4th Avenue North: Difference between revisions

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== History ==
== History ==
The stretch of 4th Avenue between [[15th Street North|15th]] and [[19th Street North|19th Street]]s long served as the city's busiest Black business and entertainment district during decades of [[segregation laws|enforced racial segregation]]. It has since been recognized as the "[[4th Avenue Historic District]]" in the [[National Register of Historic Places in Birmingham|National Register of Historic Places]] and as a crucial part of the city's [[Civil Rights District]]. The nonprofit [[Urban Impact]] has coordinated revitalization efforts and special events in the district. In [[2017]] President [[Barack Obama]] created the [[Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument]].


<!-- This is also a good place to discuss the road's historic significance to the black community. -->
In the late 1960s two blocks of 4th Avenue at the eastern end of the city center were abandoned to prepare a site for the new [[Birmingham Post Office]]. In [[1973]] 4th Avenue North was converted from two-way to one-way (westbound) traffic from the Post Office on [[24th Street North]] to [9th Street North]], just west of [[I-65]] in [[Smithfield]]. The work was done as part of the [[Alabama Department of Transportation]]'s TOPICS (Traffic Operations Program to Increase Capacity and Safety) program.
Fourth Avenue originally extended east to [[26th Street North]], but when the [[Birmingham Post Office]] was constructed in the early 1970s, it occupied the space where the street had run.


4th Avenue North was converted from two-way to one-way (westbound) traffic was from [[24th Street North]] to [[9th Street North]] in [[1973]] by the [[Alabama Department of Transportation]]'s TOPICS (Traffic Operations Program to Increase Capacity and Safety) program.
In [[2003]] the [[2004 City Center Master Plan]], drafted by Urban Design Associates of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, recommended returning one-way downtown streets to two-way traffic. In July [[2008]] the city approved matching funds to commission [[Gonzalez-Strength & Associates]] to conduct a traffic study of the proposal. In August [[2023]] the city applied for a "Reconnecting Communities" grant from U.S. Department of Transportation's "Neighborhood Access and Equity" program to support conversion of 4th Avenue North to two-way traffic between [[9th Street North|9th]] and [[24th Street North|24th Street]]s. The $14,556,040 grant was awarded in March [[2024]]. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visited Birmingham on [[April 3]] to make the formal announcement.


