20th Street North

looking south on 20th Street North in 2002

looking north on 20th Street North from Morris Avenue, c. 1900

looking north on 20th Street North from Morris Avenue, c. 1910-11

20th Street North is a north-south street in the center of downtown Birmingham which functions as Birmingham's "main street". It is sometimes called Birmingham Green after a rehabilitation project of the early 1970s.

20th Street begins at the northern end of 20th Street South at the Railroad Reservation. From there it first crosses Morris Avenue, and then continues for seven blocks to Park Place where it is terminated by Linn Park.

Short 20th Street is the one-block section of 20th Street between Birmingham City Hall and Linn Park. It was named Nina's Way in honor of Nina Miglionico in 2008. Originally 20th street bounded both sides of the park as East 20th Street and West 20th Street, but the east segment was abandoned as part of a compromise over the placement of the original Birmingham Public Library building in the late 1920s.

After this one-block section, Twentieth Street previously resumed its path to the east between the current locations of Municipal Auditorium and the Birmingham Museum of Art to the present site of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. After the I-20/59 bridge was built, this section was closed to traffic and eventually converted into a landscaped walk and fountain. There are other short sections of the street in North Birmingham, north of Oak Hill Cemetery and near Finley Boulevard.

20th Street was one of the city's earlier "whiteways" to have electric lighting. The lighting was upgraded and extended past 6th Avenue as far as Woodrow Wilson Park in 1945 under the city's contract with the Birmingham Electric Company.

Birmingham Green

1970 rendering for Birmingham Green

The Birmingham Downtown Improvement Association (BDIA) singled out the beautification of 20th Street as one of its major ambitions when it was formed in 1957. The idea was highlighted in Operation New Birmingham's 1960 recommendations for a "Comprehensive Beautification Program" and reiterated in the 1965 "Design for Progress".

As part of the campaign, Mrs. C. I. Dreyfus of the Birmingham Beautification Board proposed renaming 20th Street to "Vulcan Boulevard". The idea was taken up by businessman Temple Tutwiler, who touted the proposal as late as 1973.

Meanwhile, Tutwiler joined with Reese Murray, Marshall Haynes and Joseph Farley on a volunteer committee to study specific ways to beautify the downtown area. One of their recommendations was to widen sidewalks and add planters and benches to downtown streets, beginning with the seven blocks of 20th Street North, making it more friendly and attractive to pedestrians. New signage, lighting and street furniture would be included in the design. The additional space would be taken from parking and bus lanes, with transit stops moved to 19th Street North.

View looking South on 20th Street in May 1972

In 1970, ONB published a "Birmingham Green Plan", according to which $500,000 pledged by business and property owners would be supplemented with equivalent city funds in order to qualify for $1 million in federal grant money. When completed, the $2 million project would also include 19th Street between 1st and 3rd Avenue North and 2nd and 3rd Avenue North between 18th and 21st Street.

Architect James Adams prepared preliminary designs, saying of the proposal "We are knitting the fabric of the central business district with high quality thread -- that thread being the visual impact of the street scene." Planners hoped to attract more people to spend time downtown shopping and strolling. ONB would organize special committees to preserve the budget and to approve the design of specific additions, such as newspaper boxes and telephone booths. W. L. Jenkins designed and built the lighted stars and candy canes which decorated 20th Street in the 1970s. According to a December 1974 Birmingham News photo caption, "Major design companies have tried to hire him, 'But I just do this for fun,' he shrugged."

In January 1971, with only 11 of the 425 business and property owners who had agreed to support the project having contributed their pledges, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development released their grant funds. The 20th Street portion of the Birmingham Green project was dedicated on September 14, 1973 at a cost of $1.9 million. The city carried out additional work over the next two years. Meanwhile, building owners leveraged the public investment in streetscaping by making improvements to their properties. B. A. Monaghan began a major renovation of the Nabers, Morrow & Sinnige building at 109–111 20th Street North in 1973.

A two-year $1 million project to extend tree plantings into Southside was completed in 1994. In 2017 the Birmingham Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits began studying the feasibility of closing the section of 20th Street North between 2nd Avenue and Park Place to cars and trucks, leaving the Magic City Connector bus lane open, but otherwise creating a "pedestrian mall".

Notable Locations (south to north)

For an alphabetical list of locations, see the 20th Street North category.

Dates in parentheses indicate when the address was known to have been used, not necessarily the entire span of its use.

Central City neighborhood

Railroad Reservation

street continues as 20th Street South

• West side (Block 108)
  • 2-6: Two North Twentieth building (originally the Bank for Savings Building (built 1962), former site of the Relay House (1871-1886), and Union Station/L & N Station (1887-1960)
    • 4: former location of Moore & Handley, Union News Co. restaurant (1941)
• East side (Block 107)
  • 1-5: John Hand Building parking deck
    • 1: former location of Thompson, Francis & Chenoweth (1887), L & N Fruit Store (1922), L & N Lunch Room (c. 1929), U.S. Tire Service (c. 1938-1941), L&N Railroad freight depot (1941), First National Bank of Birmingham parking lot (1964)
    • 3: former location of Chenoweth, Estes & Horan general household goods (1887), Mathews Electric Supply Co. (1914), Inman Packaging Co. (1922), First National Bank of Birmingham parking lot (1964)
      • 3½: former location of Sander Packaging Co./Walstrum Armature Works (1922)
    • 5: former location of C. M. Lynch Warehouse (1887), Morris Avenue Fruit Store (1922), G. D. Ganoudes (1926), Quality Cafe (c. 1929), United States Rubber Co. offices & auto accessories (1941), First National Bank of Birmingham parking lot (1964)
      • 5½: former location of O. J. Dye Attorney at Law (1887), Salvation Army hall (1922)

