Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
City of Montgomery / Court Square
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, August 1, 2009
1. City of Montgomery Marker
Two small villages, New Philadelphia, founded by Massachusetts lawyer Andrew Dexter in 1817, and East Alabama, established by Georgians led by John Scott in 1818, united in 1819 to form Montgomery, named for Revolutionary hero Gen. Richard Montgomery. Connecting at Court Square, the two towns' principal streets were Philadelphia's Market Street (Dexter Avenue) and East Alabama's Main Street (Commerce Street). First courthouse stood to west of artesian well which City enlarged in 1850s. Fountain erected in 1885.
(Continue on other side)
Historic hub for business in Montgomery. Exchange Hotel built in 1848 on NW corner of Commerce and Montgomery Streets; rebuilt 1906; demolished 1970s. Cast iron-fronted Central Bank of 1856 on NE corner of square; Winter Building, site of telegraph office in 1861, on SE corner since 1840s. Historic processions passing along Dexter Avenue to the Capitol included Jefferson Davis Inaugural, 2/18/1861; Gen. J. H. Wilson's Cavalry Corps, 4/12/1865; 167th Infantry Regt. Rainbow Division, 5/12/1919; Selma-Montgomery Civil Rights March, 3/25/1965.
Erected 1992 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 32° 22.646′ N, 86° 18.554′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker is at the intersection of Court Square and Commerce Street, in the median on Court Square. Marker located next to the fountain at Court Square. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. Court Square Fountain (a few steps from this marker); Here Stood Mrs. Rosa Parks (a few steps from this marker); Rosa Parks Statue (within shouting distance of this marker); Rosa Louise McCauley Parks / The Bus Stop (within shouting distance of this marker); A Tale of Two Towns (within shouting distance of this marker); Decorative Lions Heads (within shouting distance of this marker); Telegram Which Began War Between The States / Winter Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Montgomery’s Slave Markets / First Emancipation Observance - 1866 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, August 1, 2009
2. Court Square Marker
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, August 1, 2009
3. City of Montgomery / Court Square Marker
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, August 1, 2009
4. Dexter Avenue viewed from the steps of the State Capitol
Photographed By Detroit Publishing Company, 1906
5. Commerce St., from Court Square, Montgomery, Ala.
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,501 times since then and 56 times this year. Last updated on July 24, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 5, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 5. submitted on December 21, 2015. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