== Notable locations ==
== Notable locations ==
Line 57: Line 57:
* [[Interstate 65]] offramp at [[11th Street North]]
* [[Interstate 65]] offramp at [[11th Street North]]
** 1100: [[Mike's Downtown Shell]]
** 1100: [[Mike's Downtown Shell]]
** 1101: Texaco containing a [[Sneaky Pete's]]
** 1101: [[4th Avenue Marathon]] gas station / [[Sneaky Pete's]] / [[Crazy Caiman's Cajun Chicken]] (2017–), former location of [[Texaco]] gas station (2009–2014), [[Mrs Winner's]] (2009–2015)
** 1129: [[Sera-Tech Biologicals]] & [[Biomat USA]]  
** 1129: [[Sera-Tech Biologicals]] & [[Biomat USA]]  
==== [[12th Street North]] intersects====
==== [[12th Street North]] intersects====
Line 69: Line 69:
** 1303: former location of [[V. Savilla]] grocer (1900)
** 1303: former location of [[V. Savilla]] grocer (1900)
** 1319: former location of [[Agnes Darden]] grocer (1900)
** 1319: former location of [[Agnes Darden]] grocer (1900)
** 1325: former location of [[Sanctified Church]] (1929), [[True Vine Spiritualist Church]] (1941)
** 1325: former location of [[Sanctified Church]] (1929), [[True Vine Spiritualist Church]] (1941, 1942)
** 1326: former location of [[C. C. Sandford]] shoemaker (1900)
** 1326: former location of [[C. C. Sandford]] shoemaker (1900)
** 1328: former location of [[John Dumas Restaurant]] (1964)
** 1328: former location of [[John Dumas Restaurant]] (1964)
Line 130: Line 130:
** 1619: [[Touch of Elegance]] barber & style shop (2011-), former location of [[Fraternal Hotel]] (1938), [[Hendrix Wallpaper Display]] (1941), [[Carver Beauty Salon]] (1964-1980)  
** 1619: [[Touch of Elegance]] barber & style shop (2011-), former location of [[Fraternal Hotel]] (1938), [[Hendrix Wallpaper Display]] (1941), [[Carver Beauty Salon]] (1964-1980)  
** 1621: former location of [[Wheaten Printing Co.]], ''[[The Baptist Leader]]'' (1929-1964)
** 1621: former location of [[Wheaten Printing Co.]], ''[[The Baptist Leader]]'' (1929-1964)
** 1623: [[Yehman Caribbean Restaurant]], former location of [[Banner Printing Co.]] (1929), [[Patton's Variety Shop]] & [[Patton's Beauty Shop]] (1964)
** 1623: [[Yehman Caribbean Restaurant]], former location of [[Frances Willard Howells Manufacturing Co.]] / [[Mor-Life Medicine Co.]] / ''[[The Voice of the People]]'' newspaper ([[Willard Howell]] 1922), [[Banner Printing Co.]] (1929), [[Patton's Variety Shop]] & [[Patton's Beauty Shop]] (1964)
** 1623½: former location of [[LaPetite Lodge]] hotel (1964)
** 1623½: former location of [[LaPetite Lodge]] hotel (1964)
** 1625: former location of [[Hill's Place Cafe]] ([[Harris Hill]] 1929), [[Chism & Wright Beauty Shop]] (1941)
** 1625: former location of [[Hill's Place Cafe]] ([[Harris Hill]] 1929), [[Chism & Wright Beauty Shop]] (1941)
Line 142: Line 142:
====[[17th Street North]] intersects====
====[[17th Street North]] intersects====
* north side ([[Block 62]]):
* north side ([[Block 62]]):
** 1700: [[Hugo L. Black Federal Courthouse]] secured parking, former location of [[James Luckie residence]], [[Lambrakes Confectionery Co.]] (1929), [[William Minos]]' restaurant (1941), [[Brown Derby Grill]] (1949), [[Stanley's Cafe]] (1964)
** 1700: [[Hugo L. Black Federal Courthouse]] secured parking, former location of [[James Luckie residence]], [[Lambrakes Confectionery Co.]] (1929), [[William Minos]]' restaurant (1904–1941), [[Brown Derby Grill]] (1949), [[Stanley's Cafe]] (1964)
** 1702: former offices of ''[[The Progressive Farmer]]'' (c. 1920)
** 1702: former offices of ''[[The Progressive Farmer]]'' (c. 1920)
** 1704: former location of [[James Love]] shoe repair (1929), [[James A. Robinson]] shooting gallery (1949)
** 1704: former location of [[James Love]] shoe repair (1929), [[James A. Robinson]] shooting gallery (1949)
*** 1704½: former location of [[The Manhattan]] / [[Porter's Temple]] (1929), [[Blue Note Hotel]], [[Club Zombi]] / [[Musicians Union Local No. 733]] / [[Alf Taylor]] (1949)
*** 1704½: former location of [[The Manhattan]] / [[Porter's Temple]] (1929), [[Enterprise Hotel]] (1940), [[Blue Note Hotel]], [[Club Zombi]] / [[Musicians Union Local No. 733]] / [[Alf Taylor]] (1949)
** 1706: former location of [[Manhattan Billiard Hall]] (1929), [[John Gillespie]] billiard hall (1941), [[Lincoln Inn]] restaurant (1949)
** 1706: former location of [[Manhattan Billiard Hall]] (1929), [[John Gillespie]] billiard hall (1940–1941), [[Lincoln Inn]] restaurant (1949)
** 1708: former location of [[Alper's Shirt Shop]] (1929), [[Mabry Brothers]] men's furnishings (1941-1949)
** 1708: former location of [[Alper's Shirt Shop]] (1929), [[Mabry Brothers]] men's furnishings (1940-1949)
** 1710-1712: former location of [[Little Savoy Cafe]] also known as [[Bob's Savoy Cafe]] (1937-1958)
** 1710-1712: former entrance to [[Little Savoy Cafe]] / [[Bob's Savoy Cafe]] (411–415 [[17th Avenue North]] 1937-1958)
*** 1710 former location of [[Peterman's Barbecue]] / [[Dixie Cafeteria]] / [[Peterman Barber Shop]] (1927–1929), [[Vaughn 5 & 10 Cent Store]] (1941), [[Julius Peterman]] barber (1941-1949)  
*** 1710 former location of [[Peterman's Barbecue]] / [[Dixie Cafeteria]] / [[Peterman Barber Shop]] (1927–1929), [[Wilson 5¢ 10¢ to $1.00 Store]] (1940), [[Vaughn 5 & 10 Cent Store]] (1940–1941), [[Julius Peterman]] barber (1940-1949)
*** 1712: former location of [[Dixie Theatre]] (1927-1929), [[Allright Parking]] lot (1964)
*** 1712: former location of [[Veribest Theatre]] (1915), [[Dixie Theatre]] (1927-1929), [[Allright Parking]] lot (1964)
** 1714: former location of [[People's Photo Studio]], [[Utopia Cleaners]] / [[Fair Lee Cab Co.]] (1949), [[Thunderbird Restaurant]] (1960), [[Step & Fetch It]] ([[Ernest George]] 1960), [[Lounge Grill]] (1964)
** 1714: former location of [[William Tolliver]] peanuts (1940), [[People's Photo Studio]], [[Utopia Cleaners]] / [[Fair Lee Cab Co.]] (1949), [[Thunderbird Restaurant]] (1960), [[Step & Fetch It]] ([[Ernest George]] 1960), [[Lounge Grill]] (1964)
*** 1714A: former location of [[Charles Johnson]] barbecue (1929)
*** 1714A: former location of [[Charles Johnson]] barbecue (1929)
** 1716: former location of [[Broyles Furniture Co.]] / [[Star Billiard Parlor]] (1929), [[Royal Art Studios]] (1949)
*** 1714½: former location of [[P. S. Moten]] physician (1919)
** 1718: former location of [[Fashion Tailor]] / [[Frolic Theatre]] (1929), [[Haynes Shooting Gallery]] (1941), [[New Home Billiard Parlor]] (1949-1964)
** 1716: former location of [[Broyles Furniture Co.]] / [[Star Billiard Parlor]] (1929), [[Woodlawn Pool Room]] (1940), [[Royal Art Studios]] (1949)
*** 1718½: former location of [[Our Home Hotel]] (1920–1929), [[New Home Hotel]] (1935-1949)
** 1718: former location of [[Fashion Tailor]] / [[Frolic Theatre]] (1929), [[Esquire Tailors]] (1940), [[Haynes Shooting Gallery]] (1941), [[New Home Billiard Parlor]] (1949-1964)
** 1720–1722: former location of [[New Frolic Theatre]] (1941), [[Frolic Theatre]] (1949)
*** 1718½: former location of [[Our Home Hotel]] (1920–1929), [[New Home Hotel]] ([[Austin Sylvester]] 1935-1949)
*** 1720: former location of [[The Style Shop]] / [[W. R. Strother]] confectionery (1929), , [[Tower Burger Snack Bar]] (1964)
** 1720–1722: former location of [[New Frolic Theatre]] (1940–1941), [[Frolic Theatre]] (1949)
**** 1720A: former location of [[Universal Optical & Jewelry Co.]] (1941). [[Catherine Lambert]] news dealer (1949), [[Mac's Famous Shine Parlor]] (1964)
*** 1720: former location of [[The Style Shop]] / [[W. R. Strother]] confectionery (1929), [[Tower Burger Snack Bar]] (1964)
**** 1720A: former location of [[Universal Optical & Jewelry Co.]] (1940–1941). [[Catherine Lambert]] news dealer (1949), [[Mac's Famous Shine Parlor]] (1964)
**** 1720B: former location of [[Universal Optical & Jewelry Co.]] (1949)
**** 1720B: former location of [[Universal Optical & Jewelry Co.]] (1949)
*** 1722: former location of [[Frolic Billiard Hall]] / [[Sanis Toggery]] (1929), [[Wesley Murray]] billiard hall (1941), [[Famous Shines & Billiard Parlor]] (1964)
*** 1722: former location of [[Frolic Billiard Hall]] / [[Sanis Toggery]] (1929), [[Wesley Murray]] billiard hall (1941), [[Famous Shines & Billiard Parlor]] (1964)
** 1724: former location of [[Bennie's Cafe]] (1928-1929), [[M & G Clothing Co.]] (1949), [[Green Acres Cafe|Green Acres Restaurant]] (1964)
** 1724: former location of [[Bennie's Cafe]] (1928-1929), [[M & G Clothing Co.]] (1949), [[Green Acres Cafe|Green Acres Restaurant]] (1964)
** 1726: former location of [[Red Ball Billiard Parlor]] (1929), [[Peerless Laundry Corp.]] (1941), [[The Orange Bowl]] confectionary (1949), [[Big Bargain Outlet]] (1964)
** 1726: former location of [[Red Ball Billiard Parlor]] (1929), [[Peerless Laundry Corp.]] (1941), [[The Orange Bowl]] confectionary (1949), [[Big Bargain Outlet]] (1964)
** 1728: former location of [[Madame Clisby]] salon (1925), [[Blumberg Loan Co.]] (1929), [[Esquire Tailors]] (1941), [[Famous Record & Jewelry Store]] (1949), [[Famous Record Bar]] & [[Bomchel Watch Repair]] (1964)
** 1728: former location of [[J. M. Chishold]] tailor (1919), [[Madame Clisby]] salon (1925), [[Blumberg Loan Co.]] (1929), [[Esquire Tailors]] (1941), [[Famous Record & Jewelry Store]] (1949), [[Famous Record Bar]] & [[Bomchel Watch Repair]] (1964)
** 1730: former location of [[Guaranty Mercantile Co.]] clothing (1929), [[The Quality Store]] department store (1941-1964)
** 1730: former location of [[Guaranty Mercantile Co.]] clothing (1929), [[The Quality Store]] department store (1940-1964)


