Old Greyhound Bus Station - Montgomery, AL - Bus Stations on Waymarking.com

Today the old Greyhound Bus Terminal houses the Freedom Rides Museum, but on May 20, 1961 it was the scene of an early civil rights mob attack. Fifty years later, on the anniversary of the confrontation, the Freedom Rides Museum opened its doors with its first art exhibit "Road to Equality." The old bus terminal would probably have been torn down years ago if it was not for its historical significance. The terminal is located at 210 South Court Street, Montgomery, Alabama.

The building is owned by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and is leased to the Alabama Historical Commission. The museum's grand opening was May 19-21, 2011. Source: (visit link)

The historical marker in front of the museum tells us the story. The text reads:

"On May 20, 1961, a group of black and white SNCC members led by John Lewis left Birmingham for Montgomery on a Greyhound bus. They were determined to continue the "Freedom Ride" from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans that had met with violence in Birmingham. Their purpose was to test a court case, "Boynton vs. Virginia," declaring segregation in bus terminals unconstitutional. Upon arriving in Montgomery, their police escort disappeared, and an angry mob of over 200 Klan supporters attacked and injured them at the Greyhound terminal. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy was so enraged that he sent in 450 U. S. Marshals and thus became active in the movement."

Interesting architecture: It has the look of the late 1950s when it was built. Website: [Web Link] Food and drink?: no Restrooms?: yes

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