Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Four Points: One of Several Black Business Hubs in Montgomery
Corner of Mildred and Mobile Streets
— Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail —
Four Points: One of Several Black Business Hubs in Montgomery, and the Impact of Desegregation on Black Business Districts
The intersection of Mildred and Moore Streets was once home to Four Points, a thriving black business district. The neighborhood streets were filled with locally owned grocery stores, dentists, shops, gas stations, and professional offices. Mothers and children walked after school to shops and visited with neighbors and community leaders. Family owned businesses thrived in neighborhood districts throughout West Montgomery However, it was not to last.
As courts set landmark legislation outlawing racial segregation and the Interstate Highway Act began reshaping vast areas of black communities, Montgomery's historic black neighborhoods began losing residents due to forced relocation, which decimated customers and revenue for local businesses. One of the unintended effects of desegregation was ultimately the destruction of the historic black business districts and the communities themselves.
Erected 2015 by the City of Montgomery. (Marker Number 7.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce.
Location. 32° 22.249′ N, 86° 19.07′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker is at the intersection of Mobile Street and Mildred Street, on the right when traveling north on Mobile Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 Mobile Street, Montgomery AL 36108, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal AME Zion Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Black Churches Provide Significant Support for the March and Voting (approx. ¼ mile away); Marching On (approx. ¼ mile away); The Five Points Area: A Unique Blend of Communities in 1965 (approx. ¼ mile away); The Transatlantic Slave Trade (approx. 0.3 miles away); The National Memorial for Peace and Justice (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sherman W. White, Jr. (approx. 0.3 miles away); Montgomery Racial Segregation on Buses (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 727 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 11, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on July 13, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.