Alabama State Capitol facts for kids
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First Confederate Capitol
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The Alabama State Capitol in 2016
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 Location in Alabama
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| Location | Montgomery, Alabama |
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| Built | 1850–51 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000152 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 19, 1960 |
The Alabama State Capitol is a very important building in Montgomery, Alabama. It's where the state's government leaders work. This building is also known as the First Confederate Capitol because of its role during the American Civil War. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1960, meaning it's a special place in American history.
Even though it's called the Capitol, the Alabama Legislature (the group that makes laws) doesn't meet here anymore. They meet at the Alabama State House. Today, the Capitol building holds the governor's office and works mostly as a museum.
Contents
A Look Back at Alabama's Capitals
Alabama has had five different capital cities and four special buildings for its government.
Early Capitals
- In 1817, when Alabama was a territory, its first capital was St. Stephens.
- Then, in 1819, the state's first big meeting was held in Huntsville.
- The first permanent capital was set up in Cahaba in 1820.
- In 1826, the capital moved to Tuscaloosa. A new three-story building was built there. This building later became a college for women. It burned down in 1923, but its ruins are still kept in Capitol Park.
Montgomery Becomes the Capital
In 1846, Montgomery became the capital city. The first capitol building in Montgomery was built where the current one stands. But it burned down just two years later!
The building you see today was finished in 1851. Over the next 140 years, more parts were added. This happened as more people moved to Alabama, and farming, especially cotton, grew.
A Building with a Big History
The Alabama State Capitol has seen many important moments.
The Confederate Capitol
In 1861, the Capitol building was used as the first capital of the Confederate States of America. This was before Richmond, Virginia became the main capital. Leaders met here to write the first Confederate Constitution. They also adopted the final Confederate Constitution in this building.
You can find a special brass star on the front steps. It marks the exact spot where Jefferson Davis stood in 1861 to become the only President of the Confederacy.
The Civil Rights Movement
More than 100 years later, in 1965, the Capitol was again at the center of history. The third and final Selma to Montgomery march ended at the Capitol's front steps. These protests helped lead to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This law made it easier for all citizens to vote.
The Confederate Flag Controversy
In 1961, Governor John Malcolm Patterson flew a Confederate flag over the Capitol for a few days. Later, in 1963, Governor George Wallace raised the Confederate Battle Flag. He did this to show his disagreement with the federal government's plans to end desegregation at the University of Alabama.
The flag stayed up for nearly 30 years. In 1988, some African American lawmakers and civil rights activists were arrested for trying to take it down. In 1991, the flag was removed during building repairs. A court decided in 1993 that only the U.S. and Alabama flags could fly over the Capitol.
Legislature Moves Out
The Alabama Legislature met in the Capitol until 1985. Then, they moved to the new Alabama State House. This move was supposed to be temporary while the Capitol was fixed up. The repairs lasted from 1985 to 1992. When the Capitol reopened, the Governor of Alabama and other state offices moved back. But the legislature stayed at the State House.
In 2009, the legislature met in the Capitol again for one day. This was because of flooding at the State House. It was a bit tricky because the Capitol wasn't set up for them anymore!
What the Capitol Looks Like
Outside the Building
The Capitol building is built in the Greek Revival style. This means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples. It has tall columns and a grand entrance. The main part of the building is three stories tall. Over the years, new sections were added, including a south wing in 1906 and a north wing in 1912. These additions were designed to match the original style.
Inside the Building
When you enter the Capitol, you'll see the main stair-hall. Here, two amazing spiral staircases curve up to the third floor. These stairs were designed by Horace King, a very talented architect who was once enslaved but gained his freedom. He was so well-known that a special law allowed him to stay in Alabama after he was freed. He even served in the Alabama House of Representatives in the building he helped create!
The center of the Capitol is a large, open space called the rotunda. It goes all the way up to the dome. The inside of the dome has eight beautiful paintings by Roderick MacKenzie. These murals show important moments in Alabama's history, like:
- The meeting of Hernando de Soto and Chief Tuskaloosa in 1540.
- The founding of Mobile by French explorers.
- Andrew Jackson and William Weatherford in 1814.
- Pioneers settling Alabama.
- The writing of Alabama's first constitution in 1818.
- Life in Alabama before the Civil War.
- Jefferson Davis becoming president on the Capitol steps in 1861.
- Alabama's growth and success from 1874 to 1930.
The Capitol also has the old Senate Chamber and the old House of Representatives Chamber. These rooms are where important laws were debated and passed. The old Senate Chamber was where Alabama decided to leave the Union in 1861, leading to the Civil War. It's also where the Confederate States of America was formed.
The Capitol Grounds
The area around the Capitol building, called Capitol Hill, is beautiful. It was designed by the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
The Main Steps
The wide marble steps leading to the front of the Capitol are very famous. They were built in 1949.
These steps are where the third Selma to Montgomery march ended on March 25, 1965. About 25,000 people gathered there, including Martin Luther King Jr.. They wanted to give a petition to the governor asking for an end to unfair treatment and for voting rights. Even though they were first stopped, a group eventually got inside, but the governor's office was closed. Martin Luther King Jr. gave a powerful speech at the base of the steps, saying, "We are not about to turn around. We are on the move now. Yes, we are on the move and no wave of racism can stop us."
The steps are still a place where people gather for protests and demonstrations today.
Confederate Memorial Monument
The grounds also feature the Confederate Memorial Monument.
Avenue of Flags
The Avenue of Flags is another important part of the Capitol grounds. It has flags from all the U.S. states. Each flagpole has a special stone from that state with its name carved on it. This area was finished in 1968.
Visiting the Capitol
You can visit many parts of the Capitol building. These include the main stair-hall, the old Governor's Office, the old State Supreme Court, the rotunda, and the old House and Senate Chambers. The Alabama Historical Commission takes care of the building and its grounds.
See also
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Alabama
- First White House of the Confederacy, across the street from the capitol building
- Virginia State Capitol, second and last capitol building of the Confederacy
- List of state and territorial capitols in the United States
