falstoricSociety Starts Drive '

To Mark City's Historic Spots ^ Greatest Newspaper -& 19th Street, Mortimer Jordan; .- ^-Z.. Historic spots in Birmingham Baker, pioneer Birmingham resi­ will be marked with cast iron em­ Linn's Folly, now Brown-Marx Building, and site of the old First City Historical Group dent and Birmingham Electric blems under a program an­ Avenue and 19th Street, north­ Company employe who made Bir­ nounced by Alec Montgomery at a west corner, Ellen Linn Molton mingham history a hobby over a luncheon meeting of the Birming­ long period of years. Downs; Discusses Markers Those present in the pictures ham Historic Society at the Church Old Caldwell Hotel, northeast shown included Dr. C. B. Glenn, su­ of the Advent. corner, First Avenue and 23rd Bronze markers to designate his­ torical spots in Birmingham and perintendent emeritus of Birming­ A number of citizens have as­ Street, LeGrande Wilson; Bir­ ham public schools, who was rep­ sumed the responsibility for mingham's first commercial busi­ cooperation of churches in assem­ resented in a picture of the orig­ marking locations significant in ness location, Roberts & Sons, bling local church history are two inal staff of the Paul Hayne School, the history of the city. Mr. Mont­ southeast corner, Second Alley objectives of the Birmingham His­ of which he was principal, and A. gomery recommended the pro­ and 20th Street, now Frank Nel­ torical Society outlined at a lunch­ A. Adams and Sol Jacobs, who rec­ gram be state-wide. He suggested son Building, Hill Ferguson, eon meeting yesterday at the Tut­ ognized themselves in a scene of the that part of $25,000 annual ap­ president of the historic society; wiler Hotel. opening of the traction line in propriation from the state for Ruhama Baptist Church, East North Birmingham. Both these pic­ publicity purposes be used for Lake, First Baptist Church in Alex C. Montgomery heads the tures were made in the 90s. A pho­ markers outside of Birmingham. this district, Tom Huey; Walker committee on markers, James Sulz­ tograph of the Caldwell Hotel fire Birmingham and Alabama, he Memorial Methodist Church, First by the committee that, will seek of 1894 brought recollections of the said, have sufficient historic in­ Methodist Church in this district, a cooperation of church congrega­ conflagration from several members. tions in obtaining church history. terest to attract tourists. There Tuscaloosa Avenue and Third Other pictures left to the city by is no reason, he added, why travel Street, Southwest, Robert Jemi- Hill Ferguson, president of the society, presided. Mr. Baker included a collection of to Florida should not come son, Jr.; Mudd-Munger home, the mayors, postmasters, fire chiefs through Alabama. "Arlington," Ruby Munger Mont­ A feature of the luncheon was and police chiefs of Birmingham. Locations that will be marked gomery; Walker Smith Home, the connecting of events recorded Luncheon meetings of the society and the persons who will be re­ Broad Street and A. G. S. rail­ in pictures displayed with those will be held regularly, Mr. Fer­ sponsible for them are as follows: road, Jack and Grace Smith; present. Many of these pictures had guson announced. Old Relay House, southwest Flemming Jordan farm, present been collected by the late Bob corner of Morris Avenue and location of Woodward Iron Com­ 19th Street, Margaret Cameron pany, Houstis Lydia Rogers. Spain; Old Florence Hotel, north­ Mr. Montgomery invited sug­ east corner Second Avenue and gestions for other markers.

HISTORICAL MARKERS PLANNED BY SOCIETY Marking historical spots in the HISTORIC SPOTS Magic City and collecting church history were set as the two objec­ tives of the Birmingham Historical WILLBE MARKED Society at its meeting yesterday at the Tutwiler Hotel. Bronze markers to designate his­ Alex C. Montgomery will head the torical spots in Birmingham, and committee on markers.-James Sulz­ co-operation of churches in assem­ by will seek the co-operation of bling local church history are two churches in obtaining church his­ objectives of the Birmingham His­ torical Society that were outlined tory. at a luncheon meeting of the so­ Pictures from the collection of the ciety yesterday at the Tutwiler late Bob Baker, relating events in Birmingham since its founding were Hotel. exhibited at the meeting. Alex C. Montgomery is» chairman Hill Ferguson, president of the of the committee on markers. society, presided. James Sulzby will head the com­ mittee to seek co-operation of church congregations in obtaining church history. A feature of the meeting was an exhibit of pictures recording events in Birmingham, many of which i had been collected by the late Bob ! Baker, pioneer Birmingham resi­ dent. Hill Ferguson, president of the society, presided. y^ VLD, FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1946 of historical interest with perma­ nent markers, so tourists, as well as people who reside here, will Society Plans To Mark HISTORIC SPOTS know and recognize them. The speaker favored use of cast Historic Spots Here iron markers rather than bronze Plans for placing appropriate or brass, and said that the wording r^—kers at several historic spots in. could be worked out by a commit­ citv will be completed today at "There are enough historic spots tee in the Historical Society. Mr. seting of the Birmingham His- in Birmingham to make the city Montgomery asserted that he would „ical Society. It will be at the attractive to tourists," Alec Mont­ welcome suggestions as to what Parish House of the Church of the gomery, local real estate man, told spots in the city should be marked. Advent at 12:30 p.m. a luncheon meeting of the Birm­ He also said that the program A. marker for the Walker Me­ ingham Historical Society yester­ should be carried out throughout morial Church is being made and day at the Church of the Advent. the state as well as in Birmingham. will be installed with appropriate The great need now, Mr. Mont­ Some of the places suggested as ceremonies this month, gomery said, is to mark local spots spots for markers were: site of A plaque to mark the location, of the first free school in Birming­ the old Relay House, Birmingham's Medical Detachment of 331st In- ham, where Powell School now first hotel, will be installed some­ ntry Regiment, stands; Mudtown, the locality where time after Jan. 1, officials of the "ed Victory from Algiers, six evidence of the first inhabitants Historical Society said. It will be Haneous personnel. of the district has been found and placed on. the Louisville and, Nash­ ~ Parker from Southampton, the site of a large indian village ville Railroad office building, at h war brides and children. which was wiped out by Andrew 19th Street and Morris Avenus. \t SEATTLE Jackson's troops during the wars -us on following: Gen. with the Creek and Cherokee In­ /2~/2 from Calcutta, 3,078 dians; first lot sold by Elyton Land •GPtf U. S. S. Winged Company; O'Brien's Opera House; 1,492 Navy and Florence Hotel, 1884-1916; Mudd- Munger home; Ruhama and other 'CISCO old churches of the County; Ex­ 'lowing: La position Building in Wilson Park; 7 Navy, 49 Linn's Folly; the Old Court House, •>rl Har- and the Relay House, Birmingham's Pearl first hotel. from Hill Ferguson, president of the society, presided at the meeting. Birmingham Historical Society today called on the public for sug­ gestions as to historical spots in the area that should be marked, simul­ taneously it announced its next marker will be placed at the site of the old Relay House at the foot of 19th-st. ' Having just placed a marker this past Sunday at the site of the Walker Memorial Church, the so­ ciety has some 10 . or 12 similar markers it plans to place in the next 12 months. "But there must be other his­ torical sites that we are overlook­ ing!" President Hill Ferguson said, "and we would welcome sugges­ tions." Alex Montgomery is chairman of the society's marker committee, and is making arrangements for the placing of the Relay House marker, which probably will be set in con­ crete in the sidewalk. Birmingham's first hotel, the Re­ lay House was built in 1871 when the bustling new metropolis was a-borning. Most of the men re­ sponsible for the hotel being built at the juncture of the South and North (now L. & N.) Railroad and the . Alabama and Chattanooga (now AGS) Railroad, were its guests. The Elyton Land Co. placed a 5 per cent assessment on its capital stock in mid-1871 to build the ho­ tel. It had 37 rooms, with "mod­ ern" improvements such as gas fix­ tures, a cistern and bells connect­ ing each bedroom with the office. Its cost was $13,974.08. A few months' later, on Dec. 19, Birmingham was incorporated. Shortly thereafter, the Louisville & Nashville Railroad took over the South and North line, and complet­ ed a 66-mile gap that lay between Birmingham and a point south of Decatur. In 1886 the Relay House was torn down to make way for a brick L. & N. Station, the same one in use today. X.HI S TABLET, cast in metal, is being placed in the lobby of the Brown-Marx Build­ ing in Birmingham.

ON THIS CORNER PLOT OF GROUND, CHARLES LINN IN 1873 AS FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL BANK OF BIRMINGHAM, ERECTED THE FIRST BANK BUILDING IN THE CITY. OF THREE STORIES IN HEIGHT, IT APPEARED SO MUCH BEYOND THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT IT WAS REFERRED TO AS "LINN'S FOLLY." HERE ON THE NIGHT OF DECEM­ BER 3IST, 1873 TO COMMEMORATE THE PASSING OF THE EPIDEMIC OF CHOLERA AND TO CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF THE NEW BANK* BUILD­ ING, MR. LINN GAVE THE CALICO BALL.

BIRMINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY 19 4 9 -^B4A*#4~ /Ja&MJUtt AuLh* TUESDAY, OCTOBECRD 1!8 S, 1941 SA9O ' THE IIRMIC In Our Town— 1871 Again For Relay House Dedication, Exqept for the absence of hoop- the oil industry will be seen by ham, has been elected vice chair skirts and handle-bar mustaches, Alabama Epilepsy League members of the Birmingham Ex­ man of the residential gas f it could have been 1871 at the To Meet At Hospital change Club at their luncheon tion of the American Gas f Rotary Club meeting at the Tut­ meeting at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow ciation. wiler yesterday. The Alabama Epilepsy League at the Redmont Hotel. Mr. Home was elecle<-' A scene that took place 78 years will meet Thursday at 8 p.m. in It will be presented by Hunter association's 31st annv ago was re-created with the de- the auditorium of the Jefferson- Watkins, of the Watkins-Waters tion in session in Ch cendants of the first drama as the Hillman Hospital. Persons with Company as a feature of "Oil Mr. Home joinr actors. epilepsy and those interested in Progress Week." Gas & Light Con- graduated frorr This dramatization told ef the the disease are asked to attend. * * * dedication of the old Relay * * * tute of Tec)-' House, Birmingham's first ho­ CarhHbrne Honored served in ' tel. Exchangeites To See the Natk The occasion was the unveiling 0/7 Industry Movie By Gas Association poratic of the Relay House marker, which Carl H. Home, vice president, he v is to be set at Morris Avenue and A movie showing progress of Alabama Gas Campany, Birming­ pa' 19th Street, the site of the old hotel. The marker is being given by Mrs. Frank C. Spain.

PRESENTED under direction of the Birmingham Historical So­ ciety, the 20-minute sketch fea­ tured the following in roles of their ancestors:. Frances Spain Hodges as her LANE great-grandmother, Mrs. William Ketchum. Mr. Ketchum was por­ trayed by Chapline Hodges, Jr., YOU CAN DEPEND ON * a great-grandson-in-law. Michael Troy, Montgomery por­ trayed the part of his great-great­ grandfather, F. M. Gilmer. Mr. Gilmer was the first president of the South and North Alabama Railroad. Larry W. Milner imperson­ fo&ifestA ated his grandfather, John T. Milner, the promoter of the railroad. Hugh Morrow, III, took the TWO IDENTI part of his great-grandfather, Probate Judge John C. Morrow. it- * * taaffl WILLIAM BERNEY EVANS played the part of his grand­ PRODUCT father, William Berney, the rail­ road's first ticket and freight agent. for the Mrs. William Rushton portrayed her grandmother, Mrs. William Berney, first woman to register ! of on at the Relay House. Only second-generation actor in the cast, played the role of his father, James A. Allen, one of • • • i Birmingham's first merchants. Appearing as Robert H. Henley, who two weeks after the dedi­ REXA cation of the Relay House, be­ came Birmingham's first mayor, was John C. Henley, Jr. F. W. Kirchner, superinten­ dent of the L. & N. Railroad here, played the part of H. D. Newcomb, L. & N, persident at the time. The sketch was written by Elizabeth Kent Hanby and is one of a series in The Cavalcade of Alabama produced by the Bir- -lingham His^torial Society. J&.p *••- Sj~"Z

ALABAMA CALVACADE—This is the marker which has been placed at Morris-av and 19th-st, n, designating the Relay House, Birmingham's first hotel. The Birmingham Historical Society laid the marker in the third of its "Calvacade of Alabama" series. &£*4JU — THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS 9-tf^* Where is it?

Indian head—This marker, dedicated to the pioneers of good roads and roadside improvements, is on the out­ skirts of Birmingham. Where is it? Name of the first per­ son sending in the correct answer will be printed next Sunday in The Birmingham News. Send answers to: "Where is it?" Editor, The Birmingham News, Birming­ ham, Ala. * * * Answer to last Sunday's question—The "Hitching Post" sign is at Wetumpka, Ala., in front of the Presbyterian Church. James .Plaque installed—Leo J. Buckley, New York, president M. Rea, Notasulga, Ala., sent in the first correct answer. M the International Stereotypers and Electrotypers Union, \iced a plaque in the building where the ISEU was born oS^ears ago. The building, at Fourth-av and 20th-st, n, *%dhe Elks Home when the ISEU was formed there in *-J&, 1901. I I A.AA^4%A^'^*^€^L NINE the following day. At capital ceremony— On Jan. 26, 1871, the members of the company met at the Morris Bank and selected Birmingham a* Plaque marks spot where the name for the new city, Mr. Martin continued. Birmingham 'was born' MONTGOMERY, Ala., Dec. 8 — Martin pointed ou^^"^r''^'^- SiXmingham was born in Mont- Mr. Martin referred to the meet­ MUSTERO' gome* ing in the banking house as "one gives speed) long-lasting r This ^iay sound difficult to of the most important in the his­ understand at first glance. But it tory of Montgomery, indeed of the was made oJear today when it was state of Alabama." pointed out that a Montgomery RHEUMf banker furnished the money to buy It was shortly before noon that the land on which the state's great several men entered the banking industrial city was founded. . house to seek financial aid for the purchase of the land, the Rotarians Thomas W. Martin, chairman of ACHES and other citizens learned from Mr. the board of directors of the Ala­ Martin. When you su bama Power Co., presented the city ing pain fr with a plaque to mark the spot And it was precisely on the min­ tism, new' where the historic transaction,took ute marking the close of the time muscular place. allowed within the law that Mr. stiffness, Morris handed out the cash. right wh Josiah Morris, a Montgomery the ac1 banker, advanced $100,000 in cash IN TELLING of the scene, Mr. with? to pay for 4150 acres of land for Martin based his description on a Mr this city—at the time of the trans­ chapter in "The Story of Coal and eonr net Where is it? action unnamed. Iron in Alabama" by Ethel Armes, THE PLAQUE was presented by s<- Mr. Martin then told of how the \ First Navy casualty—This rock pays tribute to the Mr. Martin at a luncheon meeting group of men formed the Elyton of the Montgomery Rotary Club on Land Co. and filed a declaration in first American sailor killed in action aboard the USS behalf of the Alabama Historical Probate Court in Jefferson County Cassin in World War I. Where is it? Name of the Association. The meeting took place person sending in the first correct answer will be at the Whitley Hotel. The plaque will be placed on the printed in next Sunday's edition of The Birmingham building in which historians are News. Send answers to Where Is It? Editor, Birming­ satisfied the transaction took place [r ham News, Birmingham, Ala. on Dec. 19, 1870. The banking house of Josiah Last week's answer—The bridge over the small river Morris on Commerce-st was located is en the outskirts of Trussville on Highway 11. in a small building next to the First Se/fding in the first answer was Luther Quick, Truss- National Bank Building now oc- :upied by the E. B. Joseph Co., Mr. le. Martin said historical research has oroved. THE BUILDING is very much lie same today as it was then, Mr. *LtdS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1956 THE BIRM1N -£. C by the following: Terry Lee Presented by^Colonial Dames— Freldrich, Lynette Angell Mc- Cary, Carol Ann Worthington, Tablet will honor city's founders Gertrude W Jeffries II, Teresa' W. Bleser, Dorothy Gray A historical tablet commem­ Commission. sung by the Howard College orating the founding of Bir­ A Cappella Choir. Mrs. William Haynes, Margueritte Nabors mingham will be dedicated at THE CHAPTER president, A. Estes, state president of McGriff, Edith Orr McCary, • ceremony in the Art Mu­ Mrs. James G. McCofmlck, Colonial Dames, will introduce Pamela D. Carlisle and Susan seum At City Hall at 3 p.m. will preside, Mrs. Rufus C. the guests. Mrs. Mary B. Ward, F. Jeffries. Sunday. . Fell will give the invocation, poet laureate of Alaibama, will Mrs. Fell will give the bene­ The tablet honoring the with Mrs. Warner C. Clisby give the poem "Birmingham." founding fathers of Birming­ leading the pledge of allegi­ Maj. William J. Worthing­ diction. ham will be presented by the ance. ton Jr., will read the Birming­ Tea will be served following George Maris Chapter of the The Americans Creed will ham . Incorporation Charter. the ceremony. Colonial Dames XVII Century. be led by Mrs. Julia J. Car­ Hill Ferguson will give a bi­ Mrs. Frank M. Jeffries, gen­ Mrs. Gertrude Worthington lisle, Mrs. J. Leslie Adams will ography of the Birmingham eral chairman, has been assist­ Jeffries will officially present give the salute to the Alabama Founders and present descend­ ed in arranging the event by the tablet to Mayor James W. Flag. ants of the founders. Mrs. Henry J. Pratt and Mrs. Morgan, president of the City The national anthem will be The.tablet will be unveiled J. F. Day.

