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

MISSING

SEE LOCATION SECTION

A Nation Divided
⎯⎯⎯
Cradle of the Confederacy

A Nation Divided Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, October 1, 2010

1. A Nation Divided Marker

Inscription. The Alabama State Capitol served as the symbol and meeting place for the government of the newly formed Confederate States of America for 4 months in early 1861. Growing controversy over slavery and states' rights, climaxed by Abraham Lincoln's election as U.S. president in Nov. 1860, prompted the secession of 7 Southern states, including Alabama, by early Feb. 1861. On Feb. 4, delegates from 6 of these states convened in the Senate Chamber of the Capitol to organize a separate government. In the ensuing weeks, the assembly adopted a Constitution, established governmental departments, and elected a chief executive. (Continued on other side)

(Continued from other side)

Jefferson Davis of Mississippi was inaugurated as president of the CSA provisional government on the State Capitol portico on Feb. 18, 1861. On Mar. 4, the first national flag of the Confederacy was hoisted over the Capitol itself. While government offices rented nearby quarters, the State Capitol continued to serve as the meeting place for the provisional Confederate Congress. Following the bombardment of Ft. Sumter, and Lincoln's call for volunteers, 4 additional

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states seceded. In May 1861, the capital was moved to Richmond, Va. where it remained until April 1865.

Erected 1996 by Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce / Historical Preservation and Promotion Foundation / Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 32° 22.644′ N, 86° 18.087′ W. Marker was in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. It was in Centennial Hill. It was at the intersection of South Bainbridge Street and Dexter Avenue, on the left when traveling north on South Bainbridge Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 18 S Bainbridge St, Montgomery AL 36130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

It was also 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

Cradle of the Confederacy Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, October 1, 2010

2. Cradle of the Confederacy Marker

Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: Thousands Protest at the Seat of Government (a few steps from this marker); Black Members of the Alabama Legislature Who Served During The Reconstruction Period of 1868-1879 (within shouting distance of this marker); United States Flag Raised Over Alabama Capitol (within shouting distance of this marker); Segregation / Civil Rights (within shouting distance of this marker); Made in Alabama / Space Race (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II / Defense Economy (within shouting distance of this marker); Globalization / 21st Century Economy (within shouting distance of this marker); Alabama's Third Century / Alabama Voices (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.

Additional commentary.
1. Marker removed/missing.
The whole Dexter Avenue area was renovated

A Nation Divided / Cradle of the Confederacy Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, October 1, 2010

3. A Nation Divided / Cradle of the Confederacy Marker

taken from intersection of Dexter & Bainbridge.

and landscaped. Marker went missing or was removed at that time.

— Submitted December 5, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Jefferson Davis' inauguration image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, October 1, 2010

4. Jefferson Davis' inauguration

located on the west portico of the state capitol.

Alabama State House chamber image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, October 1, 2010

5. Alabama State House chamber

Alabama's Ordinance of Secession was signed in this room. Plaque above the Speaker's podium describes this.

Ordinance of Secession plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, October 1, 2010

6. Ordinance of Secession plaque

IN THIS HALL
The ordinance of Secession which withdrew Alabama from the Union of Sovereign States, was passed
JAN. 11, 1861.
To commemorate this fact, this tablet is erected by THE LADIES' MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION of Montgomery, NOV. 7, 1911.

Former location of A Nation Divided / Cradle of the Confederacy Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 5, 2015

7. Former location of A Nation Divided / Cradle of the Confederacy Marker

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 5, 2015

8. Former location of A Nation Divided / Cradle of the Confederacy Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,671 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 4, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 7, 8. submitted on December 5, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.

A Nation Divided⎯⎯⎯Cradle of the Confederacy

A Nation Divided
⎯⎯⎯
Cradle of the Confederacy