North Side Square

Catherine Gergel, Fall 2024

Through the years, Huntsville has undergone extreme changes. One such change is the driving force of the economy. Once a place brimming with cotton, Huntsville now has many industries, from retail to the spacefaring industries that helped the city earn the nickname of “Rocket City.” In the early 1900’s, Huntsville’s main industry was cotton and other textiles, with some shops for the residents to use. The area was likely used as a transport and trading hub for cotton. In 2024, there are many different industries in the city. There are defense contractors, space industries such as NASA, technology companies, and retail, food, and entertainment for residents. In 1915, it was likely that many of the shops carried essentials for daily life in the city, such as clothes, groceries, and other supplies. Today, the area is filled with mostly restaurants, with a few other services such as a law firm. Instead of essentials for day-to-day life, North Side Square is now mostly a hub for entertainment for residents of Huntsville.

Bibliography

“History of Lowe Mill,” Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, accessed September 25, 2024, https://lowemill.art/history/

“The sites in the heart of the city that every history themed Huntsville itinerary should include,” Southern Outings, last updated September 17, 2024, https://southernoutings.com/huntsville-downtown-historic-tour-part-1/

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the UAH Honors College and the UAH Archives, Special Collections, and Digital Initiatives.