Honor for cify f01mders_ 2?2ff\is P^pared

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,*'..••,--..- THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS (Founders honored— New the ann the Birmi. 86th birthday of city marked ment Club I Ralph Treaa, "he 86th anniversary of the city in honored of the founders. Gertrude Worthington Jef- Names of the 10 men who as president; Gt nding of Birmingham was The tablet was accepted on feries, of the George Maris founded the city and the name vice president; Ben ;rved yesterday when a his- behalf of the city by Mayor Chapter, Colonial Dames XVII of the donor appear on the tab­ tary, and Irvin Taj. •al tablet was given to the James W. Morgan from Mrs. Century. let, which will be mounted at urer. the City Hall entrance. V. P. Jimlnez, national BRIEF biographies of the agement director, conducted .. founders were, given by Hill installation. j^^ Ferguson, president of the Bir­ mingham Historical Society. the invocation and the benedic­ A program of music was pre­ tion. The poet laureate of the sented by the A Capella Choir state, Mrs. Mary B. Ward, read of Howard College, under the the poem, "Birmingham." direction of George M. Koski. The tablet was unveiled by They sang the national anthem a group of the founders' de­ and songs of the 17th and 20th scendants. Mrs. William Estes, Centuries. state president, introduced the Approximately 200 persons, distinguished guests from over Including direct descendants of the state, and Mrs. James G. the founders, attend the cere­ McCormick, president of the lo­ mony. cal chapter Of the Colonial MRS. RUFUS C. FELL gave Dames, presided.

TABLET DEDICATED TO CITY FOUNDERS \l. . . . Dedication participants were Mrs. Gertrude W. Jeffries, Marguerite Nabors Mc- Griff, Pamela D. Carlisle, Terry Lee Freidrich, Dorothy Gray Haynes, Carol Ann Worthington and Mayor James W. Morgan. •ment Caravan lifts lid l» T on future building ED? Local builders, contractors and [JET architects got a peek Into the fu­ s bowel blocks ture when the Homebuilding oe Caravan stopped at the Tutwiler 1, of all bulk lara- Hotel this afternoon. ho new laxative Exhibited were 40 of the most -n chronic con- advanced ideas of the country's 1 is so smooth, manufacturers. safe even for c Sponsored toy the Local Pro­ pregnancy. ducer's Council, the Caravan is lit or drug designed to acquaint architects er gags, with the materials suppliers have ire with available. rvalu- Touring from city to city, the tests, Caravan is sponsored toy the Na­ ins. tional Producer's Council, an or­ es ganization started by the archi­ tects. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1956 / 4 ?/ J • THE BIRMIN Presented by^Colonial Dames— by the following: Terry Lee Freidrich, Lynette Angell Mc- Cary, Carol Ann Worthington, Tablet will honor city's founders Gertrude W Jeffries II, Teresa' W. Bleser, Dorothy Gray A historical tablet commem­ Commission. sung by the Howard College orating the founding of Bir­ A Cappella Choir. Mrs. William Haynes, Margueritte Nabors mingham will be dedicated at THE CHAPTER president, A. Estes, state president of McGriff, Edith Orr McCary, a ceremony in the Art Mu­ Mrs. James G. McCofmick, Colonial Dames, will introduce Pamela D. Carlisle and Susan seum «t City Hall at 3 p.m. will preside, Mrs. Rufus C. the guests. Mrs. Mary B. Ward, Sunday. Fell will give the invocation, poet laureate of Alabama, will F. Jeffries. The tablet honoring the with Mrs. Warner C. Clisby give the poem "Birmingham." Mrs. Fell will give the bene­ founding fathers of Birming­ leading the pledge of allegi­ Maj. William J. Worthing­ diction. ham will toe presented by the ance. ton Jr., will read the Birming­ Tea will be served following George Maris Chapter of the The Americans Creed will ham . Incorporation Charter. the ceremony. Colonial Dames XVII Century. be led by Mrs. Julia J. Car­ Hill Ferguson will give a bi­ Mrs. Frank M. Jeffries, gen­ Mrs. Gertrude Worthington lisle.- Mrs. J. Leslie Adams will ography of the Birmingham eral chairman, has been assist­ Jeffries will officially present give the salute to the Alabama Founders and present descend­ ed in arranging the event by the tablet to Mayor James W. Flag. ants of the founders. Mrs. Henry J. Pratt and Mrs. Morgan, president of the City The national anthem will be The.tablet will be unveiled J. F. Day. _ 'fk- IRMINGHAM PO'ST-HERALD Historical ^" fC^k^UA 4fa$^/$Ji^ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1957 Tablet Honors Historic marker City Founders aP Colonial Dames Gift Accepted In Museum Ceremonies The early history of Birming­ ham was reviewed yesterday in ceremonies at the Birmingham Museum of Art where a histori­ cal tablet was given to the city. Home stood at this inter­ Mayor James W. Morgan ac­ cepted the tablet for the city section, about 1858 to 1953. from Mrs. Gertrude Worthington It was center of his 1,000 Jefferies, general chairman of the George Maris Chapter of the acre farm, •'• which was Colonial Dames. acquired by Ely ton Land £©. ; The tablet was given the I !Bi? minqham) in- 1871. He city by the George Maris Chapter honoring the founding was one of Its organizers. fathers of Birmingham. OfF. The names of the 10 founders You'll fi home in of the city were on the tablet 45th-st, w. along with the name of the or­ The marker, pictured above, stands at the southeast ganization donating the tablet. Well, at 1 More than 225 persons, includ­ helper^. corner of Sixth-av and 31 st-st, and commemorates the This year . home that stood there from 1858 to 1953. A dedi­ ing direct descendants of the and 8-year-ol founders, attended th'e dedica­ will be part c catory program by the Birmingham Historical Society tion. Christmas dec will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Museum Hill Ferguson, president of of Art, City Hall. The Worthnigton farm, 1000 acres, Dressed as I the Birmingham Historical So­ comprised one-fourth of the original city of Birming­ ciety, gave brief biographies Nicholas and c of the Birmingham founders. they'll sit in the ham, and members of the family have been leaders high-backed roc in its business, industrial and social life since that pot-bellied stovi He also urged members of the time. organization to check into their welcome small fr\ family trees and make a chart them candy and s, and file it in the public library. and maybe get ; The audience listened to sev­ down on what the eral beautiful songs by the a Christmas. capella choir of Howard College under the direction of George Mr. Casr said last y M. Koski. gan being Santa Clai proved so popular t The choir first sang the na­ family decided to get i tional anthem and then went act this year. "I really gv into songs of the 17th Century out of it, the children en and later songs of the 20th so," he continued. Century. We'll sit outside for a of hours every night a wei Mrs. William A. Estes, state fore Christmas, added Cash. president, introduced the distin­ guished guests from over the The scene pictures a fan-, state who were attending the group of Santa at home, a wa dedication. ing sleigh and reindeer in tt Presiding over the ceremonies background. was Mrs. James G. McCormick, From the center of the yaro president of the loca^chapter. a phonograph will play music

ACCEPTS HISTORICAL TABLET — Mayor James W. Morgan accepts a historical tablet honoring the city's founding fathers from Mrs. Gertrude Worthington Jefferies, general chairman of the George Maris Chapter of Colonial Dames.

UNVEIL TABLET — Direct descendants of the founders of Birmingham unveil the historical tablet bearing the names of the founders. The children are Terry Freidrich, Carol Ann Worthington, Margueritte THIRTY-FOUR 4»=: __ THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS jn^~A& Granddaughter unveils memorial- Anti-TB group founder honored with marker in local ceremony BY WALTON LOWRY the Anti-TB Association here. the treatment of TB stood 50 years News staff writer Climax of the ceremony came ago. Dedicated volunteers and pro­ when Dorothy Lull, Dr. Eaves' fessional workers who constantly granddaughter, unveiled an K. W. GRIMSLEY, executive wage war on tuberculosis in Jef­ eight-foot high cast iron marker. secretary, Jefferson County's ferson County paused yesterday The marker at the corner of Anti-TB Assn., pointed out that to pay tribute to the Rev. George Park-In and Cahaba-rd marks the the association had made great Eaves, who 50 years ago founded spot where the first hospital for strides since its modest start. "When it was opened by Rev. Eaves in 1910," he said. "The open air institution which was -YEILDING'S- about 1000 feet from this marker consisted of four canvas tents. Open Friday Nights 'til 8:30 "It quickly grew to include 50 tents, and eventually clapboard buildings before it was closed in Spring and Summer Styles 1927, to make way for the Home-

Star of opera Girls' Shoes set to appear at X-ray center You'll find Alabama's big­ gest bargain at the Chest X- Ray Center, 900 18th-st, s, from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday. You and your friends ANTI-TB MARKER DEDICATED IN ENGLISH VILLAGE are invited to have a free . . Dorothy Lull, granddaughter of founder, the Rev. George chest X-ray and to meet Eaves, unveils memorial of 50-year fight mally advertised Dorothy Kirsten. She's the star of the Metropolitan Sixes 8V2 to 3. Opera which plays here Monday and Tuesday. It was another Met star, Lily Pons, who kicked off Jefferson County's great tu­ berculosis case finding pro­ irking gram many, years ago by having her chest X-rayed.

MILLIONS DID likewise and hundreds of TB cases were found in time to save numerous lives. Sunday's affair at the Chest X-Ray Center is an \ open house to see the TB case finding program in action and to have your chest X-rayed. Miss Kirsten is one of the honor hostesses.

wood hospital with hundreds of beds which now serves this area."

THE EYE-CATCHING TB marker was erected through the combined efforts of the Jefferson Anti-TB Assn. and Birmingham's Historical Society. Dr. Eaves' granddaughter asked all the children at the ceremony to help in the unveiling as a symbol of the never-ending fight against TB. Hill Ferguson, one of those who helped begin the fight on the dread "white plague," pre­ sided. He introduced K. W. Grimley after the invocation by the Rev. Clarence Baldwin, pas­ tor of the Pilgrim Congrega­ tional Church. Bernard Feld, president of the Anti-TB Assn. of Jefferson County, was unable to attend but Vice President Robert Luckie made a brief talk.

-< AMONG THE distinguished gusets were Dr. George Denison, county health officer; Dr. J. D. Heacock, president of the first TB sanitorium; H. D. Cullen, early executive secretary of the organ­ ization, and Police Chief R. W Tibbets, representing the City 0" ••-* J-i Brook. from George R. Stuart of the Birmingham HL« ciety, lauded the pioneer narker as another milf 1 «ia^ on TB. '%t^ lUrYUX^i (Tit-* ~7~ 2: i Arlington / U .THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS ^ < To Receive j Marker l" Presentation of a historical r-^ marker from the Alabama His- "• torical Assn. will be a high- sr light of Tuesday's meeting of *' the Arlington Historical Assn. ™ Rucker Agee, a member of ie the Birmingham Historical °' Assn., will present the marker. "' It is to be received by Mayor 1 .lames W. Morgan, Ed Soucy of the Pair Park Authority; Ernest Henderson, chairman of the Ar- "K^lington advisory board, and Mrs. at~$Robert C. Palmer, president of • ,ihe Arlington Historical Assn. The marker designates Ar- iiffton, former home of the mdd family, as the temporary Nieadquarters of Union Gen. James H. Wilson during the War Between the States. It .was there that Gen. Wilson ordered the destruction of steel and iron works and the University of Alabama. / A board meeting at 1:30 will precede t h e presentation at 2 p.m. The program to follow will feature Leroy Simms speaking on "Could the Confederacy Have Won Its Independence?" A social hour will climax this meeting. That's the right direction Members of the Birmingham places of interest. Frank Sego, chafr- Historical Assn. are invited. Commissioner J. T. Waggoner, left, receives one of the new how-to-get man of the Good Neighbor Committee, there signs prepared by he,Birmingham is presenting the sign. Mrs. Willie R. Women's Junior Chamber of Commerce Thompson, women's Jaycee chairman, and the Chamber's Good NeighborCom- is at left, and Mrs. William F. Tinnon, mittee. Two of the signs are ready for president of the women's Jaycees, at j, posting to give visiors directions to right.

NEW MARKER DEDICATED AT ARLINGTON CONFEDERATE SHRINE ., From left, Ernest Henderson, Mrs. Robert Palmer, Leroy Simms, Ed Soucy and Mrs. Hill Ferguson A South missed 'chance'— /3^~ jj~*^&~^ ^ 7>? *-^n't*"i!^-iii;* * Raiders 'home marked at Arlington "Wilson's Raiders. Headquar­ Mrs. Hill Ferguson, whose gran*, occurred in 1862 during the Seven ters, March 28-31, 1865." father. W. S. Mudd, built and re­ Days' battle before Richmond," These are the first words on a sided at Arlington jn the 1840s. he said. new marker which today stands It was accepted by Ernest Hen­ in front of Arlington Shrine. They derson, chairman of the Arling­ SIMMS SAID the South also had are engraved under the flag of ton advisory board. Mrs. Robert the advantages of interior lines, Alabama, cast in color. Palmer is president of the shrine greater food production per capita The marker was dedicated association. and space which it could trade yesterday during a meeting of Following the ceremony, Leroy for time and opportunity. the Arlington Historical Assn. Simms, managing editor, The •'Throughout the war—especially Sponsor of the plaque is the Birmingham News, spoke to the in the early years—the South had Alabama Historical Assn. Rucker association on "Could the Con­ better military leadership," he Agee, chairman of the group's federacy Have Won Its Inde­ said. marker committee, made the pres­ pendence?" But if the South had won the entation. • "Yes,',' was Simms' answer. "It War Between the States, Simms had good chances." speculated it would have rejoined THE MARKER was unveiled by "It's greatest rhilitary chance the Union in a short time. On Highway ^-M-tUcc+t I Garden Council Third Region^-CJL dedicate marker has dedication Southwestern Council of Garden Clubs dedicated a Blue Star | A blue star marker will be All garden club members are Memorial Marker on Highway 11 in ceremonies at 10 a.m. Wed- g dedicated Friday, Jan. 19, to invited to attend the dedication nesday. f Mrs. J. W. Passmore, past presi­ ceremony. Among those attending were Mrs. James C. Vines of Gads- 1 dent of the Federated Garden den, state garden club president; Mrs. P. G. Cowden, state 1 Clubs of Third Region. chairman of Blue Star Markers, and Mrs. Charles Norton, presi- | dent of Third Region. | The dedication will take place Especially honored at the ceremonies was West Lake Garden | at the marker site on U. S. Club of which Mrs. E. D. Fort is president. Highway 11, between Roebuck Mrs. L. H. Henry is Southwestern Council president.. and Roebuck Plaza, at 10 a.m. by the East End Council of Garden Clubs and the Third Region. Invocation at the dedication program will be given by the Rev. E. E. Bridges, pastor, Huffman Methodist Church. Mrs. Cornett Thompson, presi­ dent of East End Council, will give the welcoming address.

