City of Ensley
The City of Ensley was incorporated in 1899 to govern local matters in Ensley. It served for just over a decade until it was annexed into Birmingham under the Greater Birmingham legislation, effective January 1, 1910.
In addition to the executive and legislative offices, Ensley employed a city clerk. An elected chief headed the Ensley Police Department. The Ensley Police Court employed a judge and clerk as well. The Ensley Board of Education oversaw the Bush School, Moore School, and a Ensley Colored School, as well as a kindergarten taught by Nellie Few above a bakery on 19th Street.
Mayor
The Mayor of Ensley was the elected head of the city government.
List of Mayors
Board of Aldermen
The Ensley Board of Aldermen consisted of two representatives from each voting ward of the city. In 1903 those wards were described as follows:
First Ward
Between 16th Street and the northeastern city limit.
- 1899-1900:
- 1900–1902: George R. Byrum and D. H. White
Second Ward
Between 16th and 19th Streets from the Ensley Works on the northwest to Averyt's Addition to Ensley on the southeast.
- 1899-1900:
- 1900–1902: W. J. Cusick and E. W. Whips
Third Ward
Between 19th and 23rd Streets, form city line to city line
- 1899-1900:
- 1900–1902: W. C. Dennis and E. B. Pennington
Fourth Ward
Between 23rd Street and the southwestern city limit.
- 1899-1900:
- 1900–1902: Z. T. Fuqua and J. E. Smith
Fifth Ward
The Fifth Ward was added between 1903 and the 1906 Ensley municipal election.
- –1906: J. M. Donaldson, resigned 1906
- 1906–: J. E. Winning
Police chiefs
The Ensley Police Department was headed by C. F. Camp in December 1904.
References
- Ensley City Directory (1903) Birmingham: Ensley Directory Company/Roberts & Son, Printers
- Citizens League of Ensley, Ala (1906) "The Ensley Campaign Book"
- "Alderman for Fifth Ward" (June 11, 1906) The Birmingham News
- Prince, A. G. (1982) Landmarks of Ensley: Past and Present. revised edition. Ensley: Best Printing Service