On This Day In Alabama History: State Disbanded Magic City Guards

Alabama News Center | August 6, 2017 @ 5:00 am

By Graydon RustAlabama 200

August 6, 1887

The state government disbanded the Magic City Guards, the state’s first black militia. Organized in 1883, the Magic City Guards was one of three black militias in Alabama created after the Civil War. The state organized the militias – including the Magic City Guards in Birmingham, Gilmer’s Rifles in Mobile and the Capital City Guards in Montgomery – as the Alabama State Troopers. The latter two militias maintained a reputation as well-drilled, well-disciplined and well-uniformed into the late 19th century, but faced persistent discrimination and saw almost no action compared to their white counterparts. The state disbanded the final black militia, the Capital City Guards, in 1905.

About the Author (Author Profile)

Alabama News Center tels the stories of the people and businesses powering the states of Alabama, striving to make Alabama a wonderful place to live and work.