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Alabama State Capitol Building

by Stephen-KarenConn

I am keeping my tips about the State Capitol building and grounds together here in one section under "General Tips."

One of the only state capitols designated a National Historic Landmark, the Alabama State Capitol is where Jefferson Davis took the oath of office as President of the Confederate States of America and where the civil rights March ended with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering a moving speech from the top of its steps.

The historic Senate and House of Representatives Chambers, the old Supreme Court Chambers and the original governor's office have all been restored to their Civil War-era appearance. Guided tours are available Mon. - Sat. Free Admission.

This picture of the Capitol Building was taken in early December as the State Christmas Tree was being decorated - a 30-foot red cedar harvested in Choctaw County.

Address:
600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104

Telephone:
334-242-3935

www.state.al.us

Maxwell Air Force Base

by Ewingjr98

Montgomery is home to Maxwell AFB. This post houses both the Air University and Standard Systems Group. The Air University provides a spectrum of schooling for Air Force personnel including pre-commissioning education, professional military education, and college degree programs. These schools include Air War College; Air Command and Staff College; Squadron Officer College; College of Aerospace Doctrine, Research and Education; Ira C. Eaker College for Professional Development; School for Advanced Air and Space Studies, Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools; Community College of the Air Force.

The Wright brothers established the first U.S. civilian flying school in Montgomery in 1910. By the 1920s, Montgomery became an important link in the growing system of aerial mail service. In the early 1930s, the Army Air Corps Tactical School moved to Maxwell and Montgomery became the country's intellectual center for airpower education. Air University was established in 1946 and continues to educate U.S. and allied military planners and leaders in air and space warfare.

Across town at Maxwell's Gunter Annex you might stumble across Standard Systems Group. Though it is part of MAxwell AFB, it has a distinctly different mission. Rather than education, SSG focuses mainly on software development for the AF. SSG has some 800 military members and 600 Civil Service employees, plus countless contractors.

montgomery alabama

by doug48

"montgomery"

montgomery is the capital and second largest city in alabama. the area around montgomery was originally inhabited by the aibamu native american tribe. the first european to visit the area was hernando de soto in 1540. the first white settler was james mc queen in 1716. montgomery did not have any significant population until 1818 when general john scott founded alabama town. shortly after the founding of alabama town andrew dexter established new philadelphia in today's downtown area. prior to the civil war mongomery was an important cotton market town and had a large slave exchange. the capital of alabama was moved from tuscaloosa to montgomery in 1846. in 1861 montgomery was briefly the capital of the confederacy. in 1865 montgomery was occupied by the forces of union general james h. wilson. fortunately for the beautiful ante bellum architecture of the city wilson decided not to burn montgomery. in 1886 montgomery was the first city in the united states to have city wide electric street car service. in modern times montgomery is best known for it's involvement in the 1950's and 1960's civil rights movement. in 1955 the rosa parks incident sparked the montgomery bus boycott and in 1965 montgomery was the terminus of the selma to montgomery civil rights protest march. montgomery has much to offer the tourist who is interested in history and architecture. montgomery has scores of beautiful ante bellum homes and the historic old alabama town. montgomery has several good museums and a number of good restaurants and hotels. montgomery is well worth a visit when in central alabama.