THE HISTORY of Blue Star Highways will be presented by Mrs. P. G. Cowden, state blue star chairman. Mrs. J. C. Vines, Gadsden, president of The Gar­ den Club of Alabama, will of­ ficially dedicate the marker. M. D. Jordan, division en­ JUDY P. BREWER gineer, state highway depart­ ment, will accept the marker ... To wed this month for the highway department. Accepting for the county will be r Thomas B. Pinson, county com­ Judy Brewe missioner. Mrs. Charles Norton Jr., president of the Third Re­ gion, will give the benediction. to marry Mrs. Sam Maples is blue star Mr. and Mr- chairman for the Third Region. Powell Jr. Beautification chairman for the gagement East End Council is Mrs. W. P. Judy P- Sitz, with Mrs. A. M. Burge as Dear co-chairman. ~*ff'ddrvsJ^tiUJ^' £nr-f-fa

[ •'•*;

• ' - - Elyton plaque unveiled A plaque commemorating contribu­ tion. Holding the veil are Louise Walk­ tions of the pioneer citizens of Elyton to er Sewell, left, and Mitylene Munger. Jefferson County was unveiled Sunday Looking on are Mrs. Lee Allen Brooks, at Arlington Shrine. The plaque was vice president general of the National given by Mrs. Hill Ferguson to the City Society DAR, and J. Morgan Smith, who of Birmingham. The ceremonies were spoke Sunday on the early history of handled by the Old Elyton Chapter of Jefferson's first county seat. the Daughters of the American Revolu­ RUHAMA BAPTIST—STORY OF GREAT CHURCH . , . Present church building which had its beginning in 1819 At Ruhama Baptist— ^_ /£,, Historical marker planned A historical marker will be clear springs and for the red- ing the past 10 years necessi­ erected Sunday at 2:15 p.m. at dye rock, and after David tated the building of educational the Ruhama Baptist Church, Crockett had been ill for sev­ facilities. In 1955, the congrega­ marking the story of a great eral weeks in a cabin near Enon tion remodeled the sanctuary church which had its beginning Church in Fountain Heights . . . along modern lines of useful­ shortly after Andrew Jackson a church now nonexistent. . . . ness, dignity and elegance. and the famed Davidi Crockett Ruhama Baptist Church was were in Alabama. constituted by nine charter The marker reads: "Ruhama members. Five of these were Baptist Church, constituted in women, including a Negro slave, 1819 by pioneer, settlers in the and four men. The name Ru­ Territory of Alabama. Oldest hama means "obtained mercy" church in Birmingham Baptist in Hebrew. Association. Elder Hosea Hol- The first meeting house was combe served as first pastor. a log cabin which had four win­ First, meeting house was a log dows and a door. It was 12x15 cabin. Present building is on feet. It was located where the fourth site." East Lake Branch of the Public Dr. Carl Campbell, pastor, Library stands today. will speak on the plans for the From the time the Rev. Case unveiling. Others on the pro­ (his first name not recorded) gram will include Rucker Agee, shot a deer on the way to chairman of the marker com­ church services to the present mittee of the Alabama Histor­ day, and had to return home to ical Society; Dr. George Irons, dress the deer, causing him to Dr. James H. Chapman, presi­ be late, the church has had a dent of the Alabama Historical long history of spiritual service Society; E. Reeves Sims and Dr. to the area. R. E. Wheeler, vice chairman of In those early days preaching the Board of Deacons. services were of long duration Ruhama Baptist Church is the and serious in content. Services mother church of Baptist work were held on Saturdays and in Birmingham. From this Sundays. church the Woodlawn Baptist : The Ruhama congregation has Church and the First Baptist wjorship in four buildings. The Church were organized. Today present building was erected in there are 118 Baptist churches The rapid expanding min- in the Birmingham Baptist Asso­ ' the congregation dur­ ciation which can trace the be­ ginning back to the mother church. MARCH 27, 1819. only a few years after Andrew Jackson came through the valley noted iy the Indians for its <*>•«*&« Marker to be dedicated to ackbanker during Afro-American month X BY INGRID KINDRED and the Alabama Mis­ The annual observance News staff writer sionary Baptist Conven­ of Afro-American Histo­ The dedication of a tion, Inc. ry, began in 1927. It was marker in memory of one THURSDAY'S PRO­ sponsored by the Associa­ of Birmingham's black GRAM IS one of many tion for the Study of banking leaders will kick scheduled in connection Afro-American Life and off the celebration of with the celebration of History (formerly Negro February as Afro-Ameri­ Afro-American History Life and History), Inc., can history month later Month. The celebration headquartered in Wash­ this week. begins with a weeklong ington, D.C. The associa­ The Birmingham observance of notable tion was founded by Dr. Branch of the Association contributions made by Carter G. Woodson. for the Study of Afro- black Americans. Dr. J. Rupert Picott, American Life and Histo­ Once, the festivities now executive director of ry, in cooperation with were held during the the national association, Sixteenth Street Baptist week of Abraham Lin­ is scheduled to partici­ Church, will hold a cere­ coln's birthday. But in re­ pate in Thursday's pro­ mony at 4 p.m. Thursday, cent years they have been gram, along with a num­ to dedicate a marker in expanded to include the ber of local civic, honor of the late Rev. Dr. entire month of Febru­ historical and political W.R. Pettiford. ary. leaders. The ceremony wilt be J at the church, 1530 Sixth F - Ave. North. Pettiford organized the Alabama Penny Savings Bank of Birmingham Oct. 15, 1890. The bank was a depository widely used by local black citi­ zens, until it collapsed during the Great Depres­ sion. Ten thousand people deposited more than $200,000 in the bank and its three branches, ac­ cording to Dr. Charles Allen Brown, executive director of the local ASALH chapter. The Rev. Pettiford also was pastor of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church from 1883 to 1893. Dur­ ing his lifetime, he served also as president of the National Negro Bankers Association, the National Negro Business League NATIONAL REGISTER PROPERTIES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AS OF MAY 1982

•Birmingham McAdory Building 2013 1st Avenue North Alabama Penny Savings Bank • 310 18th Street North Nabers, Morrow & Sinnige Bldg. 109 20th Street North Alabama Theatre 1811 3rd Avenue North Oak Hill Cemetery 1120 North 19th Street Arlington (Mudd-Munger House) 331 Cotton Avenue, SW Powell School 2331 6th Avenue North Birmingham Railway, Light & Power Bldg. SE Corner 2nd Avenue & 21st Street No. Sixteenth Street Baptist Church NW Corner 6th Avenue & 16th Street North Blessed Sacrament (Convent of Perpetual Adoration) Sloss Blast Furnaces 1525 Cotton Avenue SW (West End) 1st Avenue & 32nd Street

Bradshaw House Steiner Bank Building 2154 Highland Avenue 2101 1st Avenue North

Dr. A.M. Brown House U.S. Post Office 319 North 4th Terrace > 1800 5th Avenue North Vulcan Burger-Phillips Building Vulcan Park, U.S. Hwy. 31 1914 3rd Avenue North Waters Building Caldwell-Milner Building 209 22nd Street North 2015-2017 1st Avenue North Watts Building Continental Gin Company SE Corner 3rd Avenue & 20th Street North 4500 5th Avenue South Whilldin Building Empire Building 515 North 21st Street

Enslen House Peter Zinszer's Mammouth Furniture House 2737 Highland Avenue 2117 2nd Avenue North

First Christian Church Education Bldg. Forest Park Historic District 2100 Seventh Avenue North Forest Park Neighborhood

Fox Building Highland Avenue Historic District Fourth Avenue & 19th Street Vicinity Rhodes Park (Now demolished) 2717-2848 Highland Avenue

S.H. Kress & Company Morris Avenue Historic District Third Avenue & 19th Street (NE Corner) 2000-2400 Blocks of Morris Avenue

Lakeview School Rhodes—Park Hiotoric District 2800 Clairmont Avenue Prepared by the Birmingham Historical Society £

Bessemer Historic districts in Birmingham

Five Mile Creek Bridge Highland Avenue Historic District 1 mi. NE of McCalla off U.S. 11 2717 Highland Avenue Kartus House 2725 " Dr. Thomas McAdory Owen House 2731 " 2733 " Thomas McAdory House 2737 " 214 Eastern Valley Road 2800 " 2801 " Owen Plantation House 2803 " So. of Bessemer on Eastern Valley Road 2807 " 2809 " Sadler House 2811 " 3 mi. So. of McCalla on Eastern Valley 2815 " Rd. 2831 " Southern Railway Terminal Station 2834 " 1905 Alabama Avenue 2838 " 2848 " 1120 28th Place 1211 27th Place Rhodes Park

Second Avenue Historic District 2200 & 2300 blocks of 2nd Avenue North plus south side of 2400 block

Fourth Avenue Historic District 1615, 1616, 1621, 1623, 1630, SW Corner of 16th & 4th; south side of 1700 block; 310 312, 313, 316 18th St. No.; 1801, 1805, 1807, 1809, 1813, 1815 North. , : - •••: -ftr.- CITY llfalt ?S) iiWllsJGH AM DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ENGINEERING PLANNING DIVISION

ROOM 500 CITY HALL BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35203

WILLIAM A. GILCHRIST f -W,_ «*, - RICHARD ARRINGTON, JR. DIRECTOR MAYOR

March 10, 1999

Dear Neighborhood Leaders, Preservationists, and Interested Birminghamians,

We all know now that the face of Birmingham has been greatly diminished since the Terminal Station and Tutwiler Hotel were demolished over twenty years ago. Nothing has replaced their elegance and drama and, what's worse, other cities have kept such buildings and adapted them to spectacular new uses and vibrancy.

Fortunately, of course, Birmingham still has many beautiful and important landmark buildings. But, what if we lose more of our most precious historical buildings and sites? How much of our cultural and architectural selves would we lose if we no longer had the Alabama Theatre, Rickwood Field, Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Vulcan, Sloss Furnaces, Powell School, Arlington, the John Hand Building, Fourth Avenue North, and Five Points South? What buildings or sites would you add to this list whose loss would be tragic and irreplaceable?

The City of Birmingham would like to know what historical buildings, sites, structures, parks, bridges, cemeteries, or monuments you are aware of that our City ought not lose but are threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of use, etc. Attached is a short Nomination Form for Endangered Properties that the City is asking you to use to help save our important landmarks. When you have completed the form, please return it to the address listed at the bottom of the form before April 15. All forms will then be forwarded to the Birmingham Historical Commission and the Jefferson Preservation Foundation for review and consideration. The Top 50 Most Endangered Landmarks will be selected and included in a first-class brochure to be presented this summer at a public forum to which you will be invited. Details of that event will be upcoming.

The brochure listing Birmingham's 50 Most Endangered Properties will be the first step toward outlining those planning steps that need to be taken in order to protect these properties. This will be your chance to target important buildings in your neighborhood, or the City as a whole, to ensure that they survive and have a viable use.

I look forward to receiving your nomination forms and will notify you about the selection results. Thank you for your efforts on behalf of Birmingham's important landmarks.

mela Sterne King Q City Historic Preservation Officer Jefferson County Historical Sites and Structures

Jefferson County Historical Commission Historic Place 1st LOT SOLD IN BESSEMER

TUTWILER COLLECTION BIRMINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA Western Section

Compiled and published by Jefferson County Historical Commission 20 North 21st Street Birmingham, Alabama 35203 1 McAdory House 1841 Eastern Valley Road, Bessemer, Alabama Open by appointment: 426-1633 Owner: West Jefferson County Historical Society National Register o£Historic Places. Representative of earliest style of American building. Hand . hewn logs, wooden pegs. Chimneys of hand cut stone. Built by Thomas McAdory. Birthplace of both Thomas McAdory Owen, founder of Alabama State Department of Archives and History and Robert McAdory, first Mayor of Bessemer.

2 Five Mile Creek Bridge 1915 U.S. 11 at McCalla Exit. National Register of Historic Places. Marks one of few remaining segments of original Hunts- MEMBERSHIP ville Road, which was one of first roads into the rugged country of North Alabama. In 1816 this road was used by JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION pioneers. Perfect example of early concrete construction. January 1985

CITY APPOINTEES: COUNTY APPOINTEES:

Bowsher, Mrs. Alice M. Blan, Mr. Ollie L. Jr., Vice-Chairman Frazier, Mr. Samuel H. Douglass, Dr. Margaret S.; Jones, Dr. Savannah C, Chairman Treasurer Redman, Mrs. Ostelle Robertson, Mrs. Alvin C. Rose, Mrs. Edwin A. Rumore, Mi. Samuel A. Jr. Smith, Mr. J. Morgan, Sulzby, Mr. James F. Jr. Secretary

Tbmmie, Mrs. Joe

Sadler House 1838 Eastern Valley Road, McCalla, Alabama Owner: West Jefferson County Historical Society National Register of Historic Places. Open by appointment: 426-1633 Built with slave labor for plantation living. Two story Georgian design. Interior furnished. Utir

Bessemer Southern R.R. Depot 1916 1905 Alabama Ave., Bessemer, Alabama Owner: Bessemer Hall of History National Register of Historic Places. One of the best examples of small-town R.R. terminals. Restored as a museum.

Moore Cemetery 1822 The Owen Plantation House (Marker 7) is one of three historic houses in West Jefferson County which have been restored McCalla, Alabama and now serves as a plantation museum. Open by appointment. Predates War Between the States with earliest grave marked 1822.

Pleasant Hill Methodist Church 1875 McCalla, Alabama Begun as an academy in 1832. Site selected by the Rev. Mr. Smith, who when he saw the hill, said, "Here we will build a house and we will call it Pleasant Hill."

Owen Plantation Home 1833 Eastern Valley Road, Bessemer, Alabama Owner: West Jefferson County Historical Society National Register of Historic Places. Open by appointment: 426-1633 Two story structure of hand hewn logs and pit-sawed lumber built in 1838 around honeymoon cabin. Painted white after 1865.

Rock Creek Church 1886 Rt. 6, Bessemer, Alabama, Vicinity of Tbadvine Organized 1822. Portions of 1870 building used in present structure. 10 Bethlehem Methodist Church 1818 820 15th Street, Fairfield, Alabama 9 Mud Creek Church 1906 Oldest church building in existence in Jefferson County. Rt. 1, Adger, Alabama Original sills and sleepers used in present building. Historic Organized in 1837 by 16 members. cemetery on church property. First grave 1828. Pelham 11 Bessemer Hall of History 1970 20 Virginia Mines & Town ca 1906 1830 4th Ave., N. Bessemer, Alabama Rt. 1, Hueytown, Alabama Open Tues.-Sat., 10:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M. First coal mining community in area. A depository of history for Jefferson County. Occupying Southern R.R. Depot in 1985. Call 426-1633. 21 Town of Bucksville 1825 Rt. 1, McCalla, Alabama 12 Scott-Vines House 1899 Plan for town entered in Probate Records by one of first 422 Owen Avenue, Bessemer, Alabama settlers, Daniel Buck. One of the first houses built in Jonesboro. Remodeled 1909 Fourteen rooms, eight fireplaces. Restored and furnished with antiques. 22 Charleston Block 1887 Second Ave. at 19th St., Bessemer, Alabama 13 First Lot Sold in Bessemer 1887 Charleston Real Estate Co., of Charleston, S.C. built large Second Avenue at 19th Street, Bessemer, Alabama frame office building. Covered entire block. First lot sold on day of Bessemer founding to Walter W. Davin at $93.75 per front foot. 23 Original Site of Old Jonesboro 1815 Near Westlake Mall, Bessemer, Alabama 14 Berney Bank of Bessemer 1888 First permanent white settlement in Jefferson County. 1902 2nd Ave., N., Bessemer, Alabama Today only small heaps of dirt, fallen chimneys and loose One of the first buildings in Bessemer. Brick, frame and timbers mark the spot. Located near pre-historic village stone with terra cotta trim. Drastically modernized. partially excavated in 1939.

