3rd Avenue North

3rd Avenue North, looking east from 18th Street in October 1972

3rd Avenue North, looking northeast from 21st Street, c. 1911

Third Avenue North is an east-west street running through downtown Birmingham. The westernmost section by that name ends at Center Street, although the road continues further west as 3rd Avenue West. The easternmost section ends at 88th Street, just west of Roebuck Municipal Golf Course.

Third Avenue is continuous from Center Street to Carraway Boulevard (formerly 26th Street North). At that point, it is interrupted by the 2nd Avenue North off-ramp of the Elton B. Stephens Expressway and railroad tracks. The road is one way eastbound from 9th to 26th Street North. There is a short segment of 3rd on the west side of 28th Street North. The next segment curves from 29th Street northward to line up with 31st Street North across Messer Airport Highway.

The avenue does not appear again eastward until Forest Hills Cemetery next to the I-20/I-59 interchange. At this point, Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard North (formerly 10th Avenue North), becomes 3rd Avenue. Third then continues northeast with some gaps, notably at Trotwood Park, I-59, and East Lake Park, to 88th Street.

The two-way portion of 3rd Avenue from Center Street to 9th Avenue is five lanes wide. The one-way portion is four lanes from 9th to 14th Street North and three lanes from 14th to between 24th and 25th Street. At this point, the left lane becomes an on-ramp for the Elton B. Stephens Expressway. Throughout the 1970s and most of the 1980s, this on-ramp was the northernmost point to get on the expressway as it did not connect to I-20/I-59 at that time. Third Avenue continues as two lanes under the expressway to Carraway Boulevard. The rest of the road segments east of here are two lanes as well.

History

The initial commercial expansion on 3rd Avenue took place on the south side of the street during the 1880s between 20th and 21st Streets. Third Avenue was also where the first two county courthouses in Birmingham were built (at 21st Street). The courthouse attracted other development to the intersection where it was located, such as the Title Guaranty Building.

Three stores on the north side of the 1800 block (Block 72), modernized in 1961, were damaged in a major fire on the evening of December 17, 1970.

The first section of 3rd Avenue North to be converted from two-way to one-way (eastbound) traffic was from 14th Street North to Red Mountain Expressway. The one-way section was expanded westward to 9th Street North in 1973 by the Alabama Department of Transportation's TOPICS (Traffic Operations Program to Increase Capacity and Safety) program.

Notable locations

For an alphabetical list of locations, see the 3rd Avenue North category.

Smithfield neighborhood

• Center Street intersects
  • 1: former location of Elyton Esso (1964)
  • 11: former location of Birmingham Lumber & Supply Co. (1941)
  • 16: former location of Center Street Gulf Station (1964)
  • 18: former location of Luquire Service Station (1941)
  • 19: former location of Parker Supply Co. (1964)
  • 24: former location of Weeks Trailer Co. (1964)
  • 30: former location of Rendezvous Gardens restaurant (1941), Kwik Cleaners / Dixie Spartan Sales (1964)
• 1st Street North intersects (north only)
  • 95: Alabama Cabinet Co.
  • 99: former location of Parker Supply Co. building materials (1964)
  • 113-115: former location of Christie Hutchinson & Burton Co. contractors (1941)
  • 125: former location of Tile Distributors, Inc. (1964)
  • 129: Full Service Auto & Electric
  • 130: former location of Avery Freight Lines (1941), Victory Freight Lines (1964)
  • 131: former location of National Insulation & Supply Co. (1941)
• 2nd Street North intersects (north only)
  • 200: former location of Alabama Bedding Manufacturing Co. (1941-1964)
  • Atlantic Coast Line Railroad crossing
  • Valley Creek passes below
• 4th Street North intersects
  • 314: former location of Wilborn Woodworks (1964)
  • 315: Clayton Industries
  • 401: former location of First German Lutheran Church (1899)
  • 430: former location of Peace Baptist Church (1941)
  • 438-440: former location of Paul Gagliano grocery (1941), Famous Market grocery (1964)
• 5th Street North intersects
  • 500: former location of Bell's Barber Shop (1964)
  • 530: former location of Southern Flooring Co., Southern Acoustics (1964)
  • 531: 6th Street Peace Baptist Church, former location of Brasher's One Stop Service gas station / Lloyd Miller mechanic (1941), Sentell Oil Co. gas station (1964)
• 6th Street North intersects
  • 600: former location of The Kellum Agency insurance agents & Son Builders (1964)
  • 601: former location of James Winkles gas station (1941)
  • 602: former location of Watkins Motor Co. used cars (1941)
  • 619: former location of Freeman Standard Service Station (1964)
• 6th Place North intersects
  • 624: Jeff's Motors, Inc., former location of Jefferson Motors (1964)
  • 625: former location of L. L. Stewart Machinery Co. (1964)
  • 631: former location of John Trupiano grocery (1941)
  • 633: T & M Gateline
  • 649: former location of Sportsman's Barber Shop (1964)
  • 650: former location of Alabama Cash Register Co. (1964)
• 7th Street North intersects
  • 700: former location of Samuel Fede restaurant (1941), Moffat Bearings Co. (1964)
  • 701: former location of Luke Glasper barber (1941), Rice Beauty Salon (1974)
  • 703: former location of New Deal Cleaners (1941)
  • 704: former location of Red Front Store beer (1964)
  • 705: Nicole B Boutique, former location of Laundry, Dry Cleaning & Dye House Workers International Union, Local No. 218 (1964)
  • 709: former location of Royal Cleaners & Hatters (1964)
  • 714: former location of Vulcan Service Company (1956-)
  • 720-730: former location of Stringfellow Lumber Co. (1941-1964)
  • 727: former location of Appliance Parts Distributors (1964)
  • 729: former location of J. B. Braswell Co. auto parts (1964)
  • 731: former location of Robins Transfer Co. / Tuscaloosa Motor Expres (1941), Braswell Tire Co. (1964)
• 8th Street North intersects (south only)
  • 800: Fleet Serve, former location of Birmingham Cotton Mills (1885)
  • 801: Alabama Adult Books, former location of NIcholas Sarris restaurant (1941), Gold Star Barbecue restaurant (1964)
  • 803: former location of Art Sign Co. (1927)
  • 824: Church's Chicken
  • 830-838: former location of Mutual Oil Co. gas station (1941-1964)
• 9th Street North intersects
  • 900: Adams Inn
  • 901-911: former location of Howard Odorless Cleaners (1941-1964)
    • 907: UniFirst
  • 921: former location of Palmer & Little grocery (1941)
  • 923: former location of Henry Bryant secondhand furniture (1941)
  • 923: former location of Pioneer Roofing & Siding Co. (1941)
  • 931: former location of Beco Cleaners (1941), Noles Machine & Welding (1964)
• 10th Street North intersects, onramp to I-65 south
  • 1001: former location of Henry Giardina grocery (1941)
  • 1003: former location of Lebby Belting Co. (1964)
  • 1005: former location of Refrigeration Service Co. (1941)
  • 1023: former location of Alfonso Pettinano shoe repair (1941), Beco Credit Union & Alabama Central Credit Union (1964)
  • 1025: former location of Reeve Electric Co. (1964)
  • 1027: former location of John L. Williams barber (1941), Alfonso's Shoe Repair (1964)
  • 1029: former location of Albert Bagwell restaurant (1928), William Greathouse jeweler (1941)
    • 1029A: former location of Perry's Barber Shop (1964)
    • 1029B: former location of Boggan Plumbing & Heating (1964)
  • 1031: former location of Guy Bagwell cafe (1941), Beco Cafe (1964)