* south side ([[Block 71]]):
* south side ([[Block 71]]):
** 1701: [[Urban Impact, Inc.]] former location of [[P. M. Murphy]] barber / [[Miguel Ochua]] shoe repairs / [[Constantine Beris]] cleaners / [[Charles Cafe]] (1929), [[Fourth Avenue Grill]] (1941), [[Dunbar Cafe]] (1949-1964)
** 1701: [[Urban Impact, Inc.]] former location of [[P. M. Murphy]] barber / [[Miguel Ochua]] shoe repairs / [[Constantine Beris]] cleaners / [[Charles Cafe]] (1929), [[Timothy Smith]] restaurant (1940), [[Fourth Avenue Grill]] (1941), [[Dunbar Cafe]] (1949-1964)
*** 1701A: former location of [[Marie Simpson]] photographer (1941-1949)
*** 1701A: former location of [[Marie Simpson]] photographer (1940-1949)
*** 1701B-C: [[William Patton]] barber (1949)
*** 1701B-C: [[William Patton]] barber (1949)
**** 1701B: [[New Deal Barber Shop]] (1941-)
**** 1701B: [[New Deal Barber Shop]] (1941-), former location of [[William Patton]] barber / [[Daniel Williams]] clothes cleaner (1940)
**** 1701C: former location of [[Utopia Cleaners]] (1964)
**** 1701C: former location of [[Utopia Cleaners]] (1964)
** 1703 [[Davenport-Harris Building]]: former location of [[Alabama Fine Tailoring Co.]] (1929), [[Alabama Tailoring Company]] (1941), [[Fourth Avenue Grill]] (1949)
** 1703 [[Davenport-Harris Building]]: former location of [[Alabama Fine Tailoring Co.]] (1929), [[Alabama Tailoring Company]] (1940–1941), [[Fourth Avenue Grill]] (1949)
*** 1703B: [[Historic 4th Avenue Shirts]], former location of [[Carlisle's Variety Shop]] (-1980), [[Help One Another Club]] (1980), [[Miles Lounge]]
*** 1703B: [[Historic 4th Avenue Shirts]], former location of [[Carlisle's Variety Shop]] (-1980), [[Help One Another Club]] (1980), [[Miles Lounge]]
*** 1703A: [[Talk of the Town Barber & Style Shop]], former location of [[Service Barber Shop]] (1929), [[Brothers Shoe Repair]] (1980)
*** 1703A: [[Talk of the Town Barber & Style Shop]], former location of [[Service Barber Shop]] (1929), [[Brothers Shoe Repair]] (1980)
** 1705: [[OK Cleaners Building]], [[Green Acres Cafe]] (1990–), former location of [[Southern Bell]] stockroom (1908–1913), [[OK French Dry Cleaning Co.]] (1915–1926), [[Lincoln's Cafe]] / [[George Kanelis]] billiards (1927–1938), [[Silver Slipper Restaurant]] (1939), [[Alex's Steak House]] (1940–1945), [[OK Cleaning Co.]] (1946-1980)
** 1705: [[O.K. Cleaners Building]], [[Green Acres Cafe]] (1990–), former location of [[Southern Bell]] stockroom (1908–1913), [[O.K. French Dry Cleaning Co.]] (1915–1926), [[Lincoln's Cafe]] / [[George Kanelis]] billiards (1927–1938), [[Silver Slipper Restaurant]] (1939), [[Alex's Steak House]] (1940–1945), [[OK Cleaning Co.]] (1946-1980)
** 1707-1711: Commercial building
** 1707-1711: Commercial building
*** 1707: [[Civil Rights Activist Committee Headquarters]], former location of [[Dunbar Billiard Hall]] (1929), ice cream parlor (1939), [[Arlene's Tea Room]] (1941), [[Hollywood Tea Room]] (1949-1964)
*** 1707: [[Civil Rights Activist Committee Headquarters]], former location of [[Dunbar Billiard Hall]] (1929), ice cream parlor (1939), [[Arlene's Tea Room]] (1940–1941), [[Hollywood Tea Room]] (1949-1964)
*** 1709: [[Magnolia BBQ & Fish]], former location of [[Reuben Williams]] billiards (1929), [[Famous Shoe Shop]] (1941-1949), [[Dixie Shoe Hospital]] (1964)
*** 1709: [[Magnolia BBQ & Fish]], former location of [[Reuben Williams]] billiards (1929), [[Famous Shoe Shop]] (1940-1949), [[Dixie Shoe Hospital]] (1964)
*** 1711: [[Magic City Barber Shop]] (1936-), former location of [[White Front Barber Shop]] ([[Shepherd Hollins]] 1929)
*** 1711: [[Magic City Barber Shop]] (1936-; [[Mamie Love]] 1940), former location of [[White Front Barber Shop]] ([[Shepherd Hollins]] 1929)
**** 1711½: former location of [[Arthur Jones]] tailor (1929)
**** 1711½: former location of [[Arthur Jones]] tailor (1929)
** 1713–1715: [[Famous Cafeteria building]] (expanded 1945)
** 1713–1715: [[Famous Cafeteria building]] (expanded 1945)
*** 1713: former location of [[Famous Cafeteria]] (1928–1950s), [[Swank Drug Co.]] (1949–1950s)
*** 1713: former location of [[Famous Cafeteria]] (1928–1950s), [[Swank Drug Co.]] (1949–1950s)
*** 1715: [[Alabama College of Barber Instruction]], former location of [[Alabama Hat Shop]] ([[C. O. Kaking]] 1929), [[Molton Gray]] restaurant (1941), [[New Famous Cafeteria]] (1949), [[Carlisle Variety Shop]] (1965), billiard hall (1980)
*** 1715: [[Alabama College of Barber Instruction]], former location of [[Alabama Hat Shop]] ([[C. O. Kaking]] 1929), [[Molton Gray]] restaurant (1940–1941), [[New Famous Cafeteria]] (1949), [[Carlisle Variety Shop]] (1965), billiard hall (1980)
**** 1715½: former location of [[Charles Akins]] shoe shine (1941)
**** 1715½: former location of [[Charles Akins]] shoe shine (1941)
** 1717–1719: former location of [[F. H. Cloud]] photography studio (1920), [[Famous Theatre]] (built 1927), [[Club Reunion]] (1980s)
** 1717–1719: former location of [[F. H. Cloud]] photography studio (1920), [[Famous Theatre]] (built 1927; [[Louis Sarris]] confectioner 1940), [[Club Reunion]] (1980s)
*** 1717: