1925: Difference between revisions
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''' | [[File:Norwood School.jpg|thumb|right|425px|Norwood School opened in 1925]] | ||
'''1925''' was the 54th year after the founding of the city of [[Birmingham]]. | |||
==Events== | ==Events== | ||
[[File:1925 Birmingham City Hall fire.jpg|right|thumb|275px|The April 23, 1925 fire at Birmingham City Hall]] | |||
* March: Benton MacKaye founded the [[Appalachian Trail]] Conference in Washington D. C. | |||
* [[March 24]]: [[Glenn Messer]] and [[Jack Turner]] made a [[1925 Birmingham to Chattanooga demonstration flight|demonstration air mail flight]] from [[Roberts Field]] to Marr Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee and back. | |||
* [[April 23]]: [[Birmingham City Hall (1901)]] was heavily damaged by a [[1925 City Hall fire|fire]]. | |||
* Spring: The [[Ku Klux Klan]] sponsored a minstrel show at [[Boutwell Auditorium|Municipal Auditorium]] to raise funds for [[Birmingham City Schools]]. | * Spring: The [[Ku Klux Klan]] sponsored a minstrel show at [[Boutwell Auditorium|Municipal Auditorium]] to raise funds for [[Birmingham City Schools]]. | ||
* [[May 31]]: Seven people were kiled in the [[1925 No. 2 Mine explosion]]. | |||
* [[August 6]]: Governor [[William Brandon]] commuted the death sentences of [[Odell Jackson|Odell]] and [[Pearl Jackson]], convicted in the [[Axe syndicate|1920s axe murders]]. | |||
* November: The remains of Mr & Mrs [[William Pullen]] were moved from a grave site near [[6th Avenue South]] in [[Avondale]] to [[Forest Hill Cemetery]]. | |||
* [[December 10]]: 53 people were killed in the [[1925 Overton No. 2 Mine explosion]]. | |||
* [[Miss Fancy]] knocked over a cookhouse at [[Avondale Park]] and kicked over a couple of water hydrants before heading up the hill into [[Forest Park]]. | * [[Miss Fancy]] knocked over a cookhouse at [[Avondale Park]] and kicked over a couple of water hydrants before heading up the hill into [[Forest Park]]. | ||
* [[King Spring]] in [[Avondale]] was channeled into a culvert below [[41st Street South|Spring Street]]. | * [[King Spring]] in [[Avondale]] was channeled into a culvert below [[41st Street South|Spring Street]]. | ||
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* [[Camp Coleman]] near [[Trussville]] was established by the [[Cahaba Girl Scout Council]]. | * [[Camp Coleman]] near [[Trussville]] was established by the [[Cahaba Girl Scout Council]]. | ||
* [[McElwain School]] was taken over by the [[Jefferson County Board of Education]]. | * [[McElwain School]] was taken over by the [[Jefferson County Board of Education]]. | ||
* [[WAPI-AM]] debuted when [[Auburn University|Alabama Polytechnic Institute]] took over equipment from [[Alabama Power Company]]'s defunct [[WSY-AM]] station | * [[WAPI-AM]] debuted when [[Auburn University|Alabama Polytechnic Institute]] took over equipment from [[Alabama Power Company]]'s defunct [[WSY-AM]] station and merged it with its own [[WMAV-AM]]. | ||
* [[Birmingham City | * [[Joe Giattina]] and his [[Bama Cardinals]] began performing live on [[WBRC-AM]]. | ||
* [[Norwood Elementary School]] opened. | |||
* Convicts began work on [[Lakeshore Drive]]. | |||
* A Kilgen opus 3459 size 2/4 theater organ was installed at the [[Lyric Theatre]]. | |||
* [[Hill Crest Hospital]] was founded by [[James Becton]]. | |||
* [[Tuscaloosa]]'s [[Jemison School]] vacated the former [[John Drish residence]]. | |||
* [[Charles Birdges]] recruited [[Ed Sherrill]] from the [[Rolling Mill Four]] to join his new [[Birmingham Jubilee Singers]]. | |||
* [[Alberta City School]] in eastern [[Tuscaloosa]] opened, taking students from the former [[Valley View School]], [[Hopewell School]] and [[Alberta School]]. | |||
* [[Parrish High School]] opened. | |||
* [[Epp Sykes]], editor of the ''[[Crimson White]]'' began calling for a new fight song for the [[Alabama Crimson Tide football team]]. | |||
===Business=== | ===Business=== | ||
* [[April 27]]: [[Loew's Temple Theater]] opened. | * [[April 27]]: [[Loew's Temple Theater]] opened, taking over the Loew's Vaudeville circuit from the [[Birmingham Audtiorium|Bijou Theatre]]. | ||
