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{{Infobox City | name=Lipscomb
{{Infobox City | name=Lipscomb
| year=1910
| year=1910
| population=2,458
| population=2,175
| mayor=Deborah Miller
| mayor=Brenda Renz
| locate=Lipscomb
| locate=Lipscomb
| schools=Jefferson County Schools
| schools=Jefferson County Schools
| website=[http://www.lipscombal.net/ lipscombal.net]
| logo=[[Image:Lipscomb city seal.png|150px]]
| map=[[Image:Lipscomb locator map.png|275px]]
}}
}}


'''Lipscomb''' (incorporated in [[1910]]) is a city of 2,458 in southwest [[Jefferson County]] bordered by [[Bessemer]] and [[Birmingham]]. It was named for a family that lived near the much-used streetcar stop at the center of the community. Once an active small-town, the city's business sector has nearly vanished and the number of residents and housing units has declined sharply over the last few decades. Lipscomb does not have its own Post Office or ZIP code, instead sharing [[35020]] with the city of [[Bessemer]]. The [[Lipscomb City Hall]] is located at 5512 [[Avenue H Lipscomb|Avenue H]].
'''Lipscomb''' (incorporated [[June 30]], [[1910]]) is a city of 2,175 on 1.17 square miles in southwest [[Jefferson County]] bordered by [[Bessemer]] and [[Birmingham]].


Lipscomb adjoins [[Birmingham]] on two sides. In June [[2008]] Birmingham mayor [[Larry Langford]] proposed that Lipscomb and [[Brighton]] should both consider merging with the city as a "business decision" to improve services and open the door to development.
The area was first settled by [[Vincent Loveless]], son of pioneer [[John Loveless]] in [[1832]]. He purchased land from the family of [[William Sadler]] on a branch of the [[Huntsville Road]] (now [[Eastern Valley Road]], [[Dartmouth Avenue]], [[Avenue K]] and [[Jefferson Avenue]]). The [[Union Baptist Church]] was organized there in June [[1834]] and built a log church building.
 
The [[Woodward Iron Company]] set up a company-owned spur of the [[Birmingham Mineral Railroad]] nearby, naming its new community '''Wheeling''', for Wheeling, West Virginia, where Woodward also had business interests. By the 1880s the company had laid out a 3-by-10 block grid of streets between the [[Alabama Great Southern Railroad]] and the Mineral Railroad.
 
Three brothers from Epes in Sumpter County, [[L. Y. Lipscomb|L. Y.]], [[S. W. Lipscomb|S. W.]] and [[H. P. Lipscomb]] settled near Loveless' farm in [[1885]]. After the [[Birmingham, Powderly, and Bessemer Railroad]], a dummy line, began passenger service in [[1888]], L. Y. opened a general store at the stop which quickly became the center of the community. The line was electrified in [[1891]] as the [[No. 1 South Bessemer streetcar line]] and the community grew to well over 200 residents by [[1906]], many working for the Woodward Company. The town was incorporated and named for L. Y. Lipscomb in 1910. The streetcar is featured in the city's present seal. Wheeling was annexed into the city in the 1940s.
 
Once an active small-town, the city's business sector has nearly vanished and the number of residents and housing units has declined sharply over the last few decades. Lipscomb does not have its own Post Office or ZIP code, instead sharing [[35020]] with the city of [[Bessemer]]. The [[Lipscomb City Hall]] is located at 5512 [[Avenue H Lipscomb|Avenue H]].
 
Lipscomb adjoins [[Birmingham]] on two sides. In June [[2008]] Birmingham mayor [[Larry Langford]] proposed that Lipscomb and [[Brighton]] should both consider merging with the city as a "business decision" to improve services and open the door to development. The city celebrated its centennial in [[2010]] with the unveiling of a historical marker at City Hall and a parade along [[5th Street Lipscomb|5th Street]] and [[9th Avenue Lipscomb|9th Avenue]].