15 Bessemer Land & Improvement Co. 1886 24 Town of Oxmoor & Furnace 1863 Fourth Ave. & 19th Street, Bessemer, Alabama County Road No. 95 Occupant: First Alabama Bank. Six miles south of Birmingham, Oxmoor Furnace adjoined Company first known as Town Co., developers of town. Furnace built in 1861. Destroyed by "Wilson's Bessemer. Renovated 1976. Raiders". Rebuilt in 1872. Some buildings still in use.

16 Citizens Bank 1901 2023 2nd Ave., N., Bessemer, Alabama 25 Oxmoor School-Church 1888 Original investment bank built in 1901 to lend money Oxmoor Road, Birmingham, Alabama and operate pawn shop. Building known as "Bank Pawn Operated first as a school. Methodist Church in 1932. Shop." Ministry for 50 years.

17 Grand Hotel 1887 26 Site of Oxmoor General Store 1911 Second Ave. & 19th St., Bessemer, Alabama Rt. 1, Birmingham, Alabama Three-story brick and frame building. Ballroom of hotel Served citizens of Shades Valley, Shades Mountain and used for social activities in early days of Bessemer. Oxmoor Furnace for 46 years. Burned recently.

18 Site of Toadvine 1832 27 Long-Lewis Hardware Co. 1887 U.S. 11 West from Bessemer to Oak Grove Road to Valley 2014 Second Avenue, Bessemer, Alabama Creek. First known as Bessemer Cornice Works. One of the first First white settler in area constructed one of three mills for businesses in the County. grinding corn, wheat, cording wool and cotton, ginning cotton and preparing lumber. Trade and social center. 28 Old Carnegie Library 1907 327 18th St., N., Bessemer, Alabama 19 Site of Toadvine Bridge 1908 Occupant: Bessemer Chamber of Commerce U.S. 11 West from Bessemer to Oak Grove. Spanned Valley First library in Bessemer. $10,000 donated by Andrew Creek. Carnegie in 1906 for erection of building. Built by Leow Co. of Cleveland, Ohio. 29 Old Bessemer Post Office 1887 36 Hawkin's Spring 1830 400 North 19th Street, Bessemer, Alabama Midtield, Alabama Occupant: Bessemer Public Library Used by drovers for watering cattle. Actually an under­ Renaissance Revival architecture. Exterior unchanged. First ground river. Popular picnic site in 1800s. River disappeared RFD route in United States. in 1930s.

30 Muscoda Village 1900s 37 Click's Mill and Cemetery 1820s Avenues H,I, & J, Bessemer, Alabama Midtield, Alabama Frame houses of workers date to 1902. Managerial quarters One of first grist mills in Jefferson County. John Click were more substantial. owned mill and home near Midfield.

31 Porter House 1913 38 Arlington School 1910 1627 Clarendon Ave., Bessemer, Alabama 1901 Arlington Ave., Bessemer, Alabama Greek Revival influence. Restoration in progress. First building built as a high school in Bessemer. Housed theatricals and concerts. 32 First Methodist Church of Bessemer 1930 1831 Arlington Ave., S., Bessemer, Alabama 39 Town of Adamsville 1880 Organized in Charleston Block Building 1888. West of Birmingham, U.S. Highway 78 One of earliest settlements in Jefferson County. Founded 33 Canaan Baptist Church 1856 by William Adams. Original settlers arrived in 1867, 2543 Morgan Road, Bessemer, Alabama decendants of Revolutionary War soldiers. "Mother Church" of all Baptist churches in Jefferson County. Brick-frame construction. Modified Williamsburg 40 Tuxedo Junction Band & Song Hall 1900 Colonial style. Organized 1818. 1728 20th St., Ensley, Birmingham, Alabama Main social hub of Black Community in 1920s. Dance 34 First Presbyterian Church of Bessemer 1952 Hall on second floor. Birmingham bandleader Erskine 1723 3rd Ave., N., Bessemer, Alabama Hawkins immortalized this district with his composition Organized 1888 with 18 charter members. Modified Wren "Tuxedo Junction" recorded by Glen Miller. style brick frame. 41 Pike Avenue Baptist Church 1904 2220 Pike Ave., Ensley, Birmingham, Alabama Organized 1895 with membership of 25. In 1948 member­ ship 1500.

42 Ramsay-McCormack Building 1928 1823 Ave. E, Ensley, Birmingham, Alabama Built by pioneer realtors. One of the finest buildings in Ensley.

43 Green Springs Baptist Church Est. 1890 1820 Green Springs Highway, Birmingham, AL Originally a Baptist Church. At one time used by artist Georges Bridges as studio. Now occupied by Cox Antiques.

35 Sweet Home 1906 1830 Arlington Ave, Bessemer, Alabama Greek Revival design. Construction cost $10,000. 50 Camp Pauline Bray Fletcher 1926 44 Dupuy Home 1905 2327 W. 29th St., Ensley, Birmingham, Alabama Rt. 3, Bessemer, Alabama Built by Judge Romaine Boyd. Purchased by James A. Founded by Mrs. Pauline Bray Fletcher, first black R.N. in Dupuy in 1912. Mrs. Dupuy was first woman to head Alabama. Birmingham Board of Education. 51 The Bank of Ensley 1919 45 Williams Hall 1908 425 19th St., Ensley, Birmingham, Alabama Miles College, Est: 1905 Owner: C. Crawford Williams, Jr. 5500 Avenue G. Fairfield, Alabama Established and built by Ramsay and McCormack. Oldest building on campus. Still in daily use. Sold to R.E. Chadwick and Sam King.

46 Bank of Alabama 1900 1724 Ave. E., Ensley, Birmingham, Alabama Merged with Ensley Bank & Trust Co., which later became part of First National Bank of Birmingham. Brick structure.

47 Crumly Cabin 1858 356 Crumly Chapel Rd., Forestdale Birmingham, Alabama An antebellum cabin made of dovetailed handhewn logs. Built by one of first settlers, Robert Crumly.

48 Stacey House 1898 720 Erie St., Wylam, Birmingham, Alabama Built by first Mayor of Wylam. One story with twin gables and center dormer.

49 Thomas McAdory Owen House 1890 510 North 18th St., Bessemer, Alabama 52 John Wesley Hall Grist Mill 1867 Built by Dr. Thomas McAdory Owen and wife Marie Tannehill State Park Bankhead Owen both authors and State Archivists. Reconstructed grist mill and cotton gin which operated from 1867 until 1931. Now operates in park.

53 Crumly Chapel Methodist Church 1924 336 Crumly Chapel Road Established 1859. Property and church houses deeded to Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in 1861 by owner, Oliver Shoemaker.

54 Crumly Chapel Cemetery 1858 Crumly Chapel Road Grave of Thomas Jefferson Shoemaker dated 1858.

55 Simpson House 1910 1821 26th St., Ensley, Alabama Tall narrow house with steep roof, built in an architectural style popular in the New England States from which the The Crumly Cabin (Marker 47) was built by Robert Crumly builder, Mr. J.B. Simpson came. and his son, Benjamin, in 1858. It is now owned by Benjamin's grandson, W. E. Mellown. 56 West Brookside Bridge Site 1909 60 The Charleston House 1899 "Crooked Bridge" 1709 3rd Avenue North, Bessemer, Alabama Cardiff Road, Brookside, Alabama Originally owned by the Nolan family. Small two story Wood and steel bridge over 5 Mile Creek. Has been razed. frame house of early Bessemer.

57 Farrar Lodge #8 F & AM 1921 61 Pratt School 1910 11/2 2nd Avenue N., Birmingham, Alabama 306 Avenue U, Pratt City, Birmingham, Alabama Masonic Lodge organized in 1821 in Elyton by Thomas Established in 1892 as the first public school in Pratt City. W. Farrar, who served as first Master of Grand Lodge of Brick structure. Alabama. Present structure is brick. 62 Bivens Chapel Cemetery 1836 Brookside, Alabama Cherry Avenue Burial plots of Bivens family, Speer family and other early settlers.

63 Union Baptist Church 1922 406 Avenue G, Lipscomb, Alabama Originally formed in 1834, the present structure sits on the original site.

64 Union Cemetery 1859 406 Avenue G, Lipscomb, Alabama Adjacent to Union Baptist Church. Burial site for early settlers 1859 or before.

65 Ensley First Methodist Episcopal Church, South 1912 1921 Avenue G, Birmingham, Alabama Established in 1896 on Furnace Hill. Present structure brick.

66 Woodward Iron Office/Bathhouse Possibly 1883 2400 Main Street, Woodward Alabama

67 North Birmingham Depot c 1880s 415 West Oxmoor Road Originally located on 38th Street, North, as passenger and freight depot between Atlanta, Georgia and Columbus, 58 St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Temple 1916 Mississippi. Moved. Cardiff Road, Brookside, Alabama

Byzantine style with onion dome. Area settled by Czecho- 68 Freeman House c 1870; 1910 slovakian immigrants in late 1800's. 704 Oregon Street, Wylam Original structure of logs. House occupied since 1870. 59 Muscoda School 1911 1331 Fairfax Avenue, Bessemer, Alabama Owner: Bessemer Baptist Association Wooden building built by Tennessee Coal and Iron Co. as a school for children living in the Muscoda Mining district. The Jefferson County Historical Commission established in 1971 by the Alabama Legislature is comprised of twelve members, six appointed by the Jefferson County Commission and six by the Birmingham City Council. The purpose is to encourage and assist in the preservation and recognition of historic sites and structures in the area. Its principal service is research and marking of places of importance to our heritage. The Commission published the first complete survey of sites in the County commissioning Dr. Carolyn Green Satterfield; History Profes­ sor at Samford University to expand and edit material gathered by the Birmingham Planning Commission and the Women's Committee of 100 for Birmingham. This project in celebration of the American Bicentennial was financed by the City of Birmingham, County of Jefferson and the Linn-Henley Charitable Trust. Publication of brochures and books, coopera­ tion with historical societies and interested indi­ viduals are additional goals of the Commission. This brochure of Historical Sites and Structures in the Western Section of Jefferson County is typical of the material that is produced and disseminated by the Commission. Margaret Sizemore Douglass,Chairman Jefferson County Historical Commission Jefferson County Historical Sites and Places

Eastern Section

Compiled and published by Jefferson County Historical Commission 20 North 21st Street Birmingham, Alabama 35203 BLOUNT COUNTY ST CLAIR COUNTY

Jefferson County Historical Commission

Location of historical sites and structures of Jefferson County

Eastern Section The numbers on this map correspond to those listed numerically on the pages of the booklet, "Jefferson County Historical Sites and Places — Eastern Sec­ tion." An accompanying map designates the location of each site and structure listed in this booklet.

1 Hanby House 1850 Pinson, Alabama Log cabin originally. Home of Captain W. H. Hanby, who led Company C out of Pinson to join Confederate Army in 1861.

2 Woodlawn Baptist Church 1905 5600 First Avenue, North Established 1886 as East Birmingham Church.

3 Ruhama Baptist Church 1926 7901 Second Avenue, South Established 1819 before Alabama admitted to Union. Original log cabin on 77th Street burned by Union soldiers during War Between the States. Present build­ ing first one used by congregarion on this site.

4 Inglenook Presbyterian Church 1898 41st Streer and 35th Avenue, North Organized 1821. Addirions over years. Current owner, Heritage Primirive Baptist Church.

5 George Roebuck Home Site 1850 8950 Roebuck Boulevard, North Original log cabin built by slave labor. Home was located at entrance to present Alabama Industrial MEMBERSHIP School. For over a century the old building marked the site of Roebuck Springs. Demolished 1953. JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION 6 Dubose-Mallory House 1800s April 1987 8727 Fourth Avenue, South Built by Dr. Joel Dubose as a private school in rural section of the county. Extensive renovation and resto­ CITY APPOINTEES: COUNTY APPOINTEES: ration by Mrs. William Malloy. Mr. Ollie L. Blan, Jr. Mrs. Alice M. Bowsher 7 Woodlawn City Hall 1908 5525 First Avenue, North Dr. Margaret S. Douglass Mr. Samuel H. Frazier First Woodlawn City Hall completed 1895. In 1910 Woodlawn annexed to Birmingham. Presently used as Mrs. Jane W. Mulkin Mrs. Edna B. Johnson office building. Mrs. Ostelle Redman Mrs. Alpha A. Robertson 8 Grace Episcopal Church 1890 5712 First Avenue, North Mr. Samuel A. Rumore, Jr. Mr. J. Morgan Smith Organized as Calvary Mission 1890. Small frame building erected on this location and replaced by Mr. James F. Sulzby, Jr. Mrs. Louise Ayer Tommie presenr church, which was completed in 1927. 9 McElwain Baptist Church 1929 M—MM 4445 Montevallo Road, South "MB Established 1895. First church constructed on Eastis Land. Named for William McElwain, owner and operator of Irondale Furnace in 1860s.

10 Ebersole Home 1895 6800 First Avenue, North Built by C. D. Ebersole, President of Mary Lee Coal and Railway Company. Excellent restoration by owner.

11 Woodlawn Infirmary 1896 515 South 55th Street Renovated as apartments. 14 Massey Cemetery 1899 1-59 between Trussville and Argo First grave dated 1829.

15 Center Point School 1924 2209 Center Point Road, North Owned by Jefferson County Board of Education. Built of flint rock from area.

16 Munger Mill 1870s Mary Munger Road Trussville, Alabama Over 100 years old. Located on the headwaters of Cahaba River. Originally a sawmill, gristmill, and cotton gin. For many years, the properry was part of a Y.W.C.A. girls' camp. Now privately owned.

12 Mount Calvary Presbyterian Church 1925 Route 2 Pinson, Alabama Founded 1806 as Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Oldesr Presbyterian Church in Jefferson County and believed to be oldest Protestant church in Alabama. Cemetery adjacenr.

13 Holy Rosary 1889 7914 Georgia Road Began as mission of Saint Paul's Church for Gate City area. Obtained status of parish, 1955. Salesians of Saint John Bosco presently in charge of parish. 17 Bass Home 1863 629 Montevallo Road Leeds, Alabama Three-room house originally. Additions made 1865 by Jonathan W. Bass, grandfather of present owner. , !

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22 Hickman House 1850 18 Henry Little Cabin 1822 Chalkville Road Ashville Road Trussville, Alabama Henry Little, one of the first settlers of Cahaba Valley, Built by William Peyton Hickman before Civil War. built log cabin in 1822 on 960-acre tract of land. Mill Four large square rooms constructed by slave labor. constructed 1857. Later named Fuller's Mill. Many alterations.

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19 Shiloh-Cumberland Presbyterian Church Site and Cemetery 1821 Jefferson County Highway 411, Ashville Road Leeds, Alabama First church on stagecoach road from Ashville to Montevallo. Second church, Shiloh Presbyterian 23 Mount Hebron Elementary School 1917 Church, 1878. Third church, Leeds Presbyterian Route 1, Highway 119 Church, 1891. Five miles south of Leeds, Alabama Used presently as recreation building by Mount Hebron 21 Leeds Presbyterian Church 1912 Baptist Church. 429 First Avenue, S.E. Leeds, Alabama Organized as Shiloh-Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1821. Third structure to house congregation. 27 Irondale Furnace 1863 Junction of Furnace Creek and Shades Creek, South Directions: Stone River Road to Furnace Creek. Srop at marker. Walk southwest one-quarter mile. Furnace started in 1863. One of the first furnaces to furnish iron to Selma Ordnance Works. Panic of 1873 caused cessation of operation.