Fountain Heights

11th Street North

• offramp from I-65 north
• 1100: former location of Beco Sundries confectionary (1964)
• 1101: BP
• 1102: former location of Union Pool Room (1964)
• 1104: Waffle House (2018-)
• 1105-1107: former location of Industrial Tool & Engineering Co. (1964)
• 1106-1108: former location of George Refrigerator Co. (1964)
• 1108: former location of R.E. Stephens Cleaners and Dyers (1934)
• 1115-1131: former location of Greenberg Auto Parts (1964)
• 1116: ABC Store
• 1124: Credit Finance Inc.

12th Street North

• 1200: former location of Industrial Supplies Inc. (1964)
• 1201: former location of Alabama Home Builders, Alabama Builders Supply Co., Alabama Manufacturing Co. electric churns, Alabama Appliance Co. (1964)
• 1216: former location of Discount Furniture Market & Green & Stein Furniture Co. (1964)
• 1229: Birmingham Urban League
• former Birmingham Southern Railroad crossing
• former St Louis & San Francisco Railroad crossing

13th Street North

• north side (Block 67):
  • 1300: Jim Burke Nissan service department, former location of Davis Oil Co. gas station, Ray Jr's Drive-In (1966), Catfish King
  • 1304-1306: former location of Reinhart's Cafeteria (1964)
  • 1310: former location of Glen Iris Dairies (1925)
  • 1320-1328: former location of Third Avenue Motors used cars (1964)
    • 1328: former location of grocery (1891)
• south side (Block 92):
  • 1301-1329: Kings Inn motel, formerly Holiday Inn (1964) with Britling cafeteria, and Knights Inn
    • 1301-1307: former location of Birmingham Gas Company (1891)
    • 1309-1311: former location of Consolidated Electric Co. (1891)
    • 1313-1331: former location of "negro quarters" (1891)
      • 1313: former location of dwelling (1891)
        • 1313½: former location of dwelling (1891)
      • 1317: former location of dwelling (1891)
      • 1321: former location of dwelling (1891)
      • 1325: former location of dwelling (1891)
      • 1331: Edwards Chevrolet car lot, former location of dwelling (1891), Fair Cafe (1964)

14th Street North

• • north side (Block 68):
    • 1400: Edwards Chevrolet (1944-)
      • 1400-1402: former location of duplex residence (1891)
      • 1404-1406: former location of duplex residence (1891)
      • 1408-1410: former location of duplex residence (1891)
      • 1412: former location of dwelling (1891)
      • 1416: former location of dwelling (1891)
      • 1420: former location of dwelling (1891)
      • 1424: former location of dwelling (1891)
      • 1430: former location of dwelling (1891)
  • south side (Block 91):
    • 1401-1421: Edwards Chevrolet used car lot
      • 1401: former location of grocery (1891)
      • 1403: former location of dwelling (1891)
      • 1407: former location of dwelling (1891)
      • 1409: former location of store attached to dwelling (1891)
      • 1411: former location of M. M. Nance bakery (1887), Robert Funk bakery (1888), dwelling (1891)
      • 1413: former location of dwelling (1891)
      • 1417: former location of dwelling (1891)
      • 1421: former location of dwelling (1891)
    • 1423: former location of dwelling (1891)
    • 1425: former location of Baker's Ice Cream Co. (1964)
    • 1427: former location of dwelling (1891)
    • 1429-1431: former location of Canon Tire Co. (1964)
      • 1431: former location of dwelling (1891)

