Crossing this 83-Year-Old Bridge In Alabama Is Like Walking Through History
By Lisa Battles|Published February 15, 2024
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Lisa Battles
Author
Lisa has traveled the U.S. for over a decade, seeking out and sharing the stories of its most interesting places, people, and experiences. A journalism graduate of Auburn University, she has been a content strategist, editor, and writer for more than 25 years. Lisa has worked in community news, PR, and marketing with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and economic development. Besides following her curiosity around every corner, she's a devoted dog mom of two and advocate for animal welfare.
While there are many beautiful, idyllic old covered bridges in Alabama, one historic bridge in Selma, Alabama, is a must-visit for its complex story and impact on national events extending far beyond its 83 years of existence. The Edmund Pettus Bridge was dedicated in 1940 with the namesake of a man who had died in 1907. He was a former Confederate Army general who rose to prominence as a lawyer, US Senator, and leader in the Alabama Ku Klux Klan.
Almost exactly 25 years after that dedication, the bridge became a major symbol of the civil rights movement that transformed the nation's stance on race from the mid-1960s onward. It was the site of what became known as "Bloody Sunday."
On March 7, 1965, Alabama civil rights activists organized a march in support of Black voting rights that was to start at Selma and end in the state capital of Montgomery. The march began with 600 people and started at a church six blocks from the bridge.
When the marchers reached the bridge, a local safety official ordered law enforcement officers to attack them. More than 50 people were hospitalized from the incident. Two days later, Martin Luther King, Jr. led a group three times as large as the first across the bridge, only to be stopped again by law officers. The marchers stopped to pray and turned back to town.
Just less than two weeks later and after federal intervention and protection, approximately 2,000 activists began the Selma to Montgomery March again. Between March 21 and 25, they grew to around 25,000 strong when they arrived at the capitol. It was a critical event in the greater cause. On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
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On the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in 2015, President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush joined US Congressman John Lewis in leading people on a commemorative march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Lewis was one of two leaders in the original march attempt and had been seriously injured from the attack. His testimony in a national hearing helped secure federal support to complete the march.
The bridge continues to be an important place for people to visit no matter the time of year. Crossing it gives at least a glimpse of the experience endured by those who were so committed and catalytic in shaping progress toward equal rights for all people.
Selma, the Alabama River, and its historic bridges have even more history worth exploring, especially in the context of modern times. A perfect place to stay while doing so is the Bridge Tender's House.
Before the Edmund Pettus Bridge, there was another, lower bridge that required someone to turn it so large boats could pass. This cottage, built in 1884, was where the bridge tender lived.
Today, you can book the cottage for a stay within view of the historic crossing. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and thoughtfully appointed with antiques and art by its host, a local artist.
We think you’ll feel the impact of visiting this historic bridge in Selma, Alabama. Let us know if you’ve had a chance to visit. We would love to hear your thoughts about the experience.
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