Montgomery Battles For Most Historic City In U.S.

 

Voting for the USA Today poll ended this morning, but some people in town are sure we deserve title. 

 

Before the polls closed, it looked like Montgomery was just barely beating Annapolis, Maryland. 

 

Whether we win or lose, there’s definitely something special about the capital city. 

 

Montgomery was the site of both civil war and civil rights.

Confederate president Jefferson Davis took his oath of office on the steps of the capitol and served in the first white house of the confederacy across the street. 

 

Years later, the civil rights movement would come to a head with a march from Selma to Montgomery. 

 

Dawn Hathcock with the visitors and convention bureau says many tourists come just for the history. 

 

“A lot of our attractions are built around the history of the civil war and civil rights. So we really take pride in that. And when people come to Montgomery, those are things they know about the city, they want to see where these things happened,” said Hathcock.

 

One of those visitors, Barbara Pomeranz, came all the way from South Carolina. She says seeing the spot where Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus moved her to tears. 

 

“I had to come down here to Montgomery and I had to stand in the place where this wonderful lady braved such great odds. Because she was absolutely tremendous. Such a wealth and fount of spirit,” said Pomeranz.

 

People like Henry Hughes, who grew up here, saw the struggle for equality first hand. 

 

“I remember they demonstrated in the civil rights movement. Dr. King, the walk from Selma, and the singing and praying that they used to do on the capitol steps. I remember all of that,” said Hughes.

 

USA Today already named Montgomery to the top 10 in the poll, which the city says is still an honor.

 

The winner of the contest will be announced this Wednesday.