==Officials==
==Officials==
The [[Mayor of Lipscomb|Mayor]] is [[Deborah Miller]], appointed by Governor [[Bob Riley]] to fill the unexpired term of [[Simon Speights]], who resigned on [[July 27]], [[2007]]. Since his resignation the office had been carried out by Mayor Pro Tempore [[Gaston Randle]]. Municipal elections are scheduled for [[August 26]], [[2008]].
The [[Mayor of Lipscomb|Mayor]] is [[Tonja Baldwin]], who was elected in [[2020 Jefferson County municipal elections#Lipscomb|2020]].
 
Former mayor [[Jimmie Johnson]] resigned in [[2005]] and was succeeded by Council member [[Simon Speights]]. Speights resigned on [[July 26]], [[2007]] when a [[1994]] burglary conviction was publicized. He was succeeded by Mayor Pro Tempore [[Gaston Randle]] until Governor [[Bob Riley]] appointed [[Deborah Miller]] to fill the vacancy. Miller was defeated by [[Melanie Bouyer]] in the [[2008 Jefferson County municipal elections|2008 election]].
 
Randle and councilor/fire chief [[David Horn]] have also been investigated and charged for impersonating police officers. Randle stepped down as [[Lipscomb Police Department|police]] commissioner, but remained on the council pending the outcome of his trial.
 
The 5-member [[Lipscomb City Council]] meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.


Randle assumed duties as acting mayor after the resignation of [[Simon Speights]]. Speights ran unopposed in the [[2004]] election for City Council, and was selected by the council to succeed [[Jimmie Johnson]], who resigned the mayor's office in [[2005]]. In [[2007]] Speights' 1994 conviction on burglary charges was revealed. Although his voting rights had been restored, it was determined that he was not qualified to run for elected office. Residents of Lipscomb petitioned for him to step down and [[Bessemer Cutoff]] District Attorney [[Arthur Green]] filed papers calling for his removal. He resigned on [[July 26]], [[2007]].
Lipscomb's Chief of Police is [[Mareshah Moses]]. [[David Hobdy Jr]] serves as Lipscomb's municipal judge.


Randle and councilor/fire chief [[David Horn]] have also been investigated and charged for impersonating police officers. Randle has stepped down as [[Lipscomb Police Department|police]] commissioner, but remains on the council pending the outcome of his trial. [[Willie Jones]] and [[Benny Ragland]] comprise the rest of the 5-member council, which meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Mayor McDade laid off the entire [[Lipscomb Police Department]] in April [[2013]], but his actions were reversed by the City Council the next day. He fired Fire Chief [[John Lawrence]] and his wife, [[Janet Lawrence|Janet]] in September, but they were also reinstated by the Council. McDade was arrested in September of that year after arguing with a [[Brighton]] police officer. He was arrested again in March [[2014]] following a domestic disturbance call at his home on [[5th Street North]]. His wife, [[Pamela McDade|Pamela]] was also charged.


Lipscomb's Chief of Police is [[Colin Payne]]. [[David Hobdy, Jr]] serves as Lipscomb's municipal judge.  
In July [[2018]] Police Chief [[Scott Martin]] was arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after the [[Alabama Law Enforcement Agency]] searched his home in [[Odenville]]. He was subsequently fired and [[Lamar Lackey]] appointed to serve as interim chief. Martin was charged in December with sodomy, rape, and incest.


==Geography==
In May [[2023]] former city manager [[Jacquelyn Robertson]] was arrested and charged with embezzlement, with prosecutors alleging she stole more than $200,000 from the city between August 2020 and May 2021.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.1 mi², all land. The [[Jefferson County Board of Equalization]] evaluated 712 homes in Lipscomb and determined that the average market value for 2007 was $54,950, a 13.9% increase since 2006.


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,458 people, 901 households, and 634 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,163.6/mi².  There were 1,108 housing units at an average density of 975.3/mi². The racial makeup of the city was 66% African American and 33% White. 2.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,210 people residing in the city's 950 housing units, for an average household of 2.3 persons. The population density was 1,881.8/mi², with housing units at an average density of 808.9/mi². The racial makeup of the city was 61% African American and 22% White. 20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.


There were 901 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.4% were married couples living together, 23.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.35.
In [[2000]], there were 901 households, of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.4% were married couples living together, 23.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.35.


