Feature Exhibit, Figh-Pickett House
October 6th through January 5th
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday

Our third exhibit of the year, Lasting Impact, showcases historic Montgomery businesses and their enduring contributions to the community’s economic and cultural landscape. This exhibit demonstrates how these enterprises have shaped Montgomery’s identity and contributed to its prosperity.

With every exhibit, we strive to spark interest in Montgomery’s history and motivate members and visitors to explore local and regional historical sites and attractions.

Lasting Impact

Sabel Steel, 169 Years of Service
www.sabelsteel.com

Marx Sabel, founder of Sabel Steel, 1856

Founded in 1856 by Keith Sabel’s great-great-grandfather, Marx Sabel, the family brought all their belongings from Louisville, Kentucky, to the Montgomery, Alabama area. Marx Sabel was a true entrepreneur, father of ten children, who began his business selling leather goods, trading furs, and cowhides. Leather was vital for farm implements and horse tack—essential transportation and heavy work tools of the time.

As the country became more industrialized, scrap metal became a primary focus as the demand for metal grew. Sabel’s business shifted in that direction. When Keith’s father and uncle returned from World War II, they continued to focus on metals and bought their first carload of steel from US Steel’s Fairfield mill, always seeking new business opportunities. Their first experience was disappointing, as a bundle of newly manufactured steel broke when dropped during unloading.

By the mid-1950s, they were dealing in Army and Navy surplus items, and in the early 1960s, they opened their first rebar fabricating shop. As their business in Montgomery grew, they expanded to a second location in Columbus, Georgia. This risky expansion saw some success but was later forced to close due to less-than-honest management.

Sabel Steel was purchased from the family in 1987 through a leveraged buyout, part of industry consolidation at that time. Keith Sabel stayed involved in running the business, and in 2000, he repurchased the company to keep it as an independent metal distributor.

Keith and Sean Sabel, the two most recent generations of Sabel Steel Presidents/CEOs

In 1998, Sabel Steel became one of the early steel service centers to join as an owner/member of the North American Steel Alliance. In 2009, Keith was elected to NASA’s Board of Directors and served as Chair for 2013 and 2014. He remained on the board until 2021.

Today, Sabel Steel operates eight locations, a testament to the family’s perseverance, adaptability, opportunism, and ability to build on the past while looking toward the future. Keith was a fifth-generation leader. Keith’s advice for those aiming for a similar longevity is, “Learn to put something away during times of feast, for the inevitable times of famine. Be open-minded, choose good people, take risks—some ideas will fail, others will succeed. Most importantly, treat everyone with respect—this is a repeat business. Without respect for customers, suppliers, and employees, there is no business. How else do you survive?”

On July 1st, 2024, Sabel Steel Service Inc. appointed Sean Sabel as President and CEO. He is the sixth generation of the Sabel family to lead the company. “What sets us apart is our dedication to consistent customer service. Our quality products, personal service, and competitive prices have made Sabel Steel successful since 1856 and continue to do so today,” said Sean.

Sean Sabel, President & CEO, Sabel Steel

Sabel Steel stocks and processes steel products for various industries, including construction, agriculture, oil and gas, mining, transportation, and paper mills. The aim is to build relationships that prioritize our customers’ needs. Sabel Steel believes every customer should have a dedicated contact responsible for ensuring competitive pricing, on-time delivery, and complete accuracy.

Sabel Steel operates nine Steel Service Centers across Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana.

Rosemont Gardens, 135 Years of Service

Scottish immigrant, William Burns Paterson, founder of Rosemont Gardens as a home and greenhouse, 1890

Scottish immigrant William Burns Paterson founded Rosemont Gardens as a home and greenhouse in 1890. Paterson was a progressive thinker and a true pioneer. He is best known for helping to establish Alabama State University and serving as its second President. Paterson developed a love of flowers as a child in Scotland and carried that passion with him to Alabama. He created Rosemont not only to support his family but also to raise funds for the university through the florist division, which began in 1892.

The location has changed over the years, from Tatum Street to Dexter Avenue (next to Chris’ Hot Dogs), to Perry Street, and now to its current site on Carter Hill Road. The original greenhouse expanded to over five acres. The family was inventive and challenged critics by growing roses, which were thought nearly impossible at the time in the hot, humid South.

