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In 1920, Mrs. Ruth Watson and her son Eddie first leased, and later bought, Montevallo's Strand Theatre, a business venture which proved to be prosperous for decades. The theatre was located next to Rogan Furniture Store, undergoing several facelifts throughout the years to keep up with the times, such as in 1932 when it closed for 5 weeks of renovations. Unlike many similar theaters, The Strand survived throughout the Great Depression, and helped many locals get through some of the worst times in US history.&nbsp; Throughout the 40's, special showings for movies like "The Wizard of Oz," "Snow White" and "Gone with the Wind" were held for Montevallo's children and adults alike, for .10 cents a show and .25 cents a show respectively. Popcorn was .10 cents a bag, and the Saturday programs consisted of&nbsp;newsreels, cartoons and serial features.&nbsp; In it's later years, the Strand continued to show new and exciting movies, acting as great entertainment for those without access to a vehicle, especially Montevallo students.&nbsp;&nbsp; Eddie Watson retired in 1973 after owning and operating the Strand for decades.&nbsp;

The Strand Theatre c. 1961 showing "The Misfits," famously the last completed film of both Gable and Monroe. 

Strand Theatre when it was known as "Falcon" Theatre c. 1978.

The Strand Theatre decked out in Art Deco style, c. 1935. 

The Strand in 1940. During segregation, African American patrons had to use the long outside stairs to the balcony. 

Montevallo's downtown now on the National Register of Historic Places

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From helping get citizens through the Great Depression, to serving as good entertainment to students without vehicles, the Strand Theatre in Montevallo proved to be a staple for the community for many years. Originally leased in 1920 by Ruth Watson and her son, the theatre provided the town with over 50 years of movies. Now, it's unclear what the building is being used for. 

The Strand

Instructor

Please enjoy this walking tour of the city of Montevallo and the University of Montevello. 

McKibbon House was built in 1900 for Robert Fulton McKibbon, and was originally intended to be used as a meeting house for the Montevallo Presbyterian Church. Completed in the "Queen Anne" Victorian architectural style, it remains one of a few examples left standing in Montevallo today. The house has a long and varied history of ownership and purpose; first functioning as a private residence, then apartments, then a home again, then McKibbon Bed and Breakfast Inn. Some previous owners include: J.W.D. Galloway, Melvin T. Smitherman and Leonard Lawley.&nbsp;Today, the fate of the house remains uncertain, as according to Google, it is permanently closed.&nbsp; Since 1978, the house has secured a spot on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage and since 2001 it's been on the National Register of Historic Places. Though in 1979, the house was accordingly shrouded with asbestos, it functioned successfully as a Bed and Breakfast for many years. Famed local photographer and author, Mike Mahan, cites the house as being part of his roots in his book "No Hill Too High for a Stepper."&nbsp;

McKibbon House is a classic house in Montevallo, famous for it's characteristic architecture and history serving as both a private residence and Inn. Originally built for Robert Fulton McKibbon around the turn of the 20th century, the house has outlived many similar Victorian buildings. In recent years the house has functioned as McKibbon Bed and Breakfast, though it remains unclear what purpose the house will serve in the future. 

McKibbon House

On the corner of 700 N Boundary Street and Main Street, there once was the Alabama Coaches Company, founded by William L. Brown and his sons Wyman W. and Jadie Hansel in 1935. Beginning with taxi cabs and then buying a bus, the Browns provided transportation to towns in Alabama near and far such as Calera, Sylacauga, Tuscaloosa, Centerville, Aldrich, Wilton, and Dogwood. In 1945, the fully operational bus station was located in it's current location, and by 1946 it had become a hub for both transport and town activities. Complete with offices, waiting rooms, a cafe, a banquet room where clubs met, and even overnight rooms for guests traveling the next day, the two-story building was a bonafide thriving business. At it's peak, the Coaches Company operated over 20 buses and remained a successful transportation station for over 50 years. Today, the Alabama Coaches Company is known as the Tavern, a local restaurant often frequented by Montevallo students and visitors alike.

The Tavern, or as it once was known, Alabama Coaches Company, used to be a bus station that helped passengers travel to various towns across the state. Founded in 1935, the business lasted over 50 years. Now, the building functions as a popular restaurant. 

The Tavern

Originally known as the home of Judge E.S. Lyman, Saylor House served as housing for male students and held home economics classes for men as a part of the Montevallo Male and Female Institute. The school opened on February 6, 1858, and got off to a good start, but the Civil War and its bleak conditions made it impossible for the school to continue. The building was bought by the University of Montevallo in 1952 and renamed for Edythe Saylor.&nbsp; Ms. Saylor worked at the Alabama College for Women in the 1940s as a physical education instructor and taught courses such as archery and folk dancing. She was also a advisor for the YWCA as well as the Athletic Association. She took a leave of absence during World War II, at which point she served as a nurse in Europe. Letters between Edythe and her supposed Russian pen-pal Svetlana Donskaia have been found, in which the two women discuss the importance of peace. These letters date between 1947 and 1950.&nbsp; Today, there are two scholarships named after Ms. Edythe, both of which are available to women studying kinesiology. As of 2014, Saylor House still served as faculty housing, but currently (2018) the house patiently awaits its fate, hopefully to be refurbished and repurposed.