Morris Avenue

• West side (Block 108)
  • 6-14: former location of Metropolitan Hotel (built 1886, demolished 1900, rebuilt 1901), Metropolitan Saloon (1887)
    • 6: former location of Costello Bros. fruit stand (1922), Jesse Weatherly restaurant (1941), Hendon & Company parking lot (1964)
    • 8-10: former location of the Metropolitan Hotel (1886-1926), W. M. Prince (1926), Gilbert Hotel (1941), Grayson's Spinning Wheel
      • 8: former location of W. M. Prince barber (1922), Metropolitan Fruit Stand, Metropolitan Barber Shop (c. 1929-1941)
      • 10: former location of Metropolitan Cafe (1886-1926), New Era Restaurant (1935), Lontos Restaurant (1930s-1941), and Stand 'N Snack
        • 10½: former location of H.O. Clark & Co. real estate (1887)
  • 12-20: Woodward Building (built 1902), former location of Hewlett Block (burned 1900)
    • 12: former location of Woodward Billiard Hall (1922-1929), Courts & Co stock brokers (1941-1964)
    • 14: former location of Stollenwerck's Drug Store, Mineral City Auction House (1888), C. D. Pantaze restaurant (1904-1910), Koklas & Marinos hatters (1922), Woodward Hat Cleaning Co. (1925-1929)
    • 16: former location of August Anton cabinet maker (1887), Gus Jebeles fruit stand (1922), George Costello confectioner (1926-1929)
    • 20: PNC Bank, former headquarters of First American Bank and RBC Bank, former location of B. Bernstein clothier (1887)
• East side (Block 107)
  • 7: parking lot, former site of Elyton Land Company building, former location of Gregory & Bryan insurance (1887), (The Pride of Alabama Saloon (1904), G. M. Newton/Cassius Welch restaurants (1910), Exchange Hotel (1920-1929), Hobson Cafe, P & K Cafe, La Dame Cleaners and Argyres Petras barber (1941)
    • 7½: former location of Exchange Barber Shop (c. 1929), E. L. Higdon Brokerage Co. and Travelers Protective Association Post B
  • 9: Taylor Building, former headquarters for Superior Mortgage Corporation, former locationf of T. N. Balabonas restaurant / Hobson Cafe (1904), Exchange Barber Shop (1922), Joe Wheeler Cafe (1926-1929), P & K Cafe (1941)
    • 9½: former location of Exchange Cigar Store (1926), Harris Hat Shop (c. 1929), Cosmopolitan Hatters (1941)
  • 11: former location of Grand Central Hotel (1897), Joe Wheeler Cafe (1904-1922), Peter Johnson restaurant (1904), Louis Johnson restaurant (1910), Harry Kenelis (1926), DeLuxe Billiard Hall (c. 1929)
  • 13: former location of Buyck-Thomas Building (1880s), Postal Telegraph (1889-1920s), C. Vezdoon cigars / DeLuxe Billiard Hall (1922), Postal Tel-Cable Co. (1926)
  • 15: former location of Zac Smith Stationery Co. (1922)
  • 17: John A. Hand Building (built 1912 as the American Trust and Savings Bank Building, later the American-Traders National Bank Building, and First National Bank Building, former headquarters for the American Trust and Savings Bank, First National Bank of Birmingham, Superior Bank and Cadence Bank.

