Pell City in St. Clair County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Historic Downtown Pell City
Photographed By David J Gaines, November 16, 2011
1. Historic Downtown Pell City Marker
Inscription.
Historic Downtown Pell City. . Founded by railroad investors and incorporated on May 6, 1891. Pell City was named for one of the financial backers, George Hamilton Pell of New York. Nearly disappearing after the panic of 1893, the town was redeveloped after 1901 by Sumter Cogswell and his wife, Lydia DeGaris Cogswell, along with other local investors and businessmen. Mr. Cogswell influenced the location here in 1902 of the Pell City Manufacturing Company, subsequently, Avondale Mills. The town’s prosperity was secured after that time. The Historic District encompasses two long blocks along Cogswell Avenue from Nineteenth Street to Twenty-first Street and several buildings on Nineteenth and Twenty-first Streets North and Twentieth Street South. The only building to survive the earlier period was the Maxwell Building constructed in 1890. The majority of the historic structures were built in the years between 1902 and 1903. The Downtown District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Cotober 29, 2001.
Founded by railroad investors and incorporated on May 6, 1891. Pell City was named for one of the financial backers, George Hamilton Pell of New York. Nearly disappearing after the panic of 1893, the town was redeveloped after 1901 by Sumter Cogswell and his wife, Lydia DeGaris Cogswell, along with other local investors and businessmen. Mr. Cogswell influenced the location here in 1902 of the Pell City Manufacturing Company, subsequently, Avondale Mills. The town’s prosperity was secured after that time. The Historic District encompasses two long blocks along Cogswell Avenue from Nineteenth Street to Twenty-first Street and several buildings on Nineteenth and Twenty-first Streets North and Twentieth Street South. The only building to survive the earlier period was the Maxwell Building constructed in 1890. The majority of the historic structures were built in the years between 1902 and 1903. The Downtown District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Cotober 29, 2001.
Erected 2003 by Alabama Historical Association. (Marker Number None.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1914.
Location.
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33° 35.18′ N, 86° 17.162′ W. Marker is in Pell City, Alabama, in St. Clair County. Marker is at the intersection of Cogswell Avenue (U.S. 78) and 19th Street, on the right when traveling west on Cogswell Avenue. Located on the lawn of the St. Clair County Courthouse, Pell City branch. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pell City AL 35125, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2011, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. This page has been viewed 903 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 19, 2011, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