Saylor House, previously known as Lyman Hall, was built in the 1850s and first served as men's housing as a part of the Montevallo Male and Female Institute. In 1952, the University of Montevallo bought this building and remodeled it as apartments for faculty of the institution. The faculty has since been evicted, and the building sits empty waiting for potential refurbishment and repurpose.

Saylor House

Calkins Hall was originally built to house the Department of Music and is named after Charles Rendell Calkins. Calkins was&nbsp;the university's music director from 1916 to his death in 1921. Originally, the hall was supposed to be located near Bloch Hall, but was constructed in its current location without explanation. Calkins Hall contained "the usual studios and practice rooms and a special feature, the concert room finished in ivory and old gold, the walls richly decorated in plaster work" ("1899"). The building served as the music building until 1971, when a new music hall was constructed.&nbsp; When the Music Department switched buildings, Calkins Hall became "the first building on campus wholly given to administration" ("Calkins"). The new&nbsp;Davis Hall took over the role of housing the Music Department, and Calkins is now dedicated to administrative offices.

Calkins Hall houses various administrative offices, including the offices of the President and the Provost. It also contains the offices of the Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Public Affairs, and others. The building was originally built to house the music department, but it was changed to contain administrative offices when a new music building was constructed. Calkins Hall is named after Charles Calkins, one of the university's music directors.

Calkins Hall

Built in 1851, Reynolds Hall originally served as a school for local children. In 1896, Reynolds Hall was gifted by the town "to the Board of Trustees to locate Alabama Girls' Industrial School in Montevallo." When the school first opened, Reynolds help not only the classrooms, but also a chapel and the president's office. Overtime, Reynolds has gone through a variety of changes, both in its physical appearance and its uses. At one point Reynolds had an additional wing on its side, and its front staircase has gone through many variations. While for many years Reynolds contained the Department of Communication, it no longer does&nbsp;since the completion of Strong Hall in 2017, where that department is now housed.&nbsp; Reynolds Hall was named after the very first president of Alabama Girls' Industrial, Captain Henry Clay Reynolds, who served from the opening of the school in 1896 until 1899. Born in 1832, Reynolds was an honorary Captain in the Confederate army who moved to Montevallo after the war, going into the "'furnishing' business." Following the unexpected resignation of Julia Tutwiler, the trustees attempting to open the school "turned to Reynolds," hoping he could get the school opened on scheduled, regardless of the short notice. Despite being elected only in September, "Reynolds moved with lightning speed," and AGIS opened just a month later on October 12, 1896. While he was abruptly removed from office due to allegations of that "he did not differentiate between school funds and those of his store," Reynolds is still remembered fondly for his instrumental role in starting the university, to which his namesake building stands as a testament.

Reynolds Hall currently serves as the location for the Reynolds Theater performance space, the Department of Theater, as well as alumni and developmental offices. With its grand white columnns and staircase, Reynolds shows off the lovely architecture of the campus. It is one of the oldest buildings on campus and is where the school got its start.

Reynolds Hall

Before Peterson Hall was opened as the school infirmary, there was not an adequate place to send injured and sick students where they could be cared for and kept from spreading illness to other students. Originally, a room was set aside in Main Hall for this purpose, and later King House was used, as it could hold more patients.&nbsp; When Peterson Hall opened as the infirmary in 1914, it could house almost twice as many patients as King House. It has since been renovated multiple times to serve different purposes, including&nbsp;the Health and Counseling Centers and the Communications Center.

Named after Dr. Francis Marion Peterson, Peterson hall was built in 1913.  It was originally built as the college infirmary. It is now used for studio art classes. 

Peterson Hall

Named after third UM President Thomas Waverly Palmer, the building was constructed in 1929 and was dedicated "on the weekend of April 26-28, 1930" (Griffith). Palmer Hall was originally built to serve as the campus chapel, while also serving to house all of the administrative offices. However, in the 1970s, the building was in need of major repair. The auditorium was completely renovated, and on May 30, 1980, the building was rededicated. One of its most impressive features is its Holtkamp organ, located on the wall of Palmer Auditorium. It is played during commencement ceremonies and other prestigious campus events.&nbsp;The auditorium is also the home of the College Night performances, as well as various presentations and awards events on campus.&nbsp;The front steps of Palmer are used as meeting places for various College Night events like the Ribbon Hanging, as well as for Greek life events such as Sorority Bid Day.&nbsp;

Palmer Hall houses administrative offices, such as the Admissions Offices, the Registrar's Office, and the Financial Aid Office. Palmer Auditorium is used for Orientation events,  Founders Day, commencement ceremonies, and - perhaps most notably- the annual College Night performances. 