In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.


The median income for a household in the city was $30,865, and the median income for a family was $35,556. Males had a median income of $26,908 versus $21,150 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,582.  About 15.9% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,865, and the median income for a family was $35,556. Males had a median income of $26,908 versus $21,150 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,582.  About 15.9% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.
The [[Jefferson County Board of Equalization]] evaluated 712 homes in Lipscomb and determined that the average market value for 2007 was $54,950, a 13.9% increase since 2006.


== References ==
== References ==
* {{White-1981}}
* {{Foscue-1989}}
* {{Foscue-1989}}
* Lipscomb, Alabama. (April 29, 2007). [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipscomb%2C_Alabama]  Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.  Accessed April 30, 2007.
* Gordon, Robert K. and Rahkia Nance (June 29, 2007) "Lipscomb mayor's 1994 burglary conviction eyed." {{BN}}
* Gordon, Robert K. and Rahkia Nance (June 29, 2007) "Lipscomb mayor's 1994 burglary conviction eyed." ''Birmingham News''
* Nance, Rahkia (July 29, 2007) "Residents fight for their beloved city." {{BN}}
* Nance, Rahkia (July 29, 2007) "Residents fight for their beloved city." ''Birmingham News''
* Bryant, Joseph D. (June 4, 2008) "Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford proposes city annex Brighton, Lipscomb." {{BN}}
* Bryant, Joseph D. (June 4, 2008) "Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford proposes city annex Brighton, Lipscomb." ''Birmingham News''
* "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lipscomb,_Alabama Lipscomb, Alabama]" (June 24, 2010) Wikipedia - accessed June 24, 2010
* Norris, Toraine (August 12, 2010) "Lipscomb to celebrate centennial." {{BN}}
* Robinson, Carol (April 29, 2013) "Lipscomb mayor on city turmoil : "It's a hot mess."." {{BN}}
* Robinson, Carol (April 5, 2014) "Lipscomb Mayor Lance McDade and wife arrested during fight over marital assets." {{BN}}
* Robinson, Carol (August 21, 2018) "Lipscomb police chief fired after weed, bong found in cruiser, home." {{BN}}


{{Jefferson County}}
{{Jefferson County}}
[[Category:Lipscomb|*]]
[[Category:Lipscomb|*]]
{{GFDL}}
[[Category:1910 establishments]]

Latest revision as of 15:00, 16 May 2023

City of Lipscomb
Lipscomb city seal.png
Incorporated 1910
Population 2,175
Mayor Brenda Renz
School district Jefferson County Schools
Government

Lipscomb City Council
Lipscomb Fire Department
Lipscomb Police Department

Web site lipscombal.net
Lipscomb locator map.png
Locate with Google Maps

Lipscomb (incorporated June 30, 1910) is a city of 2,175 on 1.17 square miles in southwest Jefferson County bordered by Bessemer and Birmingham.

The area was first settled by Vincent Loveless, son of pioneer John Loveless in 1832. He purchased land from the family of William Sadler on a branch of the Huntsville Road (now Eastern Valley Road, Dartmouth Avenue, Avenue K and Jefferson Avenue). The Union Baptist Church was organized there in June 1834 and built a log church building.

The Woodward Iron Company set up a company-owned spur of the Birmingham Mineral Railroad nearby, naming its new community Wheeling, for Wheeling, West Virginia, where Woodward also had business interests. By the 1880s the company had laid out a 3-by-10 block grid of streets between the Alabama Great Southern Railroad and the Mineral Railroad.

Three brothers from Epes in Sumpter County, L. Y., S. W. and H. P. Lipscomb settled near Loveless' farm in 1885. After the Birmingham, Powderly, and Bessemer Railroad, a dummy line, began passenger service in 1888, L. Y. opened a general store at the stop which quickly became the center of the community. The line was electrified in 1891 as the No. 1 South Bessemer streetcar line and the community grew to well over 200 residents by 1906, many working for the Woodward Company. The town was incorporated and named for L. Y. Lipscomb in 1910. The streetcar is featured in the city's present seal. Wheeling was annexed into the city in the 1940s.