1st Avenue North

View north from the 100 block of 20th Street in 1917

• West side (Block 99)
  • 100-108: Empire Building, former Colonial Bank offices and site of Bank Saloon, Piccadilly restaurant
    • 100: former location of Patterson's Cigar Store (c. 1929) Greene Drug Co. (1922), Colonial Bank branch
    • 102: former location of Electric City Loan Co. (1922), Seaboard Air Line Railroad ticket office (1926-1941), Louis Stephens travel agency (1964)
    • 104: former location of Frank McCree Barber Shop (1887), Traylor Optical Co. (1922-1929), Central of Georgia Railway ticket office (1940-1941), Interstate Finance Co. (1964)
    • 106: former location of Erckert's Sanitary Barber Shop (1922), Empire Barber Shop (1926-1964)
    • 108: former location of Rockett & Blyth shoes (1887), Howard's Cleaning & Pressing (1923), Melba Cafeteria (1935-1940)[1] [2], Seaboard Finance Co. (1964)
      • 108½: former location of W. W. White View Co. (1920), Jacob Klotzman tailor / Mrs L. B. Sims dressmaker / C. E. Howard clothes cleaner / Etna Murphy hem stitcher (1922), Birmingham Sign Co. (1926)
  • 110: former location of L. Rogan & Co. Tailors (1887), Gelders' Restaurant (1897-1904), Model Cafe (1910), Puritan Baking Co. (1922), Piccadilly Theatre (1926), Piccadilly Cafeteria (c. 1929), vacant (1964)
    • 110½ : former location of Feagin & Wilkinson attorneys (1887), Ed Warren real estate (1887), John J. Potts confectioner (1922-1941)
  • 1st Alley North
  • 112-114: former location of T.S. Smith shoes (1887)
  • 112-118: Birmingham Trust building (1922) (built 1922 for Birmingham Trust National Bank), former location of Birmingham Trust building (1902) (1902-1921)
    • 112: former location of Walker Land Company (1887), Hagood, Smith & Co, real estate (1887)
      • 112½: former location of B. M. Allen & E. K. Campbell Attorneys at Law (1887), W.O. Berryman real estate (1887), M. Moore & Co. real estate (1887)
    • 114½: former location of Umbels & Robinson barbers
    • 116: former location of Nashville Saloon & Restaurant (1887), New Home Sewing Machine Co. (1888)
    • 118: former location of Snow & Rambow Saloon (1887)
    • 118½: former location of S.L. DeLoach Barber Shop (1887), Ohio Real Estate Co. real estate (1887), C. N. Lontos restaurant (1910)
  • 120: former location of H. Simon building (built 1875), E. Oppenheimer & Co. saloon, liquor dealer, cigars (1887-1888), Mitchell Costellos restaurant (1904), Lontos Cafe (1920-1929), Bon Ton Hatter (1941-1964)
    • 120½: former location of Model Beauty Parlor (1925-1926), Stone's Beauty Shop (1941)
  • 122-124: Webb Building (built 1871), former location of the Dude Saloon (1871-1907), Anton Govatos restaurant / Christopher Washugas restaurant (1904), National Shirt Shop, Fletcher's News Stand (1922-1923), W. G. Patterson Cigar Co. (1922-1929), Yogo's Frosty Frozen Yogurt, Kaoute No. 2 (1984), Purple Onion, and Pope Jewelers)
• East side (Block 100)
  • 101-107: Brown Marx Building (1908-), former headquarters of the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Company), former site of the National Bank of Birmingham building called "Linn's Folly" (built 1872, demolished 1908), Bank Saloon (1887)
    • 101: former location of R. D. Burnett Cigar Store (c. 1929)
    • 103: former location of H. Mercer jewelry (1884-1887), Golson's Clothing Co. (1922), B. M. Chenoweth & Co. sporting goods (1926), Henry Porter clothing (1941-1964)
    • 105: former location of Southern Railway ticket office (1922-1941)
    • 107: former location of Rich & Biederman shoes (1887), Pelle & Smith tailors, P. H. Linnehan optician & jeweler (1922-1926), S. L. Ledbetter's medical practice, Postal Telegraph Cable Co. (1941), McKinstry's Flowers (1964)
  • 109–111: Nabers, Morrow & Sinnige building, Advantage Marketing Communications, Engel Hairston & Johanson, former location of Nabers, Morrow & Sinnige drugstore
    • 109: former location of John R. Thompson Co. (1922-1926), Thompson's Cafeteria (1941)
    • 109½: former location of D. C. Gordon & Enoch Pruitt dentists / Birmingham Finance Co. (1922), Enoch Pruitt & Ernest Lanzellotta dentists (1926), Staley Co. loans (1941)
    • 111: former location of Burgin & Going dry goods (1887), Charles Miller jewelry (1887)
    • 111½: former location of E. K. Fulton Attorney at Law (1887)
  • 1st Alley North
  • 113: Cafe Dupont, former location of The Hat & Gents' Furnishing Parlor (1884-), Fox & Alexander saloon (1877), Rich & Biederman men's clothiers / A. G. Throver & Co. feed and grain (1887), Manfredo Valentine restaurant / Manhattan Bar (1904), Newark Shoe Store / Samuel Rosanio tailor / H. S. Foster clothes cleaner (1922), Bond Brothers Clothes (1926), Rite's Clothes (c. 1929), 20th Century Bakery, 20th Century Grill (1941-1964)
  • 113½: former location of W.W. Smith shoes (1887), Thomas Molton real estate (1888), 2 Vests Sign Co. (1925), 20th Century Lounge
  • 115: former location of G. T. Terrell Barber Shop / A. W. Black saloon (1887), Beavers Cafe (1922), Merlin Herzfeld (1926), Hanover Shoe Store (c. 1929), Hickman & Kerns sporting goods (1941), P. & S. Apothecary (1964)
    • 115½: former location of S. J. Cunningham & Charles P. Jones Attorneys at Law (1887), Grady & Duncan real estate (1887), J.S. Hunter real estate (1887)
  • 117: former location of Harralson Brothers & Co. (1887), National Loan & Jewelry Co. (1922), Harry Manson (1922-1926), Henry Clay Shoes (c. 1929), Utopia Cleaners (1941),Paul's Barber Shop (1964) Hot Dog King (1985) and King Tut Deli (1990s-2000s)
    • 117‎½: former location of Webster Harris news stand (1922) L. C. Hutton Jr barber (1922-1926), Mack's Lunch Counter (c. 1929), Hot Dog King (1964), now incorporated into the entrance to 119
  • 119: McKinney-Strahan residence, former location of D. W. Abbott jewelry (1884), Slagware Novelty Co. (1887), Sparks Discount Co. (1922), Sparks Barber Shop (1926), Nelle Ehlers news director and Tutor Hats (1941), Household Finance
    • 119½: former location of Earley & Judy barbers (1922), Bon Ton Hatters (1941)
  • 121: Manhattan Deli & Grill (2016-), former location of M. M Williams druggist (1887), H. C. Abbott & Brother jewelers (1887), Jaffe Jewelry (1941), Yeatman-Dixon Co. shirtmakers (1904), Baxter Clothiers (1964), Stand N' Snack/Sandwich Chef, New York Style Delicatessen (-2013), Tau Poco (2013-2016)
    • 121½: former location of B. T. Jones physician (1887)
  • 123: Bromberg's building (built 1946), former location of the Drennen's department store (1922) and Stein's Mens' Clothiers (1941)

