Selma to Montgomery March

March 1965, I was a student at Tuskegee Institute. We loaded a Volkswagen and headed to Montgomery. We probably arrived about 9:30. This is being written 40 years after the march so memories are being dusted off.

The purpose of this site is to attempt to portray the atmosphere in Montgomery surrounding the culmination of the march.

Having been to Montgomery several times and familiar with the downtown area, one goal was to park away from the capitol with the car parked to facilitate an easy exit. We did not know what the traffic situation would be but expected it to be hectic after the march. I don't recall any difficulty, but then I don't remember leaving.

From here, the photos with some brief comments will tell my view of March 25, 1965.

Some images have the option of "Larger Image" on the lower right hand corner. Those images initially fill the window. Most browsers provide the option to see the image larger than the window and you can scroll around the image. The intent is to get the feeling as if you were looking through a window into the past.

Time is provided by the Chevrolet billboard on the west end of Dexter or the clock on the Capitol at the east end. Like I said, my memory is not that good.

10:20 a.m. Looking west on Dexter Avenue. Montgomery prepares.

10:22 a.m. McDonough St. N and Dexter Ave., Life goes on.

10:23 a.m. Helicopter surveying area. TV crew setting up cameras and microwave equipment on HERTZ truck.