* [[May 1]]: The [[Redmont Hotel]] opened to guests. | * [[May 1]]: The [[Redmont Hotel]] opened to guests. | ||
* [[May 2]]: Clarence Saunders opened the first four Birmingham area [[Piggly Wiggly]] stores. | * [[May 2]]: Clarence Saunders opened the first four Birmingham area [[Piggly Wiggly]] stores. | ||
* [[July 1]]: The [[Central Park Family Theater]] opened. | * [[July 1]]: The [[Central Park Family Theater]] opened. | ||
* [[October 21]]: A new battery of Koppers-Becker coke ovens went into operation at [[Thomas furnaces]]. | |||
* [[Charles Carraway]] founded the [[Norwood Clinic]]. | * [[Charles Carraway]] founded the [[Norwood Clinic]]. | ||
* [[Shook and Fletcher]] took over operations at [[Champion Mine]] and [[Taits Gap Mine]]. | * [[Shook and Fletcher]] took over operations at [[Champion Mine]] and [[Taits Gap Mine]]. | ||
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* [[WBRC-AM]] was founded. | * [[WBRC-AM]] was founded. | ||
* [[Giuseppe Moretti]]'s first marble quarry in [[Talladega County]] failed. | * [[Giuseppe Moretti]]'s first marble quarry in [[Talladega County]] failed. | ||
* [[Bill Koikos|Bill]] and [[Pete Koikos]] became part-owners of the [[Bright Star Restaurant]]. | |||
* [[Charles Mehr]] opened a second location of [[Mehr's Music Store & Novelty Shop]]. | |||
* [[W. A. Watts]] organized the [[Birmingham Building and Loan Association]]. | |||
* [[Ernest House]], [[W. T. Estes]] and [[Jelk Cabiness]] founded the [[Radio Products Corporation]], manufacturer of "[[Superflex]]" radio receivers | |||
* [[Woolworth's]] opened on [[20th Street South]] at [[Five Points South]]. | |||
* [[Marino's]] grocery opened on [[Avenue E Ensley]]. | |||
* The [[Eureka No. 4 Mine]] was closed. | |||
* The [[Young & Vann Supply Company]] purchased a former [[Young & Vann Building|Anheuser-Busch warehouse]] on [[1st Avenue North]]. | |||
* A [[1925 Bluff Park fire|fire]] destroyed the [[Bluff Park Hotel]] during renovations. | |||
* The [[Robertson Hardware Company]] was incorporated. | |||
* The [[Watkins Brick Co.]] was incorporated. | |||
===Government=== | ===Government=== | ||
* [[August 18]]: The [[Birmingham City Commission]] officially adopted the [[Flag of Birmingham]] designed by [[Idyl King Sorsby]] and made "[[Birmingham Day]]", [[December 19]], an official holiday. | * [[August 18]]: The [[Birmingham City Commission]] officially adopted the [[Flag of Birmingham]] designed by [[Idyl King Sorsby]] and made "[[Birmingham Day]]", [[December 19]], an official holiday. | ||
* [[1925 Birmingham municipal election]] | |||
* [[November 2]]: [[Jimmie Jones]] succeeded [[David McLendon]] as [[Mayor of Birmingham|President]] of the [[Birmingham City Commission]]. [[William Cloe]], [[William Dickson]] was re-elected Commissioner of Public Improvements and [[John H. Taylor]] succeeded [[William Cloe]] as Commissioner of Public Safety. | * [[November 2]]: [[Jimmie Jones]] succeeded [[David McLendon]] as [[Mayor of Birmingham|President]] of the [[Birmingham City Commission]]. [[William Cloe]], [[William Dickson]] was re-elected Commissioner of Public Improvements and [[John H. Taylor]] succeeded [[William Cloe]] as Commissioner of Public Safety. | ||
===Religion=== | ===Religion=== | ||
* [[April 5]]: [[Dawson Family of Faith|Edgewood Baptist Church]] reorganized and [[Lemuel Dawson]] was called as its pastor. | |||
* [[October 1]]: [[Vernon McMaster]] succeeded [[Joseph Ware]] as rector of [[St Andrew's Episcopal Church]]. | * [[October 1]]: [[Vernon McMaster]] succeeded [[Joseph Ware]] as rector of [[St Andrew's Episcopal Church]]. | ||
* [[Louis Pizitz]] succeeded [[Max Roseman]] as president of [[Temple Beth-El]]. | * [[Louis Pizitz]] succeeded [[Max Roseman]] as president of [[Temple Beth-El]]. | ||
* [[ | * [[Benjamin Chaimovitz]] became rabbi of [[Knesseth Israel Congregation]]. | ||
===Sports=== | ===Sports=== | ||
* | * The [[1925 Alabama Crimson Tide football team]] won the [[Southern Conference]] with a 9-0-0 record. | ||
