Morris Avenue

Morris Avenue in June 2005

Morris Avenue is a narrow, east-west avenue between 1st Avenue North and the Railroad Reservation. Because of its adjacency to railroad depots and services, it rapidly developed into an early commercial and warehouse district in Birmingham's early days. The avenue is named for Josiah Morris, a banker and one of the initial shareholders in the Elyton Land Company.

Sections of Morris Avenue can be found between Center Street and 2nd Street North in Elyton, and for a short distance west of 41st Street North and between 42nd and 45th Streets in Avondale. The main section, however, is downtown, between 14th and 25th Streets. Of that section, the area east of 21st Street is the best-preserved late Victorian district in the city. The Jefferson County Historical Commission dedicated a historical marker with information about Josiah Morris on June 19, 1976.

Downtown section

Morris Avenue, c. 1911

By the late 1880s Morris Avenue was lined with three and four-story brick warehouses from 21st to 25th Streets.

The Louisville & Nashville Railroad claimed ownership of the section of Morris Avenue between 14th and 18th Streets, which had been used as a produce market and later for automobile parking. In 1969 the railroad blocked off the area to traffic, erecting makeshift barriers and signs saying "No admittance, private property". Leon Aland of the New Ideal department store led legal efforts to keep the street open to public use.

Entertainment district

Rendering for "Old Town Uptown" by Bob Moody

In the mid 1960s the quaintness of the street, "another world" from the modern city, inspired a feature in The Birmingham News which concluded with "you might be in New Orleans". At the time the avenue was much quieter than it had been in its heyday, with peeling paint and rusting door hardware to attract the photographer's eye, but it was far from empty, still housing numerous produce warehouses and food brokerages, and at least one nightclub.

In the late 1960s, designer Bob Moody became interested in redeveloping Morris Avenue as a historically-themed entertainment and shopping district, similar to Gaslight Square in St Louis, Missouri or the newly-opened Underground Atlanta. With his watercolor sketches and the backing of several other downtown promoters, he interested property owners in the area in the concept. A Gas Lite Club on the 2000 block offered live entertainment in the early 1960s.

Over the next few years the City of Birmingham and the Alabama Legislature contributed support to the venture. It was designated as the state's first historic district and streetscaped with cobblestones and gas lighting. By the Fall of 1972 the first new businesses, such as Diamond Jim's, Oaks Street, Victoria Station, and the Show-Boat Lounge began opening, attracting both locals and tourists at lunchtime and on evenings and weekends.

Old Town Uptown, while popular, proved vulnerable to mismanagement and bad word-of mouth. A few businesses turned over after their initial investments were tapped out. When a visiting businessman was lured from the Show-Boat Lounge and later found dead in August 1977, the district's reputation took a major hit. The sensational crime has been blamed for crippling the viability of the fledgling entertainment district.

A few clubs, like Cobblestone and the Old Town Music Hall continued to draw late-night crowds into the 1980s.

Later development

Over the next decades, the street's historic buildings were renovated, one-by-one, as professional offices and loft residences.

A large parking lot, accentuated with lighting, benches and planting islands, was installed on the south side of the avenue in 1988, supporting the new businesses moving in.

By the 1990s the area was at the center of the first residential loft development downtown and the district has evolved into a tightly-knit mixed use neighborhood. In 1994 jazz club On the Avenue moved from 4th Avenue North to the former Gatsby's location and Larry Levine opened Larry's Place in the train cars that most recently housed Zen.

A new $4.5 million parking deck was built in the late 1990s as the city's contribution to the renovation of the John A. Hand Building for the headquarters of The Bank of Birmingham. A wide pre-cast concrete arch bridges over Morris Avenue on the east side of 20th Street to connect the building to the parking deck. Morris is also bridged by the 21st, 22nd and 24th Street viaducts.

During The Bank's tenure, owner Jimmy Taylor placed a vintage red London telephone box at the northeast corner of the intersection. The relic was heavily damaged on April 26, 2006 and subsequently hauled away.

Notable locations

For an alphabetical list of locations, see the Morris Avenue category.