15th Street North

• north side (Block 69):
  • 1500: former location of dwelling (1891) Edwards Chevrolet warehouse (1964), Nexus boutique and head shop
  • 1502: former location of Diplomat Printing & Letter Co. (1964)
  • 1504-1506: former location of Auto Park Inc. parking lot (1964)
    • 1504: former location of dwelling (1891)
  • 1508: former location of dwelling (1891)
  • 1516: former location of dwelling (1891)
  • 1520: former location of dwelling (1891)
  • 1522: former location of Colonial Realty & Insurance (1964)
  • 1524: former location of dwelling (1891)
  • 1526-1528: former location of Modern Sign Co. (1964)
  • 1530: former location of dwelling (1891), Service Insurance Co. district office (1964)
    • 1532: former location of Argeros & Co. restaurant (1928)
• south side (Block 90):
  • 1501: Firehouse Shelter (built 1905 as Birmingham Fire Station No. 6 ), former location West End Hose Company No. 3 (1891), Birmingham Amateur Radio Club, Birmingham Police Motor Pen garage, Civil Defense Rescue Squad storage (1964)
  • 1505: former location of dwelling (1891)
    • 1505½: former location of dwelling (1891)
  • 1509: Rex's Auto Service, former location of dwelling (1891)
  • 1511: former location of dwelling (1891)
  • 1513-1515: former location of Alabama Leather Co. (1964)
    • 1513: former location of dwelling (1891)
    • 1515: former location of Lee Disheroon Motorcycle Co., Indian motorcycle dealer (1923)
  • 1517-1521: former location of the Caslon Press (1923-1925)
    • 1517: former location of dwelling (1891), Erie Leather Co. wholesale (1964)
    • 1519-1521: former location of duplex dwelling (1891)
  • 1525: former location of dwelling (1891)
  • 1531: former location of dwelling (1891), Railroad Furniture Co. (1979)

16th Street North

• north side (Block 70)
  • 1600: Your Flower Shop, former location of boarding house (1891), Shoemaker's Standard Oil Service Station (1964)
  • 1602: former location of Management Controls bookkeeping service (1964)
  • 1604: former location of dwelling (1891)
  • 1608: former location of dwelling (1891), Empire Leather Co. (1964)
  • 1610: former location of Lovett's Clothing & Furniture (1964)
  • 1612-1614: former location of H. J. Sparks Mercantile Co. (1964)
    • 1612: former location of dwelling (1891), Amani Raha cocktail bar (2010-)
  • 1616: former location of dwelling (1891), Spivy-Johnson Portrait Co. (1920), Fields & Lewis Furniture Co. (1923), Birmingham Leather Co. (1964)
  • 1618: Etheridge Brothers Barber Shop, former location of Community Blood & Plasma Services (1964)
  • 1620: former location of Edison Electric Illuminating Co. (1891), Adamson Motor Car Company, Thomas Garage Co. (1929), Art-Print Publishing Co. (1948), Hendrix-Brooks Furniture Co. 1964)
  • 1622: former location of Bagley's Birmingham Gas Appliance (1929)
  • 1624: former location of John's Photo Service (1964)
  • 1626: former location of Sun Finance Co. (1964)
  • 1628: former location of Swalley Printing Co. (1949), LaDame Laundry & Cleaners (1964)
  • 1630: Nelson Brother's Cafe, former location of dwelling (1891), Edward Hotel, D. & H. Drugs (1929) Mecca Hotel, candy shop and cafe (1931), Blue Ribbon Shoe Shop repairs 1964)

• south side (Block 89)
  • 1601: Etheridge Brothers Barber & Style No. 1, former location of dwelling (1891), Rawlinson Services gas station (1945), O. K. Discount Co. auto loans (1964)
  • 1607: former location of dwelling (1891)
  • 1609: former location of dwelling (1891)
  • 1613-1615: former location of Nutter & Deerr auto livery stable (1923)
    • 1613: former location of dwelling (1891)
    • 1615: former location of Uncle Bob's Motor & Transmission Service (1964)
  • 1617-1621: former location of Auto Park Inc. parking lot (1964)
    • 1617: Security Engineers Inc.
    • 1621: former location of dwelling (1891)
  • 1625: former location of Birmingham Auto Laundry Co. (1929),
  • 1631: former location of dwelling (1891), Bryant Auto Garage (1929), Hendon & Co. auto parking, Car Park Inc. office, Park Inc. auto parking (1964)