former location of [[R. H. Stahmer]] hot dogs (1929), [[Louis Sarris]] confectioner (1941),
*** 1717: former location of [[R. H. Stahmer]] hot dogs (1929), [[Louis Sarris]] confectioner (1941),
**** 1717A: former location of [[Chicago Defender Shoe Shine]] / [[R. Price]] restaurant (1929), [[Famous Shoe Shine Parlor]] (1941)
**** 1717A: former location of [[Chicago Defender Shoe Shine]] / [[R. Price]] restaurant (1929), [[Famous Shoe Shine Parlor]] (1940–1941)
*** 1719: former location of [[Champion Shoe Shine]] ([[D. M. Rush]], 1929), [[Dixie Cafeteria]] (1939-1964), [[Steamline Billiard Parlor]] (1964)
*** 1719–1721: former location of [[Dixie Cafeteria]] (1939-1964)
*** 1721: former location of [[Fashion Hat & Cap Store]] (1929)
**** 1719: former location of [[Mabry Brothers]] department store (1916), [[Champion Shoe Shine]] ([[D. M. Rush]], 1929), [[Steamline Billiard Parlor]] (1964)
**** 1721A: former location of [[Champion Billiard Parlor]] (1929)
**** 1721: former location of [[Fashion Hat & Cap Store]] (1929)
***** 1721A: former location of [[Champion Billiard Parlor]] (1929)
*** 1721-1723: former location of [[Champion Theatre]] (1929-1949)
*** 1721-1723: former location of [[Champion Theatre]] (1929-1949)
*** 1723: former location of [[Jones Valley Barber Shop]] (1941-1964) & [[McAlpine's Beauty Land]] (1941)
**** 1723: former location of [[Jones Valley Barber Shop]] (1940-1964) & [[McAlpine's Beauty Land]] (1941)
**** 1723½: former location of [[Sallie Gallagher]] furnished rooms (1900)
***** 1723½: former location of [[Sallie Gallagher]] furnished rooms (1900)
** 1725: former location of [[W. H. Henderson]] barber / [[Palm Leaf Shoe Shine]] ([[Jenkins Bros.]] 1929), [[John Gillespie]] shoe shine (1949), [[Stag Shine Parlor]] (1964)
** 1725: former location of [[20th Century Barber Shop]] (A. Culpepper 1916), [[W. H. Henderson]] barber / [[Palm Leaf Shoe Shine]] ([[Jenkins Bros.]] 1929), [[John Gillespie]] shoe shine (1949), [[Stag Shine Parlor]] (1964)
*** 1725½: former location of [[Jenkins Brothers Shine Parlor]] (1927)
*** 1725½: former location of [[Jenkins Brothers Shine Parlor]] (1927)
** 1727-1731: [[Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park]], former location of [[Brock's Drugs building]] (built 1915, demolished 1980s), [[Brock Drug Co.]] (1928-1962) and [[Palm Leaf Hotel]]/[[Palm Leaf Lunch Room]] (1928-1977), [[Palm Leaf Billiard Hall]] (1929), and [[Famous Harlem Shoe Shop]] or [[Harlem Shoe Shop]] (1937-1980)
** 1727-1731: [[Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park]], former location of [[Brock's Drugs building]] (built 1915, demolished 1980s), [[Brock Drug Co.]] (1928-1962) and [[Palm Leaf Hotel]]/[[Palm Leaf Lunch Room]] (1928-1977), [[Palm Leaf Billiard Hall]] (1929), and [[Famous Harlem Shoe Shop]] or [[Harlem Shoe Shop]] (1937-1980)
Line 212: Line 214:
*** 1810: former site of [[Everybody's Market]] (1929-1941), [[Bargain Town USA|War Surplus Store]] (1957), [[Shniper's 4th Avenue Clothing]] (1964)
*** 1810: former site of [[Everybody's Market]] (1929-1941), [[Bargain Town USA|War Surplus Store]] (1957), [[Shniper's 4th Avenue Clothing]] (1964)
*** 1812–1822: former location of [[J. Fies & Sons]] livery (1900)
*** 1812–1822: former location of [[J. Fies & Sons]] livery (1900)
**** 1812-1816: former site of [[Car Park Inc.]] parking lot (1964)
**** 1812–1818: former location of [[City Market]] (1911)
***** 1812-1814: former location of [[Clarence Saunders Groceries]] (1929), [[Hill Food Stores|Hill Grocery Store]] (1931-1941)
***** 1812-1816: former site of [[Car Park Inc.]] parking lot (1964)
***** 1816: former location of [[Tolbert & Boone]] market (1927), [[Gulf Coast Meat & Vegetable Co.]] (1929), [[Bloomston's Meat Market]] (1931-1941)
****** 1812-1814: former location of [[Clarence Saunders Groceries]] (1929), [[Hill Food Stores|Hill Grocery Store]] (1931-1941)
**** 1818: former location of [[Hill Food Stores|Hill Grocery Co.]] (1929), [[Sirote's Delicatessen]] delicatessen (1931-1941)
****** 1816: former location of [[Tolbert & Boone]] market (1927), [[Gulf Coast Meat & Vegetable Co.]] (1929), [[Bloomston's Meat Market]] (1931-1941)
***** 1818: former location of [[Hill Food Stores|Hill Grocery Co.]] (1929), [[Sirote's Delicatessen]] delicatessen (1931-1941)
**** 1820-1830: [[One Federal Place]] (built 2002)
**** 1820-1830: [[One Federal Place]] (built 2002)
***** 1820-1822: former location of [[Maurice Letaw]] druggist (1925), [[Piggly-Wiggly]] (1929), Lane Drugs (1931), Restaurant G (2002-2006), Mix (2011-2013), Continental Bakery Downtown (2014-2015)
****** 1822: former location of [[Catanzano Brothers]] produce and fish market (1914-1941)
****** 1822: former location of [[Catanzano Brothers]] produce and fish market (1914-1941)
***** 1824-1830: former location of the [[Fox Building]] (built 1895, demolished 1981), [[John Fox's Sons Groceries]] (1895-1910), [[Roger's Groceries]] (1929), [[Quality Market]] (1931), [[Thomas Feinstein]] second-hand clothes (1941)
***** 1824-1830: former location of [[Fox Building]] (built 1895, demolished 1981)
****** 1826: former location of [[Tom D. And on Vegetables]] and [[Alabama Fish Oyster Co.]] (1929), meat market (1931)
****** 1828: former location of [[H. E. Max]] (1927), [[Elite Market]] (1929), ladies' clothes (1931), [[Chicago Clothing Co.]] (1941), [[Bel-Air Finance Co.]] (1964)
****** 1830: former location of [[Letaw's Drug Store]] (1929), [[Lane Drug Store]] (1931), [[Home Loan & Discount Corp]] & [[Famous Loan & Finance Co.]] (1964)
* south side ([[Block 72]]):