Center Street to 2nd Street

• 111: former location of William Fairley residence and Fairley Confectionary (1964-1970)
• 121-125: Broad Street Missionary Baptist Church (1914-)
• 127: former location of Robert Marcus residence and Marcus Beauty Shop (1964-1970)
• 224: apartment building (1970)

1400 block

• 1400: former location of Magic City Hotel (built 1888)

1600 block

• Between 16th & 17th Street, former location of Klausman Brewing Company (1889)

1700 block

• North side
  • 1722: former location of Alex Kontos Fruit Co. (1925)

• South side
  • 1703: former location of Adams Brothers Produce Co. (1941-1964)
  • 1725: former location of Alex Kontos Fruit Co. (1941-1970)
  • 1729-1731: former site of Meyer-Marx Co. wholesale wine, liquor and cigars
  • 1735: Birmingham Intermodal Facility (2017-), former location of Birmingham Central Station (1996-2015), Banana Warehouse

1800 block

• north side (Block 108B):
  • 1812–1820: Birmingham National Garage (built 1928)
  • 1820-1822: former site of Gray & Dudley Hardware
  • 1824–1830: Jemison Flats, built as Lincoln Life Building (1909)

• south side (Block 108G):
  • 1809: S. J. Bennett Professional Building
  • 1819-1825: former location of Birmingham Amtrak Station (-2015), Louisville & Nashville Railroad Co. offices and passenger station (1964-1970)

1900 block

The Bank for Savings Building at 1919 Morris Avenue in 1962

• North side
  • 1906: former location of J. G. Housmann (1896)
  • 1908: former location of James A. Allen & Co. / Allen, Scott & Sherrard (-1885), Allen, Scott & Co. (1885-) wholesale grocers, Parker Products Co. (1941)
    • 1908B: former location of W. L. Brown bootblack (1946)
  • 1910: former location of H. W. Perry & Co. (1896), Farmer Printing Co. / Young & Seldon stationers (1941) Woodward Billiard Supply Co. (1964)
  • 1912: former location of Southern Express Co. (1896), Harry's Cafe (1938-1941), Nichol's Grill (1964)
  • 1912½: former location of W. H. Nevins (1896), Queen Feature Service Inc. theater equipment & film service (1925-1964)
  • 1914: former location of Kansas City, Memphis & Birmingham Railroad freight & passenger offices (1896)
  • 1916½: former location of Alabama Great Southern Railroad general offices (1896), Armstrong-Smith Co. dental laboratory and Southern Testing Laboratories (1941-1964)
  • 1918-1920: former location of Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Co. general offices (1896)
    • 1918: former location of George E. Lum Machine & Supply Co., Otis Elevator Company (1925), Western Union storeroom (1941), Jesse's Place restaurant & beer bar (1964-late 1960s), Car Park Inc. (1970)
    • 1920: former location of Harris Transfer and Warehouse Co. (1908), S. D. Winn Cigar Co. (1925)
  • 1922: former location of S. Wise & Co. (1896)
    • 1922½: former location of Metropolitan Hotel (1896), Union Station Hotel (1941)
• South side
  • 1901-1919: former site of Linn's Park
    • 1901: former location of L & N freight office (1941)
    • 1903: former location of Southern Express Co. (1896)
    • 1907½: former location of L & N Railroad office (1896)
  • 1909-1927: Two North Twentieth (built 1962 as the Bank for Savings Building)
    • 1909½: former location of Brown Shoe Co. (1896)
    • 1913: former location of Johnson's Barber Shop (1964-1970)
    • 1915: former location of Wayne's Beauty Salon (1964-1970)
    • 1917: former location of Union Depot dining rooms (1896), Union News Co. restaurant (1941), Zoe's Candies (1964), Roundtable Snack Bar (1970)
    • 1919-1927: former location of Relay House hotel (1871-1886), Union Passenger Station/L & N Station (1887-1960)