28 Woodlawn Methodist Church 1911 55th Streer and First Avenue, North Organized 1887 by fifteen families. First house of worship, 1889, at Georgia Road and Spring Street. Alterations and additions throughout years.

29 Davie-Carraway Home 1972 Overton Road, Route 4, Box 352, South Owned by Carraway Methodist Medical Center. Open by appoinrment. Constructed of historical materials. Designed around architectural details collected through 24 Mount Hebron Baptist Church and Cemetery 1954 years from fine old buildings. Montevallo Road Five miles south of Leeds, Alabama 30 Reed Cemetery 1820 Founded in 1819 by 12 charter members before Twin Lakes Drive Alabama became a state. Second oldest church in One-half acre in size. Property first purchased by Alabama. Original structure of logs. Now occupying William "Silver Billy" Reed from U.S. Government. fifth building on original site. Five generations of Reeds interred.

31 Reed-Riddle Cabin 1816 888 Twin Lakes Drive Log cabin. Built by John Reed and two sons. With alterations and additions has served as residence since 1816.

32 Salem Baptist Church 1818 Spring Street Pinson, Alabama Organized 1818. Named "Oldsides" Salem Baptist Church, 1839. Situated on Beaver Branch of Turkey Creek.

33 Old Oak Grove Methodist Church 1871 711 Gene Reed Road Organization led by Judge Wilson. Church constructed 1871. Name changed 1920 to Huffman Methodist Church.

34 Old Five Mile Presbyterian Church 1880 25 Clay Methodist Church and School 1924 1137 Five Mile Road Jefferson County Highway 30, Old Springville Road Organized 1841 by William Killough. Wooden struc­ Clay, Alabama ture erected 1880. Cemetery adjacent. Founded 1810 by Samuel Ware, firsr Justice of Peace in Jefferson Counry and organizer of first Masonic Lodge in Jefferson County. Name changed to Shiloh Church, 1849. New building erected 1924. 35 Cave Springs Presbyterian Church 1880 Mount Nebo Cemetery 1860 Highway 11 Trussville, Alabama Organized 1867. Named First Presbyterian Church, 1958.

36 Davis Home 1860s Route 5 Trussville, Alabama Boyhood home of Drs. W. E. B. and John D. S. Davis.

37 Trussville Cemetery 1880 Trussville, Alabama First burial predates Civil War. Now under care of Trussville Community Cemetery Committee.

38 Wood Cemetery 1824 57th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues, North Half-acre cemetery contains graves of many early 43 Self Building 1898 Jefferson County settlers. Originally owned by O. W. North Main Street Wood, Sr. Since 1906 maintained by Wood Cemetery Pinson, Alabama Association. Site of M. B. Self General Merchandise Company.

40 Eastis House 1859 44 Cahaba Methodist Episcopal Church 1895 5220 64th Street, North Highway 119 Original home owner, Annie Catherine Eastis. Con­ Leeds, Alabama structed on ten-acre parcel of land deeded to her by her Late 19th-century country church. father, W. W. Ellard. A portion of first structure is a part of present home. 45 East Lake Park Bathhouse 1932 41 Bass-Dampier House 1906 118 84th Street, North 117 North 71st Street Architecturally significant building illustrating the importance of public parks as entertainment areas. Property purchased from East Lake Land Company in Built with Federal funds during the Depression. Once 1895. Original home consisted of five rooms. Restored faced a 200-foot pool. Renovated by City of Birming­ 1981. ham as a Senior Citizen Center 1980-81. 42 Dennis-Marberry Home 1892 46 Ellard House 1928 5620 Fifth Court, South 7600 Fifth Avenue, South Home renovated 1929. Handsome family home was the residence of a promi­ nent East Lake family. Has been approved by the Live-in-a-Landmark Program.

47 Buchanan House 1889 218 North 52nd Street Example of an elegant Woodlawn home of the 1890s. -.-,- •..•;|-;;. •••'.."

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48 Leeds Depot 1883-84 933 Thornton Avenue, N.E. 52 Hagwood Hotel c 1910 Leeds, Alabama 908 Thornron Avenue National Register of Historic Places Leeds, Alabama Depot was center of corporate limits of Leeds, which Popular rest stop for train travelers and those traveling was incotporated in 1887. the main road between Atlanta and Birmingham.

49 Wood-Champion House 1908 53 Christian-Thrash-Westbrook House 1925 709 81st Place, South 4400 Overlook Road, South Distinctive building type. Fine Forest Park home. Residence of president of Nash Christian Foundry Company. 50 Harmony Street Baptist Church 1924 527 47th Place, North 54 Rich House 1909 Formed as a congregation in 1888. This church has 1853 Springville Road served the Avondale community and retained its Home constructed by William Rufus Rich, relative of original name. Present building constructed in 1924. William Rufus King, Vice President of the United States. One of the oldest homes in Chalkville. 51 Leeds First Methodist Church 1925 Parkway Drive 55 Trussville-Civitan Bridge 1909 Leeds, Alabama Civitan Park at Highway 11, Cahaba River Locally significant congregation. Trussville, Alabama One of seven bridges built for Jefferson County in 1909. Unusual construction of top supports only. Bridge was moved in one piece in 1984 from original site upstream. Now a walking bridge for park patrons.

56 South Avondale Baptist Church 1914 4022 Fourth Avenue, South Originally organized as the First Baptist Church of Avondale in 1887. Historically significant to the old town of Avondale and the Avondale community. Frame church of 1890 replaced by present structure begun in 1914. Name changed to South Avondale Baptist in 1924. 57 Minor House 1907 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY 1205 Thomas Avenue Leeds, Alabama. Jefferson County was originally part of the Mississippi Originally owned by E. M. Tucker - Tutwiler Improve­ Territory. The first white settlers moved in and acquired ment Company. Structure is characteristic of early land in the area about 1815. Prior to that time tribes of 1900 cottage-type home. Portion remodeled. Indians, predominantly Creek, inhabited the land which provided them a fertile soil and a happy hunting ground. Some of the early white settlers were veterans of Andrew Jackson's Indian wars. The first white child was born in what is now Jefferson County in 1816; and on December 13, 1819, the State Legislature passed a bill officially creating the county and I naming it for Thomas Jefferson, third president of the "X United States. The first seat of justice in the county was located at Carrollsville, nowPowderly. In 1820, a courthouse was built at Elyton, the first county seat. The courthouse was later moved to Birmingham through an artful strategy of one of its foundets. Birmingham, the state's largest city with a metropolitan population of more than 900,000, is the heart and sinew of the county. The ever-expanding metropolis, whose begin­ nings and early growth were achieved through the produc­ tion of coal, iron and steel, is now a diversified industrial, 58 Wilson Chapel 1916 financial, educational, engineering and cultutal center with Wilson Cemetery 1818 an immense economic potential for the future. 408 Cumberland Drive Jefferson County is situated in the north central portion of Birmingham's oldest family cemetery. In 1818 Audrey the State of Alabama on the southern extension of the Hamilton set aside property for burial of his family and Appalachian Mountain system in the center of the rich iron, slaves. Land later deeded to Methodist Church. Pic­ coal and limestone belt of the South. It is bounded on the turesque chapel constructed 1916. north by Walker and Blount Counties, on the east by St. Clair and Shelby Counties, on the south by Tuscaloosa, Shelby and Bibb Counties and on the west by Tuscaloosa and Walker Counties. The elevation of the County tanges from 240 feet to 1,480 feet above sea level with the highest peak located five miles northeast of Pinson on Butler Mountain. The climate is mild, permitting outdoor work the year round. The temper­ ature seldom falls below 20 above zero and then for only a short time. It notmally ranges from 37 degrees in January to 89 degrees in July. Rainfall, which occurs mainly in the spring, averages about 54 inches. Snow is a rarity. It has an area of 719,3 60 acres or 1,124 square miles. The total population of Jefferson County exceeds 700,000. It is pre-eminent among the 67 counties of Alabama. Although the County contains only a little over 2 percent of the State's land area, it embraces about one-sixth of the State's population and almost one-third of the total assessed property valuations. One-third of all the State's tevenue comes from Jefferson County. THE JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION

The Jefferson County Historical Commission, established in 1971 by the Alabama Legislature, is composed of twelve members, six appointed by the Jefferson County Commission and six by the Birmingham City Council. The purpose is to encourage and assist in the preservation and recognition of historic sites and structures in the area. Its principal service is research and marking of places of importance to our heritage. The Commission published the first complete survey of sites in the County, editing material gathered by the Birmingham Planning Commission and the Women's Committee of 100 for Birmingham. The project in celebration of the American Bicentennial was financed by the City of Birmingham, County of Jefferson and the Linn-Henley Charitable Trust. This volume was later reprinted by popular demand and distributed to clubs, libraries and individuals who requested it. Publication of brochures and books and cooperation with historical societies and interested individuals are additional objectives of the commission. This brochure of Historical Sites and Structures in the Eastern Section of Jefferson County is representative of the material produced and disseminated by the Commission.

Ollie L. Blan, )r., Chairman Jefferson County Historical Commission /-// Sfor.'ca ( natters- £ fo n-t Jefferson County Historical Sites and Structures

THOMAS JEFFERSON

1743-1828

Central and Eastern Sections

Paid for in part by funds from the State of Alabama- Bureau of Publicity and £ Information. 6/81 -10,000

MARKER PROGRAM The Commission authorized a Marker Program to designate historic sites and structures from the Jefferson County Historic Survey and other sources. A Marker Committee worked on the design of the marker and a permanent logo in two colors showing the profile of Thomas Jefferson was selected and adopted by the Jefferson County Historical Commission as well as the Jefferson County Commission. This publication is a culmination of the Marker Program to place a marker on historic sites and structures throughout Jefferson County. Much of the success of the preservation, restoration, and historic research in the past decade should be attributed to the interest of volunteers and the active programs of various Historical Societies. In addition, staff members of the Southern History and Archives Department of the Birmingham Public Library should be recognized. Further information on the sites can be obtained from these sources. John E. Bryan, Chairman Jefferson County Historical Commission

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MOUNT CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FOUNDED 1806 EASTERN MARKER 12 The Jefferson County Historical Commission was established by the Alabama Legislature in 1971. It is comprised of twelve members, six appointed by the Jefferson County Commission and six by the Birmingham City Council. At its initial meeting, the Commission resolved that a good source book of historic sites would be a major step toward preservation of the history of the area. A meeting of the board of the Women's Com­ mittee of 100 for Birmingham and a representative of the Birm­ ingham Area Planning Commission had started the ball rolling. The Jefferson County Historical Commission picked up that ball, made lists of sites recommended for consideration and employed the Bir­ mingham Area Planning Commission to check those sites and prepare a report. Mr. Don Moseley headed the effort, and in December of 1972, the report, financed by the City of Birmingham, the County of Jefferson, the Linn-Henley Charitable Trust and the Department of Interior through the Alabama Historical Commission, was produced. This survey contained information on 170 structures and five districts as well as a listing of 172 known cemeteries in Jef­ ferson County. It included forty-three photographs and four maps. In the spring of 1976, Carolyn Green Satterfield, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History at Samford University, was commissioned to expand and edit a comprehensive survey of historic sites in Jeffer­ son County, under the direction of the Commission and as a Bicentennial contribution to the public. Historic site book was published containing sites and photographs. Margaret D. Sizemore, Vice-Chairman Jefferson County Historical Commission HISTORICAL

CENTRAL SECTION 7 Phillips High School 1923 Arlington Home - Garden 1822 2316 Seventh Avenue, North 331 Cotton Avenue, Southwest Established 1883. School named for Dr. John Herbert Phillips, National Register of Historic Places first superintendent of school. This building replaced Central Birmingham's only antebellum mansion; once headquarters for High in 1923. Union General James H. Wilson. City Hospitality Center. Open to public. 8 Powell School 1888 A.M. Brown House 1908 2331 Sixth Avenue, North 319 Fourth Terrace, North National Register of Historic Places Owner: Birmingham Art Club, Inc. Established as four room school and called "Free School". Pre­ National Register of Historic Places sent building constructed 1888. Named for Colonel James Nine room bungalow built for Dr. A. M. Brown, prominent black Powell, one of the founders of Birmingham. general practioner. Houses A.M. Brown-Community Center for Arts and Crafts. g Octavus Roy Cohen Home 1927 1256 South 33rd Street Morris Avenue Historic District 1800s Mr. Cohen, author of numerous stories and books, resided in 2000-2400 Blocks of Morris Avenue, North this home. National Register of Historic Places (Thirty Historic Structures.) Early commercial and wholesale section restored and adapted 10 Caldwell Hotel Site 1886 as entertainment, business and office complex. Restaurants. 2200 - 1st Avenue, North Architect, Edward Sidell of France. Built by H. M. Caldwell, President and Joseph F. Johnston, Secretary, of the hotel. Remarkable building for the time. Burned.

11 Walker Memorial Methodist Church 1921 631 - 3rd Street, S.W. Organized in 1818 as Elyton Methodist Church. Present build­ ing named for Mrs. Corilla Porter Walker.

12 Berney National Bank Building 1885 1923 - 1st Avenue, North Occupied by Andy's Restaurant. Originally known as Central Bank. Assumed name of Berney Bank nine months later. Original bank vault doors intact on first floor.

13 Nabers-Morrow Building 1895 109 Twentieth Street, North National Register of Historic Places Site of first City Hall and Fire Station. Building originally known as Nabors, Morrow and Sinnige Drug Company.

14 Morris Hotel Site 1888 1901 First Avenue, North POWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL • 1888 Architect, Edward Sidell of France. Built by Josiah Morris. Five MARKER 8 storied. Property measured 105' x 185'. Hotel demolished 1959. Sloss Furnace 1882-83 First Avenue at 32nd Street, North 15 Third Presbyterian Church 1904 National Register of Historic Places 617-22nd Street, South Sprawling 18 acre iron and steel facility. Founder Colonel Established in 1884. Constructed in stages as cash funds avail­ James Withers Sloss. Second iron furnace built in Alabama, able. Much work by elders and others. Brick building with and is the last of many furnaces. The City of Birmingham is in Gothic stained glass memorial windows. Interior quite im­ process of restoration of this site as museum and tourist pressive and beautiful. Leadership began under Reverend attraction. Only one of its kind in the world. James A. Bryan, known as "Brother Bryan", and continued 51 years until his death. Steiner Building 1890 2102 First Avenue, North Rainbow Viaduct 1919 National Register of Historic Places 16 Twenty-first Street at 1st Avenue South & 1st Avenue North Constructed for commercial use when property was purchased Dedicated to soldiers of 167th Infantry of 42nd Division of in 1871 by Josiah Morris. In 1888 Burghard and Sigfried Steiner United States Army, known as "Rainbow Division". On viaduct received banking charter from State of Alabama and operated is located a bronze marker listing Birmingham men killed in as Steiner Brothers Bank for several decades. World War I. Enslen House 1910 17 Brother Bryan Statue 1939 2737 Highland Avenue, South Prayer Point 1971 National Register of Historic Places Vulcan Park atop Red Mountain Marble home built for Eugene F. Ensley, banker. One of few Reverend James A. Bryan ("Brother Bryan"), beloved pastor of remaining large turn-of-the-century homes on Highland Third Presbyterian Church for 51 years. Statue erected at Five Avenue, Birmingham's "silk-stocking" district at one time. Points South by United States Government 1939 and moved to Completely restored. Prayer Point - Vulcan Park in 1957. 27 Saint Vincent's Hospital 1899 18 Jefferson Theatre Site 1899 2702 Ninth Court, South 1706 - 2nd Avenue North Temporary hospital opened doors December 1898. In 1899 Designed by Stone Brothers of New Orleans. Showplace for hospital moved to present site. Statue of Father Patrick O'Reil­ dramatic and operatic performances. Named for famous actor, ly, pioneer priest of St. Paul's Cathedral, on hospital grounds. Joseph Jefferson. Demolished 1947. 28 Spencer-Hall Springs 1820s 19 Bijou Theatre Site 1890 2132 Tyler Road, Vestavia 1700 3rd Avenue, North Popular summer resort during early 1800s. Property purchased Housed musical events and vaudeville. Name changed to Pan- by Octavia Spencer, who built forty log cabins and pavilion for tages and later Birmingham Theatre. Demolished 1951. guests.