Palmer Hall

The Tower was constructed from 1910-1911. &nbsp;The campus needed more acces to water, so it was absolutely necessary that this water tower was created. &nbsp;It was constructed by the Piedmont Construction Company of Atlanta. At the time it cost $6,074.84 (Tipton).&nbsp; The Tower was in use until 1962. &nbsp;At that point a new water tower needed to be created because of the growing population on campus. &nbsp;The Tower was then gutted and made into offices. &nbsp;At the time it housed the school yearbook, the literary magazine, and and the newspaper. The literary magazine is named the&nbsp;Tower,&nbsp;in the namesake of this building on campus. &nbsp;Today the Tower houses the Environmental Studies and Sustainability programs.

Contruction on the Tower began in 1910. It was meant to be a spring fed water tower that held more than 100,000 gallons of water.  It was completed in 1911.  Eventually a new water tower was created because this one was so unconventional. The university turned this one into offices. 

The Tower

By the 1920s, Reynolds Hall was no longer a sufficient space for what was then known as Alabama College. Not only was there an "increase in the number of college students in education," but high school students from Montevallo also had their classes there. As such,&nbsp;Wills Hall was built in 1923, originally as a library for the campus, in an effort to help the "space problem." Created with a "ninety-foot-long reading room," Wills served as the library until 1968 when Carmichael Library was constructed. At this point, Wills Hall was "renovated and enlarged for the College of Education." Also, in 1975, "an addition was added to the west," which served to double the size of the building. Wills Hall was named after a man named Edward Houston Wills, whose portrait now adorns a wall above a stairwell in Wills Hall. Edward Houston Wills, born 1882, worked at Montevallo from "1909 until his death in June 1946," a total of thirty-seven years. Wills worked as a registrar and business manager for the university, serving three presidents throughout his employment (Palmer, Carmichael, and Harman). He completed a variety of tasks while acting as a "good right arm" for the presidents, including a notable occasion wherein he tried to gather more squirrels to come to campus. He was known as an "admirable gentleman," beloved by students, who dedicated both the 1933 yearbook to him, and College Night in 1940.

Wills Hall is the home of the University of Montevallo's renowned College of Education. Located near the center of campus, education majors are often found walking the squeaky halls of Wills, traveling from class to class, or popping into the Malone Center to find lesson resources. The variety of degrees offered by the College of Education in Wills Hall includes: Elementary Education, Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, as well as Family and Consumer Sciences and many others. 

Wills Hall

Before Bloch Hall was built, several of the school's courses, especially "industrial" courses, were scattered across different locations on campus. With the new building came a consolidation of all these courses&nbsp;into one place. The plans for the building were approved in 1914, and construction was completed in 1915. The building was often referred to as the "new science building," but when Harman Hall was built the majority of the science classes were moved out of Bloch. Now, it only houses fine arts and family consumer sciences courses.

Bloch Hall was the first purely academic building constructed on campus. It opened at the beginning of the 1915-16 academic session, and first housed several laboratories and classrooms for lab sciences, domestic sciences, and fine arts. Today, it is still used for fine arts and family and consumer science classes. 

Bloch Hall

Comer was the second building at the University of Montevallo to be built purely to be used educationally. It is also known as the "classroom building." It has housed almost every subject that has come through the university aside from home economics. A small auditorium is on the first floor, and a walkway on the second story connects Comer to Morgan Hall, the business building. The building contains classrooms as well as offices for faculty. Comer was financed by federal WPA loans. Comer Hall was named for Braxton Bragg Comer, known as the "educational governor" from 1907-1911. Comer was a cadet at the University of Alabama at the time it was destroyed. After the war, B.B. graduated with honors from a school in Virginia. He became one of the most successful plantation owners in the state, and though he moved due to the malarial conditions in his county, he never stopped loving plantations. His business adventures brought him to conflict with railroads, and he organized a protest against unfair railway rates, gaining him the popularity to become state governor in 1906. The building was dedicated to B.B. Comer on April 25, 1940.

Comer Hall, named for Braxton B. Comer, is home to English, Foreign Language, and Psychology classes. Comer houses the Harbert Writing Center, where students can bring their essays to be edited by peers who have experience writing grade A papers. 