Capitol Floral Company van at Southern Motor Imports, 501 Montgomery Street, Montgomery, AL

In 1984, the Patersons sold Rosemont to Jim Wilson and Associates, who renovated the 1966 building and transformed the greenhouses into the charming Rosemont Place neighborhood. They sold the business in 1988 to Jimmy and Myra Thompson of Capitol Floral Company. Rosemont remains owned and operated by the Thompson/Moore Family today.

 

 

ALAGA/Whitfield Foods Inc, 119 Years of Service
www.alagasyrups.com

Louis Broughton Whitfield, founder of ALAGA/Whitfield Foods Inc., 1906

ALAGA/Whitfield Foods Inc., established in 1906 as the Alabama-Georgia Syrup Company (ALAGA) by Louis Broughton Whitfield, Sr., along with his wife Willie Vandiver Whitfield, has a long history in Montgomery, Alabama, and is best known for its ALAGA syrup and later Yellow Label syrup. Mrs. Whitfield, a native of Montgomery, Alabama, named the company to represent both her home state and her husband’s, who was from LaGrange, Georgia. The first can of ALAGA syrup was packed in January 1907, and in those early days, the company employed six workers. Alongside the name ALAGA, the company was symbolized by an image showing two hands clasped in front of a bundle of cane sugar stalks. It represented the union of Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield, signifying marriage and, more broadly, friendly relationships with the company’s employees and customers. This image and name are still prominently displayed on the label of the traditional ALAGA syrup.

In 1911, the ALAGA Syrup Company constructed one of the largest and most modern cold storage facilities in the country, designed to store the raw cane juice used in the production of ALAGA syrup. The raw cane juice was stored in oak barrels crafted on-site. As the company grew, it constructed a striking two-story brick plant and administrative building at 1101 North Court Street in Montgomery, Alabama. This facility provided excellent manufacturing space with railcar access for raw materials and finished products, along with amenities such as a barbershop, a kitchen, dining rooms, and hygiene facilities that far surpassed typical standards of the era. These amenities proved essential during the Great Depression, when the ALAGA Syrup Company offered hot meals, showers, haircuts, transportation, and steady employment to its workers at a time when many others faced hardship. By 1920, ALAGA Syrup had become a national brand, thanks to innovative manufacturing methods that allowed the company to deliver syrup throughout the country in metal cans—an impressive packaging and distribution accomplishment for that time.

Cans from the MCHS archival collection

In 1923, Louis Broughton Whitfield, Sr., partnered with Mr. J. E. Wright to form the W & W Pickle and Canning Company. In August 1926, Whitfield bought Mr. Wright’s share and renamed the firm the Whitfield Pickle Company. In 1937, the company built a second pickle plant in Dallas, Texas, to serve the southwestern United States. The Whitfield Pickle Company grew to become the second-largest pickle producer in the country before selling to Atkins Pickle Co., a division of Dean Foods, in 1979. Meanwhile, the ALAGA Syrup company evolved into Whitfield Foods, Inc., expanding into contract manufacturing of juice beverages.

In October 2024, Whitfield Foods sold its assets to SoGo Packaging LLC, which will operate the Montgomery facility. For over a century, Whitfield Foods has been a family-owned business, playing a significant role in Montgomery’s food industry and the broader Southern culinary landscape.

The slogan for ALAGA syrup was, “ALAGA—Good Every Drop.”

Ross-Clayton Funeral Home, 107 Years of Service
www.rossclaytonfh.com

Robert Ambers Ross, founder

Ross-Clayton Funeral Home was founded in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1918 by Robert Ambers Ross, who later formed a partnership with William and Frazzie Clayton. It is among the oldest minority-owned businesses in the city, initially located on Monroe Street before relocating to South Union Street and then to its current location on Adams Avenue in 1958.

The funeral home is a multigenerational, family-owned operation that has grown beyond traditional funeral services to serve as an essential community resource by offering social services. The funeral home celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2018 and earned an Alabama Historical Association marker in honor of its legacy.

