1st Avenue South

1st Avenue South (originally called Avenue A) is an east-west avenue in Birmingham running from I-65 in the west to Roebuck in the east. In the downtown area it is just south of Powell Avenue and one block from the Railroad Reservation. As it proceeds eastward it is interrupted by I-20/59 near Gate City and resumes in Woodlawn separated from 1st Avenue North by Division Avenue. It is once again interrupted by I-59 at 82nd Street South in East Lake and then terminates at 87th Street South just shy of Parkway East near the Roebuck Municipal Golf Course

The downtown section of 1st Avenue South is undergoing large scale redevelopment. It the main frontage for the Railroad Park between 14th and 18th Streets, and is also experiencing significant redevelopment around the location of the 1st Avenue Cut, which was redeveloped as the Rotary Trail. In 2016 the Birmingham City Council approved changing the name of a two-block section of 1st Avenue South adjacent to Regions Field to Willie Mays Drive.

Railway cut

The 1st Avenue Cut, looking west from the 24th Street Viaduct in 2005

The 1st Avenue Cut is a depressed railroad bed which formerly served the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, which runs through the center of 1st Avenue South, below grade, from 20th Street South to 24th Street South. The reinforced concrete construction creating the grade separation was begun in the mid-1890s.

The presentation of the City Center Master Plan in 2005 showed the possibility of filling the cut to create a tree-lined boulevard. Some residents, vocally represented by then-City Councilor Elias Hendricks, expressed their view that the cut should be preserved for its interpretive and nostalgic value, but "cleaned up" to make it an asset to the area. The Central City neighborhood sponsored a clean-up day for the cut in June, 2005.

In 2016 the Rotary Club of Birmingham partnered with the city of Birmingham, Freshwater Land Trust, Operation New Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation to redevelop The cut as a linear public park, known as the "Rotary Trail". The park is part of the Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail System, connecting Railroad Park with Sloss Furnaces and beyond.

East of downtown

Moving east from the 24th Street viaduct the street is home to recent construction on the former Seaboard Air Line Railroad yard and spillover from the adjacent "Design District" around Dr Pepper Place in Lakeview. The 24th Street viaduct and Red Mountain Expressway overpass occasionally shelter small groups of homeless persons. The CSX 32nd Street Yard was active on the south side of the street until 2012. Until then it had often provided a staging area for the Ringling Bros & Barnum & Bailey's Circus train.

Red Light District

The area around the western ends of the railyards served as Birmingham's Red Light District in the early 20th century.

According to a 1909 report by Mayor George Ward the policy of "Segregation" had a positive effect:

"It has reduced the number of unfortunates in our midst over 75 per cent by driving hundreds away. It has reclaimed every other section of the city from suspicion and contamination. It has made it possible for women and children to go and be seen in every other part of the city at all times without fear of being misunderstood or embarassed. It has done more to prevent thievery, debauchery, and murder; more to prevent insidious temptation; more to reduce licentiousness, incipient and chronic, than can ever by known by the public or the authorities. This district should be regulated sternly; treated fairly; kept in the background, and conditions improved from year to year."^1.

The best known house in the district was operated by Blanche Bernard who, banned from soliciting at the Terminal Station instead offered gentlemen a free carriage to their hotel. The catch was that even if their hotel was located just down 5th Avenue North, the carriage would always tarry around the Southside Loop to show off the attractions of the Red Light District. The houses were finally razed in the 1930s.

On the relatively isolated stretch between 35th and 41st Streets there is frequent drag racing in the late evenings. Past 41st Street, 1st Avenue peters out into a local-access street.

East end

1st Avenue South re-appears in downtown Woodlawn. Morse Avenue, now vacated within the Connors Steel plant, was renumbered as a disconnected section of 1st Avenue South.

Georgia Road forks away to the south at 58th Street. The avenue continues underneath I-20 into East Lake and continues through 20 blocks of predominantly residential areas until it is again interrupted by I-59 a few blocks shy of its eastern end at 87th Street.

Notable locations

For an alphabetical list of locations, see the 1st Avenue South category.