Braxton Bragg Comer Hall

Morgan Hall was constructed in 1976 because the Business Department was growing exponentially. Comer, where this department was originally housed, was too small. It was decided that a new space needed to be created so they made plans to construct Morgan right next door.&nbsp;The space was contracted by W.T.Booth in Helena, and the architects were Renneker, Smith, Kirkwood, and the associates of Birmingham (Griffith). &nbsp;At the time it was the "only nationally accredited public, undergraduate-only College of Business" (Griffith).&nbsp;The building was dedicated to Sara Posey Morgan in 1980. &nbsp; Sara Morgan began working for Montevallo in 1944, and became&nbsp;a beloved professor on campus. &nbsp;When she retired in 1980&nbsp;the Board of Trustees decided to dedicate it in her honor.&nbsp; The building now houses the Michael E.&nbsp;Stephens College of Business. It is one of the most successful programs on campus.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Morgan Hall is located in Montevallo, Alabama. It houses the Stephens College of Business and was constructed in 1976. 

Morgan Hall

Hill House, originally called Hill Hall, was named after Elizabeth Baldwin Hill. It was built to replace the demonstration home that was used to teach home economics students (Tipton). As such, it contained the Home Economics laboratory and residence, where students could learn and practice home-management skills. The building was dedicated in 1969, but due to a decline in the field of home economics, the building was renovated in 1987 and is now used for the Honors department and other offices.&nbsp; Aside from offices, there is a kitchen, dining room, bathroom, and living room for building faculty and Honors students to use. There is even a small laundry room for the staff to use.&nbsp;Hill House is used primarily for Honors classes and various club meetings, such as the Montevallo Organization of Gaming and the Chess Club. Honors students can also access the computers and printers in the building for free, making it a frequent place for last-minute print jobs.

Hill House contains the Honors Program offices and is used for most Honors classes. The building also contains offices for other departments, such as Game Studies and Design, and for general education and academic development.

Hill House

Before the spring of 1926, the University's presidents lived in a multitude of places. Captain Reynolds had his own home, choosing to house some faculty and students there. Dr. Peterson lived in a brick home built in 1906 between Wills Hall and Palmer Hall. There, Dr. Palmer also lived until it burned down in 1921, at which point his family moved to the Infirmary, remaining there until the death of Dr. Palmer in 1926. Mrs. Palmer has been credited with designing Flowerhill, however, the Palmers never lived there. Dr. Palmer died before the house was finished being constructed. The furnishings were left to be chosen by Mrs. Carmichael, as she would be the first first-lady to live in the home. The first official function held at Flowerhill took place on May 22, 1926.&nbsp; The house required only minor repairs up until 1977, when the university's eleventh president was set to move in. The renovation, which lasted to the following year, included new wiring and plumbing, as well as walls and furnishings being either replaced or restored. Flowerhill is once again the marvelous beauty it was upon its initial construction.

Flowerhill has been home to the presidents of the University of Montevallo as well as their families since the spring of 1926. Today, Flowerhill is a beautiful spot and social hotspot on UM's campus. The big front yard and long brick driveway are available to play on, take pictures in front of, and even bring your dog for anyone interested.

Flowerhill

The Child Study Center, also known as the nursery school and Child Study Laboratory, was first started back in 1931. Overtime, the CSC has been at a variety of locations. The first and second&nbsp;buildings were located where Carmichael Library now stands. In 1954-55, the school was moved to its present location, rebuilt into what was referred to as an "ultra modern world for little people." The CSC&nbsp;was created to suit children "from 2 1/2 to 5 years of age," complete with two classrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and an outside play area. The CSC also "serves as a laboratory for training and research in early childhood development," with students from the university from a variety of majors often coming to observe.&nbsp;The CSC is&nbsp;accredited as a&nbsp;child development center&nbsp;by the&nbsp;National Association for the Education of Young Children, with its most recent reaccreditation awarded in March 2018.&nbsp;

The Child Study Center is a child development laboratory located on the campus of the University of Montevallo. There are two classrooms comprised of children around the ages of three to four years old. Teachers at the CSC all "have degrees in Early Childhood Education, or a closely related field, and are highly qualified," and some student workers from the university are also employed.

Child Study Center

The University of Montevallo's anagama kiln was built by Dr. Scott Meyer as part of a series of wood fire kilns. Construction began in 1999, after Meyer received a donation of bricks. Before constructing the kiln, he took a sabbatical to visit other anagma kilns around the country and plan his design. Ultimately, he settled on a more traditional design. The kiln has one chamber, and most of the pieces are fired in the middle and back sections of the chamber.&nbsp;However, some pieces may be placed in other parts of the kiln in order to achieve certain effects. The kiln reaches 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit and must be watched and maintained at all times during the 100-hour firing process.

The University of Montevallo's Anagama kiln is a 40-foot long woodfire kiln built primarily out of brick. It is one of the few kilns of its kind in the United States. The kiln is typically fired twice a year as part of the university's ceramics classes.

City of Montevallo and University of Montevallo Walking Tour

The Strand

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources

Additional Information