Alabama State Capitol, Tennessee Valley Travel Guide

Overlooking downtown Montgomery from Capitol Hill, the Alabama State Capitol stands as a testament to the state's complex history. Completed in 1851 in the Greek Revival style, it replaced an earlier structure that burned down. The building has been expanded several times over the years to accommodate the growing state government.Inside, visitors can explore the restored House of Representatives and Senate Chamber, the old Supreme Court Chamber and Library, and the rotunda, which features eight murals depicting episodes from Alabama history. The Senate Chamber is particularly noteworthy as the location where the Confederate States of America was formed in 1861. A brass star on the west portico marks the spot where Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the Confederacy's first president.More than a century later, the capitol steps became the final destination of the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965, a watershed moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. addressed an estimated 25,000 people at the foot of the steps, solidifying the capitol's place in the fight for equality. The Alabama State Capitol is recognized as part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail.The grounds surrounding the capitol feature monuments, statues, and gardens, offering a serene setting for reflection. The Goat Hill Museum Store, located inside the capitol at the Union Street entrance, offers Alabama-made gifts, souvenirs, and more.