2nd Avenue North

• West side (Block 86)
  • 200-206: Roden Block (1884-)
    • 200: Paramount Bar (2013-), former location of Toggery Shop (1925-1926), United Cigar Store (c. 1929), Paramount Candies (1930s), Corner Soda (1941-1950s), Paramount yogurt shop (2011–2013)
    • 202: shoe store/tobacco shop (c. 1929), Watts Apparel Shop (c. 1931)
    • 204: former location of Saxophone Shoppe & Music House (1926), Liggett's Drug Store (1922), Bon Ton Hatters (c. 1929), Watts Specialty Shop (1941), Zoe's Candies (1964), Subway Restaurant
    • 206: former location of W. N. Parker feed and grain (1887), Bon Ton Hatters (1922-1926), Hanover Jewelers (c. 1929-1964) and Betty Maid Dress Shop (1941)
      • 206½: Roden Block stairway
  • 208-210: Joseph McClure Commercial Real Estate, LCS Designs
    • 208: former location of M. Muller fish seller (1887-1888), T. L. McGowan & Co. (c. 1889), Emerson Shoe Co. (1922), W. L. Douglas Shoe Co. (1926-1941), Reynolds Haberdashery, Merle Norman cosmetics (1964), Parisian inventory storage
      • 208½: former location of Mrs Minerva White Barber Shop (1887)
    • 210: former location of Mrs D. W. Harrison dress maker (1887), J. Gatoras & Co. restaurant (1904), Royal Cafe (1910), Reynolds Haberdashery Co. (1922-1926)
      • 210A: former location of Nestle Beauty Shop (1926), Lane's hosiery shop (1930s-1941)
      • 210B: former location of Martha Rutherford (1926), Sherman Shops (1930s-1941)
  • 2nd Alley North
  • 212-218: Iron Age Project (redeveloped 2018) as a "Tech Hub" anchored by CoreLinQ Innovations (2016-)
    • 212: Iron Age building, former location of the Birmingham Iron Age, former location of Charles Webber Baker (1887), W. H. Jarvis Fish Market (1887), Coss & McPherson real estate (1887), Faust Cafe (1920-1929), Mitzi Dress Shop (1941), vacant (1964-)
      • 212½: former location of Dally's hair salon (1930), Birmingham Beauty Shoppe / Dolly Mayson Cosmetic Company (1941)
    • 214: Brick & Tin, former location of A. Spilberger clothier (1887), S. J. Brasher wholesale feed and grain (1887), John Manegold confectionery (1888), Vanity Boot Shop (1926-1929), Thom McAn Shoes (1941), Busch's Jewelry, Mill Discount Drug (1964)
    • 216: vacant restaurant space, former location of Fowlkes & Myatt groceries (1888), Burt's Shoe Store (1941), Mary Jane Shoe Store (1964), Quizno's restaurant
      • 214: former location of Walkover Boot Shop (1922)
      • 216: former location of Hodgson & Ranlett / Klam & Stern grocers (1887), Princess Theatre (1914-1929)
        • 216½: former location of Lizzie Rush Mitchell Boarding House (1887), Labor Advocate offices (1903), E. J. Kaupuz lunch counter (1922), Arcade Billiard Parlor (1922-1926)
    • 218: Bistro 218 (2013-), former location of a boarding house, barber shop, Alonzo S. Elliott insurance (Black & Hamil shoes (1887), Reliance Restaurant (1904), Nunnally Candy Co. (1922), Bromberg's (1926-1946), Maurice boutique (1946), Gordon's Jewelry (1964), Hanover Shoes, and Seafood D'Lite (2008-2012)
      • 218½: former location of Gerhard Mols tailor (1922), Claire's Beauty Shop (1926)
  • 220-224: Farley Building (built 1909, entrance at 1929 3rd Avenue North)
    • 220-222: former location of Liggett's Drugs (1941)
      • 220: former location of New York Model Hat Shop (1922), Nisley Co. (1926), Eisley Beautiful Shoes (c. 1929), Russell Stover Candies
    • 222-224: Classic Basket, former location of Shaw & Davin equipment dealers, Florsheim Shoe Store (1964)
    • 222: former location of J.H. Whaley & Co. confectioners (1887)
    • 224: former location of W. E. Neal & Co. flour, grain & hay (1886-), Frank Keogh & Co. wholesale fruit dealer (1887), Bromberg & Co. jewelers (1922)
• East side (Block 85)