North Titusville

• Center Street intersection (road continues west as 1st Avenue Southwest)
  • Residential
  • South Elyton Baptist Church
  • 65: former location of Gilliam's Barber Shop (1962)
• 1st Street South intersection
  • 105: former location of Wallace & Jennie Rayfield residence
• Kappa Avenue intersection (road terminus)

Five Points South neighborhood

• avenues resumes at 12th Street South
  • north side
    • 1200: former location of Merita bakery thrift store
  • south side
    • 1209: former location of warehouse, Duffy's Garage (2012-2019)
    • 1227: former location of Glenn Associates, Axon Industries
    • 1229: Industrial Fire & Safety Equipment Inc., former location of Red Mountain Market (2011)

• 13th Street South intersects
  • north side
    • 1300-1320: Baker's Row (renovated 2015), formerly Flowers Foods bakery and Merita bakery (closed 2012)
      • 1320: Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (2017-) / Alabama Business Intelligence Center (2022–)
  • south side
  • 1301-1319: Parkside Parking Lot (built 2018), former location of Building Materials Wholesale, Marjam Supply Company
  • 1321: Wood Wade building (built 1932), former location of Associated Equipment Company, proposed location of Beer Engineers (2013)

• 14th Street South intersects (street is designated Willie Mays Drive for next two blocks)
  • north side:
    • 1400–1430: Railroad Park
  • south side:
    • 1401-1431: Regions Field (built 2013)
      • 1401-1409: former location of Interstate Batteries of Alabama (-2011)
      • 1415: former location of Shoe Corp. warehouse (burned 2006), Shoe Factory Skate Slab (2009-2012)

• 15th Street South intersects (south only)
  • north side:
    • 1500–1530: Railroad Park
      • 1500: Former site of EGN warehouse
  • south side:
    • 1501: Southeast Express
    • 1531: B & A Warehouse

• 16th Street South intersects (south only, Willie Mays Drive designation ends)
  • north side:
    • 1600–1630: Railroad Park
      • 1600: former location of SYSCO Food Services warehouse
    • former location of Means & Fulton Iron Works (1899)

• 17th Street South intersects (south only)
  • north side:
    • 1700–1730: Railroad Park
      • 1706: former location of Henry Ellen Coal Co. (1887)
      • 1730: former location of St Louis–San Francisco Railway freight house (built 1947, demolished after 1970)
  • south side:
    • 1701-1730: Parkside Apartments (built 2015), former proposed site for Standard at Midtown
      • 1705: former location of Southern Express Co. stables (1899)

• 18th Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 113C):
    • Powell Avenue Steam Plant plaza (under development), Birmingham Parking Authority Lot D (1975-2015)
  • south side (Block 122):
    • 1801: Midtown Center (Laboratory Corporation of America)
    • 1809: former location of Wimberley & Thomas Hardware (1957)

• 19th Street South intersects
  • north side:
    • 1912: former location of C. Oliver blacksmith (1899)
    • 1920: former location of Luvenia Lovett restaurant (1897)
    • 1926: former location of S. Jones blacksmith (1899)
    • 1928: former location of Gem Cycle Co. (1899)
    • 1930: former location of Seaboard Air Line Railroad freight office, freight station, passenger station and police (built 1904, demolished after 1970)
  • south side:
    • 1901: former location of clothier (1891), Magic City Dye House (1899)
    • 1903: former location of C. E. Lindell lodging house (1899)
      • 1903A: former location of vacant store (1891)
      • 1903B: former location of coffin shop (1891)
    • 1905-1909: former location of wholesale grocery (1891)
      • 1905-1907: former location of A. V. Welsh Vinegar Co. (1909)
      • 1909: former location of The Lighthouse
    • 1911: former location of the Wiseola Bottling Company (1909)
    • 1913: former location of Star Bottling Co. (1904)
    • 1925: former location of blacksmith shop (1891)
    • 1927½: former location of Madam Ola Colston house (1899)
    • 1929-1931: former location of saloon (1891), Dusenberry Bros saloon (1899)