Once an active small-town, the city's business sector has nearly vanished and the number of residents and housing units has declined sharply over the last few decades. Lipscomb does not have its own Post Office or ZIP code, instead sharing 35020 with the city of Bessemer. The Lipscomb City Hall is located at 5512 Avenue H.

Lipscomb adjoins Birmingham on two sides. In June 2008 Birmingham mayor Larry Langford proposed that Lipscomb and Brighton should both consider merging with the city as a "business decision" to improve services and open the door to development. The city celebrated its centennial in 2010 with the unveiling of a historical marker at City Hall and a parade along 5th Street and 9th Avenue.

Officials

The Mayor is Tonja Baldwin, who was elected in 2020.

Former mayor Jimmie Johnson resigned in 2005 and was succeeded by Council member Simon Speights. Speights resigned on July 26, 2007 when a 1994 burglary conviction was publicized. He was succeeded by Mayor Pro Tempore Gaston Randle until Governor Bob Riley appointed Deborah Miller to fill the vacancy. Miller was defeated by Melanie Bouyer in the 2008 election.

Randle and councilor/fire chief David Horn have also been investigated and charged for impersonating police officers. Randle stepped down as police commissioner, but remained on the council pending the outcome of his trial.

The 5-member Lipscomb City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Lipscomb's Chief of Police is Mareshah Moses. David Hobdy Jr serves as Lipscomb's municipal judge.

Mayor McDade laid off the entire Lipscomb Police Department in April 2013, but his actions were reversed by the City Council the next day. He fired Fire Chief John Lawrence and his wife, Janet in September, but they were also reinstated by the Council. McDade was arrested in September of that year after arguing with a Brighton police officer. He was arrested again in March 2014 following a domestic disturbance call at his home on 5th Street North. His wife, Pamela was also charged.

In July 2018 Police Chief Scott Martin was arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency searched his home in Odenville. He was subsequently fired and Lamar Lackey appointed to serve as interim chief. Martin was charged in December with sodomy, rape, and incest.

In May 2023 former city manager Jacquelyn Robertson was arrested and charged with embezzlement, with prosecutors alleging she stole more than $200,000 from the city between August 2020 and May 2021.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,210 people residing in the city's 950 housing units, for an average household of 2.3 persons. The population density was 1,881.8/mi², with housing units at an average density of 808.9/mi². The racial makeup of the city was 61% African American and 22% White. 20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2000, there were 901 households, of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.4% were married couples living together, 23.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,865, and the median income for a family was $35,556. Males had a median income of $26,908 versus $21,150 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,582. About 15.9% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.

The Jefferson County Board of Equalization evaluated 712 homes in Lipscomb and determined that the average market value for 2007 was $54,950, a 13.9% increase since 2006.

References

  • White, Marjorie Longenecker (1981) The Birmingham District: An Industrial History and Guide. Birmingham: Birmingham Historical Society ISBN 9990230099
  • Foscue, Virginia O. (1989) Place Names in Alabama. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press. ISBN 081730410X
  • Gordon, Robert K. and Rahkia Nance (June 29, 2007) "Lipscomb mayor's 1994 burglary conviction eyed." The Birmingham News
  • Nance, Rahkia (July 29, 2007) "Residents fight for their beloved city." The Birmingham News
  • Bryant, Joseph D. (June 4, 2008) "Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford proposes city annex Brighton, Lipscomb." The Birmingham News
  • "Lipscomb, Alabama" (June 24, 2010) Wikipedia - accessed June 24, 2010
  • Norris, Toraine (August 12, 2010) "Lipscomb to celebrate centennial." The Birmingham News
  • Robinson, Carol (April 29, 2013) "Lipscomb mayor on city turmoil : "It's a hot mess."." The Birmingham News
  • Robinson, Carol (April 5, 2014) "Lipscomb Mayor Lance McDade and wife arrested during fight over marital assets." The Birmingham News
  • Robinson, Carol (August 21, 2018) "Lipscomb police chief fired after weed, bong found in cruiser, home." The Birmingham News
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