In 2020, David Calloway Ross Jr., a third-generation family member, served as President for forty-two years. He passed away in October 2020, and his daughter, Sharon A. Ross, became the company’s first female president.

Hill, Hill, Carter, Franco, Cole & Black, PC, 101 Years of Service
www.hillhillcarter.com

Thomas B. Hill, Jr., founder of practice, 1924

In 1924, on the corner of Washington and Perry streets in Montgomery, a young law school graduate, Thomas B. Hill, Jr., started his legal practice with the philosophy that the best marketing for his practice was that passersby could see the lights burning in his office late at night. In 1931, his brother, William Inge Hill, joined the practice, setting in motion what would become one of Alabama’s most respected legal institutions.

To this day, a desire to help people who find themselves overwhelmed by the legal system remains at the core of what motivates us. Each attorney at Hill, Hill, Carter, Franco, Cole & Black is dedicated to acting in the best interest of their clients. The firm is a member of the National Association of Minority & Women-Owned Law Firms.

“During that time, the legal industry has changed considerably, and many firms have come and gone, but Hill Hill Carter has remained a strong, mid-sized firm dedicated to excellence and the highest professional standards of practice and conduct.”  –Managing Shareholder David W. Henderson

Knox Kershaw, Inc., 101 Years of Service
www.knoxkershaw.com

1924

The company was started by Royce Kershaw Sr. as the Royce Kershaw Company, specializing in railroad contracting and railroad bridge construction.

1940

During World War II, Royce Kershaw Sr. developed the first Ballast Regulator and cribbing machine as a solution to the labor shortage caused by the war.

1942

Royce Kershaw Sr. relocates his family from Atlanta, GA, to Montgomery, AL.

1945

Royce Kershaw Sr. founded Kershaw Manufacturing Company, Inc.

1946

As demand increases for innovation in the railroad industry, the company’s focus shifts from contracting to manufacturing, and Mr. Kershaw starts Kershaw Manufacturing Company, Inc., while continuing to operate Royce Kershaw Company as a contracting business.

1956

The Royce Kershaw Company celebrated a milestone in its company history, declaring that it had built, reconditioned, or removed over 4,000 miles of track throughout the United States.

1983

Knox Kershaw became the sole owner of the Royce Kershaw Company through stock redemption, and the company’s name was changed to Knox Kershaw Inc. It initially operated as a contractor before developing the business into a manufacturer and remanufacturer of MOW equipment.

1998/1999

Assets of Kershaw Manufacturing Company, Inc. are sold to Progress Rail Corporation.

2016

Knox Kershaw Inc. remains a family-owned company committed to building sophisticated equipment to provide track maintenance solutions for Class I’s, Shortlines, and contractors in the United States and abroad.

Today

Knox Kershaw Inc. operates in manufacturing and remanufacturing railway track maintenance machines and spare parts for both domestic and international customers worldwide. Knox’s two daughters will inherit and lead the company forward here in Montgomery with an already talented team in place.

SS&A Design Collective | Sherlock Smith & Adams, Inc, 79 Years of Service
www.ssainc.com

(left to right) Richard Adams, an architect specializing in healthcare design, Moreland Smith, an architect, and Chris Sherlock, an engineer

Sherlock, Smith & Adams Inc. (SS&A) was founded in 1946, shortly after the end of World War II. The founding members were three accomplished professionals whose distinct expertise helped shape the firm’s enduring multidisciplinary character: Chris Sherlock, an engineer; Moreland Smith, an architect; and Richard Adams, an architect specializing in healthcare design. Each founder brought a unique background and set of experiences. Together, these three men founded a firm in Montgomery, Alabama, that grew from a modest postwar partnership into a respected, full-service architectural and engineering firm known for its commitment to excellence, innovation, and public service. Their collective vision set the course for nearly eight decades of enduring impact in Alabama and beyond.

The first SS&A office building was located at 512 Martha Street in Montgomery, AL. Then, in 1957, the architects and engineers designed a two-story office building at 3047 Carter Hill Road, which was later constructed and has served as SS&A’s headquarters ever since.