* south side ([[Block 72]]):
** 1801: former location of [[Koplon's Korner]] clothes (1931-1964)
** 1801–1811: [[1801 4th Avenue North|4-story office building]], [[U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama]]
** 1803: former location of [[T. F. Daly]] grocery store (1888), [[William Bulger]] grocery (1900), [[Roosevelt Hotel]] (1931-1941), [[Ansley Hotel]] (1964)
*** 1801: former location of [[Koplon's Korner]] clothes (1931-1964)
*** 1803½: former location of the [[Suburban Hotel]] (1925)
*** 1803: former location of [[T. F. Daly]] grocery store (1888), [[William Bulger]] grocery (1900), [[Roosevelt Hotel]] (1931-1941), [[Ansley Hotel]] (1964)
** 1805: former location of [[Bob Stubbs]]' Indian motorcycle dealership (1914), [[Browdy's]] delicatessen (1929), [[Roy Logan]] shoes (1941), [[Phillip's Jewelry Store]] (1964)
**** 1803½: former location of the [[Suburban Hotel]] (1925)
** 1807: former location of [[Peerless Supply Co.]] (1929), [[Philip's Jewelry Store]] (1941), [[Oscar Hyde Loans]] (1964)
*** 1805: former location of [[Bob Stubbs]]' Indian motorcycle dealership (1914), [[Browdy's]] delicatessen (1929), [[Roy Logan]] shoes (1941), [[Phillip's Jewelry Store]] (1964)
** 1809-1811: [[United Temple]] building, former location of [[Mewbourne & Spain]] undertakers & embalmers (1900s), [[New Peerless Market]] (1927), [[Kantor's Delicatessen]] (1929),  [[National Lunch]] (1931-1941), [[Uncle Sam's Pawn Shop]] (1964)
*** 1807: former location of [[Peerless Supply Co.]] (1929), [[Philip's Jewelry Store]] (1941), [[Oscar Hyde Loans]] (1964)
*** 1809: former location of [[Florence Posey]] boarding house (1900)
*** 1809-1811: [[United Temple]] building, former location of [[Mewbourne & Spain]] undertakers & embalmers (1900s), [[New Peerless Market]] (1927), [[Kantor's Delicatessen]] (1929),  [[National Lunch]] (1931-1941), [[Uncle Sam's Pawn Shop]] (1964)
**** 1809½: former location of [[D. H. Gilreath]] contractor (1923),  [[Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Inc.]] (1924-1931)
**** 1809: former location of [[Florence Posey]] boarding house (1900)
** 1811: former location of [[Abel-Rose Merchandise Co.]] (1964)
***** 1809½: former location of [[D. H. Gilreath]] contractor (1923),  [[Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Inc.]] (1924-1931)
**** 1811: former location of [[Abel-Rose Merchandise Co.]] (1964)
** 1813: [[Harambe]], former location of [[M. M. Zavelo Army Goods]] store (1929), [[Boston Shoe Store]] (1931-1964)
** 1813: [[Harambe]], former location of [[M. M. Zavelo Army Goods]] store (1929), [[Boston Shoe Store]] (1931-1964)
** 1815: [[Wee Care Academy]], former location of [[Feltus Brothers Wallpaper & Hardware]] (1929), [[Moses Koplon]] shoes (1941), [[Alabama Loan Co.]] pawnbrokers (1964)
** 1815: [[Wee Care Academy]], former location of [[Feltus Brothers Wallpaper & Hardware]] (1929), [[Moses Koplon]] shoes (1941), [[Alabama Loan Co.]] pawnbrokers (1964)
Line 278: Line 278:
**** 1920½: former location of [[Childress Printing Co.]] (1941-1964)
**** 1920½: former location of [[Childress Printing Co.]] (1941-1964)
** 1922-1930: [[Clark Building]] (built 1908)
** 1922-1930: [[Clark Building]] (built 1908)
*** 1922: former location of Mrs [[E. Murphy]] dress maker (1887), [[B. C. Bunn]] barber (1900), [[Spivy & Johnson]] portraits and frames (1929-1941), [[Steer Trail Inn]] restaurant (1960) [[Austin Music Co.]] (1964)
*** 1922: former location of Mrs [[E. Murphy]] dress maker (1887), [[B. C. Bunn]] barber (1900), [[Hickman Cycle Co.]] (1913–1922), [[Spivy & Johnson]] portraits and frames (1929-1941), [[Steer Trail Inn]] restaurant (1960) [[Austin Music Co.]] (1964)
*** 1924: former location of [[Ford & Coombs]] contractors / [[Floyd & Co.]] plumbers (1887), "eating house" (1891), [[J. R. Stiff]] carpenter (1900), [[National Shoe Fixery]] (1929), [[Tom's Cafe & Steak House]] (1946), [[The Angus]] (1956), [[Birmingham Club for Young Executives & Professionals]] (1964), [[Cane Break Supper Club]] (late 1960s), [[Grundy's Music Room]] (1979-1992)
*** 1924: former location of [[Ford & Coombs]] contractors / [[Floyd & Co.]] plumbers (1887), "eating house" (1891), [[J. R. Stiff]] carpenter (1900), [[National Shoe Fixery]] (1929), [[Tom's Cafe & Steak House]] (1946), [[The Angus]] (1956), [[Birmingham Club for Young Executives & Professionals]] (1964), [[Cane Break Supper Club]] (late 1960s), [[Grundy's Music Room]] (1979-1992)
**** 1924A: former location of [[John Spencer]] shoe shine (1941)
**** 1924A: former location of [[John Spencer]] shoe shine (1941)
Line 288: Line 288:


* south side ([[Block 73]]):
* south side ([[Block 73]]):
** 1901-1915: surface parking. former location of [[Birmingham City Hall (1901)|Birmingham City Hall]] (built 1901, demolished c. 1950)
** 1901-1915: [[Park-Rite Parking Deck]] (formerly [[City Parking Deck]]), former location of [[Birmingham City Hall (1901)|Birmingham City Hall]] (built 1901, demolished c. 1950)
*** 1901-1905: former location of [[Birmingham City Hall (1882)|Birmingham City Hall]] (built 1882, demolished 1900)
*** 1901-1905: former location of [[Birmingham City Hall (1882)|Birmingham City Hall]] (built 1882, demolished 1900)
**** 1901: former location of [[Levy Bros. Drugs]] (1929)
**** 1907: [[City Hall Shoe Rebuilders]] (1964)
**** 1903: former location of [[McCain Tailoring Co.]] (1929), [[Dixie Cafe]] (1941)
**** 1909: [[Alabama Reweaving Co.]] (1964)
*** 1907-1909: former location of market hall, [[Birmingham Police Department]] and [[Birmingham Municipal Court]] at rear (1882-1900), [[Austin Music Co.]] (1941)
*** 1911: [[Community Finance & Thrift]] & [[Community Acceptance Co.]] (1964)
**** 1907: former location of [[Blue Ribbon Shoe Shop]] (1923-1929), [[City Hall Shoe Rebuilders]] (1964)
*** 1913: parking deck entrance
**** 1909: former location of [[Wright Office Equipment]] (1929), [[Austin Music Co.]] (1947), [[Alabama Reweaving Co.]] (1964)
*** 1915: [[Gus's Hot Dogs]], former location of [[Chesterfield Co.]] loans (1964)
*** 1911: former location of [[City Hall Barber Shop]] (1929), [[Jefferson County Board of Health]] WPA project bureau (1941), [[Community Finance & Thrift]] & [[Community Acceptance Co.]] (1964)
*** 1913: former location of [[Birmingham Traffic Department]] (1929), [[City Industrial Water]] (1941), [[City Parking Deck]]
*** 1915: [[Gus's Hot Dogs]], former location of [[Cozy Lunch Room]] (1928-1929), [[Woodford Electric Supply Co.]] (1941), [[Chesterfield Co.]] loans (1964)
**** 1915½: [[City Traffic Division]] paint & sign (1941)
** 1917-1933: parking lot
** 1917-1933: parking lot
*** 1917: former location of [[A. R. Collier & Co.]] grocers (1891-1894), [[J. Coleman]] grocery (1900), [[Oliver Chalifoux]]'s music store (1929), [[Meadows Shoe Store]] (1964)
*** 1917: former location of [[A. R. Collier & Co.]] grocers (1891-1894), [[J. Coleman]] grocery (1900), [[Oliver Chalifoux]]'s music store (1929), [[Meadows Shoe Store]] (1964)
Line 362: Line 358:
*** 2019: former location of [[Lawson Realty Co.]] (1929)
*** 2019: former location of [[Lawson Realty Co.]] (1929)
*** 2021: former location of [[Birmingham Paint & Glass Co.]] (1924-1929), [[Allright Parking]] lot (1964)
*** 2021: former location of [[Birmingham Paint & Glass Co.]] (1924-1929), [[Allright Parking]] lot (1964)
** 2023-2031: [[Jefferson Corner]] (built c. 1908)
** 2023-2031: [[Jefferson Corner]] (built 1910)
*** 2023: [[Fashion Desirable]] consignment, former location of [[Knight Hardware & Electric Co.]] / [[Knight Electric Co.]] (1914-1941), [[Phipps Piano Co.]] (1956-1964), [[Jeffco Finance & Discount Co.]] (1984)
*** 2025: former location of "negro shanty" (1891)
*** 2025: former location of "negro shanty" (1891), [[Stephenson Brick Co.]] (1929), [[Movi-Mart Inc.]] home movie equipment (1941), [[Southland Studio]] photographers (1946), [[Realty Title Co.]] (1964)
*** 2031: former location of two-story residence (1891)
*** 2031: [[ServisFirst Bank]], former location of 2-story dwelling (1891), [[Patterson's Cigar Store]] (1929), [[Par Value Loan Company]] (1984)