* A reading of telegraphed calls from the [[September 6]] game between the [[1925 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]] and [[Birmingham-Southern Panthers football team|Birmingham-Southern]] was the first broadcast on [[WMAV-AM]]. | |||
* [[Johnny Dobbs]] succeeded [[Stuffy Stewart]] as [[List of Birmingham Barons managers|manager]] for the [[1925 Birmingham Barons]]. | |||
* [[Birmingham Barons]] [[Stuffy Stewart]] led the [[Southern Leagues]] with 53 stolen bases. | |||
==Works== | ==Works== | ||
* [[Reddy Kilowatt]] was | * [[Reddy Kilowatt]] was conceived by [[Ashton Collins]]. | ||
* The [[Boswell Sisters]] made their first recordings for Victor Records. | |||
* [[John Beecher]]'s poem "Report to the Stockholders" | |||
* [[Jimmie Tarlton]] wrote the lyrics for "[[Birmingham Jail (song)|Birmingham Jail]]" while serving time in the [[Birmingham City Jail]] | |||
* Trixie Smith and her Down Home Syncopaters recorded "[[Mining Camp Blues]]" | |||
* [[Coot Grant]] and Wesley Wilson recorded "Come on Coot, Do That Thing" | |||
===Films=== | ===Films=== | ||
* [[Coming Through]] | * ''[[Coming Through]]'' | ||
* [[Phantom of the Opera]] | * ''[[Phantom of the Opera]]'' | ||
* ''[[Things You Ought to Know About Birmingham]]'' was a feature-length documentary, jointly produced by the Imperial Film Company and the [[Trianon Theater]] | |||
===Books=== | ===Books=== | ||
* [[May 1]]: "[[A Park System for Birmingham]]" report by the Olmsted Brothers | * [[May 1]]: "[[A Park System for Birmingham]]" report by the Olmsted Brothers | ||
* ''[[Bigger and Blacker]]'' by [[Octavus Roy Cohen]] | * ''[[Bigger and Blacker]]'' by [[Octavus Roy Cohen]] | ||
* ''The Message of Jesus'' by [[Harvie Branscomb]] | |||
===Buildings=== | ===Buildings=== | ||
* [[Alabama Power Building]] | * [[Alabama Power Building]] | ||
* [[Avondale United Methodist Church]] Sunday School building | |||
* [[Bank of Alabama (Ensley)|Bank of Alabama]] on [[Avenue E Ensley]] | |||
* [[Barrett Elementary School]], new wing | * [[Barrett Elementary School]], new wing | ||
* [[Birmingham Athletic Club]] building on [[3rd Avenue North]], later the [[YWCA Building]] | |||
* [[Birmingham International Raceway]] grandstand | * [[Birmingham International Raceway]] grandstand | ||
* [[Cascade Plunge]] | |||
* [[Central Park Family Theater]] on [[Bessemer Road]] | * [[Central Park Family Theater]] on [[Bessemer Road]] | ||
* Commercial block on [[52nd Avenue North]] | * Commercial block on [[52nd Avenue North]] | ||
* [[East Lake United Methodist Church]] Christian Education Building | |||
* [[Gates-Bellew House]], [[Manhattan Street]], [[Homewood]] | |||
* [[Hewitt-Trussville High School]] | * [[Hewitt-Trussville High School]] | ||
* [[High Ore Line Railroad]] was completed by the [[Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Company]]. | |||
* [[Jackson Building]] on [[21st Street North]] | |||
* [[Jackson Elementary School|Stonewall Jackson Elementary School]] in [[Arlington-West End]] | |||
* [[J. S. Jackson residence]] | * [[J. S. Jackson residence]] | ||
* [[Jemison Building]] | |||
* [[Johnston's Log Cabin]], [[Karl Daly Road]] | |||
* [[Lee Elementary School|Robert E. Lee Elementary School]] | |||
* [[Stonewall Building|Martin Office Building]] | * [[Stonewall Building|Martin Office Building]] | ||
* [[Massey Building]] | |||
* [[2330 University Boulevard|Merchants Bank & Trust building]] | |||
* [[Mt Calvary Presbyterian Church]] sanctuary in [[Clay]] | * [[Mt Calvary Presbyterian Church]] sanctuary in [[Clay]] | ||
* [[Munger Bowl]] stadium at [[Birmingham-Southern College]] | |||
* [[Norwood Elementary School|Norwood School]] | |||
* [[O'Neill Building]] on [[3rd Avenue North]] | |||
* [[Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School]] on [[6th Avenue South]] | |||
* [[Parrish High School]] | |||
* [[Phillips High School]], second unit | * [[Phillips High School]], second unit | ||
* [[Pizitz building]] | * [[Liberty National Building|Pioneer Building]], known soon later as the [[Liberty National Building]] | ||
* [[Pizitz building]] on [[2nd Avenue North]] | |||
* [[President's House]] at [[Birmingham-Southern College]] | |||
* [[Redmont Hotel]] | * [[Redmont Hotel]] | ||