Pantages Theatre in 1945

17th Street North

• North side (Block 71)
  • 1700-1706: Citizens Trust Bank, former location of Birmingham Auditorium (built 1890s), Bijou Theatre (1898-1915), Loew's Bijou/Leow's Vaudeville (1917-1925), Pantages Theatre (1925-1946), and Birmingham Theatre (1946-1950),
  • 1700-1708: former location of Panta Corporation parking lot (1950), Car Park Inc. parking lot (1964-)
  • 1710: former location of R. F. Cain Furniture (1931), Delta Finance Co. (1964)
  • 1712: former location of W. Y. Prince Furniture Co. (1929), R. F. Cain Furniture Co. (1931), Dempsey Beauty College (1964)
  • 1714: former location of Cliff Howell's bicycle shop & Bill Specht Jr's Harley Davidson dealership (1914), Chicago Clothing Co. (1929), Bagley's Gas Appliance (1931), Roddam's Sewing Machines (1964)
    • 1714½: former location of City Printing Co. (1964)
  • 1716: parking deck, former location of Shanghai-Low Cafe (1929-1940s), Sewing Machine Outlet (1964)
  • 1718: former location of Purity Coffee & Sandwich Shop and S. Gottlie Printing (1929), Little Venice restaurant (1931-1945), Starr Piano Company,
  • 1720: former location of New York Loan Co. pawn shop (1929-1931)
  • 1722-1730: Booker T. Washington Building (built 1928), former location of Parisian (1928-1932), Calder Furniture, Gulf Mills Discount Store (1964), Citizens Federal Savings & Loan (1968-), Booker T. Washington Insurance Co., Citizens Trust Bank (2003-)
• South side (Block 88)
  • 1701: former location of dwelling (1891) J. M. Brown plumber (1923), State Lunch Room, State Grill (1929-1964)
    • 1701½: former location of The Call publishing company (1920)
  • 1703: former location of Birmingham Food Products Co. (1925), Dixie Clothing Co. (1929), Hotpoint Electric Supplies (1931), Globe Loan Co. (1964)
    • 1703½: former location of Eileen Levinge Dance Studios (1964)
  • 1705: former location of Birmingham Publishing Co. (1920), National Clothing Co. (1929), Lincoln Finance Co. (1964)
  • 1707: former location of Wheeler-Smith Furniture, Hamilton Furniture Co., Jefferson Furniture Manufacturing Co. (1930s), Jefferson Music Co. record store (1946), Sewing Machine Exchange (1964)
  • 1709: former location of Gail Joyce Motor Company (1919-1950s), Moskowitz Electric & Supply Co. (1964)
  • 1711: former location of W. H. Baker restaurant (1910), Cable-Burton Piano Company (1934-1939)
  • 1713: Signature Finance and Check Holders, former location of dwelling (1891), Gluck's Hat Cleaning (1925-1931), Brody Smolian Co. milliners (1964)
  • 1715: Chesterfield Company and E-Z Finance Co.
    • 1715A: former location of Tandy Leather Co. (1964)
    • 1715B: former location of National Cash Register (1929), Raymor Printer (1939)
  • 1717: Mason Building (built 1906), former location of dwelling (1891), People's Drug Store (1906), Birmingham Trading Post (1939), Hotpoint Home Appliance Co. (1944), Cook Credit Furniture (1985), Cook Finance Company (-1990), First City Mortgage
    • 1717½: former offices of physician Ulysses Mason / People's Mutual Aid Association / American Hearts of Labor (1906-)
  • 1719: A J Collins Enterprises, former location of Regal Beauty Equipment (1931-1939), Van Clothing & Supply Co. (1964)
  • 1721-1723: One721 Building, Alabama Futures Fund, former location of Sokol Brothers Furniture (1929), Seals Piano Company (1931-1949), Green & Stein Furniture Co. (1951), Black Ross Furniture Co. (1964)
    • 1721: former location of dwelling (1891), Sonny Boy Products (2011)
    • 1723: former location of Blue Ribbon Shoe Shop (1923)
  • 1725: Jazzi's on 3rd (2016-), former location of plumbing company (1891), New York Hatters (1929-1931), Africanese boutique (2014)
  • 1727: Moore Styles barber shop (2014-), former location of dwelling (1891), Magic City Loan Co. (1929-1931)
    • 1727½: former location of the Birmingham Eagle newspaper (1920)
    • 1729½: former location of the Birmingham Free Speech newspaper (1904)
  • 1731: Terry's Place, former location of dwelling (1891), People's Drug Co. (1904), Jimmie's Soda and Cigar (1929-1931), The Kottage (2008), Legends Sports Bar & Lounge / Legends Cigar Bar (2011-2018)

Parisian in the 1920s

The Lyric Theatre in 1930

18th Street North

• north side (Block 72):
  • 1800-1806: Lyric Building (built 1914)
    • 1800: Lyric Theatre lobby and building entrance, former location of flour & feed store (1891)
    • 1802: former entrance to Lyric Barber Shop & Lyric Billiard Parlor (1929)
    • 1804: former location of Battle & Yeates real estate (-1883), J. A. Yates real estate (1883-1888), jeweler (1891), Lyric Confectionery home-made candies (1925-1931), First City Mortgage, Birmingham Art Association
    • 1806: former location of National Loan & Jewelry (1929-1964), House of Hats (1964), Place Design Studio
    • 1806A (or 1808): former location of Lyric Hot Dogs (1957-2013)
  • 1808-1810: former location of Majestic Theater (built 1902 for the Jesse French Piano & Organ Company), Birmingham Conservatory of Music (1903), Majestic Theater (1905-1920), Lollar's Cameras (1929-1931), Jefferson Home Furniture (1964), Haverty's Furniture (1977), Superior Furniture (2008-2015)
    • 1808A: former location of Little Gem Cafe (1929-1931)
    • 1810: former location of Arnstein's French Dry Cleaning Co. (1925), Burke Brothers Furniture (1929), Joiner Furniture (1931), Mary Ball Candies (1949)
  • 1812: Roberts & Sons Building (built 1897), Roberts & Sons printing and binding (1897-1929), Levin's Gents Furnishings, lunch counter (1931), Epp's Jewelry (1964-1977)
  • 1814-1820: Graves Building (built 1912)
    • 1814: former location of John M. Wright & Co. plumbing and heating (1891-1905), Clark & Jones Piano Co. / Clark & Jones Hall (1914-May 1917), Seals Piano Company (1923-1929), shooting gallery (1931), R. C. Brown clothing store, King Kredit clothing store (1964), Krown Kredit clothing store
    • 1816: former location of Clarke-Burton Piano Company (1929), Dailey's Clothes (1931), Vaughan-Weil Department Store (1964), Mr King Furniture (1977)
    • 1818: former location of harness store (1891), Cable Piano Company, Columbia Graphophone Co. (1914), Williams Music House (1929), Duke Brothers Furniture (1931), Killgore's (1941), Lawrence Furniture (1945), Lichter Furniture, The Playhouse
    • 1820: Forma Arts & Wellness (2018-), former location of furniture store (1891), Starr Piano Company (1929), Kilgore Furniture (1931), Charles Schwend gun dealer
  • 1822-1824: former location of Ozanne & Cody's Steam Bakery & Candy Works (1891)
    • 1822: former location of J. G. Warshaw restaurant (1910), Marsh Bakers
  • 1824-1826: former location of Graves Building (1904)
  • 1824: former location of The Vogue ladies wear (1929), Olshine's ladies' clothes, Oxman's Gifts (1964)
  • 1826: Whitmire Lofts, Revelator Coffee Co. (2014-), former location of bank (1891), Covell Studio, Dan Cohen Shoe Co. (1929-1931), Thom McAn Shoe Store, Schiff's Family Shore Store (1964), JayMark Jewelry, Snow's Wigs
  • 1830: parking lot, former location of Wright Building (built 1883) housing Birmingham Post Office, Central High School, steam laundry, later Gunn's Pharmacy, former location of Darling Shop (1942-1949)