  • 201-211: Frank Nelson Building (built 1903 as the First National Bank Building), First National Bank of Birmingham (1903-), later housed the Birmingham School of Law (1996-2012)
    • 201: Whiteboard It. Former location of George W. Wells real estate (1887), C. F. Torbert (1922), Norton Drug Store, A. & A. Ash Jewelers (1931-2007)
    • 203: former location of B. Cornelius harness maker (1887), Flagg Bros. Shoe Store (1931-1941)
    • 205: Frank Nelson Building building entrance
    • 207: Trattoria Centrale (2009-), former location of Gilbert & Daniel leather goods (1884), T. J. Snider confectioner (1887), F. M. Lynch jeweler (1922), Adam Hats (1931-1941), Florsheim Shoes (1946), Mary Ball Candies (1964), Puff & Browse Smokeshop (1980s) Roma's Italian Bistro (-2009)
      • 207½: former location of John Sarver (1926)
    • 209: UPS Store, former location of W.E. Neal feed and grain (1887), Wainwright Hamm (1926), United Woolen Stores (c. 1931-1964)
    • 211: former location of Isaac Moses merchant tailor (1888), Fisch's Bakery & Lunch Room (1910), Jemison Real Estate & Insurance (1914), Royal Hat Shop (1931-1941)
  • 2nd Alley North
  • 213-225 1927 Porter Clothing Co. building (built 1927)
    • 213: Forstall Art Center (2016-), former location of Beitman & Bros. tobacconists (1887) / Snedker & Co. (1887), Delmonico Restaurant (1897), Albert Restaurant (1904), S. J. Alper jeweler / Jaffe Optical Co. (1922), Goodyear Raincoat Co. (1922-1926), J. B. Strauss Clothing (c. 1929), T. F. Heally Furniture (1934), Mayo's Mens' Clothes (1941), O.P.O. Clothes (1946), Fidelity Federal Savings & Loan (1964), Cityscape Group
      • 213½: former location of J. W. McClain architect (1905), F. T. Skelton jewelers' supply / Chromer Art Craft Pen Co. (1922), E. H. Kincaid/Clarence Satterwhite/Chromer Art Craft Pen Co. (1926), Hill Sign Co.
    • 215: former location of Charlie Lee Laundry (1887), Alabama Paper Company (1888-), Dixie Dairy Lunch (1914), Carter & Mitchell barbers / M. A. Smith shoemaker / W. T. Miree clothes cleaner (1922), W. & W. Dry Cleaning Co. (1923), Blumberg Loan Co. / H. A. Back Sandwich Special (1926), Marbels Cadie-Wear (c. 1929), Godwin Stationery Company (1930s), J. B. Strauss & Co. (1941), Alabama Paper Company, Hanover Shoe Store (1964)
      • 215½: former location of S. Marshall dyer (1887), J. Maclay Armstrong physician (1887), J. A. Edwards chiropracter / The Franklin Studio (1922), Two Vests Sign Co. (1926), A. A. Bonds furniture, Goodwin Stationery Co. (1941)
    • 217: Alchemy men's store (2015-), former location of Corbett Brothers (1887), O. K. Barber Shop, L. A. Pickard barber / John Farmer news stand (1922), Marchal Jewelry Co. (1922-1926), Worth Feminine Apparel (c. 1929), Wormser Hat Store (1930s-1964), Orange Julius, Sojourns (2007-2010)
    • 219: Bon Ton Hatters, former location of T. M. Perryman grocery store (1887), R. Knauff & Co. (1887), Dundee Woolen Mills (1922-1926), Royal Hatters (c. 1929), Studio Book Shop (1941-1964), Thom McAn Shoes (1964)
      • 219½: former location of Oscar V. Hunt photographer (1920), W. B. Folmar & Son insurance agents (1922), Dally's Beauty Shoppe (1925), LaRose Beauty Shop (1926)
    • 221-227: Auburn University Urban Studio (2013-)
      • 221-225: former location of Porter's clothing (1941)
        • 221: former location of J. E. Richardson saloon (1887), Wells Co. clothiers (1922-1926), Shoney's Big Boy (1967-) and MedTown Pharmacy (2005-2010)
        • 223: former location of Cosby & Plosser Grocers (1887), Wormser Hat Store (1922-1926)
        • 225: former location of B. F. Cheek's drug store (1872), the Stag Saloon, McArdle & Owens grocers (1887), William Fidger restaurant (1904), Hagan-Dunlap Drug Co. (1922-1926), Patterson Cigar Store (c. 1929)

