19th Street North

19th Street North is one of the primary north-south streets in downtown Birmingham's business district.

19th Street begins at the northern end of 19th Street South, in a tunnel underneath the railroad tracks of the Railroad Reservation. From there it first crosses Morris Avenue and continues north all the way to 16th Avenue North. There are additional sections of the street in North Birmingham from 21st to 37th Avenue North.

The street serves as the eastern boundary of Birmingham's Civil Rights District between 3rd and 8th Avenue North. It also serves as the border of the Fountain Heights and Central City neighborhoods south of 9th Avenue North and Fountain Heights and Druid Hills north of 9th Avenue.

A 1907 train accident occurred at the intersection of 19th Street and 9th Avenue North. A notable early balloon ascent took place near the intersection with 1st Avenue North in 1891. The street is included on the route of the annual Veterans Day parade.

19th Street was one of the city's earlier "whiteways" to have electric lighting. The lighting was upgraded and extended past 6th Avenue as far as 8th Avenue North in 1945 under the city's contract with the Birmingham Electric Company.

In 1981-1982 major landscaping was done to the first few blocks to designs by architect Pedro Costa. The intent was to create a pedestrian-friendly boulevard to help revitalize languishing commercial activity along the street, but the extended construction period had the unintended effect of further harming business traffic. In 1985 Operation New Birmingham formed a "19th Street Taskforce" to identify specific improvements that could be made to mitigate the problem. Students from Auburn University's landscape architecture and planning programs participated in design charettes to sketch out proposals.

Notable locations

For an alphabetical list of locations, see the 19th Street North category.

Fountain Heights/Central City neighborhood

• Railroad Reservation
  • former site of Linn's Park
  • former location of the Relay House

Morris Avenue intersection

• west side:
  • 2-6: former location of wholesale grocer (1891)
  • 12½: former location of Alabama Paper & Painting Co. (1907)
  • 14-20: former location of the Chalifoux Building (built 1893, demolished 1907)
• east side:
  • 7-21: Allright Parking Systems parking deck, former location of Morris Block (built 1891, demolished 1958)
    • 11: former location of reading room (1891)
    • 13: former location of Morris Hotel/Earle Hotel offices (1891-1958), Woodward Billiard Parlor
    • 15-21: former location of bank (1891), Morris Tavern, Morris Jewelers, Birmingham Trust & Savings Company, Engel Realty Company

1st Avenue North (U. S. Highway 11) intersection

• former downtown terminus of the Highland Avenue Railroad
• west side (Block 98):
  • 100-110: former site of O'Brien's Opera House (built 1882, demolished 1915), Moore-Henley Retail Block (built 1915, demolished 1990s), expanded location of Sokol's

department store

• • • 100-106: former location of clothing store (1891)
      • 100: former location of Gus Jebeles cigar store (1907)
      • 102-104: former location of Soul Train of New York clothing (1982)
      • 106: former location of DuMont & Knox insurance / Howell, Randolph & Howell real estate (1887), Riverside Cafe (1909)
    • 108: former location of Bessemer Land & Improvement Co. / H. F. DeBardeleben real estate (1887), barber (1891), John Balabanos / Paul Lekas (1907), Peter Govatos (1907)
    • 110: former location of J. W. Gasser restaurant & bakery (1887), delivery service (1891), Henry Saupe (1907), Hick's Booterie
  • 112–116: former location of St Nicholas Hotel (1907)
    • 112-114: former location of E. Erswell Furniture / Erswell's Hall (1887-1899)
      • 112: former location of E. Erswell undertaker (1887-1891), Changes Boutique clothing shop (1970s)
      • 114: former location of New Home (1887), liquor store (1891), Paul Gilardoni restaurant (1897)
    • 116: former location of L. E. Williamson millinery & fancy goods (1887), saloon / business college (1891)
  • 118–130: former location of Louis Pizitz Dry Goods Company (1907)
    • 118: former location of Joe Frank Liquor (1887), vacant store (1891)
      • 118½: former location of J. R. Brewer & Co. real estate (1887), Molton & Stickney (1897), E. N. Lyde (1907)
    • 120-130: former location of dry goods store (1891)
    • 130: former location of Birmingham Iron Age publishing company (1881-1888)

