Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

MISSING

SEE LOCATION SECTION

Union Station & Riverfront Park / Lower Commerce Street

Union Station & Riverfront Park Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Carr, August 1, 2009

1. Union Station & Riverfront Park Marker

Inscription.
Union Station & Riverfront Park Transportation center of Montgomery located in this area for many years. First steamboat, the "Harriet," landed nearby 1821. City wharf constructed at landing place 1823. First railroad, Montgomery & West Point R.R., developed ca. 1840. By 1900 most major railroads in Central Alabama had connections here. Union Station and Tunnel connection to river landing built 1897. Because of decline in river traffic, Tunnel closed 1930. With development of Riverfront Park 1970's, Tunnel reopened. Ramp reopened 1981.

Lower Commerce Street Commerce Street, once heart of Montgomery's business life, leads from Alabama River to center of city. In early days commercial buildings and residences lined street. By 1880's merchants had built elaborate warehouses and area became principle wholesale district for Central Alabama. Changes in transportation and marketing brought decline to area. In 1970's revitalization began with restoration of old buildings.

Erected 1981 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce

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• Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 32° 22.848′ N, 86° 18.744′ W. Marker was in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker was on Commerce Street, in the median. Touch for map. Marker was 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 location. Encanchata (within shouting distance of this marker); The Domestic Slave Trade / Slave Transportation to Montgomery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Struggle For Colonial Empire (about 300 feet away); Marquis de Lafayette (about 300 feet away); Rainbow Soldier (about 400 feet away); Train Shed 1897 (about 500 feet away); General Charles Graham Boyd (about 500 feet away); Confederate Military Prison / Civil War Military Prisons (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.

Union Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Carr, August 1, 2009

2. Union Station

Photographed By Tim Carr, August 1, 2009

3. The Tunnel

Riverfront Park and the Alabama River image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Carr, August 1, 2009

4. Riverfront Park and the Alabama River

Marker, behind statue, apparently removed due to renovations of island. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 5, 2017

5. Marker, behind statue, apparently removed due to renovations of island.

Marker was located on island closer to "Riverfront" sign.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,330 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on July 29, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 17, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 5. submitted on March 5, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.