024

2. Marker with community garden in background

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: Claudette Colvin Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Capitol Heights Elementary School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Capitol Heights (approx. half a mile away); Militaires Francais Decedes Aux Etats-Unis Au Cours de la Guerre 1939-1945 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Royal Air Force Burial Ground (approx. 0.7 miles away); Burial Site of Royal Air Force Trainee Pilots (approx. 0.7 miles away); Governor William Calvin Oates / Colonel W. C. Oates, CSA at Gettysburg (approx. 0.9 miles away); William C. Oates (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.

Marker context photo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shaun Rose, May 10, 2024

3. Marker context photo

Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2024, by Shaun Rose of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,470 times since then and 249 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 17, 2024, by Shaun Rose of Montgomery, Alabama. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.