• east side (Block 99):
  • 101-107 1895 Louis Saks building (built 1895), Louis Saks Clothiers (1895-1916), former site of Marre building and Ruby Saloon (1880-1891)
    • 101: former location of Crescent Restaurant (1920)
    • 105: former location of Henry Stolley real estate (1887), Wright Loan Company (1957)
    • 107: former location of Dangaix & Throckmorton insurance (1887), David Luster, shoe and boot maker (1891), Dangaix & Throckmorton insurance and real estate, E. M. Costello, draper and tailor (1887-1888)
  • 109-111: Ideal Building (built 1929), former location of The Mobile Restaurant (-1891), Paul's Cafe (1891-)
    • 109: former location of Jonas Schwab jewelry (1887), WJLD-AM studio (1967)
    • 111: former location of Ideal Department Store (1929-1935), Haverty's furniture (1949), Tillman-Levenson, and Standard Furniture, proposed location of Kyoto Yakitori
      • 111½: former location of A.C. Edwards & Co. real estate (1887)
• 1st Alley North intersects
  • 113-115: former location of Herman Hersfeld (1887), furniture store (1891)
    • 113: former location of Epp's Jewelry Co.
    • 115: former location of J & L Slaughter (1907)
  • 117: former location of vacant store (1891), Taccone's Barber Shop & Bath House (1893), Jobe-Rose Jewelry Co. (1907)
    • 117½: former location of London Loan & Trust Co. / J. W. Barclay / New York Dental Co. / Sandefur & McDaniel / Rittenberry & Rittenberry / Ed. T. Glass / N. C. Glass / H. T. Morton (1907)
  • 119-131: former location of the Terry Building (built 1881, demolished 1987), Birmingham Telephone Exchange (1882-), Hughes Drug Store
    • 119: former location of George Eustis real estate, stock & bond broker (1887), Alabama Medical Journal (1887), Hickok Men's Supplies (1939)
    • 123: former location of Shoe Rebuilders (1934)
    • 125: former location of Friedman's Jewelers (1949)
    • 133: former location of Mehr's Music Store & Novelty Shop
    • 161: former location of Mrs L. E. Williamson millinery (1887), Angelo Lafturias (1907)

2nd Avenue North intersection

• former location of Hudgins' fountain (1880s-1891)
• former location of WBRC-AM radio studios
• former location of Weather Forecast Office Birmingham

Birmingham Transit Co. bus on the 200 block of 19th Street North

• west side (Block 87):
  • 200-224: McWane Science Center (with Linear Motion on the exterior)
    • 200-206: former location of Florence Hotel (-1916), Louis Saks Clothiers (1916-1920s), Melancon's (1920s-1936) and Newberry's (1936-1995)
      • 200: former location of R. D. Burnett Cigar Co. (1907)
      • 204: former location of Baltimore & Ohio Express Co. (1887), book store (1891)
      • 206: former location of Hale Associates real estate (1887), William Snyder & Sons mercantile (1888), fruit stand (1891)
    • 208: former location of Grand Theater (1920)
      • 208A: former location of boots & shoes (1891)
      • 208B: former location of book store (1891)
    • 210: former location of gentlemen's furnishings (1891), Schulte-United department store (1930)
  • 2nd Alley North formerly intersected
    • 212-220: former location of Loveman's Building (built 1935), Loveman's department store (1935-1980)
    • 212-214: former location of Loveman, Joseph & Loeb department store (built 1890, burned 1935)
      • 214½: former location of Avondale Land Co. / Clifton Land Co. / South Anniston Land Company / T. H. Maddox & Son architects (1887) / J.W. Worthington & Co. engineers / Birmingham Gas & Electric Light Co. (1887)
    • 216-218: former location of Fies & Son livery stable (1887)
      • 216: former location of saloon & billiards (1891)
  • 218-220: former location of Jackson Block
    • • 218: former location of liquor store / tailor (1891)
      • 220: former location of saloon & billiards (1891)
        • 220½: former location of Charles Wheelock & Son / T. H. Maddox & Son architects (1888)

