Montgomery Attraction: Alabama State Capitol Building

The Capitol Building in Montgomery, Alabama is rich with both history and architectural design. Montgomery actually served as the fifth capital in the State of Alabama, and is considered to be the most prestigious in the State's history. The Capitol Building in Montgomery served as the first Capitol for the Confederate States of America, before it was moved to Richmond, and Jefferson Davis was sworn in as President of the Confederacy on the steps of this monumental building.

The city of Montgomery, Alabama actually got it's start when two competing businessmen founded rival cities on the banks of the Alabama River. The city's of East Alabama and New Philadelphia both grew and prospered, until they were eventually merged into a singular city in 1819 due to the close proximity. The new city was named Montgomery in honor General Richard Montgomery from the American Revolutionary War. It is located in Montgomery County, which was named in honor of Major Lemuel Montgomery, who was killed in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814.

The Alabama Legislature voted to locate the State Capital in Montgomery in 1846. This was the fifth location of Alabama's Capital. The original temporary capital was set up in Saint Stephens when the Congressional Act was passed to make Alabama an official territory in 1817. In 1819 the Northern city of Huntsville, Alabama, was designated as the State Capital, and the first session of the Alabama General Assembly was held in Huntsville the same year.

The Capital was later moved to Cahaba in 1820, but constant flooding forced the move to Tuscaloosa in 1826. Tuscaloosa was suppose to be the permanent home of the State Capital and the Capitol Building, but a legislative amendment in 1846 opened the door for a move to Montgomery, where the Capital has resided since.