Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Elijah Cook / City of Montgomery v. Rosa Parks
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 25, 2013
1. Elijah Cook Marker
This is the south-facing side of the marker.
Educator, Businessman, Lawmaker
Born a slave in Wetumpka in 1833, Elijah Cook became a leader in Montgomery’s African American community. Credited with helping to establish the city’s first school for blacks in the basement of the Old Ship AME Zion Church in 1865, he also selected the site for Swayne College (later Booker T. Washington School) that opened in 1868. In 1887, he assisted in posting the $10,000 surety bond to relocate the Lincoln School of Marion (later Alabama State University) to Montgomery. After serving in the legislature from 1874 to 1876, he opened an undertaking firm across from city hall in the early 1880’s.
The trial for seamstress Rosa M. Parks was held on Monday 5, December, in the Recorder’s Court of the City of Montgomery. (The room was later the site of meetings of the city council.) The trial began at 9:00 and continued for about 30 minutes. Parks and her attorney were accompanied by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy, E. D. Nixon, and hundreds of interested blacks. Judge John B. Scott found Parks guilty of disorderly conduct and fined her $14. She lost on appeal on 22 February 1956, but the Parks case of 1955 ignited a one-day boycott of the city buses
this page online
Erected 2011 by Sponsored by the City of Montgomery & Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) Church, the Alabama Historical Association, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 22, 1956.
Location. 32° 22.776′ N, 86° 18.444′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker is at the intersection of North Perry Street and Madison Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North Perry Street. Located at NW corner of Lister Hill Plaza, across from Montgomery City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 103 N Perry St, Montgomery AL 36104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bernard Whitehurst and the Whitehurst Case / Montgomery: Learning From the Past (here, next to this marker); General Richard Montgomery Statue (within shouting distance of this marker); St. John's Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 25, 2013
2. City of Montgomery v. Rosa Parks Marker
This is the north-facing side of the marker.
More about this marker. Fred D. Gray, who was Rosa Parks' attorney on the case (he was only 24 years old at the time), attended the unveiling of this new marker on September 29, 2011.
Also see . . . Acts of Rosa Parks, Elijah Cook recognized on new marker across from Montgomery City Hall. (Submitted on October 10, 2013, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 25, 2013
3. City of Montgomery v. Rosa Parks marker
Lister Hill Plaza in the background.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 25, 2013
4. Elijah Cook marker
St John's Episcopal Church can be seen (across Madison Avenue) in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2013, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,260 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 10, 2013, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