• 20th Street South intersection (begin 1st Avenue Cut)
  • north side:
    • 2000: The Daniel Building (Compass Bank headquarters)
    • 2012: former location of Birmingham Mattress Co. (1896-1899), Avondale Steam Laundry (1904)
    • 2014: former location of Steinhart & Stollenwerck (1896), Standard Stove Works (1899)
    • 2016: former location of Union Transfer Warehouse (1896), Sloss Iron & Steel Co. warehouse (1899)
    • 2018-2030: former location of Heidt-Nelson Coal & Lumber Co. (1896-1899)
  • south side (Block 121):
    • 2001-2031: Cityville Block 121
    • 2001: former location of W. A. Mitchell & Co. saloon
    • 2009: former location of P. Clemons blacksmith (1891-1899)
    • 2013-2017: former location of "negro shanties" (1891)
    • 2019: former location of Phillip Clements (1896)
    • 2021: former location of Crook-Dunn Electric Co. (1949)

• avenue passes below Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard South at the 21st Street Viaduct
  • south side (Block 120):
    • 2105: former location of Duncan & Orr stables (1899)
    • 2109: David Carrigan residence (2016-), former location of Kentucky Livery (built 1893)
    • 2111: former location of Instant Cash, built 1937
    • 2115–2119: proposed The Percée condominiums (2022–), former location of Auto Radiator Co. warehouse (built 1927), Brad Morton studio (–2019), proposed office building (2021)
    • 2125: former location of Portedreo Garage (built c. 1925)
    • 2127: Ramwood Furniture (built c. 1925)
    • 2129-2131: former location of Brad Morton residence
      • 2129: (built c. 1916)
      • 2131: former location of saloon (1891), Seaboard Saloon (built 1897), W. Davis (1899), A. H. Davis (1904)

Southside neighborhood

• 22nd Street South intersection
  • north side:
    • 2200-2204: Williams-Blackstock Architects, Atlas Digital Partners, AdventureKEEN publishers, StrategyWise (2019-) former location of McKnight & Co.'s City Coal Yard (1886-), Corona Coal Co. / Birmingham Feed & Sale Stables (1896)
      • 2202: V & W Supply annex (built c. 1925), American Chemical (1990)
    • 2212-2214: (built c. 1915) Golden & Associates (2005-) / INFLCR (2019-), former location of Brandstettner & Atcheson hardware (1887), Birmingham Water Works mechanical and electrical department (1990)
      • 2214: former location of W. M. Phillips wagon yard (1899)
    • 2216: former location of Shaw & Leslie (1887), Southern Dairies (built c. 1916)
    • 2226: Pullman Flats / Birmingham Legion FC
  • south side (Block 119):
    • 2201-2211: parking lot
      • 2201: former location of fruit stand (1891), T. Swope shoemaker (1899)
      • 2203: former location of Brooks & Brooks Stockyard (1899)
      • 2205: V & W Supply building (built c. 1921), former location of J. Griffin blacksmith (1899)
      • 2209-2211: former location of W. H. Neill livery stable (1891), S. S. Jones livery stable (1899)
        • 2209½: former location of B. Chatmon barber (1899)
        • 2211: former location of C. D. Latham grocer (1887)
    • 2213: Women's Foundation of Alabama (2023–) former location of Interiors by Kathy Harris (2011), Moxy branding / Kode Apparel, Birmingham Legion FC
    • 2215: Nathan & Nathan collections (built c. 1921 for The Pate Co.), former location of livery stable (1891), V & W Wholesale
    • 2217-2223: former location of W. T. Hodges & Co. general merchandise (1899)
      • 2217-2221: former location of Hodges & Brooks / Deer Creek Coal Yard (1896)
      • 2219: former location of carpenter's shop (1891)
  • 2227: Walding LLC attorneys, (built 1907 as Blanch Barnard residence, a brothel)
  • 2229-2231: Newspaper Union Building (built 1891): Davidson Design Group, former location of American Newspaper Union (1891-1908), Magic City Casket Co. (1904-), Moore Co., SoMo Galleries (1989-)

