Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Pickett Springs / “The Best Public Resort”
Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 3, 2024
1. Pickett Springs marker
Inscription.
Pickett Springs, also, “The Best Public Resort”. .
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 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.
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 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.
Click or scan to see this page online
Erected 1999 by Alabama Historical Association and Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Historical Preservation and Promotion Foundation.
Location. 32° 25.803′ N, 86° 16.538′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker 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.
3. Pickett Springs / “The Best Public Resort” marker
Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 3, 2024
4. Pickett Springs / “The Best Public Resort” marker
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, December 11, 2010
5. Camp Sheridan Site and The Boylston United Methodist Church on the far left.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 3, 2024
6. Camp Sheridan Markers & Boylston Cotton Mill in background.
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 1,682 times since then and 116 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.