2000 block

• north side:
  • 2000: former location of Elyton Land Company building, Hobson Cafe, P & K Cafe, Borders' Hotel
  • 2002: former location of Exchange Hotel (1941)
  • 2006: former location of Birmingham Peanut Depot (1907-1941)
  • 2008-2010: former location of Frank's Ice Cream Service (1941), First National Bank of Birmingham drive-in teller (1964-1970)
  • 2008½: former location of E. L. Higdon Brokerage Co.
  • 2012: former location of Ben M. Jacobs & Bros (1896)
    • 2012 rear: former location of James A. Head & Co. (1964)
  • 2014: Founders Station (built 1888 as the McAdory Building), Bar La Fête (2023–), former location of May & Thomas Hardware Co. (1896), Morris Avenue Eye Care, Woolley Law Firm, The Essential (–2023)
  • 2016: Alabama Peanut Co. (2018-), former location of the Caldwell Printing Works (1881-1887), Wallis Tobacco Co. (1896), Louis Darring Beverage Co. / American Oil Co. (1941), Peanut Depot (1940s-2016), Peanut Place (2016-2018)
  • 2018: Arendall & Associates attorneys, former location of S. Norwood / F. D. Young / C. A. Tyson (1896), C. F. Bell & Company wholesale produce, the Wimberly & Thomas Hardware Co., T. M. Booth & Son jobbers (1925), Thomas O. Melton wholesale products (1941), Mazer's office & store equipment (1964-1970), and a drive-through for MetroBank
  • 2020-2022: former location of Giacopazzi & Co. (1896)
    • 2020: former location of Louis Papageorge (1907), Alabama Produce Co. wholesale (1941)
    • 2022: former location of W. H. Jones & Co. (1896), Derzis & Pappageorge Fruit Company (1925)
  • 2024-2026: former location of a grocery and produce store, Re-Print Corporation
    • 2024: Heidi Elnora Atelier (2016–), former location of L. A. Townley (1896), Dixie Coffee Co. wholesale (1940-1941),
    • 2026: former location of Shaver & Co. (1896), Honeycreeper Chocolate / Basic clothing (2018-2021)
  • 2028-2030: former location of Collins & Co. wholesale grocers (1896), Star Provision Co. meat packers (1940-1941)
    • 2030: former location of F. F. Norton & Son wholesale produce (1925)
  • 2032: former location Birmingham Department of Streets & Sanitation warehouse (1964)
  • 2036: former location of Star Provision Company with offices of Dr Byron Dosier upstairs

• south side:

1923 ad for the Gilmore-Lee Produce Co..

• • 2001-2011: John A. Hand Building parking deck, former location of Armour Packing Co. (1896), Viaduct Parking Lot (built 1966)
    • 2009: former location of U.S. Rubber Co. (1941)
    • 2011: former location of Gilmore-Lee Produce Co. (1923)
  • 2013: former location of D. R. Copeland & Co. (1896), Derzis & Pappageorge Fruit Company (1920s–1930s)
  • 2015: former location of C. J. McCary & Co. real estate (1887), H. M. Dozier grocer, produce & commission merchant (1902)
    • 2015½: former location of J. J. Judge dancing hall (1896)
  • 2017-2021: Douglass Building (built c. 1904) Douglass Produce Co. (1904-1970), Diamond Jim's (1974-late 1970s), Saturday's lounge, Kinetic Communications (1995-2013), and the Hogan Law Office
    • 2017-2019: former location of B. B. Hudson Co. (1896)
      • 2017: former location of C. S. Simmons produce company (1887)
    • 2019-2021: former location of Higdon & McCary produce company (1887), J. H. McCary Co. produce (1896), Aunt Polly's Kitchen, and part of Diamond Jim's (1974-late 1970s)
  • 2021-2023: former location of Marshall, Jordan & Keith, Inc. wholesale fruit & produce (1925)
    • 2021: Lacké Building (built c. 1904), former location of Royster & Brunaugh (1887), Ridout's Brown-Service funeral parlor, James A. Head & Co. warehouse (1964-1970)
  • 2023-2025: Kinetic Communications former location of McLester & Van Hoose produce company (1885-1887), later Evansville Packing Company, Birmingham Roofing Co., Victoria Station (1975-1980s), Maxwell's on Morris (November 1987-), Larry's Place (1994), The Station (1997-2002, 2004-2008), and Zen (2008-2010)
    • 2023: former location of F. F. Norton (1896), McCain Brokerage Co. (1941), Birmingham Department of Streets & Sanitation warehouse (1970)
    • 2025: former location of May & Thomas Hardware Co. (1896), Cornelius & Company merchandise brokers (1925), Birmingham Roofing Co. (1941)
  • 2025-2027: former location of Williams & Marks (1896)
    • 2027: former location of W. L. Murdock (1896), Hulsey Brokerage Co. / Hardin Brokerage Co. / Morton Salt Co. (1941)
  • 2029-2031: former location of McLester & Van Hoose (1896)
    • 2029: former location of Wholesale Distributing Co. merchandise brokers (1941)
    • 2031: former location of Lee Produce Co. wholesale fruit & produce (1941)

