History of Birmingham, Alabama, USA

1871 - Birmingham, Alabama founded
Birmingham, Alabama, was founded on June 1, 1871, during the post-Civil War Reconstruction era. The city's establishment was strategically planned by the Elyton Land Company, a group of railroad entrepreneurs who recognized the potential of the region due to its proximity to abundant natural resources. Located at the crossing of the North & South and the Alabama & Chattanooga railroads, Birmingham was poised to become a major industrial hub. The city was named after Birmingham, England, a prominent industrial city known for its iron and steel production, reflecting the aspirations for the new city to follow a similar path.

The founding of Birmingham was a direct result of the industrial boom in the Southern United States, particularly the demand for iron and steel. The area around Birmingham was rich in iron ore, coal, and limestone—the three primary raw materials needed for steel production. This made the city an ideal location for the burgeoning iron and steel industry. Within a... Read MORE...

1872 - Cathedral of St. Paul established in Birmingham

www.gcatholic.org

1891 - Mangled to Death.
BIRMINGHAM, Oct. 29. - At the State Fair grounds today S. E. Gambee jumped from a dummy before it stopped. He slipped and fell between the car and the platform and was mangled to death in the presence of hundreds of people.
The Macon Telegraph
Macon, Georgia
October 31, 1891

1895 - Birmingham
Bir’mingham, a city, capital of Jefferson co, Al: 95 miles by rail N.N.W. of Montgomery. It has 6 national banks and 6 other banks, a fine court-house which cost $60,000, 24 churches, 8 public and 8 private schools, 4 refining-mills, 9 furnaces, 2 steel-works, several iron-works:" newspaper offices, a saw-mill, and machine-shops of the South & North Alabama Railroad. Its streets are traversed by dummy- and horse-railroads. Coal and iron ore abound here. Pop. in 1880, 3086; in 1890, 26,178.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1900 - BIG LOSS. Fire in Alabama Does Damage to the Extent of Many Thousands.
Birmingham, Ala., Feb. 23. - An explosion of a gasoline stove in the basement of the Metropolitan hotel this afternoon was followed by a fire which burned that building and the Hewett block adjoining, causing a loss of about $160,000. The insurance amounts to about three-fourths of the loss. After two hours' hard work by the firemen the flames were beyond control and fearing the entire block, including the Potter buildings and the Morris hotel, would be swept away, a telegram was sent to Montgomery asking for aid. An hour later, however, the fire was under control and the request for help from Montgomery was countermanded. Everything on Twentieth street from Girst to Morris avenue, is a wreck, but a strong fire wall back of the Hewett building and the Metropolitan hotel prevented the fire from extending any further in that direction. The Borney bank removed from its building and a company of militia was called to guard and keep back the crowd. A number of guests on the top floors of... Read MORE...

1900 - FALLING BUILDING KILLS TWO. Eleven Others Injured, Two Mortally, in an Accident at Birmingham, Ala.
Birmingham, Ala., April 28. - By the collapse of the framework of the main building of the Dimmick Pipe and Foundry Company, in course of construction at North Birmingham, this morning, two men are dead and eleven injured, at least two of whom will die.

The dead are: JAMES McWHORTER and DAVIS WHITE. The injured are: WILLIAM McWHORTER, head crushed and internally injured, will die; D. O. PATILLO, fractured jaw and concussion of brain, will probably die; HOMER BROWN, K. P. WALKER, JOHN OLIVER, W. H. ALLEN, J. O. BECK, GEORGE SILER, W. B. WYNN, J. A. ROLPH, JOHN SHARPE.

The building was 300 feet long and 100 feet wide. While an immense beam was being placed in position on the roof, thirty feet above the ground, it fell, and, striking the next beam, knocked it down. The second beam knocked down the third, and so on until twenty-six beams had fallen, causing a general collapse of the structure.

About thirty men were at work on the building, and of this number thirteen were on the... Read MORE...

