What is the Capital of Alabama?
Alabama is one of the 50 states in the United States which was admitted to the union in 1819 as the 22nd state. It is rectangular and elongated in the north-south direction. In this article we will explore what is the capital of Alabama, where it is, former capitals of Alabama and more.
What’s the Capital of Alabama – Montgomery
Montgomery, incorporated on December 3, 1819, is the capital city of Alabama and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It served as the capital of Alabama from 1846. It is the second largest city in the state. Once home to the First White House of the confederacy, Montgomery grew to become the center of the Civil Rights Movement, notably the Montgomery Bus Boycotts and Selma to Montgomery marches.
Where is Montgomery?
Montgomery is in the central part of Alabama, within Montgomery County. It stretches along the Alabama River, approximately 145 kilometers south of Birmingham, the state’s largest city, and about 265 kilometers southwest of Atlanta, Georgia.
Interesting Facts about Montgomery
- Montgomery played a crucial role in the American Civil Rights Movement. Montgomery Bus Boycott, led by Dr Martin Luther King Jr, began in 1955, when an African American woman Rosa Parks, who had been a civil rights activist for almost two decades, refused to give up her bus seat to a white man.
- The Civil Rights Memorial, designed by Maya Lin is located in Montgomery. It honors those who lost their lives during the civil rights struggle and features the names of individuals who were martyrs of the cause.
- Montgomery houses an extensive collection of American art, Southern Art, and more. It serves as the cultural hub for the city.
- In Montgomery, Maxwell Air Force Base serves as a major United States Air Force installation and a primary center for professional military education.
- The Montgomery Zoo is home to over 500 animals from five continents.
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Montgomery has over 9 miles of walking paths in its parks.
Former Capitals of Alabama
Four cities became the capital of Alabama before Montgomery served as capital in 1846.
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St. Stephens
Alabama chose St. Stephens as its first seat of government. It served as the territorial capital between 1817 and 1819. It is located near the Tombigbee River in the southwestern part of the state.
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Huntsville
When the state was admitted to the union in 1819, Huntsville became the first capital of Alabama. It served as a temporary arrangement for one legislative session and was later moved to other central cities. Huntsville, nicknamed “The Rocket City,” is the birthplace of the U.S. space program.
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Cahaba
Cahaba is in Dallas County and was the state capital from 1820 to 1826. It was once a thriving town but became a ghost town shortly after the Civil War.
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Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa served as the capital of Alabama from 1826 to 1846. It is in the county of Tuscaloosa County and is located in west central Alabama on the Black Warrior River. It is the fifth largest city in the state and is home to the University of Alabama.
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