==== [[21st Street North]] intersects====
==== [[21st Street North]] intersects====
Line 448: Line 443:
*** 2522: former location of [[Sheppard Furniture]] warehouse (1964)
*** 2522: former location of [[Sheppard Furniture]] warehouse (1964)
** south side:
** south side:
*** 2501: former location of [[T. W. Haines]] grocery agent (1887), [[William H. Smith]] grocery (1900), [[Fife & Drum Cafe]] ([[Robert Frost]] 1941-1952)
*** 2501: former location of [[T. W. Haines]] grocery agent (1887), [[William H. Smith]] grocery (1900), [[Fife & Drum Cafe]] ([[Bill Fife]] 1941–1945, [[Robert Frost]] -1952)
*** 2513: former location of [[Fuller Supply Co.]] (1964)
*** 2513: former location of [[Fuller Supply Co.]] (1964)
*** 2515-2523: former location of [[Home Baking Company]] (1920-1964)
*** 2515-2523: former location of [[Home Baking Company]] (1920-1964)
*** 2527: former location of [[Walter Jackson]] barber (1941), [[Mitchell's Barber Shop]] (1964)
*** 2527: former location of [[Walter Jackson]] barber (1941), [[Mitchell's Barber Shop]] (1964)
*** 2529-2531: former location of [[James Despanakis]] restaurant (1928-1941), [[Crystal Lunch Room]] (1964)
*** 2529-2531: former location of [[James Despanakis]] restaurant (1928-1941), [[Crystal Lunch Room]] (1964)
==References==
* Bryant, Joseph D. (August 21, 2007) "Study looks at rerouting 7 one-way streets." {{BN}}
* Garrison, Greg (March 11, 2024) "Birmingham gets $14.5 million federal grant to turn 4th Ave. North into two-way street." {{AL}}
* Koplowitz, Howard (April 2, 2024) "Pete Buttigieg coming to Birmingham on Wednesday to celebrate $14.5 million grant for 4th Avenue." {{AL}}


