Fairview

Fairview was a community to the west of the old Elyton area. It encompassed, at least in part, that area surrounding and overlooking the State Fairgrounds. In the center of the community was a spring that flowed into Village Creek. The Indian Chief, Osceola, was known to camp in the area in the early 19th Century- around 1820 or so. The street car stop near the fairgrounds was named Osceola Station in his honor. The center of attention in the neighborhood seems to have been Fairview Methodist Church - originally built around 1900. Other points of interest were Camp's Confectionary - a store owned by John and Addie Camp, and McKelvey - Sandefur Groceries - owned by two of the founding families of the Birmingham area. One of the Sandefur boys was said to be the "2nd white person (non Indian)born in the area" in 1819. Other areas of interest in Fairview were Thomas Drug Store, Cannon's Grocery, Fairview Station, and "The Old Maids' Store- a small store run by two spinster sisters. The people of Fairview were proud of Vulcan while it sat at the Fairgrounds and, according to a diary written by long-time resident Margaret McDaniel Kethcham, they felt like they had lost a friend when Vulcan was moved to Red Mountain.