• east side (Block 86):
  • 201-209: 1900 Building (built 2005), Fleetio (2017-), former location of the Peerless Saloon (built 1889, demolished 2003), Vaudette Theater (1908-1929), Fan Tan Shop (1931-1939)
    • 203: former location of Holiday Shoes (1946-1960s), Florsheim Shoe Shop (1942)
    • 205: former location of Evans & Boyd real estate (1887)
    • 207: former location of the Washington & Blakely physicians (1887), Alabama Club (1902)
      • 207½: former site of the Klothes Shoppe
    • 209: former location of B. F. Thayer Bookseller (1887), Jacobs' Pharmacy (1907)
      • 209½: former location of E. H. Sholl / B. A. Fox / F. G. Grace / M. A. Copeland (1907)
  • 211: 211 Building, former location of clothier (1891), Amuse-U Theater, Chalifoux-LaPointe Music Company, Baker's shoe store (1976)
• 2nd Alley North intersects
  • 213-215: Taylor Lofts, former location of Paul's Café / Paul Gilardoni (1904-1910), Hirsch's ladies' hats (1924), Three Sisters (1950s), Gussini Shoes (1985-)
    • 213: former location of drug store (1891), M. L. Satterfield & Co. / P. L. Houppert (1907)
      • 213½: former location of Castle Hall / Knights of Pythias / Young Men's Hebrew Association (1899), Alabama Loan & Employment Bureau / Joseph Sepsalon / Eagles' Lodge (1907)
    • 215: former location of Hatter & Morris Restaurant (1887), A. C. Reckling saddler (sign of black horse), millinery shop (1891), T. L. Hobart (1907)
  • 217-225: California Fashion Mall (built 1939), former location Simon Block (built 1886, demolished 1938), F. W. Woolworth (1939–1988)
    • 217: former location of clothier (1891), D. B. Luster shoe store (1899–1907)
    • 219: former location of Otto Seemann & Bro. fish seller (1888), clothier (1891), R. J. Keife (1907), The French Bootery ladies' shoes (1925), Woolworth's (1957)
    • 221: former location of Paris & Govatos restaurant (1904), George Peppas / Goodyear Rain Coat Co. (1907), Kanakas & Regas restaurant (1910), Little Gem Café (1920)
      • 221½: entrance to Simon Block
    • 223-225: former location of E. I. Simon & Bro. saloon (1891–1907)
      • 223: former location of saloon (1891), K. D. Likis (1907)
      • 225: former location of bank (1891)
  • east end of the Alabama Walk of Fame

3rd Avenue North intersection

• 9-11 Memorial Walk
• west side Block 72:
  • 300-310: former location of Wright Building, used for the Birmingham Post Office and Central High School / Gunn's Pharmacy, J. Blach & Sons
    • 304: former location of Mayer Brothers interior decorators (1905)
    • 306: former location of Barney Hymes umbrella maker (1904), James H. Tinder, optician (1908)
    • 308: former location of Excelsior Steam Laundry (1887), George Metropoulos restaurant (1910)
    • 310: former location of The Dairy Depot restaurant (1904)
  • 3rd Alley North intersects
  • 312-328: former location of Hotel Hillman (built 1901, demolished 1967)
    • 316-320: former location of First Methodist Episcopal Church (1885-1891)
    • 322: former location of Madame Grace Corset Shop (1925)
    • 328: former location of Sibyl Hats (1948)
  • 352: former location of Birmingham Union Railroad Co. (1887)

• east side Block 73:
  • 301-311: S. H. Kress & Company Building (built 1937)
    • 301: former location of saloon (1891)
    • 303: former location of W. St Pierre shoe & boot maker (1888-1891)
    • 305: former location of B. F. Perdue harness maker (1887), grocery (1891), McCoy & Sumner shooting gallery (1904)
    • 307: former location of news stand (1891)
    • 309: former location of crockery store (1891)
    • 311: former location of Davidson Building, F.A. Walter & Co. druggists (1887), J. F. Davidson physician (1887), Slayton & Mauldin saloon (April-July 1899), George Coveles restaurant (1904), optician (1931)
      • 311A: former location of barber shop (1891)
      • 311B: former location of "Chinese laundry" (1891)
      • 311½: former location of J. H. Pratt Analytical and Consulting Chemist (Rooms 28-29) (1887), Brockway & Foster physicians (1887)
    • 313-315: former location of William Wise & Co. saloon & wholesale liquors (1904), United Woolen Mills (1931)
      • 313: former location of Ozanne & Taylor bakers (1887-1888), Walker-Middlebrooks Co. electrical supply (1909-), St Charles Hotel (1925)
        • 313½: former location of Elias Eliades / C. Vezdoon (1907)
      • 315: former location of Rosenberger's Birmingham Trunk Factory
  • 3rd Alley North intersects
    • 317-331: former location of Birmingham City Hall (built 1901)
      • 317-321: former location of meat market (1891)
        • 317: former location of Burson Gun & Key Co. (1925), barber (1931)
        • 319: former location of C. D. Kenny Co. coffees & teas (1905)
        • 321: former location of Taft's uniform shop
      • 323: former location of Abo-Samra & Kandella art goods (1904)
      • 325: former location of Hillman Hotel Barber Shop (1925), jewelry (1931)
      • 327-331: former location of Birmingham City Hall (built 1882, demolished 1900), drug store (1931)
        • 329: former location of Birmingham Fire Station No. 1 (1891)