2100 block

• north side:
  • 2100-2106: Collins Building, former location of "scattered lumber & building materials" (1891), Collins Produce Co. (1923)
    • 2100: The Well Salon (Josh Bodiford 2023–), former location of C. M. McMahen wholesale grocer, Birmingham Packing Co. beef & pork packers (1925), First National Bank of Birmingham warehouse (1970)
    • 2102: former location of Kington & Co. packers (1929-1937)
    • 2104: former location of Western Union telegraph office / Harrison Produce Co. (1929-1937)
  • 2110-2112: former location of Huston Biscuit Co. (1896)
    • 2110: former location of Morris Avenue Machine Co. (1891), Standard Fish Co. (1925-1941)
    • 2112: Illustrious Tresses (Whitney Chanel 2023–), former location of Repsy
  • 2112-2116: former location of J. W. Tinklepaugh (1896), Simonetti Bros. Produce Co. wholesale groceries (1941)
    • 2114: former location of J. C. Mayfield Manufacturing Company (1899-1901), Celery-Cola Company (1905-1910), J. O. Taylor wholesale produce (1914), Copeland Produce Co. (1929-1937), US Army Reserve Corps (1964-1970)
    • 2116: former location of Jersey Cream Bottling Co. (1909), George Lanza & Son produce (1929-1937)
  • 2118: former location of Birmingham Tobacco & Produce Co. (1929-1937)
  • 2120-2122: former location of The Gas-Lite (1960), Spiro's Gaslight Club (1964), Bob Cain's Club (1964-), The Crazy Horse (late 1960s-1973), The Gaslite (1973–), Dillinger's (1978), The Cobblestone (late 1970s)
    • 2120: former location of Tasty Lunch Cafe / H. Simmons fruits (1929-1937), Chris Cafe (1941),
    • 2122: former location of D. H. Markstein & Co. soft drinks (1908-1909), Blackmon Produce Co. (1925-1937), Alabama Home Furniture Co. warehouse (1964)
  • 2124-2126: Engel Building, former location of Alabama Showcase Works (1929-1937), United Food Inc. warehouse (1970), Town Hall bar, Fire House cabaret bar, Old Town Music Hall (1980s), Hendon & Huckestein Architects
    • • 2124: former location of Commercial Printing Co. (1908–1914), Independent Produce Co. (1941)
  • 2128-2130: former location of Sam Spina Importing Co. (1929-1937), Jack Hurley Produce Co. wholesale (1941)
    • 2128: former location of Dixie Produce Co. (1925)
    • 2130: former location of United Foods Inc. wholesale grocer (1964)

