Anniston in Calhoun County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
West 15th Street Historic District
— Anniston Civil Rights Trail —
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 5, 2017
1. West 15th Street Historic District Marker
This district was once the economic and social hub of Anniston's African American community. In its heyday (1940-1950), the District was a "city within a city," with businesses that catered to the black community. Grocery stores, restaurants, doctors' offices, barber and beauty shops, a hotel, and other businesses thrived. The Gem Theater showed movies and hosted celebrity entertainers such as Cab Calloway and Lewis Jordan. At the Blair Hotel, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. held strategy sessions with Rev. Nimrod Q. Reynolds and Dr. Gordon Rodgers. The District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Erected 2016 by City of Anniston Historic Trails Program. (Marker Number 8.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Anniston Civil Rights Trail, Alabama series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1991.
Location. 33° 39.827′ N, 85° 50.116′ W. Marker is in Anniston, Alabama, in Calhoun County. Marker is on West 15th Street west of Walnut Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 416 West 15th Street, Anniston AL 36201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within
this page online
Regarding West 15th Street Historic District. In its day, there were four churches, six practicing doctors, five barber shops and four beauty shops, three shoe shops, two grocery stores, three service stations, two tailors, a music studio and a photography studio, a real-estate agent, three barbecue restaurants, two hotels, four funeral homes, a fire department, a dry cleaners, and for entertainment, the Gem Theater, the Blue Light Savoy and the Sugar Bowl.
via NPS, unknown
2. West 15th Street Historic District
NPGallery Digital Asset Management System website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 5, 2017
3. View of the former West 15th Street Historic District
The District included buildings along West 15th Street from numbers 416 to 712 inclusive. The approximately 17 buildings are part of the National Park Service National Register of Historic Places.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 5, 2017
4. West 15th Street Historic District Marker and "City within a City" mural.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 5, 2017
5. "City within a City" Mural
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 750 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 6, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 2. submitted on January 27, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 6, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
