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Historic Markers & Civic Education

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Western Railway of Alabama, Montgomery Shops

Western Rail Film on YouTube
This newly-released, City-commissioned  film documents the history of Western Railway of Alabama, Montgomery Shops. The film was commissioned by the City for purposes of Historic Information and Education per the recorded May 2019 Rehabilitation Agreement for the Western Railway of Alabama, Montgomery Shops.  The Property, circa 1898-1920s, was listed as a Historic District on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in 1998.

This video and its contents may be used only for educational purposes.

Historic Marker + Civic Education Program

In this effort the Development team is working with other staff and agencies to catalog, document and celebrate the variety of historic markers and civic interpretative signage in the city of Montgomery. Our goal is to increase public knowledge and appreciation of Montgomery’s rich history.

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Specific Objectives over the next years are the following:

  1. Create a GIS mapped and categorized database of historic markers and interpretive signs in the City including location, and perhaps who/which entity initiated them. 
  2. Document the current condition of these markers and signs.
  3. Maintain records regarding the fabrication, installation, restoration, replacement of such markers and the costs of these various endeavors.
  4. Restore and reinstall specific markers as needed based on the visibility, condition, and significance of the markers, and as funds are available.
  5. Create select new markers and develop new informational materials as funds are available.

Accomplishments to Date:

  • Restored six historic markers that were once at the Overlook Park, replacing them in the new Wright Brothers Park and in Riverfront Park.
  • Restored and reinstalled the Downtown Figh-Pickett House Marker.
  • Restored and reinstalled two Centennial Hill markers, the Centennial Hill Marker and the Georgia Gilmore marker.
  • Restored and reinstalled one West Side marker, the E.D.Nixon marker.
  • Commissioned a new historic marker at the Wharton Chappell House on Maxwell Boulevard, written collectively with historian and Colonel Jeff Benton.
  • Commissioned a new historic marker for artist Bill Traylor in coordination with the Alabama Historical Commission and the Land Use Historic Preservation Coordinator, Christy Anderson.
  • Commissioned Interpretive Sign and Civic Education for 13 National Park Service Interpretive Signs along the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights Trail. These were installed on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the March.
  • Commissioned and installed distinctive brown street signs for the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights Trail, for the last segment of the Voting Rights Trail after St. Jude. These were installed on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the March.
  • Developed and installed an interpretive sign for Lower Dexter Park in partnership with the late Mary Ann Neeley and Dr. Felicia Bell of the Rosa Parks Museum.
  • Developed and have printed a brochure of information about the new Lower Dexter Park in partnership with the late Mary Ann Neeley and Dr. Felicia Bell of the Rosa Parks Museum.
  • Designed the layout and contributed a piece of Sylacauga marble for an engraving to the late Mary Ann Neeley at the new park dedication in her honor.  This was installed on College Street in late April 2019.

NEW!

  • Lower Dexter Park brochures are available at the Rosa Parks Museum, the Visitors Center, the State Tourism Office and Development offices at 25 Washington Avenue.