3rd Avenue North

20th Street looking south from 4th Avenue c. 1928

• West side (Block 73)
  • 300-310: Hood Building/Blach's building (1890) former location of Hood-Yeilding General Merchandise Store (1890-1910), Bencor Hotel (1910-1935), Blach's (1936-1988), Blach's Lofts (2007-)
    • 300: former location of Patton-Pope Drugs (1909), A. Schulte cigars (1922-1929), Hardin's Coneys, Butler's Shoe Store, Wallock's, MBA Structural Engineers
      • 300A: former location of Petro Cassimus lunch counter (1922), Benjamin Fell (1926)
    • 302: former location of Tom Pillouras shoe polisher (1922), White Palace Hat Shop (1926-1929)
      • 302A: former location of Terreson's photo printing
    • 304: former location of Gordon Jewelry & Loan Co. (1922), Noble Cleaners & Dyers (1926), Brodnax Jewelers (c. 1931-1964), Reed Lawson Jeweler
      • 304A: former location of F. S. Hardin lunch counter (1922), Birmingham Sandwich Shop (1925-1926)
    • 306: former location of Bencor Hotel (1922-1926), Noble Shirt Shop (c. 1929) Eleanor's Gift Shop (c. 1929)
      • 306 lobby: C. J. McLendon attorney / G. D. Orr barber / United Hosiery (1922)
    • 308: former location of Chicago Restaurant (1904), Lawson Reid jeweler (1922-1926) Arnold Clothing Co. (c. 1929), Jarman Shoes, Sommer Co. tailor
      • 308½: former location of W. R. Venable / R. J. Seaton / Service Dry Cleaning Co. (1922), Sommer Co./C. F. Shelton/W. R. Venable (1926)
    • 310: former location of Venables' Cafe (1920), Armstrong Hat Co. (1922-1926), Shyer's Jewelry (c. 1929), Dewberry Engraving (1931), Presto Cafe & Barbecue (c. 1934)
  • 3rd Alley North
  • 312: former location of Sam Harris paints and wallpapers (1888), Warner-Smiley Company undertakers (1896-1904), E. T. Shaw & Son undertakers (1904), Hooper Cafe (1920-1922), Lynch Jewelry Co. (1926), Lasso's Kiddie Klothes (1955), Christian Science Reading Room (1964)
    • 312½: former location of Hilton Studio/Eugene Beauty Shoppe (1926), Irvin Payne Jr music teacher, Ned Green Sign Co., Glamor Life mail order house
  • 314: former location of G.W. Ponder hides (1887), E. Wagner fruit and produce (1888), Hooper's Cafe (1910), McCowan Walk-Over Boot Shop (1926-1929), Lindy Jewelry, Angelo's Italian Restaurant (1964)
    • 314½: former location of Mrs. E.D. Pool dress maker (1887), Greek American Social Club
  • 316-330: former location of Linville/Southern Hotel (1899-1964)
  • 316-318: former location of T.D. Howland livery stable (1887)
    • 316: former location of Empire Clothing Co. (1922-1929) Odum's mens' clothing, vacant (1964)
      • 316½: former location of Southern Hotel entrance (1922-1926)
    • 318: former location of G. Nichols restaurant (1897), Griffith & Shlegel photography supply (1914), Farmer-Cannon Jewelry Co. (1922-1942), Tooley-Myron Studios photographers
      • 318½: former location of J. George Huber painter (1887)
    • 320: former location of Glover & Kincaid barbers (1922-1926), Marchel Jewelry Co. (c. 1929), Louis W. Perry Jewelry Co. (1948), vacant (1964)
    • 322: former location of Norton's Barber Shop (c. 1929)
    • 330: former location of Norton's Drug Store (1922-1926), Lane's Drug Store and Hardy Shoe Store
• East side (Block 74)
  • 301-303: Watts Building (1927), People's Finance & Thrift, Renasant Bank branch; former site of Watts Building (1888-1926)
    • 301: former location of Patterson Cigar Store (c. 1929), Russell Stover Candies (1964)
    • 303: former location of Easonville Creamery (1910), Realty Mortgage Co. (1922), Regal Shoes, Glenn Batteiger optometrist (1930s), L&N Railroad ticket office (1940s), Lollar's Cameras (1964)
  • 305: former location of Wilkerson & Stone pharmacy (1888), Federal Clothing Store (1922), Dailey's (1926), Wells Clothing Co. (c. 1929), Blackburn's Fabrics (1964)
  • 307: former location of George K. Headley Candy Co. (1922), Martha Washington Candy Co. (1922-1929), Casino Restaurant (1935-1945), Blackburn's Fabrics (1964)
    • 307½: former location of U.S. Hotel (1920-1922), Hotel Marion (1926)
  • 309-311: former location of Christian Enslen grocery store, Britling Cafeteria No. 2 (1922-1960s)
  • 309½: former offices of Britling Cafeteria Co. Inc. (1964)
  • 3rd Alley North
  • 313: Roly Poly sandwich shop, former location of W. D. Cline upholsterer (1887), Thomas G. Simpson & Co., B. D. Whilden flour, grain and hay (1888), Faulkner Novelty Co. (1922), Royal Clothing Co. (1926-1929), Alabama Heating & Roofing and the Gaslight Theatre
  • 313½: former location of J. F. Knox photography studio
  • 315: former location of Wells' Quality Shop (1922), Allen's Silk Shop (1926), Eleanor's Cards
    • 315½: former location of James M. Russell Attorney at Law (1887), Birmingham View Co. (1920), J. F. Knox photographer (1922)
  • 317-319: former location of Augusta Friedman Shop (1925-1926)
    • 317: The Post office building (built as Birmingham Green Postal Station), former location of R. A. Wilson restaurant (1910), the Southern Hotel (1920), Greenwood Cafe No.1 (1920-1922), Birmingham Gas Co. (c. 1929), Exchange Security Bank (1964)
      • 317½: former offices of Exchange Security Bank, Lange, Simpson, Robinson & Somerville attorneys, Wilson's Studio (1920-1922), J. M. Morton broker / Birmingham View Co. (1922)
    • 319: former location of Hurt & Tillman Grocery (1887), A. K. L. Lambly florist (1922), Wheeler's Cantilever Shoe Store (1926-1929), Traylor Optical Co. (1931), Royal Hatters (1964)
  • 321-323: former location of Anthony Dietlein Grocer
    • 321: The Craft Burger (2018-), former location of F & H Clothes Shop (1922), Trivers Clothes (1926), Bolber Clothing (c. 1929), E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. (c. 1934), Taylor Optical Co., Robino News Co. (1964), Roly Poly, Java & Jams (2007-2010), Razzleberries (2010-2011), Brava Rotisserie Grill (2015-2018)
      • 321½: former location of Rex Billiard Parlor (1922-1926)
    • 323: former location of Gilchrist-Tarrant Drug Co. (1922) Brackin's Inc. jewelers (1926-1929), Leeds Clothing (c. 1929), Ford's Clothes
  • 325: former location of Frew & Milligan (1926), Busch Jewelry Co. (1964), McDonald's, Salsa and Sabor, El Mexicano, Bayou Deli, Jimmy John's (closed February 2019)
  • 325½: former location of H & S Optical Co.