* [[Rock Manor]], [[Vestavia Drive]], [[Vestavia Hills]] | |||
* [[6th Avenue Presbyterian Church]] | |||
* [[Albert B. Stapp Company Service Station|Service station]] at 600 [[24th Street South]] | * [[Albert B. Stapp Company Service Station|Service station]] at 600 [[24th Street South]] | ||
* [[South Highland Presbyterian Church]] educational wing | |||
* [[Tuscaloosa High School]] | |||
* [[Verner Elementary School]] in [[Tuscaloosa]] | |||
* [[Vestavia estate]] and [[Sybil Temple]] | |||
* [[Nathan Bedford Forrest Klan No. 60]] meeting hall | |||
* [[William Warren residence]] on [[Milner Street]] | |||
* [[June 1]]: Construction of the [[24th Street Viaduct]] began. | * [[June 1]]: Construction of the [[24th Street Viaduct]] began. | ||
* Construction of the [[Florentine Building]] began. | * Construction of the [[Florentine Building]] began. | ||
* Construction of the new [[Leeds High School]] began. | |||
== Individuals == | == Individuals == | ||
* [[Hugo Black]] separated himself from the [[Ku Klux Klan]]. | * [[Hugo Black]] separated himself from the [[Ku Klux Klan]]. | ||
* [[Harvie Branscomb]] joined the faculty of the Duke University School of Divinity | |||
* [[James Saxon Childers]] joined the faculty of [[Birmingham-Southern College]], teaching literature and creative writing | |||
* [[Carlton Molesworth]] became a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates. | |||
* [[Hugh Morrow (senator)|Hugh Morrow]] became president of the [[Sloss-Sheffield Steel & Iron Company]]. | * [[Hugh Morrow (senator)|Hugh Morrow]] became president of the [[Sloss-Sheffield Steel & Iron Company]]. | ||
* [[L. D. Patterson]] succeeded [[J. F. Sturdivant]] as pastor of [[Avondale United Methodist Church]]. | |||
* [[J. D. Williams]] succeeded [[Robert Allgood]] as principal of [[Avondale Elementary School]]. | |||
===Births=== | ===Births=== | ||
* [[January 3]]: [[Jesse Lewis]], publisher of the ''[[Birmingham Times]]'' | |||
* [[January 23]]: [[Bettie Hurd]], realtor | |||
* [[January 27]]: [[John Cross]], pastor of [[16th Street Baptist Church]] | |||
* [[February 6]]: [[Asa Trammell]], ALabama AFL-CIO president and [[Alabama Labor Commission]]er | |||
* [[February 7]]: [[Oscar Adams Jr]], [[Alabama Supreme Court]] justice | |||
* [[February 11]]: [[John Bullock]], military contractor and voice coach | |||
* [[February 14]]: [[Buddy Lively]], baseball player | * [[February 14]]: [[Buddy Lively]], baseball player | ||
* [[March 31]]: [[Harry Brock | * [[February 27]]: [[Hardrock Gunter]], rock and roll musician | ||
* [[March 9]]: [[Al Awtrey]], firefighter and homebuilder | |||
* [[March 24]]: [[Wiley Griggs]], [[Birmingham Black Barons]] infielder | |||
* [[March 31]]: [[Harry Brock Jr]], banker | |||
* [[April 5]]: [[Les Longshore]], professional tennis player and coach | |||
* [[April 8]]: [[Perry Hooper Sr]], [[Alabama Supreme Court]] chief justice | |||
* [[April 15]]: [[Ryan deGraffenried Sr]], State Representative | |||
* [[April 23]]: [[Gene Crutcher]], bookseller | |||
* [[April 29]]: [[Alan Drennen]], insurance executive and [[Birmingham City Council]]or | |||
* [[May 2]]: [[John Ritchie]], [[Chelsea City Council]]or | |||
* [[May 29]]: [[Basil Hirschowitz]], gastroenterologist and inventor | |||
* [[July 4]]: [[Nora Nash]], dance studio and costume shop owner | |||
* [[July 25]]: [[Benny Benjamin]], drummer for The Funk Brothers | |||
* [[July 31]]: [[Harry Malmberg]], baseball player | * [[July 31]]: [[Harry Malmberg]], baseball player | ||
* [[August 7]]: [[Helen Nies]], Federal judge | |||
* [[September 4]]: [[Asa Carter]], radio host, speechwriter, Klan leader and novelist | |||
* September 4: [[Sam Fiorella]], bookmaker | |||
* [[September 19]]: [[Maurice Branscomb]], Episcopal priest | |||
* [[September 20]]: [[Bobby Nunn]], boxer and doo-wop singer | |||
* [[October 3]]: [[Thomas Brigham]], dentist and ski resort developer | |||
* [[October 11]]: [[Jimmy Murphy]], country and rockabilly musician | |||
* [[October 13]]: [[Emmett Weaver]], ''[[Birmingham Post-Herald]]'' entertainment editor | |||
