Edgewood Park: Difference between revisions
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In 1915, [[Edgewood Lake]] was created as the park's centerpiece by damming [[Shades Creek]] at [[Columbiana Road]]. [[Lakeshore Drive]] and [[South Lakeshore Drive]] were graded and the lake was stocked with sport fish. | In 1915, [[Edgewood Lake]] was created as the park's centerpiece by damming [[Shades Creek]] at [[Columbiana Road]]. [[Lakeshore Drive]] and [[South Lakeshore Drive]] were graded and the lake was stocked with sport fish. | ||
In the 1920's, the clubhouse was operated as a business by [[ | In the 1920's, the clubhouse was operated as a business by [[Grapico]] bottler [[Raymond Rochelle]], and the park became a popular site for weekend recreation as well as for large gatherings. The [[Birmingham Elk's Lodge]] held their Labor Day celebration here, and the [[Ku Klux Klan]] initiated hundreds, including [[Hugo Black]], at a huge rally in September [[1923]] which started with parades in downtown [[Birmingham]] and ended with dancing, fireworks, an aerial display by [[Glenn Messer]], and a huge barbecue on the shore of the then-dry lake bed at Edgewood Park. | ||
The clubhouse, having been vacant for several years, was demolished by its owners, the Investor's Syndicate of Minneapolis, Minnesota, in [[1938]]. In the 1940s the property, which had been deeded to [[Jefferson County]], was turned over in part to [[Howard College]], which relocated to the area in the [[1957]]. | The clubhouse, having been vacant for several years, was demolished by its owners, the Investor's Syndicate of Minneapolis, Minnesota, in [[1938]]. In the 1940s the property, which had been deeded to [[Jefferson County]], was turned over in part to [[Howard College]], which relocated to the area in the [[1957]]. | ||
Revision as of 14:48, 11 October 2010
Edgewood Park was a recreational resort established in 1912 by the Edgewood Highlands Land Company. It was first operated by the Edgewood Country Club, which erected a clubhouse, and then bought in 1914 by the Birmingham Motor and Country Club.
In 1915, Edgewood Lake was created as the park's centerpiece by damming Shades Creek at Columbiana Road. Lakeshore Drive and South Lakeshore Drive were graded and the lake was stocked with sport fish.
In the 1920's, the clubhouse was operated as a business by Grapico bottler Raymond Rochelle, and the park became a popular site for weekend recreation as well as for large gatherings. The Birmingham Elk's Lodge held their Labor Day celebration here, and the Ku Klux Klan initiated hundreds, including Hugo Black, at a huge rally in September 1923 which started with parades in downtown Birmingham and ended with dancing, fireworks, an aerial display by Glenn Messer, and a huge barbecue on the shore of the then-dry lake bed at Edgewood Park.
The clubhouse, having been vacant for several years, was demolished by its owners, the Investor's Syndicate of Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1938. In the 1940s the property, which had been deeded to Jefferson County, was turned over in part to Howard College, which relocated to the area in the 1957.
The woods around the former lake bed and creek banks remained popular with hunters and fishermen, often in defiance of the law, well into the 1960s when development overtook the area.
References
- Summe, Sheryl Spradling. (2001) Homewood: The Life of a City. Homewood: Friends of the Homewood Public Library.