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[[Image:Lakeview Lake.jpg|center|frame|Lakeview Park, c. 1889{{BPL permission caption|http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll6,1391}}]] | [[Image:Lakeview Lake.jpg|center|frame|Lakeview Park, c. 1889 {{BPL permission caption|http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll6,1391}}]] | ||
'''Lakeview Park''' was a park in the [[Lakeview]] suburb of Birmingham in the late 19th century located at the intersection of [[Highland Avenue|Highland]] and [[Clairmont Avenue]]s. The park formed around a man-made lake which was created by damming up springs in the area. Various events occurred in the park, including opera performances on an island in the lake. The park was accessible by the [[List of streetcar suburbs|streetcar system]] that ran along Highland Avenue. | '''Lakeview Park''' was a park in the [[Lakeview]] suburb of Birmingham in the late 19th century located at the intersection of [[Highland Avenue|Highland]] and [[Clairmont Avenue]]s. The park formed around a man-made lake which was created by damming up springs in the area. Various events occurred in the park, including opera performances on an island in the lake. The park was accessible by the [[List of streetcar suburbs|streetcar system]] that ran along Highland Avenue. | ||
Revision as of 11:34, 17 March 2010
Lakeview Park was a park in the Lakeview suburb of Birmingham in the late 19th century located at the intersection of Highland and Clairmont Avenues. The park formed around a man-made lake which was created by damming up springs in the area. Various events occurred in the park, including opera performances on an island in the lake. The park was accessible by the streetcar system that ran along Highland Avenue.
One popular attraction at the park was the Lakeview Pavilion, which contained a swimming pool, skating rink, bowling alley, and dance floor. A hotel was built at the park in 1887, which was visited by Presidents Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison.
The park also was home the Lakeview Baseball Park which hosted a number of events. Arguably, the most important event that occurred at Lakeview Park was the first football game between the University of Alabama and Auburn University, which occurred on February 22, 1893. Auburn won the only game held at this site 32-22, as the next time the Iron Bowl was played in Birmingham was in 1902, after Lakeview Park closed.
On December 8, 1888 the bodies of Emma Hawes and her daughter Irene were found bound in chains at the bottom of the lake. Richard Hawes, already in custody for the death of his wife, became the target of a lynch mob at the Jefferson County Jail.
Eventually, the hotel lost patrons as they went to visit the East Lake Park. The hotel closed and became the Southern Female Institute, which burned a year later. In 1900, the pavilion was torn down to build the Highland Park Golf Course, which remains at this site. The Lakeview entertainment district retains the name of the park in the area.
References
- Reynolds, Ed (August 14, 2003) "Six Flags over Birmingham." Black & White