Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
MISSING
SEE LOCATION SECTION
The Lightning Route / Central Bank Building
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, August 1, 2009
1. The Lightning Route / Central Bank Building Marker
Inscription.
The Lightning Route, also, Central Bank Building. .
The Lightning Route. In 1886, Montgomery became the first city in the Western Hemisphere to convert an entire street railway system to electricity. The Capital City Street Railway Co. initiated electric trolley service on one mile of the street car line the year before. Civil engineer J. A. Gaboury supervised installation of the system developed by Charles Van de Poele. The car line, fondly known as the "Lightning Route" operated until 1936. Investors in the mass transit system also were involved in the development of the early suburbs of Highland Park and Cloverdale, as well as the first public recreation area at Oak Park., Side B
Central Bank Building. Designed by Philadelphia architect Stephen Decatur Button for William Knox, president of Central Bank of Alabama, this Renaissance Revival building emulated the Venetian palaces of the 16th century. Completed in 1856, it was praised by state newspapers as the first ironfront in Alabama. Central Bank, which generously supported the Confederacy, was bankrupt at the end of the Civil War. Other banks occupied the building until jewelers Klein and Son acquired and occupied it from 1923-1983. The building was restored for the Arts Council of Alabama in 1985.
The Lightning Route
In 1886, Montgomery became the first city in the Western Hemisphere to convert an entire street railway system to electricity. The Capital City Street Railway Co. initiated electric trolley service on one mile of the street car line the year before. Civil engineer J. A. Gaboury supervised installation of the system developed by Charles Van de Poele. The car line, fondly known as the "Lightning Route" operated until 1936. Investors in the mass transit system also were involved in the development of the early suburbs of Highland Park and Cloverdale, as well as the first public recreation area at Oak Park.
Side B
Central Bank Building
Designed by Philadelphia architect Stephen Decatur Button for William Knox, president of Central Bank of Alabama, this Renaissance Revival building emulated the Venetian palaces of the 16th century. Completed in 1856, it was praised by state newspapers as the first ironfront in Alabama. Central Bank, which generously supported the Confederacy, was bankrupt at the end of the Civil War. Other banks occupied the building until jewelers Klein and Son acquired and occupied it from 1923-1983. The building was restored for the Arts Council of Alabama in 1985.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 32° 22.655′ N, 86° 18.541′ W. Marker was in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker was at the intersection of Court Square and Dexter Avenue, on the right on Court Square. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Montgomery AL 36104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. The Lightning Route / Central Bank Building Marker Side B
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, August 1, 2009
3. Central Bank Building
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, August 1, 2009
4. Court Square
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr
5. The Lightning Route in 1886
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, August 1, 2009
6. Montgomery's Original Electric Street Car. Circa 1897
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, August 1, 2009
7. Front View of the Central Bank Building
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, August 1, 2009
8. Court Square Fountian looking North up Commerce Street
The tolley line made a right turn from Dexter Avenue here at Court Square and headed up Commerce Street.
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, August 1, 2009
9. From Court Square looking up Dexter Avenue toward the State Capitol
Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 14, 2019
10. The Lightning Route / Central Bank Building Marker is missing.
This small park at Court Square was renovated and the marker removed a while ago. Will try to find out if it will be returned or moved elsewhere. The Rosa Louise McCauley Parks / The Bus Stop marker was moved to the same spot as this missing marker.
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 1,942 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on July 29, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 5, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 10. submitted on December 14, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.