1st Avenue South: Difference between revisions

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'''1st Avenue South''' (originally called '''Avenue A''') is an [[east-west avenue‎|east-west avenue]] in [[Birmingham]] running from [[I-65]] in the west to [[Roebuck]] in the east. In the downtown area it is just south of [[Powell Avenue]] and one block from the [[Railroad Reservation]]. As it proceeds eastward it is interrupted by [[I-20]]/[[I-59|59]] near [[Gate City]] and resumes in [[Woodlawn]] separated from [[1st Avenue North]] by [[Division Avenue]]. It is once again interrupted by I-59 at [[82nd Street South]] in [[East Lake]] and then terminates at [[87th Street South]] just shy of [[Parkway East]] near the [[Roebuck Municipal Golf Course]]
'''1st Avenue South''' (originally called '''Avenue A''') is an [[east-west avenue‎|east-west avenue]] in [[Birmingham]] running from [[I-65]] in the west to [[Roebuck]] in the east. In the downtown area it is just south of [[Powell Avenue]] and one block from the [[Railroad Reservation]]. As it proceeds eastward it is interrupted by [[I-20]]/[[I-59|59]] near [[Gate City]] and resumes in [[Woodlawn]] separated from [[1st Avenue North]] by [[Division Avenue]]. It is once again interrupted by I-59 at [[82nd Street South]] in [[East Lake]] and then terminates at [[87th Street South]] just shy of [[Parkway East]] near the [[Roebuck Municipal Golf Course]]


The downtown section of 1st Avenue South is in the early stages of large scale redevelopment. It is slated to become the main frontage for the [[Railroad Reservation Park]] between [[14th Street South|14th]] and [[18th Steet South|18th Street]]s, and is also experiencing significant redevelopment around the location of the 1st Avenue Cut
The downtown section of 1st Avenue South is undergoing large scale redevelopment. It the main frontage for the [[Railroad Park]] between [[14th Street South|14th]] and [[18th Street South|18th Street]]s, and is also experiencing significant redevelopment around the location of the 1st Avenue Cut, which was redeveloped as the [[Rotary Trail]]. In [[2016]] the [[Birmingham City Council]] approved changing the name of a two-block section of 1st Avenue South adjacent to [[Regions Field]] to [[Willie Mays Drive]].


==1st Avenue Cut==
==Railway cut==
{{Main|1st Avenue South railway cut}}
[[Image:The cut.jpg|left|thumb|275px|The 1st Avenue Cut, looking west from the [[24th Street Viaduct]] in 2005]]
[[Image:The cut.jpg|left|thumb|275px|The 1st Avenue Cut, looking west from the [[24th Street Viaduct]] in 2005]]
[[Image:1stAveCut2011.jpg|right|275px|thumb|Looking west from the 2200 block in 2011]]
The 1st Avenue Cut is a depressed railroad bed which formerly served the [[Seaboard Air Line Railroad]], which runs through the center of 1st Avenue South, below grade, from [[20th Street South]] to [[24th Street South]]. The reinforced concrete construction creating the grade separation was begun in the mid-1890s.
The 1st Avenue Cut is a depressed railroad bed running through the center of 1st Avenue South from [[20st Street South]] to [[24th Street South]]. In the early 1990s a produce stand occupied the 20th Street end of the cut. When [[Compass Bank]] purchased the adjoining [[Daniel Building]] in [[1993]], it considered paving over the adjacent areas of the cut.
 
The cut is part of plans for a linear park connecting the [[Railroad Reservation Park]] with [[Sloss Furnace]] and beyond. It is also at the center of significant recent redevelopment, including the [[Corporate Realty Building]], [[Jackson Galleries]], the [[Seaboard Yard townhomes]], [[Golden Construction]], [[Williams-Blackstock Architects]], and other new or renovated uses along those four blocks.