• south side:
  • 2101-2103: former location of Simmons, Durham & Co. (1896), Collins & Co. wholesale grocers (1908), Independence Produce Co. (1929-1937), Viaduct Parking Lot (built 1966)
    • 2101: former location of Independent Produce Co. (1925)
  • 2105-2111: Row5 townhouses (built 2017), former location of Swift & Co. packers (1929-1937), Faulkner Packing Co. (1941)
    • 2105-2107: former location of McMillan-Lee Co. (1896)
    • 2109-2111: former location of O. E. Kenimer Grocery Co. (1908)
      • 2111: former location of Tyler Grocery Co.
  • 2113-2119: former location of Dispatch Stationery Co. (1896), Dispatch Printing Co. (1899-1941)
    • 2113-2115: former location of Southern Grain & Feed Co. (1891), W. M. Cosby (1896), E. C. Adams & Co. (1939), Davis Brokerage Co. (1941)
      • 2113: former location of Alabama Brokers & Commerce (1929-1937)
      • 2115: former location of Hamilton & Clark (1887), Edwin Paper Co. (1929-1937)
    • 2117-2119: former location of A. J. Allred & Co. merchandise brokers (1941)
      • 2117: former location of J. D. Moore & Son / Mills Steel (1929-1937)
      • 2119: former location of B. M. Brasfield wholesale groceries (1929-1937)
  • 2121-2129: former location of Slaton, McGlathery & Burwell (1887-1888)
    • 2121: former location of McKinney & Co. (1887), H. M. Beck / Herring & Abernathy (1896), Heard & Co. wholesale groceries (1901), J. Boggan & Son (1929-1937), John D. Monroe & Son / Oliver Steele / Smith Brokerage Co. (1941), Hunter Furniture Co. warehouse (1970)
    • 2123-2127: former location of grain & wagon storage (1891)
      • 2123-2125: former location of V. B. & W. G. Davis Brokerage Co. (1929-1937)
        • 2123: former location of W. M. Cosby mercantile warehouse, Walter Mackin flour broker (1941), O. M. Davis Grocery wholesale (1970)
      • 2125: Najjar Denaburg, P.C., attorneys. Originally the Slaton, McGlathery & Burwell warehouse, Western Grain warehouse, Ira A. Watson & Co. warehouse, redeveloped as Oaks Street, later Charlie's
    • 2127: former location of warehouse broker (1891), Hemphill, Welsh & Co. (1896), Yielding Bros. wholesale groceries (1929-1937)
  • 2129-2131: former location of wagons, carriages & stores (1891), Bass, Ellis & Co. (1896), Evansville Packing Co. (1930s-1941), Independent Fish Co. (1964)

2200 block

• north side (Block 107B):
  • 2200: former location of produce / Turner's Trunk Factory (1891), D. R. Copeland & Co. (1896), American Salad Dressing Co. (1941)
  • 2202: former location of Robertson Grocery Co. wholesale grocers, Cash Produce Co. wholesale (1941)
  • 2204: former location of Central Paper Co. wholesale (1941), Hood-McPherson Furniture Co. warehouse (1970)
  • 2206: former location of Independent Fish Co. wholesale (1941)
  • 2208: former location of Matthew's Bar & Grill (2007-2016) and 1776 A.D. restaurant and bar (1976)
  • 2212: former location of J. B. Bryson / Harry Park real estate (1970)
  • 2214: former location of ABC Store No. 11 rear (1941), Myers Grocery Co. wholesale grocers (1964-1970)
  • 2216: former location of R. Leaf & Co. wholesale grocer (1941)
  • 2218: former branch location of Alabama Packing Company "Pansy" brand beef & pork packers (1925-1941)
  • 2220-2222: former location of Amaro & Bennett Furniture Co. warehouse (1964-1970)
    • 2220: former location of Phillips-Hendon Co. work clothes (1908), Buzzanca Grocery Co. (1941)
  • 2224: former location of Angelo Bell restaurant (1928)
  • 2226-2230: former location of Wilson & Co. wholesale meats (1941), Gatsby's (1970s-1980s), Great Gatsby's, 1776, On The Avenue (1994-)
    • 2226: former location of Birmingham Saw Works (1891-1908)
    • 2228-2230:
• south side:
  • 2201-2207: former location of Sam Spina Importing Co. (1941-1959)
    • 2201-2203: former location of A. N. Edwards Grist Mill (1891), Moore & Hutton (1896),
      • 2201: Adams Design Associates, architects, former location of Chas. A. Jones Flour & Grain Co. (1923), United Food Inc. wholesale grocery (1970)
        • 2201½: former location of S. C. Johnston & Co. brokers (1925)
    • 2203-2205: former location of coal yard (1891)
      • 2205: Barrister Hall (built early 1980s), American Thermal Systems (2022–), former site of Goodlander Milling Co.
    • 2205-2207: former location of Johnson & Yancey (1896)
      • 2207: former location of H. W. Eggler bottle dealer (1909)
  • 2209-2211: former location of builders materials (1891), H. H. Huffstutler wholesale grocer and J. O. Taylor Grocery Company, Davis Produce & Grocery Co. (1941), Williams Seafood & Poultry (1970)
    • 2209: Zarzaur & Schwartz law firm, former location of Falls, Barkhau & Co. (1887), The Daingerfield-Walter Co. (1896)
    • 2211: former location of Mayberry & Watson Co. warehouse (1896)
  • 2213-2215: Wilson Building, former location of Wiggs & Bacon mining equipment (1887), flour & feed (1891), Birmingham Grain Co. (1896), Taylor-Wheeler Grocery Co. (1931), Wilson-Brown Co. wholesale grocer (1941), Wilson & Sons wholesale grocer (1964), Wilson & Sons wholesale grocery (1970), Nimrod Long & Associates landscape architects / Renneker Tichansky Architects / Renneker & Co. / James H. Haggard / Hatcher Schuster Interiors / Alabama Policy Institute
    • 2215: former location of Hamilton & Clark brokers and commission agents (1887)
  • 2217-2219: former location of Molay Bros. wholesale grocery (1941)
    • 2217: former location of LeMore & Blanchin lumber (1887), J. F. Baldwin building materials (1891-1925), Wilmar Supply Co. warehouse (1970)
    • 2219: former location of flour & feed (1891), May & Thomas Hardware Co. warehouse (1896)
  • 2221-2223: former location of flour & feed (1891), W. S. Brown warehouse (1896)
    • 2221: former location of Lee Brown Brokerage Co. (1941)
    • 2223: former location of Cash Produce Co. wholesale grocer (1964)
  • 2225-2231: former location of scrap iron yards (1891), Pankey Brokerage Co. wholesale grocer (1925-1941)
    • 2225: former location of Birmingham Grain & Milling Co. (1893-), George F. Wheelock Co. warehouse (1970)
    • 2227-2231: former location of Ivy Leaf Coal Yard (1896)
      • 2229: former location of Locasio Salvage Co. warehouse (1964), Saint George Thrift Store / House of Portraits photography studio / Security Safety Systems (1970), Freada's Five O'Clock Club, Show-Boat Lounge (-1982)