1902 - OVER ONE HUNDRED LIVES LOST IN CHURCH DISASTER
The negro population of Birmingham, Ala., is in mourning, and a gloom has been cast over the entire state as the people begin to realize the immaualty of the appalling disaster at Shiloh Baptist church. The number of dead has reached 110 and ninety of these have been identified. A large majority of the victims of the stampede were residents of Birmingham, and as fast as the undertakers can prepare their bodies for inspection they are being identified.
American Eagle
Murray, Utah
September 27, 1902

1908 - EIGHT CARS GO INTO RIVER. Bridge Over Cahaba River Knocked Down But No Lives Lost.
Birmingham, May 19. - (Special.) - The steel bridge over Cahaba River, about fifteen miles east of Birmingham, was knocked down early this morning when several cars in freight train No. 36, eastbound, became derailed and ran on the cross ties. Eight cars went into the river. No lives were lost but traffic was delayed all day. A broken flange on one of the cars in the freight train caused the wreck. A large force of men was put to work repairing the bridge. In the meantime the track of the Southern Railway was used between Weems and Henry Ellen.
The Montgomery Advertiser
Montgomery, Alabama
May 20, 1908

1916
Birmingham, a city, capital of Jefferson co., Ala., on the Central R. of Georgia, the Kansas City, Memphis and Birmingham and other railroads, 95 miles NNW. of Montgomery. It contains a number of prominent public buildings, the St. Vincent Hospital (completed in 1900), and several parks. Its industries are largely associated with coal- and iron-mining, which is being extensively prosecuted in the surrounding districts. Iron Mountain, 6 miles distant, contains almost inexhaustible deposits of hematite. Three-fourths of the Alabama iron-ore is obtained from the Birmingham district. The city has numerous blast-furnaces, rolling-mills, steel-works, railroad machine-shops, etc. It is the trade-centre for a large agricultural region and has extensive cotton and cotton- seed oil interests. Pop. in 1880, 3086; in 1890, 26,178; in 1900, 38,415.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1925 - 48 DEAD TAKEN FROM SHAFT OF ALABAMA MINE. FIVE ADDITIONAL BODIES BELIEVED IN OVERTON PLANT NO. 2 FOLLOWING EXPLOSION. MULE'S TAIL SAVES NEGRO. WORKER BLINDED BY FLASH GRABS APPENDAGE AND IS DRAGGED TO OPEN.
Birmingham, Ala., Dec. 11. - Twenty-six bodies were brought up from the recesses of the Overton mine No. 2 this morning, bringing the total removed to 48. Mine officials and rescue workers believe that five bodies still remain in the mine, and have abandoned all hope that the remainder of the men would be found alive.

Mine officials expressed the belief that the total death list would not exceed 53, as they estimated that all bodies except five had been recovered.

Rescue crews worked patiently all night and continued their labors today hoping to remove before nightfall the remaining bodies.
Cause Is Unknown.

The Overton mine is the property of the Alabama Fuel and Iron company and is considered by federal and state mine officials one of the best equipped in the Alabama field. The blast did not wreck the air machinery, and this aided the rescue party.

The cause of the blast had not been officially determined. Some of the mine workers believed it was caused by a miner... Read MORE...

January 30, 1936 - Birmingham, AL, established a single storm record and 24 hour record with 11 inches of snow. (29th-30th)

The Weather Channel

1948 - May 1 - Glenn Taylor, Idaho Senator, arrested in Birmingham Alabama for trying to enter a meeting through a door marked "for Negroes"

www.historyorb.com/ countries/ usa/ alabama/ birmingham
May 1, 1948

2023 - Birmingham has something for everyone. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in the Magic City:
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute: Start your journey by exploring the city's history at the Civil Rights Institute. It's an engaging museum that provides a powerful and moving experience, detailing the struggle for civil rights in America.

16th Street Baptist Church: Located just a short walk from the Civil Rights Institute, this historic church played a significant role in the civil rights movement. Take a moment to appreciate its architecture and the memorial outside.

Railroad Park: This beautiful urban green space is perfect for a leisurely stroll or a picnic. It often hosts events and concerts, so check the schedule to see if there's something happening during your visit.

Vulcan Park and Museum: Home to the world's largest cast-iron statue, Vulcan Park offers stunning views of the city. The museum inside provides insights into Birmingham's industrial history.

Birmingham Museum of Art: If you're an art enthusiast, don't miss this museum. It has an impressive... Read MORE...