Glen Iris
| Glen Iris | |
 |
Birmingham neighborhoods |
| District(s) | 3, 6 |
|---|---|
| Community | Southside community |
| Population | 7,631 |
| Area | N/A |
| President | Scott Capps |
| Meeting site | St Elias Catholic Church, (map) |
| Meeting day | 1st Monday |
| Website | |
| Neighborhood map | Glen Iris |
Glen Iris is a historical neighborhood in Birmingham's Southside community. The neighborhood centers around Glen Iris Park, a central park with 20 residential lots of two acres each. The park was created by Robert Jemison Sr, who around 1901 envisioned and developed a highly exclusive place for Birmingham's elite to live. Most of the homes were built between 1901 and 1940, with some homes being built on open lots in later years. Each home surrounded the park, which contained trails and green space for the residents to enjoy. The initial residents each agreed to not to sell their homes without the consent of the other neighbors.
Across its history, many prominent Birmingham families have lived in Glen Iris, including W. P. G. Harding, president of the First National Bank; R. DuPont Thompsons, Dr George M. Morrow, the Goodall Browns, the DeBardelebens, and the Jemisons. The Red Acres subdivision began to be developed in the 1930s. Though it had only 20 houses at the time, investigators for the Home Owners Loan Corporation gave Red Acres an above-average "grade" for mortgage security in their 1938 "redlining" map.
In recent decades various developers have proposed new apartments in or around Glen Iris Park, primarily due to the proximity to UAB. However, Glen Iris still retains its historical character. Currently, a number of the homes in Glen Iris Park are on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Glen Iris neighborhood is Birmingham's most populous, with around 9,802 residents, which is more than at least two counties in Alabama. The Glen Iris Neighborhood Association meets on the first Monday of each month at St Elias Catholic Church on 8th Street South. Scott Capps is president of the association. Jean White is vice president, and Rob Burton is secretary.
Most of Glen Iris falls within Birmingham City Council District 3, with a sliver north of Green Springs Highway falling into District 6.
Neighborhood presidents
Demographics
- 2010: 9,802 (48.7% Black)
- 2020: 7,631 (44.6% Black)