2300 block

Buckeye Feed & Grain Co. at 2315-2331 Morris Avenue. Photo by O. V. Hunt

• north side:
  • 2300-2310: Liberty House, former location of G. L. Anderson (1896)
    • 2300: former location of blacksmith shop (1891)
    • 2304: former location of Caroline W's
  • 2324: former location of blacksmith shop (1891)
  • 2330: former location of carpenter's shop (1891)
• south side (Block 107H):
  • 2301-2315: former location of Swansea Coal & Mining Co. (1896)
    • 2301-2303: former location of Standard Provision Co. wholesale meats (1939–1939), Alabama Mercantile Co. warehouse (1964)
      • 2301: Morris Avenue Legal Center / Adam Porter attorney,
    • 2305-2307: former location of Associated Grocers of Alabama wholesale (1939–1949), American Transfer Co. storage (1957)
    • 2309-2311: former location of warehouse and mattress factory (1891), City Wholesale Grocery Co. (1939–1949), Atlas Chemical & Janitor Supplies (1957), Tip Top Freight & Warehouse Co. (1957–1964), Standard Sales warehouse (1970)
      • 2309: Bham Now (January 2021-)
    • 2313-2315: former location of Burchwell Supply Co. warehouse (1957), Alabama Candy Co.
      • 2313: former location of P. P. Baker & Sons flour and mill feed (1925), Hoggs Brokerage Co. merchandise (1939), General Chemical Division (1949)
  • 2315-2331: former location of Buckeye Feed & Grain Co. wholesale (1941–1949), Lindsey Office Furnishings storage (–2018)
    • 2315–2327: former location of Buckeye Feed & Grain Co. (1938–1941)
      • 2315: former location of H. J. Heinz & Co. food products (1923–1929), Cecil Brokerage Co. / Benjamin McCann manufacturer's agent / Birmingham Commission Co. wholesale grain (1932), vacant (1934–1935)
      • 2317–2327: former location of Buckeye Feed & Grain Co. (1957)
        • 2317-2319: former location of Birmingham Brokerage Co. (1896)
          • 2317: former location of Sandner & Co. bakers' supplies (1932–1935), J. & M. Service auto repair (1970)
          • 2319: former location of Buckeye Feed & Grain Co. (1929–1929), Buckeye Cotton Oil Co. (1929), Cole Spice Co. sausage seasoning (1932), Ernest Smith & Cecil Camp flour brokers (1934)
      • 2321-2331: former location of J. M. Neill & Son (1896)
        • 2321–2327: former location of Buckeye Feed & Grain Co. (1934)
        • 2325–2327 (formerly 2321–2323): Morris House (built 1922), Morris House Lofts
        • 2329–2335 (formerly 2325–2331): Old Buckeye Building, Buckeye Feed & Grain Co. (1957)
          • 2327: former location of C. S. Cavender cattle dealer (1925), Standard Sales Co. wholesale notions (1970)
          • 2331: former location of Alabama Wagon Works blacksmiths (1925), Richard Hubbard restaurant (1925–1932), Mae Kiernan restaurant (1934–1935), Gray's Cafe (Emmett Gray 1938), Standard Sales Co. wholesale notions (1970)
          • 2335: Hunt Modern gallery (Lauren Hunt 2023–)