20 Confederate Monument 1905 29 Old Age-Herald Building 1910 20th Street Side, Woodrow Wilson Park 2107 Fifth Avenue, North Given by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Memorial Age-Herald Newspaper moved from building 1920. to the cause and the unity of the heroes who fought for it, for they are the deathless dead of the Southern Confederacy. 30 Young & Vann Building 1888 1725 First Avenue North 21 Hillman Hospital 1902 Built for Annheuser Busch Brewery and purchased by Young Southwest corner, 20th Street and 6th Avenue, South and Vann Supply Company in 1912. Named for benefactor, T. T. Hillman. Oldest building of Univer­ sity of Alabama, Birmingham complex. 31 Alabama Theatre 1927 1811 Third Avenue, North 22 W. E. B. Davis Statue 1904 National Register of Historic Places 20th Street South between 6th - 7th Avenues Replica Paramount Theatre in New York City. The most signifi­ Honors William Elias Brownlee Davis, pioneer Jefferson Coun­ cant detail is the Wurlitzer Four Manual Console Pipe Organ ty physician. made of twenty ranks of several thousand pipes.

23 No. 1 Fire Station Site 1871 32 Old Birmingham Post Office • Site 1824 4th Avenue and 19th Street, North Northeast corner 2nd Avenue and 18th Street, North Property of three nations and owned by United States govern­ 24 Avondale Park 1888 ment twice. An Act of Congress in 1819 granted this property to Fifth Avenue and Fortieth Street, South Alabama. Used 20 years as Post Office. Forty acre park. Outdoor theatre and recreational facilities. 33 Cahaba Pumping Station 1890 25 Oak Hill Cemetery 1871 Pumphouse Road, Route 13 1120 19th Street, North First structure was built of hand made bricks. Now a series of Administered by: Oak Hill Memorial Association brick structures containing modern equipment. National Register of Historic Places Founded five months before city was established. Birmingham 34 Elyton Cemetery 1821 pioneer cemetery. First grave dated 1871. 425 Second Avenue, North Established by Colonel John M. Dupuy for town of Elyton. 26 Vulcan Statue 1904 Oldest grave marked 1834. Vulcan Park atop Red Mountain National Register of Historic Places 35 Woodward Iron Engine No. 3 1910 Fifty-six foot statue created by Guiseppi Moretti, Italian Powell Avenue - 18th Street, South artisan, to represent Vulcan, Roman God of Fire. Largest iron Owned by Heart of Dixie Railroad Club figure ever cast by man. Oldest piece of equipment No. 3 Woodward Iron Engine. 2nd oldest piece of equipment, Seaboard Red Caboose, 1926.

36 Woodward Home 1919 4101 Altamont Road, South One of largest residential structures in Birmingham area. Built for A. H. Woodward and donated to University of Alabama, Bir­ mingham to use as home of University president.

37 McDaniel Home 1870 1100 Saulter Road, South Frame farm home. Restored for modern comfort. Significant because of age. Boyhood home of present owner.

38 Mortimer Jordan Home 1908 2834 Highland Avenue, South Greek Revival. Restored to original beauty in 1979.

39 Thompson Home 1910 2848 Highland Avenue, South Rustic Tudor style designed by Dan Reamer. Built for S. E. ELYTON CEMETERY • 1821 Thompson, realtor. MARKER 34 40 Church of the Advent 1893 2019 Sixth Avenue, North 52 Saint Mary's Episcopal Church 1892 Organized 1872. First building was white frame in 1873. Design­ 1910 Twelfth Avenue, South ed by Charles Wheelock. First Episcopal church in Birm­ Established 1888. Reminiscent of English abbey. Designed by ingham. Sutcliffe, architect. Outstanding Interior and exterior.

41 Saint Paul's Cathedral 1890 53 Lakeview School 1901 2120 Third Avenue, North 2800 Clairmont Avenue, South Established 1872 as first Roman Catholic Church in Jefferson National Register of Historic Places County. Gothic structure of red brick. Remodeled in 1971. Second oldest school in Birmingham. Attended by children of "Mother Church" of North Alabama Catholics. prominent pioneer families.

42 South Highland Presbyterian Church 1892 54 Torrance-Dixon House 1930 2035 Highland Avenue, South 4219 Crescent Road, South Established 1880. English Gothic edifice.-Maintained and addi­ Occupants throughout years were: Dr. Baston Torrance, Jelks tions made throughout years. Cabaniss, Governor Frank Dixon, and Daniel Pratt until 1962 when sold to present owner. 43 First Presbyterian Church 1888 2100 Fourth Avenue, North 55 Temple Emanu-EI 1913 Established 1858. Presbyterians were first to open church in 2100 Highland Avenue, South Birmingham. Congregation formed in Elyton and first wooden Organized 1886. Combination Greek and Byzantine styles. building moved to Birmingham by wagon. Church Bell Tower Largest bronze dome in Southeast. Accoustical perfection in houses Memorial Carrillon of 25 bells. Installed 1924. auditorium.

44 Highlands Methodist Church 1909 56 Temple Beth-El 1927 1105 Twenth Street, South 2179 Highland Avenue, South Established 1903. Byzantine architecture designed by Stanford Organized 1905. Sculptures within temple by Phillip Ratner of White. Alterations through years. Washington, D.C. Remodeled in recent years.

45 First Church of Christ Scientist 1911 57 Ullman School 1901 2031 Eleventh Avenue, South 7th Avenue and 12th Street, South Organized 1889. Jeffersonian Classical Architecture. Seating Named for Samuel Ullman, President, Board of Education capacity five hundred. Recently remodeled by owner as archi­ 1884-1904. Perhaps only school building still in existence tectural office. which has been used as elementary school, high school, and university. 46 First Christian Church 1924 2100 Seventh Avenue, North 58 Luffman-Piersol House 1904 National Register of Historic Places 1432 South 10th Place Organized first classes for retarded children in city. Church Built by George E. Luffman. Purchased 1919 by G. B. Piersol, established by Colonel and Mrs. Jolly 1874 and was reorganiz­ father of major league baseball player, James Piersol. ed 1884.

47 Southside Baptist Church 1911 5g Sixteenth Street Baptist Church 1911 Northeast corner of 11th Avenue at 19th Street, South 1530 Sixth Avenue, North Georgian marble. Windows designed and forged by Viggio National Register of Historic Places Rambush of New York. Founded 1873. Designed by W. A. Rayfield, pioneer black ar­ chitect. Stained glass window depicting black Christ given by 48 Spaulding Mine Site 1840 people of Wales after 1963 bombing of church. 2100 Montevallo Road Advanced neglect. Iron ore mine sold to Republic Steel 1899 60 Forest Park 1906 and continued to operate until 1961. Southeast Birmingham at foot of Red Mountain adjoining Lakeview. 49 Cummings-Beaumont House 1850 National Register of Historic Places 4151 Montevallo Road Area originally established as a town. One of the oldest Considered oldest house in Jefferson County. Constructed by residential areas within Birmingham. Development sold in 1906 William M. Cummings of South Carolina. One time Commis­ at $2,100.00 per acre. sary for Irondale Furnace.

50 Lyric Theatre 1912 61 Venetian Village 1925 319 Eighteenth Street, North Southwest corner - 11th Avenue and 12th Street, South. Built by General Louis V. Clark for Jake Wells, as multi-use Polychrome terra cotta commercial block structure. Eight en­ theatre. Operated by Waters Enterprises 1945-60. Remodeled trances for business establishments. 1975 as movie theatre. 62 Rosedale Pump House 1910 51 First Baptist Church 1903 Lynn Boulevard, Homewood 517 Twenty-Second Street, North An auxiliary pumping station constructed to lift water to upper Established 1873. Richardsonian-Romanesque design. Exterior slopes of Red Mountain. Building of Pompeian Red Brick with Bedford stone. Remodeled 1940. walls 13" thick. Hand blown glass windows. 76 F. M. Drennen Home 1903 1220 Twenty-Eighth Street, South 63 City Federation of Colored Women's Club 1899 Restored 1976. One time home of Amanda Blake, star of T.V. 551 Jasper Road, North "Gunsmoke". Established 1899. House opened by this Club to care for needy blacks. Over the years the building and charities have been 77 Judge H. R. Howze Home 1903 maintained by financial aid of individuals. 1218 Twenty-Eighth Street, South Residence of wood shingle and frame construction. Built by 64 Worthington Home 1865 Judge Howze. Gardendale, Alabama Restoration excellent. 78 Loveman Home 1908 2944 Rhodes Circle, South Rock and stucco construction. Built by Joseph Loveman, who 65 Union Hill Cemetery 1900 Hollywood Blvd., South established Loveman, Joseph & Loeb Department Store. Approximately 7 acres. Owned by 37 shareholders. 79 Donnelly House 1908 2838 Highland Avenue, South 66 Terry Building 1880s Southeast corner, 2nd Avenue and 19th Street, North Neo-colonial home built by James Donnelly, "father" of Birm­ First Western Union Telegraph office. Second floor contained ingham library system. Housed Birmingham Civic Ballet first telephone exchange. Begun by Bell Telephone in 1882 to several years. Purchased and restored by Mrs. Edwin Brannon service 26 subscribers. in 1967.

67 First Water Reservoir Site 1873 80 A. B. Loveman House 1906 Pumping Station 1885 2954 Rhodes Circle, South 13th Avenue, North between 22nd and 23rd Streets. Built by A. B. Loveman. founder of Loveman. Joseph & Loeb Property purchased from Elyton Land Company. Reservoir ser­ Department Store in Birmingham. Owned by Salvation Army. viced mining village of 2500. Pumping Station at North Birm­ ingham supplied water from Five Mile Creek to Reservoir. 81 Pascal G. Shook Home 1906 1120 South 28th Place Built by Pascal G. Shook. Owned by Shook family until sold to 68 O'Brien Opera House Site 1882 First Avenue and Nineteenth Street, North R. K. Wikstrom in 1964. Showplace. Built by Captain Frank P. O'Brien, one of Birming­ ham's first mayors. Closed 1889. Construction of Opera House 82 Coe Home 1908 in cornfield brought criticism. 1108 Twenty-Ninth Street South English Tudor in design. Built by John V. Coe, realtor and early settler. Now used as United Methodist Children's Home. 69 Roseman House 1910 2900 Pawnee Avenue, South Judge Oscar Hundley, builder. Octavus Roy Cohen in collabor­ 83 J. F. Rushton Home 1903 ation with Arthur Herman composed writings here. 2801 South 13th Avenue Built for J. F. Rushton, one-time president of Chamber of Com­ merce. Restored by present owner. 70 United States Federal Building 1921 1800 Fifth Avenue, North 84 Harris-Cleage House 1903 National Register of Historic Places Houses federal courts and offices. Additions made in 1940 and 2805 South 13th Avenue 1972. Built by George Harris, Superintendent of Birmingham Rail­ way, Light and Power Company. 71 Jemison-McCollough House 1902 16 Glen Iris Park, South Constructed by Robert Jemison, Sr., real estate developer, in highly restrictive park containing fourteen homes. Opened as Decorator Showhouse April 1980.

72 Pizitz 1897 Second Avenue and Nineteenth Street, North This department store has been known by three names: Pizitz Clothing Company 1897, Louis Pizitz Dry Good Company, Inc. 1915 and Pizitz, Inc. 1961.

74 Birmingham Trust & Savings Company 1902 112 North 20th Street Founded December 16, 1887. Building enlarged in 1922. Renamed Birmingham Trust National Bank in 1946.

75 First Methodist Church 1891 518 Nineteenth Street, North Established 1872. Organized by Dr. Thomas Slaughter, pastor at Elyton Station. Several locations prior to 1891. Constructed MORRIS AVENUE DISTRICT MARKER of Ohio brown stone. Elegantly finished. Auditorium seats 1870 1400. Organ one of finest in the South. 85 Morris Berk House 1903 94 Richmond Apartments 1923 2814 South 13th Avenue 2030 Highland Avenue, South Victorian clapboard house. Builder Morris Berk, one of the Twenty-six apartment units. Restored by owner. earliest merchants in Birmingham. 95 Waters Building 1888 86 Huntsvllle Road Tavern Site 1825 209-11 Twenty-Second Street, North 1800 Huntsville Road, North National Register of Historic Places Log tavern on main stage line from Tuscaloosa to Elyton to Victorian commercial architecture. Red brick with cast iron Huntsville. Operated efficiently day and night. Every 10 miles columns. Has served many businesses. Restored 1979. along route company established stations consisting of taverns and stables. 96 H. A. Sharps Home 1910 1112 South 28th Place 87 Blrthslte of First Male Child In Birmingham 1871 Tudor stucco and weather board house. Built by Judge H. A. 2300 First Avenue, North Sharpe. Richard Powell McNally born November 18, 1871 to Katherine and Patrick McNally from Atlanta. 97 Fire House No. 2 1920 19th Street and 4th Avenue South 88 Barnett House 1908 Portion of original 1900 building remains. 3832 Tenth Avenue, South Stone and hand-pressed bricks from Pennsylvania. Built for 99 Kirkpatrick House Samuel Treutlen Barnett, owner of Birmingham lumber 1904 1231 South 29th Street business. Restored by present owner. Stucco bungalow. Built for J. D. Kirkpatrick of Charleston, S.C., prominent business man. 89 Nelson, Lindley, McCorkle Home 1927 208 Bonita Drive, Homewood 100 Prowell Home 1909 Built by C. H. Nelson in Homewood sub-division known as 1012 Twenty-Eighth Place, South Hollywood. Built by Dr. J. R. Prowell. Restored.

101 Douglass-Tutwiler Building 1890 2017 Morris Avenue Housed produce company. Restored by Tutwiler Design Association.

102 Pearson Building 1888 305 Twentieth Street, North Hardware, grocery and dry goods stores occupied first floor. Hotel rooms on upper floors. Restored by Bank of Southeast in 1975.

103 de Holl, Zaden House 1907 1140 Sixteenth Avenue, South Built by Mr. de Holl, 1907. Owned by Hamilton 1917-78, and pur­ chased by Louis J. Zaden -1979.

104 Davenport Building - T.B. Sanitorium 1925 Lakeshore Hospital - 3800 Ridgeway Drive, South Jefferson Tuberculosis Sanitorium founded by Dr. George JEFFERSON COUNTY MARKER • 1821 WOODROW WILSON PARK Eaves, 1921. First patients housed in tents on this site. Building now a part of Lakeshore Hospital. 90 Jimmie Jones Viaduct 1950 First Avenue between 26th Street and 35th Street, North. 105 Third Main Building - T.B. Sanitorium 1937 See marker on Northeast Terminal of viaduct. Lakeshore Hospital - 3800 Ridgeway Drive, South 91 Birmingham University School Building 1922 Jefferson Tuberculosis Sanitorium founded by Dr. George 1211 South 28th Street Eaves, 1921. Building now used as a part of Lakeshore Birmingham University School founded as prep school by Basil Hospital. M. Parks. 106 W. M. Jordan Home 1910 1106 South 28th Place 92 Dr. U. J. Peters Home 1905 Built by Henry Lynn and first occupied by William M. Jordan. 1215 South 28th Street Mrs. Jordan was first woman reporter of Birmingham News. Built by Dr. peters, prominent Birmingham physician. Remodel­ ed. 107 M. H. Jordan Home 1910 1220 South 30th Street 93 Caldwell-Milner Building 1882-87 Built by W. J. Penhallegon. Purchased by Mortimer Jordan, 2013-17 First Avenue, North Commander of World War I Rainbow Division. National Register of Historic Places Architect, Harry Allen of London. Actually two brick structures, 108 Eleventh Avenue Methodist Church 1905 west building "1882" and east building "1887". Among oldest 1200 South 11th Avenue commercial buildings in city. Restored 1979 for Metro Bank. Originally one hundred members. Established 1902. DOWNTOWN AREA OF CENTRAL SECTION J s?l 1

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Location of Historic Markers Central and Eastern Jefferson County Alabama 130 Helms House 1870 143 Qoodall House 1905 9 Dexter Avenue, Crestline 17 Glen Iris Park, South Originally 2 room log house. Believed to be oldest home in Built by Robert Goodall, prominent merchant. Purchased by Crestline. present owner, 1954.

