60 years ago, The Freedom Riders boarded a bus and arrived at the Birmingham Greyhound station. This weekend, we were honored to host Freedom Riders Catherine Burks-Brooks and Charles Person as they returned to the newly renovated Greyhound Station.
Construction of the original station began in 1949 in a “French Moderne” style with an Art Deco feel. After two years of renovations, the once-bustling Greyhound Bus Station, is ready for a new tenant. Undergoing thoughtful historic renovation, the building has kept it’s original terrazzo floors, Greyhound sign and charm.
The Freedom Riders arrived at this station during the fight for civil rights on May 15th 1961. They were welcomed back 60 years later with applause as heroes.
“This is history - The history of this place and the history of this building. The Freedom Riders - everyone in America told them not to do what they did… Civil Rights leaders told them not to come here. ‘You’re not going to make it out of Alabama. Don’t come here.’ Catherine Burks-Brooks and 10 others did not listen. They came to this very building 60 years ago. Walked through these doors and into history. Defiant and proud. Courageous and brave. And to think, as we stand here now in this beautiful, remodeled building, to think about how Mrs. Brooks must have felt 60 years ago coming into this building after having just had a confrontation with one of the meanest public safety commissioners in Alabama history and faced him down.”
“But I’ve learned that there are a lot of good people here in this city… And as long as there are good people, I’m encouraged that no matter what happened in the past that we can have a very bright future.”
The Architects and Designers for the historic renovation of The Greyhound Bus Depot located at 618 N. 18th Street in Birmingham, Alabama