• south side (Block 87):
  • Alabama Walk of Fame
  • 1801-1811: Goldstein building (built 1927)
    • 1801: former location of vacant lot (1891), Dewberry Drug Co. (1929), Alabama Cigar & Soda Company (c. 1959), House of $8.50 Eyeglasses (1964), City Action Partnership (2000s)
    • 1803: former location of Mark's Hat Shop (1964)
    • 1805-1809: former location of Roberta's women's clothier (1964)
      • 1805-1807: former location of dwelling (1891)
        • 1807: former location of The Arbitrator newspaper (1904), Carousel Beauty Salon (1965-)
    • 1809-1815: former location of Fies & Son livery stable (1891)
      • 1811: Hill Arts Center, former location of Goldstein Furs
        • 1811½: former offices of Wide-Awake (1900)
    • 1813-1817: Alabama Theatre building (built 1927)
      • 1813: office space, former location of printer (1891), Hatchers American Cafe (1923)
      • 1815: former location of plumbing company (1891), The Bonnet Box milliners (1964)
  • 1817-1819: former location of the Magic City Steam Bottling Works (1885-1892)
    • 1817: Alabama Theatre lobby, former location of carriageway (1891)
  • 1819-1831: McWane Science Center (1998-)
    • 1819: former location of flour & feed store (1891), Loveman's Annex (built 1917), Loveman's (1917-1980)
    • 1821-1831: Loveman's Building (built 1935), Loveman's (1935-1980)
      • 1823-1831: former location of saloon & billiard hall (1891)

