Wenonah

The Wenonah community was the name of a series of Red Mountain ore mining camps for employees of the Tennessee Coal and Iron (TCI) company. The camps were designated as: Wenonah Camp #6; #7; #8; #9 and #10. The oldest was Wenonah Camp #6 as listed on the 1916 Birmingham Mining District maps. Number 6 was next to the Woodward Iron Company's camp #2 on its western boundary and was the location of the water resovoir that in about 1947 was replaced with a covered water tank, now owned by the Bessemer Water Works. The reservoir/tank is located in the Lipscomb area of Jefferson County Alabama.

In 1900, the Tennessee, Coal & Iron (TCI) Company was operating 15 iron ore mines in the Birmingham District including the Wenonah #6; #7 and #8 mining camps. Wenonah Mining Camp #7 was also the site of the plant that processed the Iron Ore before being transported via High Ore Line Railroad connection from Red Mountain to the Fairfield Works. In 1914, TCI begins ongoing facilities and programs to improve lives of employees with schools, hospitals, training programs and housing.

Wenonah Camp #8 is located just south of Hillman on the north side of Red Mountain, and is sometimes referred to as “New Hill”. It was also the site of the company Commissary, Doctor’s Office and other Administrative Offices.

Wenonah Camp #9 was south of Grasselli Heights on the north side of Red Mountain. It was the location if the Wenonah School, built in 1917 as part of the program to improve lives of employees.

Wenonah Camp #10 is located adjacent to West Goldwire and south of the current Wenonah High School, and is referred to as Tarpley City.

In 1962, Red Mountain ore mines closed in Birmingham District as Venezuelan ores begin to be used.