SS&A’s architectural and engineering legacy is prominent and notable in Montgomery, shaping the city’s physical landscape and extending across the county and internationally. The firm’s architectural achievements exemplify “lasting impact.” With nearly 80 years of service, SS&A’s portfolio includes numerous civic, institutional, and transportation projects.

Montgomery Projects Highlighted:

SS&A’s civic and social impact has been significant. In 1954, co-founder Moreland Smith publicly supported the Civil Rights Movement, taking a stance during a pivotal time in Montgomery’s history. His advocacy, though met with personal and professional opposition, positioned SS&A as a firm founded on ethical leadership and civic engagement, values that have persisted over time. In the early 2000s, to support students and demonstrate its dedication to higher education, the firm established the Sherlock, Smith & Adams Scholarship at Troy State University in Montgomery, which is awarded annually. The firm also maintains ongoing support for the Montgomery American Institute of Architects and the Family Sunshine Center.

In 2021, the firm rebranded as SS&A Design Collective to reflect its multidisciplinary culture of in-house architects, engineers, and designers.

Jim Wilson & Associates, LLC, 50 Years of Service
www.jwacompanies.com

Under the leadership of President Will Wilson, JWA continues to grow its legacy through bold vision and purposeful expansion. In recent years, Will welcomed his two sons, William and Brian, to help guide the company’s future. Together with their talented team, they are advancing JWA with innovative strategies, forward-looking partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to the values instilled by Jim Wilson Jr. and Jim Wilson III. With the next generation at the helm, JWA remains dedicated to shaping industries while staying true to its core principles.

Philanthropy has always been central to JWA’s culture. Founder Jim Wilson, Jr. championed the arts, sports, education, and health research through his generosity, a legacy that continues today. The company has made lasting contributions, including donating land for James W. Wilson Elementary School and the adjacent Wilson YMCA, supporting expansions at Huntingdon College and Tulane University, and helping establish the Montgomery Area Nontraditional Equestrian (MANE) program. Countless other gifts reflect JWA’s enduring commitment to strengthening communities and carrying forward a tradition of giving.

Historic Montgomery Businesses

MCHS has compiled a list of local businesses that are 50 years or older and are still in operation. There may be other businesses we haven’t identified through our research. If you are aware of any, please notify us by emailing info@mchsal.org so we can add them to our list.

Alabama Machine and Supply Company

• Located at 323 Bibb St, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1902
• Industrial Equipment and Supplies

Alabama Steel Supply

• Located at 2 West Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36108
• Founded in 1912
• Custom-designed metal buildings, along with metal-cutting tools and accessories

Aldridge Borden & Company

• Located at 74 Commerce St, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded 1918
• Accounting and consulting firm

Aronov

• Located at 3500 Eastern Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36116
• Founded in 1952
• Property development and management

Balch & Bingham LLP

• Located at 445 Dexter Ave, Suite 8000, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1922
• Law firm

Ball, Ball, Matthews & Novak, P.A.

• Located at 445 Dexter Ave #9045, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1890s
• Law Firm

Barganier Davis Williams Architects

• Located at 624 S McDonough St, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1974
• Architecture firm

Bishop Parker

• Located at 3035 East South Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36116
• Founded in 1923
• Furniture store

Bradley Plumbing and Heating, Inc.

• Located at 431 Hackel Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117 (and Auburn)
• Founded in 1945
• Heating and Air

Brendle Sprinkler Company, Inc.

• Located at 3635 McChord Street. Montgomery, AL 36109
• Founded 1960
• Design and install automatic sprinkler systems

Capell & Howard, P.C.