Central City

The Farley Building at 3rd & 20th

Postcard view of 3rd Avenue North, looking west from 20th Street

19th Street North

• North side (Block 73)
  • 1900-1914: Atrium Center, originally Burger-Phillips Centre (created in 1980s by connecting existing & new buildings)
    • 1900-1906: S. H. Kress & Company Building (built 1937), offices of Wiggins, Childs, Quinn & Pantazis (2004-), former location of S. H. Kress & Co. (1937-1978)
      • 1904: former location of H. L. & E. E. Hunt Cycle Co. bicycle manufacturers (1899)
    • 1908: former location of H. L. Hunt plumbers and electricians (1905), Parisian Dry-Block Co. (1914), Ladies Shine Shop (1929), Cobb's Ladies Clothing (1937), Kay Jewelers (1964)
    • 1910: Atrium Building, former location of King Joy Inn (1920), Wathen Furniture (1929), Burger-Phillips mens' department (1937), Rhodes-Carroll Furniture, Sojourns, Shift (December 2015-April 2016)
    • 1912-1916: Crittenden Building (built 1924), later the Burger-Phillips building, home of Burger-Phillips department store (1933-1964)
      • 1912-1914: former location of J. Blach & Sons department store (1905-1935)
        • 1912: former location of Oster Radio Shop (1929)
          • 1912½: former location of Holt & Houlditch Sign Co. (1923), successors to Hill Sign Co.
        • 1914: former location of R. T. Harrison livery stable (1887), Spiro & Long roofers (1897), Oster Brothers Furniture (1929)
      • 1916: former location of Austin, Hull & Co. rubber stamps (1888), Williams Music House (1914), Modern Dress Shoppe (1929)
  • 1918: 3-story building (built 1888), Haskins Law Office, former location of a grocery, Gaudin Company undertakers (1904), Hanover Shoe Company (1929-1937), Dan Cohen shoes, Jobe-Rose (1959-1960s)
    • 1918½: former location of E. Peddinghaus photographer (1920)
  • 1920: The Vault Bar & Lounge, former location of Lee Martin's Bagnio (1888), G. R. Kinney Co. (1925), Kinney's Family Store (1929), Williams Music House (1934), Chandler's shoes (1937), S. Spiro furnishings and appliances, Steiner Bank (1963-), Speakeasy 1920
  • 1922: former location of S.H. Matthews Carriages, Buggies & Wagons (1887), E. E. Forbes & Sons Piano Co. (c. 1934), Business & Professional Women's Club (1928)
    • 1922½: Allen Building (1904)
  • 1924-1926: Kessler Building (built 1890)
    • 1924: former location of Newark Shoe Co. (1929), millinery shop, Kessler's ready-to-wear (1915?-1960s)
    • 1926: former location of Holston's Bootery (1925), Florence Hosiery Shoppe (1929)
  • 1928-1932: Hood Building (built 1890), later the Blach's building (built 1890), former location of Hood-Yeilding General Merchandise Store (1890-), Bencor Hotel (1910-1935), Blach's (1936-1980s), Blach's Lofts (2007-)
    • 1928: former location of Kaufman Hats (1929)
    • 1930: former location of Irving Sarnolls Hats (1929), furrier (1937)
    • 1932: former location of A. Schulute Cigars (1929), Wallock's (1937)
• South side (Block 86) This block was described in 1900 as "occupied by one-story buildings used for negro restaurants, barber shops, etc."
  • 1901-1907: California Fashion Mall (built 1939), former location of Simon Block (1886-), F. W. Woolworth (1939–1988)
    • 1901: former location of L. A. Moore Shop (1929)
    • 1903: former location of Dixie Shirt Shop (1929)
    • 1905: former location of Guarantee Shoe Co. (1914-1929)
    • 1907: former location of Marie Louise sodas, confectionery & lunches (1925), Mance Millinery Co. (1929), Berry's Smart Shoes (1935)
  • 1909: former location of Loeb Specialty Shop "House of a Thousand Hats", (1925)
  • 1911-1913: New Williams Lofts former location of Ben Jacobs Furniture Co., House of Jacobs, New Williams (1918-1988)
    • 1911: former location of William Robinson billiard room (1887), Debbie's Alabama Beauty College
    • 1913: former location of Oliver Diffay fruit dealer (1887), G. W. Jones barber (1888), Clark & Jones Piano Co. (June 1917-1929), Nisley Shoes (1937)
  • 1915-1917: former location of S. H. Kress & Co. (1899-1910s), Cotton, Odum & Bowers, Odum, Bowers & White (1910s-1978)
    • 1915: former location of G. S. Evans barber shop (1887), Evans & Jones barber shop (1888), P. M. Edwards / James Wiley restaurants (1904)
  • 1919: former location of Gilbert Trunk Factory, Birmingham Arms & Cycle Co. (1914), Becker's Shoe Store (1929), Bond Clothing Company (1937-1964)
  • 1921: former location of Maggie Bracken's brothel (1880s), Wallace Strickland restaurant (1904), Newsome's Ice Cream Parlor (1910s), Marinello Beauty Shoppe (1925), Rialto Tea Room (1929), Newsome's candy store, The Vanity boutique, Mauricé Distinctive Fashions (1937-1940), Stein's men's clothes (1964)
  • 1923: Bonita Theater building (built 1906), Moore Solutions (2006-), former location of the Bonita Theater (1906-), Rialto Theatre (1915-1930s), Guarantee Shoe Company (1937-1964), Famous Shoe Bar (1980s) Gift World (1990s)
  • 1925-1933: Farley Building (built 1909), former home of the Altrurian Society
    • 1925: former location of Thompson Shoes (1929), Julie Ann Hat Shop (1964)
    • 1927: former location of Cinderella shoes (1925-1929), The Adorable Shop (1964)
    • 1929: former hat shop
    • 1931: former location of a dress shop, Craig's Shoes (1964) Brannon's public house (2009-2011)
    • 1933: former location of Liggett's Drug Store (1924-1940)[1]

