SHORT SQUARE

This square at the center of the crossroads marks the place or merged on December 3, 1819 the two cities at the origin of Montgomery. The first city, New Philadelphia, founded by lawyer Andrew Dexter of Massachusetts in 1817, was west; and, Alabama Town, established by Georgian settlers led by John Scott in 1818 to the east. The dividing line was Philadelphia's Market Street (today Dexter Avenue) and East Alabama's Main Street (now Trade Street). It is a unique historic site at the crossroads of all events that marked the history of Montgomery, from the Civil War to the famous Selma march. First, used as a slave market, the square was followed by many strong events. In the white building just behind, a telegram precipitated the war of secession; Right across the street, it's the bus stop where Rosa Park came up before being finally stopped at the crossing after refusing to give in to a white person. The Avenue de Montgomery, which leads to the square, is the one by which the participants of the Selma walk arrived before joining the Capitol which is drawing in the background.