Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Birthplace of Nat "King" Cole
Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 12, 2014
1. Birthplace of Nat "King" Cole Marker
Nat King Cole was a jazz pianist, composer, and singer celebrated as an American popular music artist in the 1940s and 1950s.He was born March 17, 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama as one of five children to Edward James Coles, a minister at Beulah Baptist Church in Montgomery, and Perlina Adams Coles, who sang in the choir. He began formal lessons at the age of 12, eventually learning not only jazz and gospel but also classical music. By age 17, he wrote songs and played jazz piano in his older brother’s group.
In 1956, while Cole was participating in the first mixed race performance in Birmingham, Alabama, several white men stormed the stage, injuring him.
Also in 1956, the Nat King Cole Show debuted on NBC-TV, the first of its kind hosted by an African-American.
In 1990, Cole was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The United States Postal Service issued a stamp featuring Cole in 1994.
Cole has been inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Erected by the Alabama
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Grammy Award Winners series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1859.
Location. 32° 21.943′ N, 86° 17.48′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker is at the intersection of Hall Street and Tuttle Street, on the right when traveling north on Hall Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1368 Hall Street, Montgomery AL 36106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Home of Ralph David Abernathy (a few steps from this marker); Alabama State University / Tatum Street (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Johnnie R. and Arlam Carr, Sr. Home (approx. ¼ mile away); Rosa Louise Parks (approx. ¼ mile away); Birth of Montgomery Bus Boycott (approx. ¼ mile away); Alabama State University / Tullibody (approx. 0.3 miles away); Black Members of the Alabama Legislature Who Served During The Reconstruction Period of 1868-1879 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hall Street Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.
Also see . . . Biography of Nat King Cole.
Photographed By Lawrence Cole, 2020
2. Nat King Cole with nephews (Larry, Jimmy, & Eddie)
This photo was taken 1959 at the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago prior to him performing that evening.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 12, 2014
3. Birthplace of Nat "King" Cole
In 2000, the home was relocated here just inside the main entrance of Alabama State University, and restored.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 2, 2015
4. Wide shot of the marker and its surroundings.
A ceremony by Alabama State University (ASU) President and others, including the City of Montgomery mayor, was conducted on July 31, 2015 to "recognize" this marker.
Work is currently being done to renovate the inside of the building to have the home featured as a museum. ASU officials expect the museum to be completed by 2017.
Public domain
5. Nat King Cole
Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,407 times since then and 204 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 2. submitted on June 29, 2020, by Lawrence Cole of Denver, Colorado. 3. submitted on January 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4. submitted on August 2, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 5. submitted on January 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