4th Avenue North intersection

1979 photo of Block 61, looking southwest from the corner of 5th Avenue North and 19th Street

• west side (Block 61)
  • 400-410: One Federal Place (buiilt 2002), former location of Magnolia Place (William H. Morris residence), Fox Building (1895-1981)
    • 400-402: former location of Maurice Letaw druggist (1925), Lane Drugs (1931), Restaurant G (2002-2006), Mix (2011-2013), Continental Bakery Downtown (2014-2015)
    • 404: former location of H. Olim grocery & delicatessen (1925), jeweler/barber (1931)
    • 406: former location of Counts Bros. sewing machines (1923), raincoats/cafe (1931), Jackie's Restaurant (1938)
      • 406½: former location of W. J. Boothby apartment rentals (1938)
    • 408-410: former location of M. T. Stradford electrical supply (1909)
      • 408: former location of Peerless Laundry (1931)
      • 410: former location of Tarrant & Grounus (1887), Lanier-White Electric Co. (1914), Artificial Limb Co. (1931)
  • 4th Alley North intersects
  • 412: former location of Mrs J. G. Griggs boarding house (1887), Farm Products Store, Dee Gunn & Key Co. (1931)
  • 414: former location of Metropolitan Cafe (1920), Parrish's Jewel Shop (1923-1924), Seymour Jewelry (1931)
    • 414½: former location of Keystone Studio photographer
  • 416: former location of Cain's Dry Cleaning Co. (1925), American Standard newspaper stand (1927-1931)
  • 418: former location of Mayer Brothers photographs, frames & wallpaper (1931-1935)
  • 420: former location of Moore Jewelry Company (1923)
  • 422: former location of shoe shop/barber shop (1931), Classic Adult Center bookstore
  • 424: former location of the Post Office Cafe (1931-1937) / Oasis Cafe (1937), Post Office Cafe (Xenophon & Helen Hagestratou 1962)
• east side (Block 60)
  • 401-411: Wells Fargo drive-through, former location of Allright Parking lot (1982)
    • 401-407: former location of A & P supermarket (1931-1950s), Trailways Bus Depot (1961-)
      • 401–403: former location of saloon (1891)
      • 405–407: former location of residence (1891)
        • 405: former location of New Post Office Cafe (1920)
    • 409-411: former location of residence (1891), parking lot (1931)
      • 411: former location of Walker-Middlebrooks Company electrical supply (-1909)
  • 4th Alley North intersects
    • 415–425: parking lot, former location of Pollock-Stephens Institute (1896-1903)
      • 415: former location of White's Barber Shop (1925), Seales Florist (1931), Thomasino Restaurant (Tony Thomasino 1952), Acton Camera (1982)
      • 417: former location of cafe/barber shop (1931), adult shop (1982)
      • 419: former location of Edwards Bicycle Store (1923-1924), beauty shop/hat cleaner (1931), Super D (1982)
      • 421: former location of stamps/library (1931), Birmingham Book/Bohemian Place (1982)
      • 423-425: former location of Southern Safe & Fence Company, Theo's Grill (1956-1982)
        • 425: former location of cafe/cigars (1931)

