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Lower Commerce Street Historic District: A Walk Through Time

Explore Montgomery's Lower Commerce Street Historic District: Architecture, commerce, and history in the heart of Alabama.

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The Lower Commerce Street Historic District in Montgomery, Alabama, offers a glimpse into the city's commercial and social history. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it features late 19th and early 20th-century commercial buildings showcasing Italianate, Classical Revival, and Renaissance Revival architectural styles.

A brief summary to Lower Commerce Street Historic District

  • 121 Coosa St, Montgomery, Alabama, 36104, US

Local tips

  • Take a self-guided walking tour to appreciate the architectural details of the historic buildings.
  • Visit nearby attractions like the Riverfront Park and the Montgomery Union Station to enhance your historical experience.
  • Check out local events and festivals that often take place in the district.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Montgomery Riverwalk, head north on Commerce Street. The Lower Commerce Street Historic District will be on your left, starting around Coosa Street. Walking is the best way to explore the district's architectural details. No costs involved.

  • Public Transport

    Several bus routes serve the area. Check the local Montgomery Area Transit System (MATS) schedule for the nearest stop. From the bus stop, walk towards Commerce Street. A single fare is typically around $1.25.

  • Taxi/Ride-share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Montgomery. A short ride from downtown hotels or the Civil Rights Memorial to the Lower Commerce Street Historic District will cost approximately $8-$12, depending on traffic.

  • Parking

    Several parking options are available near the Lower Commerce Street Historic District. The Commerce Lot at 263-273 Commerce St costs $10 per day. The Intermodal Deck, located at 495 Molton Street, and the Coosa Deck at 232 Coosa Street both cost $6 per day. Metered parking is free after 6 PM on Friday until 6 AM on Monday.

Unlock the Best of Lower Commerce Street Historic District

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Discover more about Lower Commerce Street Historic District

The Lower Commerce Street Historic District, a 45-acre area in Montgomery, Alabama, is a captivating reminder of the city's past. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, with boundary increases in later years, the district showcases a collection of well-preserved late 19th and early 20th-century commercial buildings and warehouses. Commerce Street, the district's main thoroughfare, was the heart of early Montgomery, serving as a vital link to the Alabama River for trade and transportation after the city's founding in 1819. The street also carries a dark history, as it was a route where enslaved people were marched from the river to auction sites before the Civil War. After the Civil War, the area transformed into the principal wholesale district for Central Alabama. The district's architecture reflects the styles popular during its commercial heyday. Buildings showcase Italianate, Classical Revival, and Renaissance Revival influences. Many structures feature decorative details in metal, brick, stone, and terra cotta, with metal cornices and hoodmolds adding to their visual appeal. The buildings are primarily simple rectangular blocks, ranging from two to four stories in height, with a few taller buildings grouped in the southern portion of the district. The Steiner-Lobman/Teague Hardware Store stands out with its unusual tower. Today, the Lower Commerce Street Historic District serves as a reminder of Montgomery's commercial past. Former industrial structures and warehouses now house modern businesses while maintaining their original architectural features.

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