[[Category:4th Avenue North|*]]
[[Category:4th Avenue North|*]]

Revision as of 15:59, 3 April 2024

Fourth Avenue North is an east-west street running through downtown Birmingham. It runs from Center Street in the west to 24th Street North in the east. From 9th to 24th Streets, the three- to four-lane street is one way westbound.

The road appears again as a two-lane residential street between Interstate 59 and Wahouma Park, west of 72nd Street. It is interrupted by the interstate between 75th and 77th Streets, but then continues from 77th to 88th Place, running between Lynn Park and East Lake Park.

Fourth Avenue runs through a few historic districts, including its own 4th Avenue Historic District (from 16th to 19th Street), the Civil Rights District, and the Loft District. In addition, the buildings at 1914, 1917, 1919, and 1930 are part of the Downtown Birmingham Retail and Theatre Historic District.

History

The stretch of 4th Avenue between 15th and 19th Streets long served as the city's busiest Black business and entertainment district during decades of enforced racial segregation. It has since been recognized as the "4th Avenue Historic District" in the National Register of Historic Places and as a crucial part of the city's Civil Rights District. The nonprofit Urban Impact has coordinated revitalization efforts and special events in the district. In 2017 President Barack Obama created the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

In the late 1960s two blocks of 4th Avenue at the eastern end of the city center were abandoned to prepare a site for the new Birmingham Post Office. In 1973 4th Avenue North was converted from two-way to one-way (westbound) traffic from the Post Office on 24th Street North to [9th Street North]], just west of I-65 in Smithfield. The work was done as part of the Alabama Department of Transportation's TOPICS (Traffic Operations Program to Increase Capacity and Safety) program.

In 2003 the 2004 City Center Master Plan, drafted by Urban Design Associates of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, recommended returning one-way downtown streets to two-way traffic. In July 2008 the city approved matching funds to commission Gonzalez-Strength & Associates to conduct a traffic study of the proposal. In August 2023 the city applied for a "Reconnecting Communities" grant from U.S. Department of Transportation's "Neighborhood Access and Equity" program to support conversion of 4th Avenue North to two-way traffic between 9th and 24th Streets. The $14,556,040 grant was awarded in March 2024. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visited Birmingham on April 3 to make the formal announcement.

Notable locations

For an alphabetical list of locations, see the 4th Avenue North category.

Smithfield neighborhood

Fountain Heights

12th Street North intersects

13th Street North intersects

14th Street North intersects

15th Street North intersects

16th Street North intersects

The New Deal Barber Shop at 1701 4th Avenue North
View of the 1700 block of 4th Avenue North in 1977

17th Street North intersects

Mewbourne & Spain at 1809 4th Avenue North
The Fox Building at 1824-30 4th Avenue North

18th Street North intersects

Central City

Birmingham City Hall in 1927
1900 block of 4th Avenue North
Southern Hotel at 4th & 20th

19th Street North intersects

BPA Deck 3 addition (2009)

20th Street North intersects

21st Street North intersects

22nd Street North intersects

23rd Street North intersects

24th Street North intersects

References

  • Bryant, Joseph D. (August 21, 2007) "Study looks at rerouting 7 one-way streets." The Birmingham News
  • Garrison, Greg (March 11, 2024) "Birmingham gets $14.5 million federal grant to turn 4th Ave. North into two-way street." AL.com
  • Koplowitz, Howard (April 2, 2024) "Pete Buttigieg coming to Birmingham on Wednesday to celebrate $14.5 million grant for 4th Avenue." AL.com
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