* [[November 1]]: [[Scotty McCallum]], [[List of UAB presidents|UAB president]] and [[Mayor of Vestavia Hills]] | |||
* [[November 15]]: [[Buddy Hendrix]], attorney and "Mickey Mouse" portrayer | |||
* [[November 30]]: [[Maryon Allen]], U.S. Senator | |||
* [[December 12]]: [[Leonard Weil]], business executive and civic leader | |||
* [[December 15]]: [[Sterling Brewer]], TV announcer and advertising executive | |||
* [[December 26]]: [[Gordon Holmquist]], architect | |||
* [[Benny Carle]], Children's television host | |||
* [[Jason Dean]], [[Bessemer City Council]]or | |||
* [[Revis Hall]], [[Jefferson County Schools]] superintendent | |||
* [[Vasser Hemphill]], [[Tuscaloosa]] civic booster | |||
* [[Homer Jackson]], treasurer of the [[Alabama Republican Party]] | |||
* [[Laura Knox]], dancer and community activist | |||
* [[Billy Martin]], advertising executive | |||
* [[Morris Mayer]], [[University of Alabama]] marketing professor | |||
* [[Clay Smith]], former insurance executive and book collector | * [[Clay Smith]], former insurance executive and book collector | ||
* [[Charles Speir]], co-founder and CEO of [[Brookwood Medical Center]] | |||
* [[Joseph Stein]], founder of [[Birmingham Iron & Metal]] | |||
* [[Joe Stone]], former ATF agent | |||
===Graduations=== | |||
* [[Garnet Leader]] earned a bachelor of arts at Maryville College. | |||
* [[Jimmie Ethel Montgomery]] earned a bachelor of science in medicine at the [[University of Alabama]]. | |||
===Marriages=== | ===Marriages=== | ||
* | * | ||
===Awards=== | |||
* [[Alabama Hall of Fame]]: [[Helen Keller]] and [[Roderick MacKenzie]] | |||
* [[Birmingham Allied Arts Club]] / ''[[Birmingham News-Age-Herald]]'' scholarship to the Grand Central School of Art: [[Richard Blauvelt Coe]] | |||
* [[Miss Birmingham]]: [[Nellie Kincaid]] | |||
* [[University of Alabama]] Pan-Hellenic Loving Cup: [[Epp Sykes]] | |||
===Deaths=== | ===Deaths=== | ||
* [[February 1]]: [[Marvin Wise]], cinema owner | |||
* [[February 10]]: [[Orion Dozier]], physician, inventor and poet | |||
* [[April 19]]: [[Edward M. Tutwiler]], industrialist and developer | * [[April 19]]: [[Edward M. Tutwiler]], industrialist and developer | ||
* [[April 20]]: [[William McQueen]], president of the [[Sloss-Sheffield Steel & Iron Company]] | |||
* [[May 31]]: Seven people died in the [[1925 Piper No. 2 Mine explosion]] | |||
* [[July 22]]: [[Drew Morris]] | * [[July 22]]: [[Drew Morris]] | ||
* [[September 2]]: [[M. Paul Phillips]], lumber baron | |||
* [[September 9]]: [[W. H. Coleman]], [[Fairfield Police Department|police]] officer, shot in the line of duty | * [[September 9]]: [[W. H. Coleman]], [[Fairfield Police Department|police]] officer, shot in the line of duty | ||
* [[A. C. Oxford]], photographer | * [[September 30]]: [[A. C. Oxford]], photographer | ||
* [[December 10]]: 53 people died in the [[1925 Overton No. 2 Mine explosion]] | |||
* [[W. W. Garrett]], trustee of [[Trinity Methodist Church (Southside)|Trinity Methodist Church]] | |||
* [[Benjamin Franklin Riley]], [[Howard College]] president | * [[Benjamin Franklin Riley]], [[Howard College]] president | ||
* [[Marvin Wise]], theater operator | |||
==Context== | ==Context== | ||
1925 was | The year 1925 saw Benito Mussolini take dictatorial powers over Italy. ''The New Yorker'' magazine published its first issue. The Tri-State Tornado, the deadliest in U.S. history, rampaged through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, killing 695 people and injuring 2,027. The Chrysler Corporation was founded by Walter Chrysler. Tennessee high school biology teacher John T. Scopes was found guilty of teaching evolution in class and fined $100. The Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS) was established. Mount Rushmore National Memorial was dedicated in South Dakota. The weekly country music-variety radio program ''Grand Ole Opry'' was first broadcast on WSM radio in Nashville, Tennessee, as the "WSM Barn Dance". | ||
{{Decade box|192|191|193}} | {{Decade box|192|191|193}} | ||
[[Category:1925|*]] | [[Category:1925|*]] |
Latest revision as of 11:42, 4 February 2024
1925 was the 54th year after the founding of the city of Birmingham.