• 23rd Street South intersection (south only)
  • north side:
    • 2300-2308: former location of Virginia & Alabama Coal Yard (1896), Standard Basket Co. (1902), Amzi Godden Co. warehouse (built c. 1902), Hardwick & Co. (1990-), Good Dog Bar & Dog Park (2022–)
    • 2310: (built c. 1902), former location of Hardwick Steel (1990)
    • 2312: H & W Company
    • 2316: Birmingham Animal Hospital & Resort (2022), former location of The Lemak Group (2011), Innovative Office Solutions, Direct Communications
    • 2330: former location of People's Ice Company (1899)
  • south side:
    • 2301-2305: former location of Hodges & Brooks warehouse (1896), Allgood & Moody cotton warehouse (1899)
    • 2321-2327: former location of Perfection Laundry, KRO Laundry (1990)
      • 2321: built c. 1909 as a brothel
      • 2323: built c. 1925
      • 2327: built c. 1905 as a brothel

• 24th Street South underpass (end 1st Avenue Cut)
  • 2400–2530: proposed location for The Tracks apartments, former location of Thomas Steel Products Co. / T. E. Stevens Construction (–2020)
  • 2405: former location of Cheryl Morgan residence
  • 2409: former branch office of Ballard & Ballard millers, Nelson Glass (1990)
  • 2413: former location of Toro-Cordes Iron Arts (2000-2007)
  • 2417: commercial building (built c. 1926), Stash (2022), former location of Alabama Overhead Door (1990), First Avenue Rocks (-2019)
  • 2420: Thomas Steel Products
  • 2421: (built c. 1925), former location of Auto Laq Paint & Body (1986)
  • 2423: former location of Burt Brick & Cement Co. (1925)
  • 2431: Auto & Truck Services (built c. 1924), former location of Wall & Floor System
• 25th Street South intersection (south only)
• Elton B. Stephens Expressway underpass
  • 2701: one-story office building (built 2005), Navigate Affordable Housing Partners (2022–), former location of Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood architects (2005–2020)
  • 2801-3199: CSX 32nd Street Yard
  • 2726: Alabama Ballet
  • 2800: Seaboard Yard townhomes
  • 2900: Alexander Shunnarah Personal Injury Attorneys PC (2016-), former location of The Lamb Firm
  • 2920: Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds
  • 3000: former location of Joe Salamone grocery store (1962)
• Passes under 35th Street viaduct

North Avondale/Southside neighborhood

• Passes under 35th Street viaduct
  • M2, former location of Old Car Heaven
    • Sunrise Plaza
  • 3607: Former location of Cave 9
  • 3625: former location of Arnold Institutional Foods (1973)
  • 4001: former location of Fortieth Street Baptist Church (1927)

North Avondale/Forest Park-South Avondale

• 42nd Street South intersection (south only)

North Avondale/East Avondale

• 42nd Street South intersects (south only)
  • 4242: Christian Union Spiritual Church (1942)
  • 4240: Bagby Elevator Company
• 43rd Street South intersects
  • 4330-4350: Duffy's Garage (2019-), former location of the Community Recycling & Resource Center (2016-2018)
• 44th Street South intersects (north only)

East Avondale

• 44th Street South intersection (north only)
  • 4410: Christian Union Spiritual Church (1960-1971-)
  • 4500: (road terminus)
  • 4722: Healing Spring Baptist Church (1971)
  • Road terminus
• 48th Street South intersection
  • 4901: Alabama Taxi Rentals
• 50th Street South (road terminus)

Woodlawn

• 5th Avenue South intersection (road continues west as 5th Avenue)
• 55th Street South intersection
  • 5500: Smiles for Keeps (built 2006), former location of Freeman Service Station (1941), Nifty One Hour Cleaners (1964–1970)
  • 5501: parking lot, former location of Trackside Gas Station (1941–1970)
  • 5505–5509: 2-story commercial building, former location of Woodlawn Auto Parts (1941), Alabama Auto Parts (1964–1970), B & B Automart (2007–)
  • 5507: former location of Seminole Lav. Co. (1926)
  • 5509: former location of Quality Laundry (1926)
  • 5519: used car lot