5th Avenue North intersection

• west side (Block 46):
  • 500: Robert S. Vance Federal Building (built 1921 as U.S. Post Office and Court House)
  • 506: former location of J. B. Hoffman's
  • 514: First United Methodist Church office and chapel building (built 1950)
  • 518–530: First United Methodist Church (present building completed in 1888)
• east side (Block 47):
  • 501–521: Regions Center parking deck (built 1972)
    • 501: former location of Nick's Grill steakhouse (1945), Villa Restaurant (1960)
    • 507: former location of Forbes Radio Shop (1929)
    • 513: former location of American Cool Air Corp. (1929)
    • 515: former location of Shuford's Studio (1929)
    • 521: former location of American Banker's Corp. (1929)
  • 523-531: 1901 Sixth Avenue (built 1989 as AmSouth-Harbert Plaza), former site of Masonic Temple (built 1922, demolished 1970), Temple Theatre (1925–1970)

6th Avenue North intersection

• • west side:
• 600-630: AT&T City Center (built 1971)
  • • 600-610: former location of Greyhound bus depot
    • 618: former location of Greyhound Post House restaurant (1961)
  • east side:
• 601: Centennial Place
• 621: one story commercial building, Avadian Credit Union

Park Place intersection (east only)

• east side:
  • 601-609 Birmingham City Hall parking deck
    • 609: former location of Mickey's Place (Pete Saras 1958)
  • 611-621: Birmingham City Hall (built 1950)
  • 623-631: Birmingham City Hall expansion
• west side:
  • 618: Birmingham Greyhound Station (built 1950)

7th Avenue North intersection (west only)

• east side:
  • Birmingham City Hall (built 1950)
• 701: former location of F. W. Bransby produce & groceries (1925)
• west side:
  • 700-710: parking lot
  • 712-714: Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency
  • "Today to Tonight" mural (painted 1978, painted over 2010-2015)
• 7th Alley North (west only)
  • 716: former location of Jefferson Music Co. (1963)
  • 730: former location of George Covallis restaurant (1928), J. F. Holley Construction Company

Reverend Abraham Woods, Jr Boulevard intersection

View north on 19th Street from 8th Avenue North in 1892. Mayor A. O. Lane's residence on the left.

• 800: Alabama School of Fine Arts, Dorothy Jemison Day Theater (2012-), former location of 1887 A. O. Lane residence (1887-)
• 801: Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 2
• 828 : former location of Alf Conybear restaurant, Niagara Cafe (George Marinoff 1949)
• 841: former location of E. Brilis (1907), Karas Bros. restaurant (1910)

Passes under Interstate 20/Interstate 59

• 9th Avenue North intersection
  • 908: former location of Furniture Distributors, Inc. (1927)
  • 925: former location of Arnold Coal Company (1923)
  • 931: former location of A.H. Cather Publishing Co. (1934)

Fountain Heights/Druid Hills

• 9th Avenue North intersection
  • Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex
  • former location of Bayliss Machine & Welding (1935-1970)[1]
  • 914: former locationn of Forney Coleman restaurant (1928)
  • 918: Euro Auto Repair
• 10th Avenue North intersection (west only)
  • former location of Jenkins Lumber Company lumber yard and mill
  • 1000: former location of W. R. Wood groceries (1925), Contri's Grocery (1926–December 24, 1969)
  • 1008: former location of Yellow Cab Company of Birmingham (1957)
  • 1020: former location of Tradetype Service type composers (1959)
  • 1040: 9th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (former BTNB BJCC branch), former location of Baker Bros. grocery (1925)
• 11th Avenue North intersects
  • west side:
    • Oak Hill Cemetery (established 1873)
  • east side:
    • Social Security Building (1974)
    • 1127: former location of Julia Davis restaurant (1928)
• F. L. Shuttlesworth Drive intersects (east only)
  • west side:
    • Oak Hill Cemetery continues
  • east side:
    • Arthur Shores Park
• 13th Avenue North intersects (east only)
  • west side:
    • Oak Hill Cemetery continues
  • east side:
• 13th Court North intersects (west only)
  • west side:
    • 1306: former location of Birmingham Fire Station No. 5 (1960)
    • 1324: former location of North Highland Grocery Co. (1925), Curb Market
  • east side:
  • 1333: Birmingham Health Care clinic / Northside Dental Clinic (2008–), former location of Hill Grocery Co.
• 14th Avenue North intersects
  • former location of Bellevue Academy
  • 1400:
  • 1412: Bible Based Outreach Ministry
• 15th Avenue North intersects
  • 1517: Uptown Apartments
• 16th Avenue North intersects
  • 1617: former location of Jefferson Garage (1927)

North Birmingham

• • 2500: Slossfield Community Center