Events
- March: Benton MacKaye founded the Appalachian Trail Conference in Washington D. C.
- March 24: Glenn Messer and Jack Turner made a demonstration air mail flight from Roberts Field to Marr Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee and back.
- April 23: Birmingham City Hall (1901) was heavily damaged by a fire.
- Spring: The Ku Klux Klan sponsored a minstrel show at Municipal Auditorium to raise funds for Birmingham City Schools.
- May 31: Seven people were kiled in the 1925 No. 2 Mine explosion.
- August 6: Governor William Brandon commuted the death sentences of Odell and Pearl Jackson, convicted in the 1920s axe murders.
- November: The remains of Mr & Mrs William Pullen were moved from a grave site near 6th Avenue South in Avondale to Forest Hill Cemetery.
- December 10: 53 people were killed in the 1925 Overton No. 2 Mine explosion.
- Miss Fancy knocked over a cookhouse at Avondale Park and kicked over a couple of water hydrants before heading up the hill into Forest Park.
- King Spring in Avondale was channeled into a culvert below Spring Street.
- Green Springs Park opened to the public.
- Camp Coleman near Trussville was established by the Cahaba Girl Scout Council.
- McElwain School was taken over by the Jefferson County Board of Education.
- WAPI-AM debuted when Alabama Polytechnic Institute took over equipment from Alabama Power Company's defunct WSY-AM station and merged it with its own WMAV-AM.
- Joe Giattina and his Bama Cardinals began performing live on WBRC-AM.
- Norwood Elementary School opened.
- Convicts began work on Lakeshore Drive.
- A Kilgen opus 3459 size 2/4 theater organ was installed at the Lyric Theatre.
- Hill Crest Hospital was founded by James Becton.
- Tuscaloosa's Jemison School vacated the former John Drish residence.
- Charles Birdges recruited Ed Sherrill from the Rolling Mill Four to join his new Birmingham Jubilee Singers.
- Alberta City School in eastern Tuscaloosa opened, taking students from the former Valley View School, Hopewell School and Alberta School.
- Parrish High School opened.
- Epp Sykes, editor of the Crimson White began calling for a new fight song for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team.
Business
- April 27: Loew's Temple Theater opened, taking over the Loew's Vaudeville circuit from the Bijou Theatre.
- May 1: The Redmont Hotel opened to guests.
- May 2: Clarence Saunders opened the first four Birmingham area Piggly Wiggly stores.
- July 1: The Central Park Family Theater opened.
- October 21: A new battery of Koppers-Becker coke ovens went into operation at Thomas furnaces.
- Charles Carraway founded the Norwood Clinic.
- Shook and Fletcher took over operations at Champion Mine and Taits Gap Mine.
- Henry Cobb founded the Union Realty Company to construct the Thomas Jefferson Hotel.
- Dixie Field closed as Glenn Messer moved his flight school to Messer Field.
- WBRC-AM was founded.
- Giuseppe Moretti's first marble quarry in Talladega County failed.
- Bill and Pete Koikos became part-owners of the Bright Star Restaurant.
- Charles Mehr opened a second location of Mehr's Music Store & Novelty Shop.
- W. A. Watts organized the Birmingham Building and Loan Association.
- Ernest House, W. T. Estes and Jelk Cabiness founded the Radio Products Corporation, manufacturer of "Superflex" radio receivers
- Woolworth's opened on 20th Street South at Five Points South.
- Marino's grocery opened on Avenue E Ensley.
- The Eureka No. 4 Mine was closed.
- The Young & Vann Supply Company purchased a former Anheuser-Busch warehouse on 1st Avenue North.
- A fire destroyed the Bluff Park Hotel during renovations.
- The Robertson Hardware Company was incorporated.
- The Watkins Brick Co. was incorporated.