The Empire Theater in 1981

20th Street North

• North side (Block 74)
  • 2000-2006: Watts Tower (built 1927) former offices of Southern Natural Gas Company, former site of Watts Building (1888-1926)
    • 2000: former location of Patterson Cigar Store (1929), Watts Building Cigar & Soda Co. (1934), People's Finance & Thrift, Butler's Shoe Store, Russell Stover Candies (1964)
    • 2002: former location of Leo P's mens' wear (1929), Friendly Eight Barber Shop (1964)
    • 2004: former location of Beltone Hearing Center (1964)
    • 2006: former location of Rye-Ola bottling plant, Western Union (1929), Pryor Optical Dispensary (1964)
  • 2008-2010: former location of Britling Cafeteria No. 3 (1920s-1960s)
  • 2012-2014: former location of House of Jacobs furniture store, Fast-Rialto, Acme Theatre, Empire Theatre (1920s-1980s),
    • 2014: former location of Drennen Block, A. L. Blanks photographer (1888), Morton's Photo Studio
  • 2016: Goodyear Shoe Hospital, former location of Birmingham Paint, Glass and Wall Paper Company and Sherwin-Williams Paint Store (1929)
  • 2018: former location of Mayer Brothers wallpaper & frames (1914), Realty Mortgage Co. (1929)
  • 2020-2022: Oster Brothers Building (built c. 1900), Standard Furniture, former location of Oster's Furniture (1900-1917), Molton, Allen & Williams real estate, Rhodes-Carroll Furniture Co. (1929-1964), Devoe & Reynolds Paint & Paper (1940)
  • 2024-2026: Department of Revenue Building (built 1905), originally the Massey Business College building, Molton, Allen & Williams (1926-2013)
    • 2024: Santos Cafe (2019-), former location of Goodman Transfer & Warehouse Co. (1920)
    • 2024½: former location of Massey Business College (1905-1964), J.F. Knox photographer (1920)
  • 2026: former location of Public Finance Corporation (1964), [[Molton, Allen & Williams (1934)
  • 2028-2030: Title Building (built 1903), offices of Southpace Properties, former location of Title Guarantee Loan & Trust Co. (1903-)
    • 2028: former location of Avondale Building and Loan, Silver Pheasant Tea Room, Ryan Real Estate, Safari Cup (2002-2009), O'Carr's (2010)
• South side (Block 85)
  • 2001-2005: 1927 Porter Clothing Co. building (built 1927) Auburn University Urban Studio, former location of B. F. Cheek's drug store (1872), Stag Saloon, Patterson Cigar Store (1929), Southern Cigar & Soda Co. (1934)), Porter Clothing Company (1927-1963), Shoney's Big Boy (1967-) and MedTown Pharmacy (2005-2010)
  • 2007: Commercial building (built. c. 1904), The Watson Firm / Yeatts Law Firm (2019-), former location of High Art Clothes Shop (1925), Alper's Jewelry & Badham & Co. clothiers (1929), Selby Shoe Company (1937), Nunn Bush Shoe Store (1964), Odd Lot Shoes (1976), McKinstry's Flowers (1984)
  • 2009: Mustin Building (built c. 1889) former location of B. F. Eborn & Co. "lightning real estate manipulators" (1890), Hooper's Cafe (1929-1941), B. H. Cooper furniture store, A. A. Bonds Furniture (1964)
    • 2009½: former location of the Southern Medical Dispensary (1890)
  • 2011: Commercial building (built c. 1889), former location of Robert Prowell Stove Co. (1929), Broadhead-Klinner Furniture Co. (1934), Baptist Book Store (1964), Cokesbury Books (1984)
  • 2013: former location of Lige Loy undertakers (1904), Hauger Clothes & Mitchell's Barber Shop (1929), Dupont Paint Company (1937)
  • 2015: Drennen Building (built c. 1889), Spartan Invest (2018-), former location of Acme White Lead & Color Works / Acme Quality Paint Co. (1929), Henderson's & Spivy-Johnson Frame Co. (1964), Henderson's Fine Arts (1984), Freedom Court Reporting
  • 2017: Eubanks Mercantile building (built c. 1889), Sojourns, former location of May & Thomas Hardware Co. (1892),Birmingham Arms and Hardware, Court Baseball Indoor Ball (1929), Wallace Furniture (1937), McCauley's Furniture (1964), Amaro-Spencer Furniture, Spencer Furniture (1984), Hawthorn Gallery
  • 2019: Gilreath Building (built c. 1891), former location of Marks-Fitzgerald Furniture annex (1984)
  • 2021: O'Neill Building, home of Reed Books, former location of Western Auto Supply Co. (1929), Jefferson Home Furniture (1937) Economy Auto Stores, Marks-Fitzgerald Furniture (1984)
    • 2021½: former location of Magnolia Hall (1904), Phillips-Hendon Company pants and overalls (1904)
  • 2023: former location of Odum Clothing Co. (1929), Marks-Fitzgerald Furniture (1964)
  • 2025-2031: Massey Building (built 1925), originally the Bankers Bond Building, offices of the Bankers Mortgage Bond Company
    • 2025: building entrance, former location of Olivert Levert Realty Co., Moe's Original BBQ (2008-2012)
    • 2027: former location of Anchor Building & Loan (1929), Investor's Syndicate, Cash Credit Co. (1964)
    • 2029: Iberia Bank, former location of Patterson's Cigar Store (1929), Massey Building Cigar & Soda Co. (1934), My Brother's Place restaurant, Remon's clothing (1970s-2011)

21st Street North

• North side (Block 75)
  • 2100: Concord Center (built 2002), former location of third Jefferson County Courthouse, (1874-1887), fourth Jefferson County Courthouse (1889-1937), parking lot (1937-2002)
    • Cadence Bank
    • Pranzo restaurant (2015-), former location of Surin & Co., Hooked (2014)
  • 2110: St Paul's Rectory
  • 2216: former location of Roman Catholic Church (1885)
  • 2120: St Paul's Cathedral (built 1893)
• South side (Block 84)
  • 2101-2105: former location of the Jemison Building (built 1925), offices of Jemison Company, Jemison-Seibels Insurance Agency (1925-1937)
  • 2107: former location of J. M. Creighton architect (1904)
  • 2109-2111: former location of the Alabama Title & Trust Company
    • 2109: former location of The Ensley Advocate newspaper (1920)
  • 2111-2115: former location of Jefferson Federal Savings & Loan parking lot (1964)
  • 2113-2115: former location of B. Aden Thompson real estate, Warner & Smith undertakers and embalmers, Office Outfitters (1929), McKelvey-Coats Furniture Co. (1934), Downtown Bowling Center (1940-)
    • 2115: former location of Richey & Wideman restaurant (1910)
  • 2117: former location of Jefferson Home Supply (1929), Iron City Supply, slot machine parlor owned by Harry Hurvich (1947), Car Park Inc. parking lot (1964)
  • 2119: Edmondson Reporting & Video, John D. Saxon attorney, former location of [[Brown-Rogers Wallpaper & Paint Co. (1925), R. B. Broyles Furniture (1929), former location of Saunier-Wilhem Co, (1940)
  • 2121: Catholic Diocese of Birmingham, former location of Joiner Furniture (1929), Birmingham Blue Print (1964)
  • 2123-2133: Jefferson Finance Service Center
    • 2123: former location of Oak Hill Marble & Stone Works offices (1905), The Alabama News Co. (1920), Hawkins Book Co. (1954-1964)
    • 2125: former location of Mayberry Building (1904), Denman & Company realtors (1929)
    • 2127-2133: former location of Leedy-Glover Inc. (1964)
      • 2129: former location of Bethea Real Estate Co. (1929)
      • 2131: , former location of Laure Attkisson Co. real estate (1929)
      • 2133: former location of Victory Lunch Room (1929)

