ALMetro360 April 18

Monroe Street Revels In Its Diverse History When Andrew Dexter laid out his village, New Philadelphia, in 1817, he named his north-south streets for naval heroes of the War of 1812 and the east-west ones for the country’s presidents. With the incorporation of New Philadelphia and East Alabama Town, Montgomery became a town on December 3, 1819; when Alabama entered the Union on December 14, 1819, James Monroe was president. An original thoroughfare, Monroe Avenue,(Street) has served the city in many capacities. Montgomery did not have a town hall; the mayor and alder- men met in various locations until the early 1850s. However, the young town established a city market on Monroe‘s north side, and in the prosperous 1850s built a municipal building on the site. During the Reconstruction era, it underwent a mas- sive enlargement, and by the 1880s, was a handsome Victorian three story entity with ballroom, auditorium, offices, fire and police quarters and city market in the basement. Tragically, a fire in March 1932, destroyed it; the present 1937 City Hall re- placed it during the administration of Mayor William Gunter. A prominent residential area began early on the eastern end of Monroe with stylish houses such as the Rice-Semple-Haardt House, later moved by the Alabama Historical Commission to the corner of Court and High for offices. Lots which once sported ante and post bellum homes now serve state purposes. Two Retirement Systems’ outdoor memorials commemorate individuals and occupations. These replaced black organiza- tions and businesses, established during Reconstruction and more liberal times on Dexter Avenue, when they found them- selves unwelcome after the 1901 Alabama Constitution brought discriminating changes. Some moved to Monroe Street and others joined, establishing a Black Business community, including professionals, businesses and insurance companies which lasted until Civil Rights provided other opportunities. 54 RIVER REGION LIVING www.riverregionliving.com { history } with Mary Ann Neeley City Hall