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

Original Site of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University

(now located at Normal, Alabama)

Original Site of Alabama A&M University Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, July 2, 2010

1. Original Site of Alabama A&M University Marker

Inscription. Legislature approved 9 December 1873 "a normal school for the education of colored teachers" in Huntsville. Ex-slave William Hooper Councill founder and first president. Classes began May 1875 with sixty-one pupils and two teachers; held in rented buildings until moved 1891 to this site - the first school-owned property. Land-grant funds received 1891 for training of Negroes in agriculture and mechanic arts enabled school to enlarge and re-locate on present campus north of the city.

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Alabama A&M University former names

1873 - Colored Normal School at Huntsville
1885 - The Huntsville State Colored Normal and Industrial School
1896 - The State Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes
1919 - The state Agricultural and Mechanical Institute for Negroes
1948 - Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College
1969 - University status achieved

Erected 1974 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 34° 43.736′ N, 86°

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35.427′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of Clinton Avenue SE and Monroe Street SE, on the right when traveling east on Clinton Avenue SE. The site is now the home of the Von Braun Center, Huntsville's entertainment and convention complex. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Huntsville AL 35801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

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: Dr. Wernher von Braun (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Holmes Avenue (about 800 feet away); Norwegian Light Beacon And Fog Bell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Church Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); History at Its Source (approx. 0.2 miles away); Huntsville (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Water's Journey to You (approx. 0.2 miles away); Where Does the Spring Water Go? (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntsville.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, July 2, 2010

2. Original Site of Alabama A&M University Marker

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, July 2, 2010

3. Original Site of Alabama A&M University Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,498 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on July 15, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 2, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.