131 Birthsite of First Female Child In Birmingham 1871 144 Frank Nelson Building 1940 2430 Seventh Avenue, North 205 Twentieth Street, North Mamie Morrow born Saturday, July 15, 1871, Mrs. Mamie Originally First National Building, 1903. Steel frame ten story Hagood of Charleston, S.C., sister of Hugh Morrow, former structure named for prominent industralist. President of Sloss-Sheffield Steel & Iron Company. Occupied by Central Church of Christ. 145 Title Guaranty Building 1903 2030 Third Avenue, North 132 Barker House 1927 Built by one of oldest title companies in Alabama. Contained 8 Glen Iris Park, South only electric light plant in city to service tenants free of charge. Brick structure and shingle roof. Duplex water system allowed tenants water from reservoir under building. 133 Glllespy House 1904 4 Glen Iris Park, South 146 American Trust & Savings Bank 1912 Wooden structure. Large porch supported by Doric columns. First National Bank 1940 First owner James McAdory Gillespie. 17 Twentieth Street, North Two banks merged 1940. Building named for John A. Hand, 134 North Birmingham City Hall & Fire Station 1920 Bank President and Chairman of the Board. 2600 28th Avenue North Center of Municipal Government until North Birmingham 147 Drennen Building 1889 became part of Birmingham. Fire station 1910-20. Commercial 2015 Third Avenue, North use since that time. One of Birmingham's first mortuaries. Purchased by present owner, 1944. 135 Stalllngs Building 1909 1829 First Avenue North 148 Denechaud European Hotel and Restaurant 1887 Originally built for Chamber of Commerce and used for this 2107 Second Avenue, North purpose 1909-50. Multiple offices. Victorian structure. Opened by two Frenchmen, E. G. and L. A. Denechaud as hotel and restaurant. 136 Yeildings, Inc. 1911 2129 Second Avenue, North 150 Brown Marx Building 1906 Martin & Lewis, Architects. Founded 1876. Merchandise sold Linn's Folly Site 1872 on first and third floors. Second floor housed boarders. 2000 First Avenue, North See Birmingham Historical Society marker in lobby of building 137 Young Men's Christian Association 1911 for "Linn's Folly". 523 20th Street, North Established 1889. Athletic facilities, amusements and reading 151 Harris Building 1880s rooms. Headquarters Metropolitan YMCA. 115 Twenty-First Street, North Structure has been altered. First Civitan International Head­ 138 Birmingham Realty Company 1905 quarters. 2118 First Avenue, North Succeeded Elyton Land Company in 1900. 152 Birmingham Railway Light & Power Company 1926 139 Woodward Building 1902 2100 First Avenue North 1927 First Avenue, North National Register of Historic Places First steel frame commercial office building in Birmingham. Streetcar lines consolidatd in 1890s under name of Railway Built by W. H. Woodward and designed by William D. Weston. Light and Power Company. In 1953 Alabama Power Company became local supplier of electricity and Birmingham Transit 140 Blach's Incorporated 1936 Company offered transit service. Now Collateral Mortgage 1928 Third Avenue, North Company building. Established Indiana 1856, established Alabama 1886. Original­ ly 1890 Hood-Yeilding General Merchandise Store. Bencor 153 Florentine Building 1925 Hotel 1910. Blach's remodeled building in 1936 for occupancy. 2101 Second Avenue, North Originally built as an exclusive club with upstairs ballroom. 141 Peter Zinser's Mammoth Furniture House 1889 2119 Second Avenue, North National Register of Historic Places 154 Phoenix Club 1907 Called "Palace of Trade" for house furnishings. Four floors fill­ 1500 Twentieth Street, South ed to capacity. Team mule wagons delivered goods to patrons. Birmingham's oldest and largest Jewish Social Club establish­ ed 1883. Club moved and building restored as restaurant. 142 Empire Building 1909 Site of Bank Saloon 1891 1914 1928 First Avenue, North 155 Loeb House One of first lots sold in Birmingham. Price $400.00. Con­ 1018 Thirty-Second Street, South Built by Leo Loeb. Restored. structed by Empire Improvement Co., replacing Bank Saloon. Purchased by City National Bank, 1965. 156 Jemison-Wells House 1907 169 Lacke Building 1890 4124 Crescent Road, South 2021 Morris Avenue Built by Robert Jemison, Jr., prominent realtor and community Once used as wholesale produce building. Purchased and leader. House sold to Oscar W. Wells, banker, in 1950. Present restored 1979 as corporate headquarters for Ridout's-Brown owner Phelan Brasher. Service Insurance Company and rental property.

157 Temple of Sibyl 1925 170 Robertson-Johnson Home 1896 Highway No. 31 South and Shades Crest Road 1006 Nineteenth Street, South Sixty-three ton marble dome supported by eight Doric columns. Built by William Vans Murray Robertson. Purchased by present Designed after Temple of Sibyl in Tivoli. owner 1949. Beautiful interior. Excellent condition.

159 Smith-Kirkendoll House 1910 171 Burger Dry Goods Company Building 1906 308 Tenth Avenue, West 2015 Second Avenue, North Built by Colonel T. O. Smith, banker. Now residence for Bishop Restored along with flanking buildings as legal office for of C.M.E. Church. owner and rental space.

160 Singer Company Building 1928 172 Baldy House 1890s 2008 Second Avenue, North 2125 Sixteenth Avenue, South The Singer Sewing Machine Company was established in Birm­ Built by Mr. Baldy, President of Judson College. Hardware in ingham 1888. Guaranty Savings and Loan Association restored house date 1886. Restored by present owner. Original Oak Ter­ building as a part of banking office, 1971. race.

161 Watts Building 1928 173 Dr. U. G. Mason Home 1910 2004 Third Avenue, North 1525 Seventh Avenue, North National Register of Historic Places Built by prominent black physician and founder of Tuggle In­ Site of former Watts Building 1881. Named for Governor stitute. Modernized by Bradford Funeral Home. House ex­ Thomas Haynes Watts. cellent example of black contribution to Birmingham architec­ ture. 162 Spring Street Fire House 1890 412 South 41st Street 174 Hodges-Dunham Home 1890s Forty-first Street originally called Spring Street. City leased 506 Manchester Lane, Homewood building as fire house to serve eastern section of Birmingham. Possibly oldest home in Hollywood area. Log and frame struc­ Restoration by present owner. ture. Originally riding academy towards end of 19th century. Gambling house during prohibition. Restored as residence. 163 Pharrow House 1908 309 Fourth Terrace, North 175 Ruth Jackson Cottage 1900 Built by contractor, Ed Pharrow. One of the first homes in Birm­ 1301 Thirty-First Street, North ingham built by blacks. Two-story brick with twelve rooms. Present owner acquired house in 1969. Restored. 164 Parker House 1908 522 Fifth Street, North 176 Frazier House 1903 Built for Professor Arthur Harold Parker, educator, who 19 Glen Iris Park organized Parker High School as first and largest black high Built by Franklin M. Frazier. Probably second home in Glen Iris school in United States. Park. Sold to G. M. Lovejoy 1908. Acquired by Judge H. L. Anderton in 1932. 165 Birmingham Ledger Building 1907 2017 First Avenue, North 177 Morris House 1910 Original building housed Birmingham Ledger. In 1927 became 2 Glen Iris Park, South Protective Life Building. Purchased and renovated in 1978 by First home constructed in Glen Iris Park. Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce. 178 Bethlehem Baptist Church 1917 166 Hadnott House 1900 611 Thirtieth Street, South 1110 Seventh Avenue, North Established 1800 as "The First Colored Baptist Church of Building of this house supervised by C. A. Hadnott, contractor. Avenue F". Disbanded 1883. Re-established same location Davenport-Harris Funeral Home, 1929. 1917.

167 Fire Station Number 6 1906 179 Fox-Zanaty Home 1900 1501 Third Avenue, South 2911 Crescent Avenue, Homewood Birmingham's oldest remaining fire station building. Housed Built by Mr. Fox, carpenter. One of the first homes in wagon and steamer with stables for horses. Crew and chief liv­ Hollywood area. No major alterations. Restored 1978 by pre­ ing quarters on 2nd floor. sent owner.

168 First Station No. 5 1910 180 Foster, Herlong, Munger Home 1925 Site of Original Fire Station No. 5 1901 206 Bonita Drive, Homewood 1300 Nineteenth Street North Spanish Colonial Revival Style. Stucco applied to concrete Renovated by owner as legal office. Fire house equipment, etc. blocks. 1800 French wrought iron trim shipped from New used in restoration. Orleans. 181 Rew-Cutcliffe Home 1907 1039 South 28th Street Familv retained house for four generations.

183 Rosenstihl House 1907 HISTORICAL 1023 South 28th Place MONUMENTS Built for John B. Rosenstihl. Father Patrick O'Reilly Statue 1907 184 Leedy House 1925 Lawn of East Wing, Saint Vincent's Hospital, 9th Court South 3833 Ninth Court, South Honors one of early pastors of Saint Paul's Roman Catholic Home of William B. Leedy, realtor. Church. In 1898 Father O'Reilly suggested establishing a hospital in Jefferson County which became Saint Vincent's 186 Second Presbyterian Church 1901 Hospital. 1154 Tenth Avenue, South Organized 1884. Present building constructed 1901, and church Mary Cahalan Statue 1908 located here until 1965. Now houses University of Alabama- Woodrow Wilson Park Birmingham Ballet. First tribute to woman educator. Teacher of early Birm­ ingham citizens and one of first principals of Powell School. 188 Estes Home 1894 Sculptor Guiseppe Moretti. 1400 Nineteenth Street, South Excellent restoration 1979 for use by doctor as office. Flame of Freedom 1969 Entrance of Woodrow Wilson Park - Twentieth Street 189 Hill Ferguson House 1907 Eternal flame burns in memory of Jefferson County men who 4183 Cliff Road, South died in service of their country. Gift of American Legion One of first four houses in Forest Park. Area developed by Hill Posts of Jefferson County. Ferguson and Robert Jemison. Fletcher-Tuggle Memorial Monuments 1979 190 Union Railroad Passenger Depot - Site 1887 Kelly Ingram Park S.W. Corner 20th Street and Morris Avenue 5th Avenue and 16th Street, North Site of first Union Station. Honoring two black women: Carrie A. Tuggle. educator and social worker, and Pauline Bray Fletcher, first black 191 Mountain Brook Estates Building 1927 registered nurse in Alabama. 2803 Cahaba Road, South One of three original buildings on circle in Mountain Dough Boy 1912 Brook.Jemison Realty developer. Woodrow Wilson Park Presented by Post #1 of American Legion in honor of World 192 Robertson-Bashinsky House 1911 War I dead. 1100 - 41st Street, South Designed by William L. Weston, Architect. Original owner G. I. Thomas Jefferson Statue 1977 Robertson. Remodeled. West Entrance to Jefferson County Courthouse Woodrow Wilson park Honors author and third president of United States for whom this county is named. Sculptor George Bridges. Dedicated July 6, 1977. Planned and erected by Jefferson County Historical Commission with the cooperation of the citizens of Jefferson County.

Bronze Plaques on Granite boulder 1912 Woodrow Wilson park Inscribed with names of 16 Revolutionary soldiers buried in Jefferson County. Presented by Daughters of American Revolution.

Statue of Liberty 1951 Woodrow Wilson Park y* •JMJ *m. Replica of original statue. Presented by Jefferson County Boy Scouts of America.

Remember the Maine 1946 Woodrow Wilson Park \ *W Honors soldiers, sailors, Marines, and nurses of the Volun­ tary Army of the Republic who served in Spanish-American m i War, the Phillipine and Boxer Rebellions. Julius Ellsberry Statue 1975 Kelly-lngram Park ROSEDALE PUMP HOUSE - 1910 Honoring Julius Ellsberry, USN, Parker High School MARKER 62 graduate. Declared a national hero as he gave his life to save his World War II shopmates. Ruhama Baptist Church 1926 7901 Second Avenue, South HISTORICAL Established 1819 before Alabama admitted to Union. PARKS Original log cabin on 77th Street burned during War Bet­ ween the States by Union soldiers. Present bundling Kelly-lngram Park 1932 first one used by congregation on this site. Block bounded by 4th and 5th Avenues, North and 16th and 17th Streets, North Inglenook Presbyterian Church 1898 Originally named West Park. Property relinquished to city by 40th Street and 35th Avenue, North Elyton Land Company, 1883. Organized 1821. Additions over years.

Marconi Park 1932 George Roebuck Home-Site 1850 Block bounded by 24th and 25th Streets, North and 6th and 8950 Roebuck Boulevard, North 7th Avenues, North Original log cabin built by slave labor located at Originally named East Park. Property relinquished to City by entrance to Alabama Boys Industrial School. For over a Elyton Land Company 1883. century the old building marked the site of Roebuck Springs. Demolished. Woodrow Wilson Park 1918 Park Place and 20th Street North Dubose-Malloy House 1800s Originally named Central Park 1872. Renamed Capitol Park 8727 Fourth Avenue, South 1890. Property relinquished to City in 1883 by Elyton Land Built by Dr. Dubose as a private school in rural section Company. of the county. Extensive renovation and restoration by Mrs. William Malloy.

Woodlawn City Hall 1908 5525 First Avenue, North HISTORICAL First Woodlawn City Hall completed 1895. In 1910 Woodlawn annexed to Birmingham. Used as office DISTRICTS building presently. Morris Avenue Historic District 1871 Grace Episcopal Church 1890 Morris Avenue between 20th to 25th Streets National Register of Historic Places 5712 First Avenue, North Organized as Calvary Mission 1890. Small frame Historic bronze marker at corner of 20th Street and Morris building erected on this location and replaced by pre­ Avenue. Belgian block street was hub of Birmingham sent church. business district in early days of city. Revitalized as tourist attraction. McElwain Baptist Church 1929 4445 Montclair Road, South Highland Avenue-Rhodes Park Historic District 1884 Established 1895. First church constructed on Eastis Highland Avenue at 28th Street South Land. Named for William McElwain owner and operator National Register of Historic Places of Cahaba Furnace in 1860s. Oldest residential area in Birmingham predating 1900. Three block area of elegant homes. 10 Ebersole Home 1895 Forest Park Historic District 6800 First Avenue, North Built by C. D. Ebersole, President of Mary Lee Coal and Slope of Red Mountain just beyond Highland Park Golf Club Railway Company. Excellent restoration by owner. National Register of Historic Places Winding streets and lovely old homes of southern charm, 1896 which began with dreams of Robert Jemison, Jr. in 1906. First 11 Woodlawn Infirmary development Mountain Terrace. Later expanded as Forest 515 South 55th Street Park and now includes over five hundred structures. Renovated as apartments.