4th Avenue North

The Tutwiler Hotel at 421 20th Street North

• West side (Block 60)
  • 400-410: Clark Building (built 1908)
    • 400: former location of John Farmer grocer (1887), George Passe & Co. clothier (1892), Sellers Drug Co. (1922), Industrial Savings Bank (c. 1929), men's clothes (1931), Schwobilt Clothes (1964), Alabama Music Center (1968), Central Bank (-1983)
      • 400½: former location of Mary Beard's Tea Room, Greenwood Cave billiard parlor (1922), Cafe Italiano (1966-1974]), Piccolino Lounge, Uptown Downtown (1981-1982)
    • 402: former location of George Nicholas restaurant (1904), 20th Street Fruit Store, Delight Barber Shop (c. 1929), gift shop (1931), vacant (1964), Charles Arndt clothiers (-1983)
    • 404: former location of the Stork Shoppe, Toledo Scale Co./Old Dutch Ribbon & Carbon Co. (1922) Mehr's Music Store & Novelty Shop (c. 1929-1930), furrier (1931)
      • 404A: former location of Lollar's Cameras (1926), A. C. Keily's photo studio, Turner Studio Co. (1931)
    • 406: former location Mrs N. H. Woods dress maker (1887), F. W. McInturff cigar manufacturer (1904), Domestic Electric Co. (1922) Faulkner's Stationery (c. 1929), jeweler/furrier (1931) Smith & Hardwick booksellers (-1983)
    • 408: former location of Peerless Laundry, Studio Book Shop (1922-1931), Lampland Novelties (1964), Remington (-1983)
    • 410: former location of Claradon Hat Shop, Stephenson Studio (1920-1922), E. & W. Dry Cleaning (1922), art supplies (1931), Statesman Barber Shop (1964), Tutwiler Drug Co. (-1983)
      • 410A: former location of Vernon Harris Florist (1931-1964)
  • 4th Alley North
  • 412-424: Wells Fargo Tower (built 1986 as SouthTrust Tower, later Wachovia Tower), offices of Wells Fargo Bank. Maki Fresh on ground floor
    • 412-414: former location of Joy Young Restaurant (1919-1980), Nelson's restaurant (March 1981-March 1982)
    • 416-424: former location of Williams-Henley building (demolished c. 1983)
      • 416: former location of Reese's Art Cleaning & Dyeing (1922), Peerless Cleaners (c. 1929-1931), G. A. C. Finance Corp. (1964), Sara's (-1983)
      • 418: former location of Goodyear Shoe Hospital (1922-1983)
      • 420: former location of Coovalis & Dozas restaurant (1922), Dixie Water Garden (c. 1929), loan office (1931), People's Finance & Thrift Co. (c. 1940), Utopia Cleaners (c. 1964-1983)
      • 422: former location of William Bosboras fruit stand (1922), New Hat Cleaning Co. (c. 1929) Carr Floral Company (1930s-1964), Instant Copies II (1982)
      • 424: former location of Gibbs-Fort Drug Co. (1922-1926), shooting gallery (1931), former location of Florsheim Shoes (1945), Krystal hamburgers (1964-), Jefferson Federal Savings & Loan branch (-1983)
• East side (Block 59)
  • 401-407: Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 3, former location of Birmingham Central Market (1907-1908)
    • 401: former location of W. G. Patterson Cigar Store (1922-1926), Lenak Studios (1945-)
      • 401A: former location of Nick Vassakis shoe polisher (1922)
    • 403: former location of Augusta Friedman Shop ladies' clothes (1922), Hafter's ladies' clothes (1925), vacant (c. 1929), E. E. Forbes & Sons (1941-1955), Quick Park parking lot (1964)
    • 403½: former location of Terreson's Camera Shop (1922), Multigraphic Advertising Co. (1925), Birmingham View Company
    • 405: former location of London Hatters (1923)
    • 407: former location of Nicholas D'Cassimus restaurant (1910), Greenwood Cafe No.2 (1920-1934)
    • 409: former location of J. F. Lewis restaurant (1904), George Cassimus fruit stand (1922)
  • 411½: former location of the Labor Advocate newspaper (1920), American Legion Birmingham Post No. 1 (1922)
  • 4th Alley North
  • 413-429: Viva Health building, formerly Regions Plaza, former location of the Tutwiler Hotel (built 1914, demolished 1972)
    • 413: former location of Tutwiler Coffee Room (1922)
    • 415: former location of Butterfield Fruit & Produce Co. (1888-)
    • 419: former location of Armstrong Hat Co. (1922)
    • 421: former location of Drum Room
    • 423: former location of Fraser Nursery/Tutwiler Flower Shop (1922), Armstrong Clothing Co. (1926)
    • 425: former location of Tutwiler Flower Shop (1926)
    • 427-429: former location of Tutwiler Drug Co. (1922)

5th Avenue North

• West side (Block 47)
  • former location of Occupy Birmingham's "Camp Mayhem" (2011-2012)
  • 500-512: Regions Center (1972-, formerly AmSouth-Sonat Building)
    • 500-508: former location of Southern Club (1893-1929) Works Progress Administration (1930s), Birmingham Red Cross (1943-1967)
    • 510-512: former location of Birmingham Athletic Club (1903-1925), YMCA Birmingham (1926-1930s) Dixie-Carlton Hotel (1940-1948) YWCA Birmingham (1948-1960s)
  • 5th Alley North
  • 514-524: Regions-Harbert Plaza (formerly AmSouth-Harbert Plaza), Summit Club
    • 520: former location of Hendon Car Park (1964)
    • 526: former location of YMCA Building (built 1911, demolished 1985), U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Office (1964)
    • 528: former offices of North 20th Garage Co. (1922), Munger Realty Co., Montgomery Real Estate & Insurance Co.
    • 530: former location of Standard Oil Station (1922), City Finance Co.
• East side (Block 48)
• Winged Victory statue (1999)
  • 501-511: Financial Center Building (1982), offices of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, former location of Molton Hotel (1914-1979)
    • 503: former location of R. F. D. Lounge (1964)
    • 505: former location of Blossom Shop florist (1923-1929)
    • 507: former location of Molton Cafe (c. 1929)
    • 509: former location of Molton Hotel Barber Shop (1922)
    • 511: former location of Adams Art Co. (1922)
  • 5th Alley North
  • 513-521: Carpenter House, Episcopal Diocese of Alabama
    • 515: former location of the Blossom Shop (1922)
  • 529-531: Cathedral Church of the Advent