Government
- August 18: The Birmingham City Commission officially adopted the Flag of Birmingham designed by Idyl King Sorsby and made "Birmingham Day", December 19, an official holiday.
- 1925 Birmingham municipal election
- November 2: Jimmie Jones succeeded David McLendon as President of the Birmingham City Commission. William Cloe, William Dickson was re-elected Commissioner of Public Improvements and John H. Taylor succeeded William Cloe as Commissioner of Public Safety.
Religion
- April 5: Edgewood Baptist Church reorganized and Lemuel Dawson was called as its pastor.
- October 1: Vernon McMaster succeeded Joseph Ware as rector of St Andrew's Episcopal Church.
- Louis Pizitz succeeded Max Roseman as president of Temple Beth-El.
- Benjamin Chaimovitz became rabbi of Knesseth Israel Congregation.
Sports
- The 1925 Alabama Crimson Tide football team won the Southern Conference with a 9-0-0 record.
- A reading of telegraphed calls from the September 6 game between the Auburn and Birmingham-Southern was the first broadcast on WMAV-AM.
- Johnny Dobbs succeeded Stuffy Stewart as manager for the 1925 Birmingham Barons.
- Birmingham Barons Stuffy Stewart led the Southern Leagues with 53 stolen bases.
Works
- Reddy Kilowatt was conceived by Ashton Collins.
- The Boswell Sisters made their first recordings for Victor Records.
- John Beecher's poem "Report to the Stockholders"
- Jimmie Tarlton wrote the lyrics for "Birmingham Jail" while serving time in the Birmingham City Jail
- Trixie Smith and her Down Home Syncopaters recorded "Mining Camp Blues"
- Coot Grant and Wesley Wilson recorded "Come on Coot, Do That Thing"
Films
- Coming Through
- Phantom of the Opera
- Things You Ought to Know About Birmingham was a feature-length documentary, jointly produced by the Imperial Film Company and the Trianon Theater
Books
- May 1: "A Park System for Birmingham" report by the Olmsted Brothers
- Bigger and Blacker by Octavus Roy Cohen
- The Message of Jesus by Harvie Branscomb
Buildings
- Alabama Power Building
- Avondale United Methodist Church Sunday School building
- Bank of Alabama on Avenue E Ensley
- Barrett Elementary School, new wing
- Birmingham Athletic Club building on 3rd Avenue North, later the YWCA Building
- Birmingham International Raceway grandstand
- Cascade Plunge
- Central Park Family Theater on Bessemer Road
- Commercial block on 52nd Avenue North
- East Lake United Methodist Church Christian Education Building
- Gates-Bellew House, Manhattan Street, Homewood
- Hewitt-Trussville High School
- High Ore Line Railroad was completed by the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Company.
- Jackson Building on 21st Street North
- Stonewall Jackson Elementary School in Arlington-West End
- J. S. Jackson residence
- Jemison Building
- Johnston's Log Cabin, Karl Daly Road
- Robert E. Lee Elementary School
- Martin Office Building
- Massey Building
- Merchants Bank & Trust building
- Mt Calvary Presbyterian Church sanctuary in Clay
- Munger Bowl stadium at Birmingham-Southern College
- Norwood School
- O'Neill Building on 3rd Avenue North
- Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School on 6th Avenue South
- Parrish High School
- Phillips High School, second unit
- Pioneer Building, known soon later as the Liberty National Building
- Pizitz building on 2nd Avenue North
- President's House at Birmingham-Southern College
- Redmont Hotel
- Rock Manor, Vestavia Drive, Vestavia Hills
- 6th Avenue Presbyterian Church
- Service station at 600 24th Street South
- South Highland Presbyterian Church educational wing
- Tuscaloosa High School
- Verner Elementary School in Tuscaloosa
- Vestavia estate and Sybil Temple
- Nathan Bedford Forrest Klan No. 60 meeting hall
- William Warren residence on Milner Street
- June 1: Construction of the 24th Street Viaduct began.
- Construction of the Florentine Building began.
- Construction of the new Leeds High School began.
Individuals
- Hugo Black separated himself from the Ku Klux Klan.
- Harvie Branscomb joined the faculty of the Duke University School of Divinity
- James Saxon Childers joined the faculty of Birmingham-Southern College, teaching literature and creative writing
- Carlton Molesworth became a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
- Hugh Morrow became president of the Sloss-Sheffield Steel & Iron Company.
- L. D. Patterson succeeded J. F. Sturdivant as pastor of Avondale United Methodist Church.
- J. D. Williams succeeded Robert Allgood as principal of Avondale Elementary School.