12 Mount Calvary Presbyterian Church 1925 Route 2, Pinson, Alabama Founded 1806 as Cumberland Presbyterian Church. HISTORICAL Oldest Presbyterian Church in Jefferson County and believed to be oldest protestant church in Alabama. EASTERN SECTION Cemetery adjacent. Hanby House 1850 Holy Rosary 1889 Pinson, Alabama 13 Log cabin originally. Home of Captain W. H. Hanby, 7914 Georgia Road who led Company C out of Pinson to join Confederate Began as mission of Saint Paul's Church for Gate City Army in 1861. area. Obtained status of parish 1955. Salesians of Saint John Bosco presently in charge of parish.

Woodlawn Baptist Church 1905 Massey Cemetery 1899 5600 First Avenue, North 14 I-59 between Trussville and Argo Established 1886 as East Birmingham Baptist Church. First grave dated 1829. 15 Center Point School 1924 2209 Center Point Road, North 29 Davie-Carraway Home 1972 Owned by Jefferson County Board of Education. Built of Overton Road, Route 4 Box 352, South Flint rock from area. Owner, Carraway Methodist Medical Center. Open by appointment. 17 Bass Home 1863 • Constructed of historical materials. Designed around 629 Montevallo Road, Leeds, Alabama architectural details collected through years from fine Three room house originally. Additions made 1865 by old buildings. Jonathan W. Bass, grandfather of present owner. 30 Reed Cemetery 1820 18 Henry Little Cabin 1822 Twin Lakes Drive Ashville Road One half acre in size. Property first purchased by Henry Little, one of first settlers in Cahaba Valley, built William "Silver Billy" Reed from U.S. Government. Five log cabin 1822 on 960 acre tract of land. Mill con­ generations of Reeds interred. structed 1857. Later named Fuller's Mill. 31 Reed-Riddle Cabin 1816 19 Shiloh-Cumberland Presbyterian Church Site 888 Twin Lakes Drive and Cemetery 1821 Log cabin. Built by John Reed and two sons. With Jefferson County Highway 411, Ashville Road. Leeds, alterations and additions has served as residence since Alabama 1816. First church on stagecoach road from Ashville to Montevallo Second church 1878, Shiloh Presbyterian 32 Salem Baptist Church 1818 Church. Third church 1891, Leeds Presbyterian Church. Spring Street Pinson, Alabama 21 Leeds Presbyterian Church 1912 Organized 1818 under name of "Oldsides". Salem Bap­ 429 First Avenue, S.E., Leeds, Alabama tist Church 1839. Situated on Beaver Branch of Turkey Organized as Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church Creek. 1821, third structure to house congregation. 33 Old Oak Grove Methodist Church 1871 22 Hickman House 1850 711 Gene Reed Road Chalkville Road Organization led by Judge Wilson and church con­ Trussville, Alabama structed 1871. Name changed 1920 to Huffman Built by William Peyton Hickman before Civil War. Four Methodist Church. large square rooms constructed by slave labor. Many alterations. 34 Old Five Mile Presbyterian Church 1880 1137 Five Mile Road 23 Mount Hebron Elementary School 1917 Organized 1841 by William Killough. Wooden structure Route 1 Highway 119 erected 1880. Cemetery adjacent. Five miles south of Leeds Used presently as recreation building by Mt. Hebron 35 Cave Springs Presbyterian Church 1899 Baptist Church. Mt. Nebo Cemetery 1860 Highway 11 24 Mount Hebron Baptist Church and Cemetery 1954 Trussville, Alabama Montevallo Road, 5 miles south of Leeds, Alabama Organized 1867. Named First Presbyterian Church 1958. Founded 1819 by 12 charter members before Alabama became a state. Second oldest church in Alabama. 36 Davis Home 1860s Original structure of logs. Now occupying fifth building Route 5, Trussville, Alabama on original site. Boyhood home of Dr. W. E. B. Davis and John D. S. Davis. 25 Clay Methodist Church and School 1924 Old Springville Road, Jefferson County Highway 30, Clay, Alabama. 37 Trussville Cemetery 1880 Founded 1810 by Samuel Ware, first Justice of Peace in Trussville, Alabama Jefferson County and organizer of first Masonic lodge First burial predates 1861-65 War. Now under care of in Jefferson County. Name changed to Shiloh Church Trussville Community Cemetery Committee. 1849. New building erected 1924. 38 Wood Cemetery 1890 27 Irondale Furnace 1863 57th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues North Junction of Furnace Creek and Shades Creek, South Half acre cemetery contains graves of many early Jef­ Directions: Stone River Road to Furnace Creek. Stop at ferson County settlers. Originally owned by O. W. marker. Walk southwest one-quarter mile. Wood, Sr. Since 1906 maintained by Wood Cemetery Furnace started 1863. One of the first furnaces to fur­ Association. nish iron to Selma Ordnance Works. Panic of 1873 caus­ ed cessation of operation. 40 Eastis House 1859 5220 Sixty-Fourth Street, North 28 Woodlawn Methodist Church 1911 Original home owner Annie Catherine Eastis. Con­ 55th Street and First Avenue, North structed on ten acre parcel of land deeded to her by her Organized 1887 by fifteen families. First house of wor­ father, W. W. Ellard. A portion of first structure is a part ship 1889 at Georgia Road and Spring Street. Altera­ of present home. tions and additions throughout years. 41 Bass-Dampier House 1906 117 North 71st Street Notes Property purchased from East Lake Land Company in 1895. Original home consisted of five rooms. Restored 1981.

58 Wilson Chapel 1916 Cemetery 1818 408 Cumberland Drive Birmingham's oldest family cemetery. In 1818 Audrey " Hamilton set aside property for burial of his family and slaves. Land later deeded to Methodist Church. Pic­ turesque chapel constructed 1916.

McDANIEL HOME - 1870 MARKER 37 ESTABLISHED 1819

Compiled and published by: Jefferson County Historical Commission 20 North 21st Street Birmingham, Alabama 35203

8/81 H'iS+aric Afx-rUrs -B'K^

MORRIS AVENUE HISTORICAL DISTRICT

Dedication Ceremony

Wholesale section of Morris Avenue on a busy day in the late 1800's, the beginning of a city "to be built by the Elyton Land Company near Elyton, in the county of Jefferson, State of Alabama and called 'BIRMINGHAM".

The current enthusiastic interest in re­ building Morris Avenue with its original cob­ blestones, wide sidewalks and lighting rem­ iniscent of the era in which it was born, has led to the investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars by private enterprise-to create and pre­ serve a historical atmosphere through its res­ taurants, entertainment and other businesses.

When its restoration is complete, it will in­ deed be one of the most outstanding historical sites and tourist attractions in the nation.

"WHERE BIRMINGHAM WAS BORN"

Morris Avenue at 20th Street North

June 19,1976 10:30 a.m. MORRIS AVENUE HISTORICAL DISTRICT

By action of the Birmingham City Council in June, 1972, the Jefferson County Historical Commission created the MORRIS AVENUE HISTORICAL DISTRICT.

In May, 1973, the Morris Avenue Historical District was accepted by U. S. Department of Interior for listing in the National Register of Historical Places.

The history of Morris Avenue goes back to the founding of the city of Birmingham which took place under very unique circumstances. As a matter of fact, one might say that Birmingham was founded in the city of Montgomery, Alabama.

A group of interested citizens, mostly from Montgomery, met in 1870 to consider ways and means of buying land in Jefferson County known to be immensely wealthy in deposits of coal and iron ore. One of the primary factors in this consideration was the South and North Alabama Railroad which was then being constructed from Montgomery to Decatur. At some point in Jones Valley, this railroad would have to cross the Alabama & Chattanooga Railroad. Based on this knowledge, Josiah Morris of Montgomery entered into negotiations with families near Elyton to purchase their property for the sum of $25.00 per acres - a total of 4,150 acres for $100,000.00. His agreement carried the stipulation that he would pay three—quarters cash and one—quarter in stock of a proposed company to be formed.

On December 20, 1870, there was filed in the Probate Court of Jefferson County a declaration, which stated in effect "an association had been formed for buying lands and selling lots with a view to the location, laying off and effecting the building of a city at or near Elyton, in said county, in which city the business is to be carried on, and was desirous of becoming incorporated." The association was named "Elyton Land Company." Their capital stock was $200,000 divided into 2,000 shares. Those holding the stock and signing the Charter were:

Josiah Morris Boiling Hall J. R. Powell J. N. Gilmer Sam Tate B. P. Worthington Campbell Wallace W. F. Nabers H. M. Caldwell William S. Mudd

Officially, on January 26, 1871, these men met in the office of Josiah Morris & Company, in the city of Montgomery, and organized the Elyton Land Company by the election of five directors. Col. James R. Powell was unanimously elected president, and the property previously purchased by Mr. Morris was formerly transferred to the company on January 17, 1871.

Immediate steps were taken to begin laying out what was to become the city of Birmingham. On June 1, 1871, the first lot was sold at the corner of 1st Avenue and 19th Street North for $100.00. The first hotel was the Relay House built on Morris Avenue and 19th Street.

Much happened to our great city in the years that followed — some good and some bad. Water pro­ blems had to be solved - cholera tooks its toll - yet the confidence and faith of these early pioneers never waivered.

From 1873 to 1879, Birmingham experienced a depression which affected the financial standing of the Elyton Land Company. In 1875, Dr. H. M. Caldwell, newly elected president of the company, was autho­ rized to issue $80,000 of bonds bearing 8% interest secured by a mortgage on all of the property of the company; and to sell these bonds at 80 cents on the dollar for the purpose of raising money to pay their debts. It was not until January, 1883 that the company was able to report to their stockholders that the lean years were over, and they were once again on solid ground financially. This same year they es­ tablished offices in a building on Morris Avenue and 20th Street North.

Morris Avenue became the hub of Birmingham's business district, daily filled with wholesalers and retailers.

In 1886, Josiah Morris bought property on 19 Street and 1st Avenue North where he built the Morris Building which was to serve as an office building. When the Caldwell Hotel burned in 1894, the Morris Building was converted into a hotel little by little. C. H. Nabb leased the Building and converted it wholly into a hotel. The dining room was described as "a scene from Fairyland; a vision of loveliness, a. place of enchantment; superlatives barely describing the new Eldorado, the Morris dining room, busy Birmingham's bright and beautiful buffet the finest arranged and equipped dining room in South, unless one excepts the Plant and Rockefeller hotels in Florida." "Chandeliers, arranged for lighting by gas or electricity, hung in profusion from the ceiling where the brass finished and highly polished fans made summer life work the living . . ". This once beautiful structure was razed in 1958.

Birmingham continued to grow - its natural resources and leadership made it the center of trade in the southeast - it continued to be known as the "Magic City", the making of steel was one of its most vital industries. Then came a diversification of industry, the University of Alabama in Birmingham be­ came a leading contender for the title of largest employer and world-renowned for its medical facilities.

Adversity in the 60's brought its people closer together and good came from adversity.

By the early 1970's it became apparent that Morris Avenue must be rebuilt and preserved for post­ erity. The Jefferson County Historical Commission became busy getting it designated as a Historical Site. A feasibility study was authorized by the City, and from this came suggestions and presentations.

An Architectural Review Board was established to maintain quality. A committee of Operation New Birmingham Was formed, comprised of property owners and tenants, to set into motion implementation of the restoration of Morris Avenue. Thus began a cooperative venture between Birmingham's elected officials and the private sector, which has led to the formation of the Morris Avenue Association, and the progress seen here today. DEDICATION CEREMONY FOR HISTORIC MARKER

MORRIS AVENUE HISTORIC DISTRICT Morris Avenue at 20th Street

June 19, 1976 10:30 A. M.

PRESIDING: Dr. John E. Bryan, Chairman Jefferson County Historical Commission

INVOCATION: Dr. Charles Brown, Member Jefferson County Historical Commission

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

WELCOME: Mr. Sidney W. Smyer, Jr., Chairman of the Board Morris Avenue Association

RESPONSE: Honorable Don A. Hawkins, President Birmingham City Council

INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS: Dr. John Bryan

PRESENTATION OF NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC SITES AWARDS: Honorable Ben Erdreich Jefferson County Commission

A. MORRIS AVENUE HISTORIC DISTRICT SITES AWARD Acceptance: Mrs. Millie Radney, President Morris Avenue Association

B. OLD STEINER BANK BUILDING SITE AWARD Acceptance: Mr. Gary Smith, President Centennial Realty Company

OBJECTIVES OF MORRIS AVENUE - OLD TOWN - UP TOWN: Mrs. Reed Proctor, Member Birmingham City Council

PRESENTATION OF MARKER: Mrs. James Sizemore, Vice-Chairman Jefferson County Historical Commission

ACCEPTANCE AND UNVEILING OF MARKER: Honorable David Vann, Mayor City of Birmingham (Assisted by descendants of Birmingham pioneer families)

DEDICATION PRAYER: Honorable George G. Seibels, Jr.

Former Mayor, City of Birmingham

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Morris Avenue Program Committee: Mr. James F. Sulzby, Jr., Chairman Marker Committee: Mr. Raymond Rowell, Sr. Mr. James H. Walker

Erection Committee: Mr. Ben Robinson, Traffic Engineer Mr. F. M. Salmon, First National Bank of Birmingham

Special thanks to the Staff of Operation New Birmingham, The Birmingham Realty Company, and Morris Avenue Association INSCRIPTION ON MARKER

"JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION

MORRIS AVENUE HISTORIC DISTRICT

CREATED 1972 BY THE JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION, THE DISTRICT IS BASED ON THIS AVENUE.

MORRIS AVENUE WAS NAMED FOR ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF BIRMINGHAM, JOSIAH MORRIS, WHO PAID $100,000 FOR 4,157 ACRES OF THE ORIGINAL SITE OF THE CITY IN 1870.

AT THE SUGGESTION OF MR. MORRIS THE CITY WAS NAMED FOR ENGLAND'S INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT.

THIS AVENUE WAS THE PRINCIPAL WHOLESALE TRADE DISTRICT OF THE CITY AND ENJOYED ITS GREATEST POPULARITY FROM 1880 to 1900.

SOME OF THE CITY'S MOST PROMINENT FAMILIES OrVNED BUSINESS FIRMS HERE.

THIS HISTORIC DISTRICT IS LISTED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

ERECTED BY THE JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION

1974"

"JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION

ELYTON LAND COMPANY

(SUCCESSOR, BIRMINGHAM, REALTY COMPANY)

BIRMINGHAM WAS FOUNDED IN 1871 BY THE ELYTON LAND COMPANY WHOSE OFFICES WERE LOCATED ON MORRIS AVENUE AND TWENTIETH STREET. THE COMPANY WAS COMPOSED PRINCIPALLY OF MONT- GOMERY CITIZENS. JAMES R. POWELL WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENT AND CAPTAIN WILLIAM P. BARKER WAS CHIEF ENGINEER AND SURVEYOR. DUE TO HIS FORESIGHT BIRMINGHAM WAS DESIGNED WITH BROAD STREETS AND AVENUES. DR. HENRY M. CALDWELL WAS THE SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE COM­ PANY AND WILLIS J. MILNER WAS SECRETARY.

ELYTON LAND COMPANY OFFICE WAS HOUSED AT THE WATER WORKS AND HIGHLAND AVENUE BELT RAILROAD OFFICES.

ERECTED BY THE JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION

1974"

JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION

Dr. John E. Bryan, Mrs. James B. Morgan Chairman

Mrs. James M. Sizemore, Dr. E. J. Oliver Vice Chairman

Mrs. Eddie Hubert Gilmore, Mrs. Willie P. Rose Secretary

Ollie Blan Raymond J. Rowell, Sr.

Dr. Charles Brown James F. Sulzby, Jr.

Mrs. Savannah Jones James H. Walker

CITY OF BIRMINGHAM

Honorable David Vann, Mayor

City Council Don A. Hawkins, President

Dr. Richard Arrington, Jr. Dr. E. C. Overton

Mrs. Bessie Estell Mrs. Reed Proctor

David Herring Arthur D. Shores

Miss Nina Miglionico Russell Yarbrough

JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSION

Honorable Tom Gloor, President

Honorable Ben Erdreich

Honorable Chriss Doss