6th Avenue North

• West side
  • 600: Family Reserve Insurance building (1946), also known as the Land Title Building, former home of the Woman's Missionary Union (1951-1984). Former site of the A. W. Smith residence
  • 604: former location of D. C. Donald/J. A. Ward/J. D. Heacock/J. D. Chisholm physicians (1922)
  • 606-608: former offices of R. E. Smith insurance and realty, Roy Smith, attorney (1964)
    • 606: former location of North Side Tire Co. (1922)
    • 608: former location of A. F. Jackson clothes cleaner (1922)
  • 610: former location of Dale's Restaurant (1964)
  • 612: former location of Walker & Wiggins restaurant (1922), A. Nash tailoring (1923), Taylor Real Estate & Insurance Co. (1964)
  • 614-624 Park Place Tower
    • 614: former location of Snow-Smith Drug Co. (1922), Conway Plaza sundries (1964)
• East side
  • 601: Birmingham Board of Education Parking Deck, former location of Forbes Tire Co. (1922)
  • 615: Birmingham Board of Education Building (1965), home of the Birmingham Board of Education, (proposed site for an unbuilt Westin Grand Bohemian, 2004)

Park Place

20th Street shifts west, becomes known as Nina's Way (formerly Short 20th Street)

• West side
  • 700: Birmingham City Hall Parking Deck
  • 706: C.H. Reed florist (1887)
  • 710: Birmingham City Hall
  • 720: former location of YWCA (1922)
• East side
  • Linn Park (formerly Central Park, Capitol Park, Woodrow Wilson Park)
  • 721: former location of S. A. Weaver repair shop (1922)

8th Avenue North

end of this section of 20th Street

• I-20/59
• West side:
  • 811: former location of M. F. Wood coal (1922)
  • 823: former location of Plumbers & Steamfitters Local No. 91
  • 829: former location of Kelly Ingram Post No. 668 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
  • 831: former location of Alabama Supply Company, Fuel Efficiency Engineering Co. (1964), Superior Machine & Equipment Co. (1964)
  • 833: former location of Cochrane Roofing & Metal (1964)
• East side:
  • 830: former location of Eugene Gandy coal (1922)

9th Avenue North

• West side
  • 912: former location of Cosmos Tablet Co. (1964)
  • 936: former location of Rath Packing Co. meatpackers (1964)
• East side
  • 921-935: residences

Druid Hills neighborhood

10th Avenue North intersects St Louis & San Franciso Railway crosses

• West side
  • 1004-1006: former location of Bayliss Machine & Welding
  • 1015-1020: residences
• East side
  • 1001: former location of Capellis & Pantoulis grocery store (1922), United States Plywood (1964)
  • 1017-1035: residences

11th Avenue North intersects

• West side
  • 1100-1136: residences
• East side
  • 1101-1123: residences
  • 1125: former location of Annie Jones grocery (1922), Becker Roofing Co. (1964)
  • 1127: Zion Hope Baptist Church (1964)
  • 1129: residence

12th Avenue North intersects

• West side
  • 1200-1202: Norwood Assembly of God (1964)
  • 1212: vacant (1964)
  • 1216: Sentell Oil Co. Service Station (1964)
• East side
  • 1201: Taylor Glass Co. (1964)
  • 1215: residence

13th Avenue North & F. L. Shuttlesworth Drive (formerly Huntsville Road) intersects

• West side
  • 1300-1346: residences
• East side
  • 1301-1329: residences

14th Avenue North intersects

• West side
  • 1400-1428: residences
  • 1430: apartments (5 units, 1964)
• East side
  • 1409-1411: Christ Lutheran Church (1964)
  • 1415-1429: residences
  • 1431: McQueen Beauty Shop (1964)
  • 1437-1441: residences

15th Avenue North intersects

• 1500-1511: residences

Druid Hill Drive begins

• 1524-1538: residences

15th Court North intersects

• 1541-1550: residences

15th Terrace North intersects

• 1554-1568: residences

Portage Avenue ends

• 1569-1591: residences

16th Avenue North intersects

• 1577-1705: residences

20th Place North intersects

• 2020-2024: residences

road discontinued after 2031

Evergreen neighborhood

21st Avenue North intersects

• 2100-2128: residences

22nd Avenue North intersects

• 2201-2228: residences

road discontinued after 2231

North Birmingham neighborhood

Village Creek crosses
24th Avenue North intersects

• 2401-2417: residences

Finley Boulevard intersects
25th Avenue North intersects

• 2500: Slossfield Community Center
• 2519: Mann Brothers Building Company (1934)

25th Court North intersects
26th Avenue North intersects
26th Court North intersects

• 2616: Star Truck Parts, former location of Dodds Demolition Co. (1964)
• 2665: former location of Norala Seed Co. (1964)

27th Avenue North intersects

• 2716: former location of Hiller Truck Lines
• L & N Railroad (no crossing)

29th Avenue North intersects
road discontinued
30th Avenue North intersects
31st Avenue North intersects
32nd Avenue North intersects
33rd Avenue North intersects
34th Avenue North intersects
35th Avenue North intersects
36th Avenue North intersects
road continues as alley
37th Avenue North intersects
road discontinued
I-65 (no access)

References

• Nirenstein, Nathan (c. 1929) Birmingham, Alabama tax map of downtown district
• "Whitson's Tenant Map of Birmingham" (1930s) compiled, published and periodically revised by Bethel W. Whitson Organization, engineers, surveyors and mapmakers for the Jemison Real Estate Service (Jemison Realty Co., Inc.)
• Polk's Birmingham (Jefferson County, Ala.) City Directory (1964) Richmond, Virginia: R. L. Polk & Co.
• "New look for our big town" (August 18, 1970) Birmingham News - via Birmingham Rewound
• Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce (1976) Century Plus: A Bicentennial Portrait of Birmingham, Alabama 1976 Birmingham: Oxmoor Press, p. 16.
• Edgemon, Erin (June 26, 2017) "Should Birmingham close 20th Street in downtown for pedestrian traffic?" The Birmingham News

External links

• Photographs of 20th Street North from the Magic City Flickr Group