22nd Street North

• North side (Block 76)
  • 2200-2206: Catholic Diocese of Birmingham parking lot
    • 2200-2202: parking lot, former location of Thomson House (built 1895, demolished 1961), operated as the Central Hotel in 1910 and as the Mabson Hotel from 1913-1920...
    • 2204-2206: former location of C. T. Walter Parking Lot (1929), Hendon & Co. auto parking (1964)
  • 2208: former location of Matthews & Lively Furniture (1929), McCain Uniform Co. (1964-1969)
  • 2210: former location of Lige Loy Undertaking Company & Bluebird Ambulance Service (1925), Brown Rogers Wallpaper & Paint (1929), Gift Bond Stamp Service Center (1964)
  • 2212-2214: Greer Building (built 1925)
    • 2212: Maloy & Company appraisers, former location of a boarding house, Reese-King Companies real estate (1964)
    • 2214: New Lexington Properties LLC and J. E. Clark Realty, former location of Rice Sales Co. & Earl Radio Distributors (1929), Termonox Compound Co. (1964)
  • 2222: former location of Jemison Parking Lot (1929), Allright Birmingham parking (1964)
  • 2224: former location of George Kontos' City Restaurant (1928-1940s), Hobart-Dayton Sales & Service (1964)
  • 2226: former location of Haynes Furniture Co. (1929)
  • 2230: Wheeler Building, (built 1940 as the Thuss Clinic), later the Walker Building or Lawyers Building, former location of A. O. Lane residence (1870s-1880s), Dan Moore Fruit Stand (1929)
• South side (Block 83)
  • 2201-2203: Magic City Grill (2000-), former location of Turner Drug Co. (1929), Southern Typewriter & Business Machines (1964), Kent's Magic City Dining Room (1989-1996)
    • 2203: former location of Big 4 Barber Shop (1929), LaDame Laundry & Cleaners (1964)
  • 2205: former location of Trophy Beauty School (1964-1969)
  • 2207: former location of Adair & Son Grocery (1929), Tom L. McGuire photography studio (1964)
  • 2209: former location of Birmingham Letter-Hand Co. (1929), Mason J. Dillard & Co. insurance adjusters (1964)
  • 2211-2219: former location of Allright Birmingham parking lot (1964)
    • 2211: former location of F. J. Bender's Furniture and Fixtures
    • 2213: former location of Cotton's Furniture Exchange (1934)
    • 2217: former location of Lucky Strike Bowling Alley (1941-1948)
  • 2223-2227: former location of McKelvey-Coats Furniture (1929)
  • 2225-2231: Red Cross Building, remodeled for the Social Security Administration (1946-1974), American Red Cross (1975-1998)
    • 2229-2231: former location of Municipal Market (1929)
    • 2231: former location of Edwin Stephenson's residence

23rd Street North

• North side (Block 77)
  • 2300: YWCA Building, formerly Birmingham Athletic Club and Dixie-Carlton Hotel, Club Hotel, former location of Hooper's Café
  • 2306-2308: former location of Southern States Radio Supply (1929)
  • 2310: former location of Otis Elevator Co. (1929)
  • 2312-2316: former location of Dixie Car Park (1964)
  • 2324: former location of Crook Realty Co. (1964)
  • 2328 former location of Jo-Pe-Nut Products Co. (1917-1923), Irwin Investment Co. & The Irwin Agency insurance agents (1964)
  • 2330: former location of Acme Auto Parts & Supply (1964)
• South side (Block 82)
  • 2301-2309: Cadence Bank drive-up window (2007-)
    • 2301-2305 former location of the Social Grill restaurant (1945-2004, demolished 2007)
    • 2309: former proposed venue for the Gaslight Theatre in 1954
  • 2311-2313: parking lot, former location of Mattress Supply Co. (1964)
  • 2315-2317: parking lot
  • 2319-2325 (addressed as 2317): two-story commercial building: Featheringill Capital (2019-) / Total Quality Logistics, former location of Third Avenue Parking Service (1964)
  • 2327-2333: parking lot, former location of Ace Auto Service gas station (1964), Monk's Tire Exchange (1934)

24th Street North

• North side
  • 2400: Birmingham Post Office (1970s), former location of Third Avenue Car Park (1964)
  • 2408-2410: former location of Dixie Hatcheries (1964)
  • Elton B. Stephens Expressway on-ramp
• South side
  • 2401: former location of Jimmie Hale Mission chapel
  • 2403: former location of Jimmie Hale Mission
  • 2409: former location of Farmer's Sandwich Shop (1964)
  • 2415: former location of Bama Distributors wholesale tobacco (1964)
  • 2421: former location of Eddie's Barber Shop (1964)
  • 2425: former location of First Congregational Church (1899)
  • 2431: former location of Oxford Furniture Galleries (1964)

25th Street North

• Elton B. Stephens Expressway overpass
  • 2504: former location of Mrs. C.E. Hewlett dress maker (1887)
  • 2508: former location of Dunn Construction Co. (1964)
  • 2512: former location of Walter Whitehead contractor (1887)
  • 2520: former location of Miss Mary M. Brewster dress maker (1887)
  • 2521: former location of Independent Jobbers Warehouse (1964)
  • 2523: former location of Birmingham Salesbook Co. (1964)
  • 2530: former location of Miss Lou Weatherly dress maker (1887)
• Carraway Boulevard (former 26th Street North) intersection (road ends)
• Seaboard Air Line Railway, Southern Railway tracks (no crossing)

References

• White, Marjorie Longenecker, ed. (1980) Downtown Birmingham: Architectural and Historical Walking Tour Guide, second edition. Birmingham: Birmingham Historical Society.
• R.L. Polk & Co. (1919) "R.L. Polk & Co.'s Birmingham City Directory"
• Polk's Birmingham (Jefferson County, Ala.) City Directory (1964) Richmond, Virginia: R. L. Polk & Co.

External links

3rd Avenue North on Google Maps