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What’s in a Name? Navigating Downtown Montgomery

Geoff Stough • March 11, 2025

What’s in a Name? Navigating Downtown Montgomery

by Geoff Stough

Driving the streets of downtown Montgomery can be tricky, especially when it comes to street names. Unlike Birmingham, the streets of downtown are not numbered, but rather have names, and in some cases, the street can change names without notice. The history of how the streets were named is interesting; however, it is doubtful if most people know how the streets received their names.


In order to determine how the streets were named, it is important to remember Montgomery was formed from two cities: New Philadelphia and East Alabama town. The streets of New Philadelphia were drawn in an orderly North, South, East, and West grid. This makes the streets very easy to navigate and give directions. Andrew Dexter named the five most central streets in New Philadelphia, which run East to West, in honor of the first five US Presidents (with the exception of Market Street). Beginning on the north side of the city and moving south there is Jefferson Street, Madison Avenue, Monroe Street, (skip Market/Dexter), Washington Avenue, and Adams Avenue.


Photo Credit: Times Gone By

Dexter named the streets which run north to south for famous naval heroes from the War of 1812. Beginning at the steps of the Capitol and moving west towards the fountain there are Bainbridge, Decatur, Hull, McDonough, Lawrence, and Perry Streets. It was a very common practice to name streets and other landmarks in honor of Presidents and war heroes. It also was not uncommon for people to hang paintings or prints of Presidents or famous battles in their homes or offices during the 19th Century.


The central street in New Philadelphia was simply named Market Street. It was the innermost thoroughfare and was where many businesses were located. The street name was later changed to Dexter Avenue in honor of Andrew Dexter. There is also a street named for John Scott, the founder of East Alabama Town, even though it is not as prominent as the one named for Andrew Dexter. 


In East Alabama, streets were given more practical names. There is Court Street, named because the first recorded Court House was located right behind where the fountain now stands. Commerce Street was an easy name as it leads to the river and train lines, which were used to generate commerce for the city. Other streets were named for prominent families whose homes graced the streets or who were influential for their time.


Driving the streets of downtown, it is easy to see the movement from one of the old towns to the other. For example, Madison Avenue becomes Bibb Street with just a slight shift to the left. Dexter Avenue, being such an important street, stops being Dexter at the fountain. At that point, the streets converge and a person can find themselves on Court, Montgomery, or Commerce Streets. While either of these streets could have been renamed as an extension of Dexter Avenue, each retains their original name.


Chris’ Hotdogs stands proudly on old Market Street, now Dexter Avenue. Patrons now come from many locations with various names to enjoy a great meal.

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