• Located at 150 S Perry St, Montgomery, AL 36104 (other locations outside of Montgomery)
• Founded in 1947
• Law firm

Capital Chevrolet Montgomery

• Located at 711 Eastern Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36117
• Founded between 1919 and 1940
• Car dealership

Capri Theatre

• Located at 1045 E Fairview Ave, Montgomery, AL 36106
• Founded in 1941
• Alabama’s longest continuously operating movie theater

Chris’s Famous Hotdogs

• Located at 138 Dexter Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1917
• Montgomery’s oldest family-owned and operated restaurant, specializing in hot dogs

Dixie Electric, Plumbing & Air

• Located at 580 Trade Center St, Montgomery, AL 36108
• Founded in 1908
• Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC contractor

Foshee Residential

• Located at 44 Market Plaza #801, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1975
• Residential community developer and builder

Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood (GMC)

• Located at 2660 Eastchase Lane #200, Montgomery, AL 36117
• Founded in 1947
• Architecture and engineering firm

Hamburger King

• Located at 547 S Decatur St, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1970
• Iconic eatery, specializing in high-quality burgers

Harwell’s Green Thumb Nursery

• 4211 Troy Hwy, Montgomery, AL 36116
• Founded in 1955
• Nursery

Hodges Warehouse + Logistics

• Located at 125 6th St, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in the 1960s
• Strategic logistics and warehousing for individuals, corporations, and government

Jack Ingram

• Located at 235 Eastern Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36117
• Founded in 1959
• Car Dealership

Jackson Thornton

• Located at 200 Commerce St, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1919
• Certified public accounting and consulting firm

Jim Massey’s Cleaners & Laundry

• Multiple locations in Montgomery
• Founded in 1941
• Cleaners

Jimco Inc.

• Located at 325 S Hopper St, Montgomery, AL 36107
• Founded in 1960
• Commercial cabinet manufacturer

Jones Brothers Roofing

• Located at 2265 Lower Wetumpka Rd, Montgomery, AL 36110
• Founded in 1944
• Roofing

Liger’s Bakery

• Located at 3040 McGehee Rd, Montgomery, AL 36111
• Founded in 1944
• City’s oldest operating bakery

Loeb & Company, Inc.

• Located at 110 Church Street, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1895
• Cotton-Industrial

Martin’s Restaurant

• 1796 Carter Hill Rd, Montgomery, AL 36106
• Founded in 1930
• Restaurant

McConnell Honda/McConnell Honda and Acura

• Located at 2840 Eastern Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36116
• Founded in 1919
• Car dealership

Newell Road Builders, Inc.

• Located at 13266 US-31, Hope Hull, AL 36043 (Montgomery County)
• Founded in 1956
• Highway and street construction

Palomar Insurance Corporation

• Located at 7480 Halcyon Pointe Dr, Suite 200, Montgomery, AL 36117
• Founded in 1954
• Insurance agency

Reinhardt Toyota/Toyota of Montgomery

• Located at 911 Eastern Boulevard, Montgomery, AL 36117
• Founded in 1937
• Car Dealership

Robert F. Henry Tile Company

• Located at 008 Lagoon Business Loop, Montgomery, AL 36117
• Founded in 1933
• Unique, luxury tile company

Rushton, Stakely, Johnston & Garrett P.A.

• Located at 84 Commerce St, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1890
• Law firm

Scott Street Deli

• Located at 412 Scott St, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1901
• Iconic eatery–sandwich shop

Starke Agency

• Located at 210 Commerce St, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1929
• Insurance

Stonehenge Gallery and Framing

• Located at 401 Cloverdale Rd, Montgomery, AL 36106
• Founded in 1970
• Showcases a diverse collection of regional artists and offers custom framing and distinctive lighting

The Animal Clinic, P.C.

• Located at 3505 McGehee Rd, Montgomery, AL 36111
• Founded in 1942
• Animal clinic

The Montgomery Advertiser

• Located at 425 Molton St, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1829
• Newspaper

The Montgomery Curb Market

• Located at 1004 Madison Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in the 1920s
• Longest-running farmers’ market in the city

Warren Averett

• Located at 105 Tallapoosa St, Suite 300, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1972
• Accounting and advisory firm

WMSP—740 Sports Radio

• Located at One Commerce Street, Suite 300, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1953
• Sports radio

WS Newell & Sons, Inc.

• Located at 10480 Highway 80 East, Montgomery, AL 36117
• Founded in 1951
• Construction

WSFA – 12 News

• Located at 445 Dexter Ave, Montgomery, AL 36130
• Founded in 1954
• TV station

WXVI Radio Station

• Located at 912 S Perry St # B, Montgomery, AL 36104
• Founded in 1965
• Gospel radio station