York in Sumter County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
History of York
⎯⎯⎯
The Coleman Center
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 16, 2015
1. History of York Marker
Legend has it that York began at a blacksmith shop called Old Anvil, located at a crossroads a few miles northwest of the present city. Circa 1833, early settlers of a site located east of modern-day York on the old Livingston-Gaston stagecoach road named their community New York Station. The railroads expanded and took business from the stagecoach line. The two communities merged in 1838 and gradually grew toward the railroad. Railways passing through York have included the Southern Railway System, the Alabama Great Southern Railroad, and the Alabama, Tennessee and Northern Railroad. In the 1850s, the permanent community of New York Station was established, and a train station and hotel were built to service the railroad. The name was shortened to York Station in 1861 and following the discovery that another community also bore that name, it was further shortened to York when the town was officially incorporated on April 6, 1881.
The Coleman Center for the Arts was founded in 1985 through the grassroots efforts of local citizens under the leadership of York native Dorothy Tut Altman Riddick. Located on Yorks historic Avenue A, the Coleman Centers campus includes buildings that formerly served as an auto mechanics shop,
this page online
Erected 2010 by the Alabama Tourism Department and the City of York.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Tourism Department series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1881.
Location. 32° 29.08′ N, 88° 17.729′ W. Marker is in York, Alabama, in Sumter County. It is at the intersection of Avenue A and College Street, on the right when traveling east on Avenue A. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 630 Avenue A, York AL 36925, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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 Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, 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 10 miles of this marker, measured
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 16, 2015
2. The Coleman Center Marker
Also see . . .
1. Coleman Center for the Arts. (Submitted on October 19, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. The Encyclopedia of Alabama article on York. (Submitted on October 19, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
3. The Encyclopedia of Alabama article on the Coleman Center. (Submitted on October 19, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 16, 2015
3. One of the Coleman Center buildings.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 16, 2015
4. Railway caboose in front of Coleman Center
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 16, 2015
5. Hightower Memorial Library entrance.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 16, 2015
6. View from marker looking west on Avenue A.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 16, 2015
7. View east along old railway bed.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 16, 2015
8. Coleman Center dedication plaque.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,959 times since then and 211 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 19, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
