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

Pickett Springs
⎯⎯⎯
“The Best Public Resort”

Pickett Springs marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 3, 2024

1. Pickett Springs marker

Inscription. Pickett Springs Railroad building and amusement park development flourished in the post-bellum South. In 1880s, Western Railroad of Alabama opened Pickett Springs on site of William Harris’s plantation, “Forest Farm;” Harris’s daughter, Sarah, married A. J. Pickett, Alabama’s first historian, and they had their home here until Pickett’s death in 1858. Pickett Springs occupied portion of land as community of Chisholm developed nearby. During World War I Camp Sheridan, infantry training ground, supplanted the old park. During 1920s, West Boylston Manufacturing opened large cotton mill and a residential village in the vicinity.

“The Best Public Resort” In September, 1886, Montgomery Advertiser noted Pickett Springs as the “best public resort.” Located four miles north of Montgomery, park offered entertainment and relaxation for citizens who traveled out by train until 1902 when street railway service started. Included in the area were a dance pavilion, refreshment stand, bowling alley, shooting gallery, carousel, flying swing, billiard parlor, scenic car and roller coaster. During summers in early 20th century, Salvation

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Army conducted fresh-air camps for indigent people. By World War I, Pickett Springs had lost much of its aura as automobiles and movies offered their diversions.

Erected 1999 by Alabama Historical Association and Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Historical Preservation and Promotion Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1886.

Location. 32° 25.803′ N, 86° 16.538′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. It is on County Road 2120 0.3 miles east of Lower Wetumpka Road, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Montgomery AL 36110, 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 state,

the Western Hemisphere,

“The Best Public Resort” marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 3, 2024

2. “The Best Public Resort” marker

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 9th Infantry Division / “The Old Reliables” (approx. half a mile away); 167th Infantry / Alabama’s Own (approx. half a mile away); Camp Sheridan (approx. half a mile away); 37th Division The Buckeye Division / 37th Division The Buckeye Division (approx. half a mile away); Union Benevolent Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away); Charlestown Community (approx. 2.3 miles away); Gunter Annex / Gunter Basic Flying Training School (approx. 2.3 miles away); Airman First Class John L. Levitow Monument (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.

Pickett Springs / “The Best Public Resort” marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 3, 2024

3. Pickett Springs / “The Best Public Resort” marker

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 3, 2024

4. Pickett Springs / “The Best Public Resort” marker

Camp Sheridan Site and The Boylston United Methodist Church on the far left. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, December 11, 2010

5. Camp Sheridan Site and The Boylston United Methodist Church on the far left.

Camp Sheridan Markers & Boylston Cotton Mill in background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 3, 2024

6. Camp Sheridan Markers & Boylston Cotton Mill in background.

Pickett Springs / “The Best Public Resort” Marker (Side A) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, December 11, 2010

7. Pickett Springs / “The Best Public Resort” Marker (Side A)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,882 times since then and 120 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 3, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 5. submitted on December 12, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 6. submitted on March 3, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 7. submitted on December 12, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.

Pickett Springs⎯⎯⎯“The Best Public Resort”

Pickett Springs
⎯⎯⎯
“The Best Public Resort”