Historical Markers and Landmarks in Alabama
A Guide to Alabama's Historic Sites and Plaques
Sep 12, 2009
Alabama has two historical marker systems and a wealth of landmarks listed on the Albama Register and National Register of Historic Places. It also boasts 36 National Historic Landmarks as of January 2009.
The Alabama Historical Commission is Alabama's state historic preservation office, and has been running the official state historical marker system since 1975. To qualify for a marker, the site must be listed on either the National Register of Historic Places, the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage or the Alabama Historic Cemeteries Register.
There are somewhere in the region of 150 state historical markers. They are typically dark blue pole markers with a traditional shape, as shown below. These markers are topped with a circular seal containing a map of the state and the words "Alabama Historical Commission.
The Alabama Historical Association also runs a historical marker program which started in 1947. This system is much larger, with over 600 markers as of 2009; the markers take the traditional shape, and have an Alabama flag at their apex, as shown in the image with the covered bridge. The Alabama Historical Association publishes a guidebook, Alabama Historical Association Markers
Historic Landmarks in Alabama
The Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage is also run by the Alabama Historical Commission and is a listing of properties deemed worthy of preservation. In a sense it acts as triage for National Register listings, since the process of listing in Alabama allows the AHC to check whether it is eligible for the National Register. A property must be at least 40 years old to make it onto the Alabama Register.
AHC publishes the landmarks list online in PDF format and interested researchers can also view the original files in the office by appointment.
Other kinds of historical markers in Alabama
The Historic Chattahoochee Commission is a two-state organization that erects markers celebrating the Chattahoochee river corridor in Alabama and Georgia, with nearly 200 markers in Alabama.
As of 2009, there were 24 certified local governments in Alabama with preservation programs recognized by the National Park Service. The history-hunter could do worse than to visit these CLGs, since many designate their own landmarks, often with plaques. For example, Mobile has a historical walking tour and designated its own landmarks; other certified local governments include Birmingham, Eufaula and Tuscaloosa. Some counties, such as Jefferson County, also run their own marker systems.
Photographs of Alabama Historical Marker, Admiral Semmes and Barton Acadamy are used by kind permission of Nancy Morse.
 |
 |
 |
 |