Births
- January 3: Jesse Lewis, publisher of the Birmingham Times
- January 23: Bettie Hurd, realtor
- January 27: John Cross, pastor of 16th Street Baptist Church
- February 6: Asa Trammell, ALabama AFL-CIO president and Alabama Labor Commissioner
- February 7: Oscar Adams Jr, Alabama Supreme Court justice
- February 11: John Bullock, military contractor and voice coach
- February 14: Buddy Lively, baseball player
- February 27: Hardrock Gunter, rock and roll musician
- March 9: Al Awtrey, firefighter and homebuilder
- March 24: Wiley Griggs, Birmingham Black Barons infielder
- March 31: Harry Brock Jr, banker
- April 5: Les Longshore, professional tennis player and coach
- April 8: Perry Hooper Sr, Alabama Supreme Court chief justice
- April 15: Ryan deGraffenried Sr, State Representative
- April 23: Gene Crutcher, bookseller
- April 29: Alan Drennen, insurance executive and Birmingham City Councilor
- May 2: John Ritchie, Chelsea City Councilor
- May 29: Basil Hirschowitz, gastroenterologist and inventor
- July 4: Nora Nash, dance studio and costume shop owner
- July 25: Benny Benjamin, drummer for The Funk Brothers
- July 31: Harry Malmberg, baseball player
- August 7: Helen Nies, Federal judge
- September 4: Asa Carter, radio host, speechwriter, Klan leader and novelist
- September 4: Sam Fiorella, bookmaker
- September 19: Maurice Branscomb, Episcopal priest
- September 20: Bobby Nunn, boxer and doo-wop singer
- October 3: Thomas Brigham, dentist and ski resort developer
- October 11: Jimmy Murphy, country and rockabilly musician
- October 13: Emmett Weaver, Birmingham Post-Herald entertainment editor
- November 1: Scotty McCallum, UAB president and Mayor of Vestavia Hills
- November 15: Buddy Hendrix, attorney and "Mickey Mouse" portrayer
- November 30: Maryon Allen, U.S. Senator
- December 12: Leonard Weil, business executive and civic leader
- December 15: Sterling Brewer, TV announcer and advertising executive
- December 26: Gordon Holmquist, architect
- Benny Carle, Children's television host
- Jason Dean, Bessemer City Councilor
- Revis Hall, Jefferson County Schools superintendent
- Vasser Hemphill, Tuscaloosa civic booster
- Homer Jackson, treasurer of the Alabama Republican Party
- Laura Knox, dancer and community activist
- Billy Martin, advertising executive
- Morris Mayer, University of Alabama marketing professor
- Clay Smith, former insurance executive and book collector
- Charles Speir, co-founder and CEO of Brookwood Medical Center
- Joseph Stein, founder of Birmingham Iron & Metal
- Joe Stone, former ATF agent
Graduations
- Garnet Leader earned a bachelor of arts at Maryville College.
- Jimmie Ethel Montgomery earned a bachelor of science in medicine at the University of Alabama.
Marriages
Awards
- Alabama Hall of Fame: Helen Keller and Roderick MacKenzie
- Birmingham Allied Arts Club / Birmingham News-Age-Herald scholarship to the Grand Central School of Art: Richard Blauvelt Coe
- Miss Birmingham: Nellie Kincaid
- University of Alabama Pan-Hellenic Loving Cup: Epp Sykes
Deaths
- February 1: Marvin Wise, cinema owner
- February 10: Orion Dozier, physician, inventor and poet
- April 19: Edward M. Tutwiler, industrialist and developer
- April 20: William McQueen, president of the Sloss-Sheffield Steel & Iron Company
- May 31: Seven people died in the 1925 Piper No. 2 Mine explosion
- July 22: Drew Morris
- September 2: M. Paul Phillips, lumber baron
- September 9: W. H. Coleman, police officer, shot in the line of duty
- September 30: A. C. Oxford, photographer
- December 10: 53 people died in the 1925 Overton No. 2 Mine explosion
- W. W. Garrett, trustee of Trinity Methodist Church
- Benjamin Franklin Riley, Howard College president
- Marvin Wise, theater operator
Context
The year 1925 saw Benito Mussolini take dictatorial powers over Italy. The New Yorker magazine published its first issue. The Tri-State Tornado, the deadliest in U.S. history, rampaged through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, killing 695 people and injuring 2,027. The Chrysler Corporation was founded by Walter Chrysler. Tennessee high school biology teacher John T. Scopes was found guilty of teaching evolution in class and fined $100. The Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS) was established. Mount Rushmore National Memorial was dedicated in South Dakota. The weekly country music-variety radio program Grand Ole Opry was first broadcast on WSM radio in Nashville, Tennessee, as the "WSM Barn Dance".
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