West Montgomery blends cultural heritage with plans for the future
West Montgomery has deep roots in Civil Rights history, evident by the City of St. Jude campus, site of the fourth and final campsite for the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march of 1965. At the “Stars for Freedom” rally held there the last night of the march, the sonorous voices of Harry Belafonte, Odetta, Joan Baez and Nina Simone mingled with the inspirational words of Martin Luther King Jr. and James Baldwin, before King and Andrew Young led over 12,000 marchers on the 4-mile walk to the capitol. Today, residents of West Montgomery continue to strive for what LBJ called the "full blessings of American life," and homeownership is a key element of that aspiration. “West Montgomery is a place where historical events happened, a place where change has happened, and a place that continues to change and grow,” says Carmen Moore-Zeigler, commissioner of District 2 Montgomery County.
Maxwell Airforce Base is one draw to the area, but opportunities for growth and change are expected as more industries, like Hyundai Motor Manufacturing and Amazon, settle in West Montgomery. Attractions like Montgomery Whitewater, a man-made whitewater rafting and recreational complex, will allow for outdoor activities like hiking, biking and ziplining. Though there aren't a lot of opportunities for walking in the West Montgomery area, a project for trails through Montgomery is in development, including the Selma-to-Montgomery trail.
Mix of National, Traditional and ranch-style homes
West Montgomery is quieter area, a little like country living close to downtown. Most of the foundational communities rooted in the area still hold onto that idea of old Southern charm and hospitality. For residents, their house is a staple of where they live — they know their neighbors, they bring food to each other’s houses and recognize each other at the park. In these communities, residents who’ve lived in the area for years will look after the younger folks moving in. Houses are more affordable in the area compared to East Montgomery. Depending on the condition of the home, the closing sale prices can range from $30,000 for a house in need of some work, to $100,000. And, depending on where you are, you might see a lot of National-style homes clustered together, along with National-style duplexes. You might also see brick-faced ranch-style homes with shaded front porches and Minimal Traditionals, some with welcoming front gable stoops. “You can live, learn, work and play right here in West Montgomery,” says District 4 City Councilwoman Audrey Graham. “It’s a good place to be.”
Students attend Montgomery Public Schools
Formerly a private, Roman Catholic high school, the historic St. Jude Educational Institute is now the home of the Life Academy, a free public charter school serving Kindergarten through Grade 8. Other schools students in the area might attend include Carver Elementary School, Southlawn Middle School about 10 minutes away, and Carver Senior High School. Carver High’s new Speech and Debate program recently competed at the National level, and they have an excellent choir and band. Industries making a mark in the area have also invested in Carver High by providing resources, like technology manufacturing equipment, to help prepare students for industry and manufacturing jobs. Nearby, Trenholm State Community College offers a Dual Enrollment option for qualified students. If you’re interested in post-secondary education, you can pursue one of several Associate’s Degrees, in addition to a range of certificate and workforce training options.
Community centers offer gyms, playgrounds and summer programs
There are several community centers in West Montgomery perfect for hosting events and large groups, like the Hayneville Road Community Center. It’s a large center with meeting rooms and game rooms, a gym, and playing fields. The center is near a school, and serves as the site for its physical education classroom during the school year. School-aged kids can stop by after school for activities, or attend full-day programs during the summer. Adults can enjoy an open gym time in the evenings and on Saturday.
Though most of the community centers have playgrounds and ball fields, there are parks in the area that also have plenty of green space for kids to run around, or to just appreciate nature. The trees surrounding Hayneville Road Park give the illusion of seclusion, and other mature trees scattered around the park provide ample shade. There are a few pavilions with picnic tables, and a large play area with a playset, slides, climbing equipment and spring riders for kids to enjoy. Diffley Park, near the West End Boys & Girls Club, has a smaller playground that is equally shaded, next to a ball field.
Local West Montgomery dining options full of character
Two favorite local dining spots are cash-only establishments: Brenda’s Bar-B-Que Pit and Barbara Gail Neighborhood Grille. Don’t let their worn exteriors or lack of seating fool you — the food, served in generous portions, is delicious. Brenda’s has been serving the community for over 50 years. Their meals are made with fresh meat, like their seasoned, tender pork ribs plate or chicken plate, served quickly so your meal is still warm. You can order the sandwich version for most of the meals, along with amazing sides like potato salad and coleslaw. Barbara Gail Neighborhood Grille is an excellent mom-and-pop breakfast restaurant, open from 7 a.m. to noon. “Any item that could be on a breakfast menu, they have it,” says Graham. Try to stop by before 10 a.m. for access to the full menu; any later, and some items may be sold out, or the wait may be longer. A little fun fact: Brenda’s Bar-B-Que and Barbara Gail’s are owned by the same family.
While shopping options are sparse in West Montgomery, there are a couple of stores, like Dollar General and Family Dollar, available for a quick grocery run. There’s also a CVS further down West Fairview Avenue. You’ll have to drive further out for a more extensive shopping trip. You can reach a Winn-Dixie at Southlawn Shopping Center roughly 12 minutes south, or the one in Prattville, about 12 minutes north. Keep in mind that, depending on where you live in West Montgomery, you might hear the roar of planes taking off or landing at the Maxwell Air Force Base, the clatter of trains rolling across the tracks or the rumble of cars zooming by.
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