• 55th Place South intersects
  • 5521: Polaris event/co-working space / Village Apothecary candles (2022–), former location of Wadsworth Service Station / Bill Gantt Flooring Co. (1964-1970), Allied Electric Motor Service (2007)
  • 5524: former location of Zarzour's Peacock Drive Inn (1958), Bill & Edna's Restaurant / Halwood Candy Co. (1964), Flo's Restaurant & Lounge (1970)
  • 5525–5529: SocialVenture non-profit incubator and conference center, former location of Ebbitt House hotel (1887), Garrison Van & Warehouse (1964–1970)
    • 5525: former location of Shiflett's Pharmacy (1941)
    • 5527: former location of Woodlawn Furniture Store (1941)
    • 5529: D'Trespa Consignment Boutique (LaRoyce Marsh 2022–), former location of Sound & Page listening room (2013–2014), Open Shop (opened December 2014), Great Bear Wax Co. / Bungalow Bungalow (2019–2021)
  • 5528: You Good? Self-Care Sanctuary (2023) , former location of Royal Custom Cabinetry / Royal Custom Coin-O-Matic (1964), Superior Engraving (1970), City Arts Boutique (2011–2013), Thrive Wellness Lounge (Tish Fletcher 2022–)
  • 5530: Woodlawn Marketplace (2022–), former location of Woodlawn Cycle Cafe (Armand Margjeka & Kyle Campbell 2016–2020)
  • 5532: former location of James Faulkner / Donald Slappey physicians (1964), Slappey, Faulkner & Morris physicians (1970)
  • 5536–5544: AT&T, formerly Southern Bell Woodlawn Exchange, South Central Bell
    • 5544: Friendly Sitters / Home South Mortgage Service / Safelite Auto Glass / Vet-Co Inc. (2007)

• 56th Street South intersects
  • north side:
    • 5600: former location of Spivey's Gulf Service Station (1941), Woodlawn Gulf Service Station (1964-1970), Mays Auto & Tire (Dwight & Edna Mays 1980s–2021)
    • 5608: former location of D & E Auto Sales (Dwight & Edna Mays 1990s–2021)
    • 5612: R & F Inc. convenience store (2007–), former location of Frostop drive-in / Better Food Stops Inc. (1964), Kentucky Fried Chicken (1970) Super Sound car stereo (2007)
  • south side:
    • 5601: former location of Newman Cleaners & Dyers (1941), Hendrix Super Texaco (1964–1970), Stinnett Transmission Inc. (2007)
    • 5607: Gerald Vines accountant (2007–), former location of Paul Longshore dentist (1964-1970),
    • 5613: vacant lot
    • 5621 (100 57th Street South): Woodlawn Dental (M. Dale Williams 2008–)

• 57th Street South intersects
  • north side:
    • 5704: Interfaith Hospitality House (1983–2009)
    • 5720: Christ Health Center (2009-), former location of Jefferson County Department of Health Eastern Health Center (1964–2008)
    • 5804–5812: Live Oaks Clinic (built 2019)
  • south side:
    • 5701–5731: Faush Metropolitan Manor apartments (2007)
      • 5707: former location of Roy Kracke Jr dentist (1964–1970)
      • 5715: former location of Jerome Weaver physician (1964–1970)
      • 5729: former location of the Robinette Apartments (1941–1970)

• Georgia Road intersects
  • 5813: former location of Butler Service Station (1941), Battery Stores Exchange (1964-1970)
  • 5819: former location of Reese Engineering Co. warehouse (1964)
• 59th Street South intersection