2400 block

• north side:
  • 2400: former location of Magic City Hardwood Works / Webb & Long Planing Mill (1891)
  • 2410: former site of 1-story commercial building (collapsed 2023), former location of Birmingham Wholesale Grocery (1926)
  • 2430: Carrigan's Public House (2013-)
• south side:
  • 2401: former location of M. C. Reynolds lumber yard (1891)
  • 2405-2411: former location of Vulcan Furniture Manufacturing Corp. (1964-1970)
    • 2409: former location of Alabama Mill & Elevator Co. grain (1941)
  • 2411-2417: Lindsey Office Furnishings warehouse
  • 2417-2419: former location of Birmingham Compress & Warehouse Co. (1891), Overton-Kennedy Flour & Grain Co. (1941)
  • 2423-2425: former location of Aero Battery Co. (1941)
    • 2425: former location of Jacob Weller (1896), Berman Bros. Cooperage Co. (1925)

2500 block

• former location of marble works (in right of way)
• former location of Adams & Snyder

Avondale

• 3900: former location of Birmingham Box & Veneer Co. (1908)
• 4229: former location of Vulcan Roofing & Sheet Metal Co. (1964-1970)
• 4301: former location of Economy Lumber Co. (1925)
• 4321: former location of CERCO Inc. contractors' rentals (1964-1970)
• 4401: former location of E. E. Forbes & Sons warehouse (1941), Meadow Steel Products (1964-1970)
• 4415: former location of M & B Metal Products Co. (1964), Birmingham Ornamental Iron Works (1970)

Unknown location

• Eclectic Theater, later Dr Jekyll's (formerly Frontier Lounge, The Cavern, and The Cavern (Mark II))
• Gas Lite Club

References

• Nix, Charles (March 1970) "L&N, city square off to do battle for historic Morris Ave." The Birmingham News - via Birmingham Rewound
• "Historic register listing boosts Morris Avenue showplace plan." (May 16, 1973) The Birmingham News - via [[Birmingham Rewound]
• Century Plus: A Bicentennial Portrait of Birmingham Alabama 1976 (1976) Birmingham: Birmingham Chamber of Commerce/Oxmoor Press
• "Morris Avenue to be dedicated as historic place June 19." (May 1976) The Birmingham News - via Birmingham Rewound
• White, Marjorie Longenecker (1977) Downtown Birmingham: Architectural and Historical Walking Tour Guide. Birmingham: Birmingham Historical Society.
• Kennedy, Harold (September 2, 1977) "'Mystery man' suspect hunted in Harlan case." The Birmingham News
• Nesbitt, Jim (July 29, 1978) "Morris Avenue–will it make it?" Birmingham Post-Herald, p. C1
• "Morris Avenue part of national trend" (July 29, 1978) Birmingham Post-Herald, p. C1
• Barber, Dean (December 12, 1993) "Night life will return." The Birmingham News
• Archibald, John (September 28, 1997) "Morris Avenue reborn: The one-time entertainment district is again teeming with activity, now as offices and residential lofts." The Birmingham News
• Geiss, Chuck (February 24, 2005) "Naked Birmingham". Black & White

External links

• Morris Avenue photographs from the Magic City Flickr Group.