South Woodlawn

View looking east from 64th street in 1919

• 59th Street intersection
  • 5903-5905: former location of Burris Grocery Co. (1926)
  • 5916: Interfaith Hospitality House (2009-present)
  • former location of Woodlawn Church of Christ addressed 5 60th Street South (1955)
  • 6015-6023: former location of Catherine Court Apartments (1964-1970)
  • 6035: former location of Woodlawn Apartments (1941-1970)
  • 6100: former location of Erin's Beauty Shop (1964)
  • 6104: former location of The Green Door florist (1964-1970)
  • 6112: Sixty One Twelve Woodlawn apartments
  • 6125: Bo's Ice House (2007), formerly Southeastern Ice Corp. (1941), Williams Ice House (1964), Howard's Moving & Storage (1964-1970), Woodlawn Ice House (1970)
  • 6126: ChristFit gym, former location of Community Rebuilders shoe repair (1940s)
  • 6200: former location of Mack's Place restaurant (1964)
  • 6201: former location of Woodlawn Variety Shop (1941), Little Harlem Club (Ray Harris 1953), Clarence Hixon physician (1964)
  • 6203: former location of 62nd Shoe Shine Parlor (1964)
  • 6221: Old Ship AME Zion Church (1941, 1960)
• onramp to I-20 eastbound
• I-20 overpass
• offramp from I-20 westbound
  • 6300: former location of Suddeth's Radio & TV Shop (1964-1970)
  • 6303-6309: former location of Ritchey's Food Center (1970)
  • 6310: former location of Sentell Oil Co. gas station (1970)
  • 6400: Thrasher Brothers Trailways, Colonial RV Center, former location of San Ann Service Station (1970)
  • 6409: former location of Oscar C. Kyle grocery (1941), Coin-Op Laundry Center (1964)
  • 6411: former location of Barlow Coal Coke & Transfer Co. (1941)
  • 6425: former location of John Palumbo grocery (1941), Palumbo & Sacco Grocery (1964)
  • 6429-6431: Bright House Networks offices, former location Mt Moriah Methodist Church (c.1920-1969), Road Runner High Speed Online (2007)
  • 6444: former location of Primitive Baptist Church (1941)
  • 6457: former location of Ann's Beauty Salon (1970), Kelly's Barber Shop (2007)
  • 6460: former location of Martin Animal Hospital (1964-2011)
  • 6461: Market Services of Alabama waste paper recycling (2007)
  • 6465-6469: former location of Wahouma Roofing & Siding Co. (1964-1970)
    • 6469: former location of Hugh W. Brown auto wrecker (1941)
• 65th Street intersection

East Lake neighborhood

• 65th Street intersection
  • 7110: East End Memorial Hospital
  • 7627-7631: former location of 77th Street Church of Christ (1948-1996-)
• Oporto-Madrid Boulevard intersection

South East Lake

• Oporto-Madrid Boulevard intersection
  • 7753: East Lake United Methodist Church
• 82nd Street South intersection (south only; road terminus)/Interstate 59 right-of-way
• 83rd Street South intersection (road terminus)
• 87th Street South intersection (road terminus)
  • 8721: former location of Faith Lutheran Chapel (1959)
  • 9016: former location of Pan Am Service Station & Cafe (P. T. Harrison 1951)

Notes

• (Ward - 1909)

References

• Coman, Victoria L. (April 27, 2005) "Central City looks for help to tidy up old railroad cut." The Birmingham News
• "Williams-Blackstock first new kid on the block." (March 5, 2004) Birmingham Business Journal
• Voyles, Jerry. "Alabama Rail History" - accessed June 26, 2006
• Ward, George B. (May 1, 1909) "How Birmingham Has Grown in Past Four Years." Birmingham Ledger. Reprinted in "Geo. Ward Made a Business Mayor. Geo. Ward Will Make a Business Sheriff. Help Him Win" (1910) Birmingham. Roberts & Son, Printers. - accessed via the Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections
• Spencer, Thomas (July 4, 2012) "Rotary Club of Birmingham exploring greenway linking Railroad Park and Sloss Furnaces." The Birmingham News

External links

• Photographs tagged "1staves" in the Magic City Flickr Group.
• Urban Design Associates. (2005) Birmingham City Center Master Plan Update (PDF)