The presentation of the [[City Center Master Plan]] in 2005 showed the possibility of filling the cut to create a tree-lined boulevard. Some residents, vocally represented by then-[[Birmingham City Council|City Councilor]] [[Elias Hendricks]], expressed their view that the cut should be preserved for its interpretive and nostalgic value, but "cleaned up" to make it an asset to the area. The [[Central City neighborhood]] sponsored a clean-up day for the cut in June, 2005.
The presentation of the [[City Center Master Plan]] in 2005 showed the possibility of filling the cut to create a tree-lined boulevard. Some residents, vocally represented by then-[[Birmingham City Council|City Councilor]] [[Elias Hendricks]], expressed their view that the cut should be preserved for its interpretive and nostalgic value, but "cleaned up" to make it an asset to the area. The [[Central City neighborhood]] sponsored a clean-up day for the cut in June, 2005.


In [[2012]] the 1st Avenue Cut appeared in the master plans for the [[Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail System]]. Later that year the [[Rotary Club of Birmingham]] sought to partner with the city, the [[Freshwater Land Trust]], [[Operation New Birmingham]] and the [[Railroad Park Foundation]] to reclaim the cut as part of a pedestrian and cycling greenway connecting [[Railroad Park]] with [[Sloss Furnaces]]. Rotary officials dubbed the proposal "Line Park". At the same time, students from [[Auburn University]]'s Master of Landscape Architecture program participated in an [http://aurbanmla.blogspot.com/ Urban Design Studio] focusing on how to re-work the cut as a pedestrian corridor.
{{Main|Rotary Trail}}
In [[2016]] the [[Rotary Club of Birmingham]] partnered with the city of Birmingham, [[Freshwater Land Trust]], [[Operation New Birmingham]] and the [[Railroad Park Foundation]] to redevelop The cut as a linear public park, known as the "[[Rotary Trail]]". The park is part of the [[Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail System]], connecting [[Railroad Park]] with [[Sloss Furnaces]] and beyond.


==East of downtown==
==East of downtown==
Line 28: Line 27:


==East end==
==East end==
1st Avenue South re-appears in downtown Woodlawn, with [[Georgia Road]] forking away to the south at [[58th Street South|58th Street]]. The street continues underneath I-20 into [[East Lake]] and continues through 20 blocks of predominantly residential uses until it is again interrupted by I-59 a few blocks shy of its eastern end at 87th Street.
1st Avenue South re-appears in downtown [[Woodlawn]]. [[Morse Avenue]], now vacated within the [[CMC Steel Alabama|Connors Steel]] plant, was renumbered as a disconnected section of 1st Avenue South.
 
[[Georgia Road]] forks away to the south at [[58th Street South|58th Street]]. The avenue continues underneath [[I-20]] into [[East Lake]] and continues through 20 blocks of predominantly residential areas until it is again interrupted by [[I-59]] a few blocks shy of its eastern end at [[87th Street South|87th Street]].


==Notable locations==
==Notable locations==
Line 36: Line 37:
** Residential
** Residential
** [[South Elyton Baptist Church]]
** [[South Elyton Baptist Church]]
** 65: former location of [[Gilliam's Barber Shop]] (1962)
* [[1st Street South]] intersection
* [[1st Street South]] intersection
** Residential
** 105: former location of [[Wallace & Jennie Rayfield residence]]
* Kappa Avenue intersection (road terminus)
* Kappa Avenue intersection (road terminus)


===[[Five Points South neighborhood]]===
===[[Five Points South neighborhood]]===
* [[12th Street South]] intersection (road terminus)
* avenues resumes at [[12th Street South]]
** 1200: property formerly owned by [[Merita bakery]]
** north side
** 1229: Former location of [[Red Mountain Market]]
*** 1200: former location of [[Merita bakery]] thrift store
* [[13th Street South]] intersection
** south side
** 1300: [[Baker's Row]] (2015-), formerly [[Flowers Foods bakery]] and [[Merita bakery]] (closed 2012)
*** 1209: former location of warehouse, [[Duffy's Garage]] (2012-2019)
** 1301: [[Wood Wade building]] ([[Beer Engineers]])
*** 1227: former location of [[Glenn Associates]], [[Axon Industries]]
* [[14th Street South]] intersection
*** 1229: [[Industrial Fire & Safety Equipment Inc.]], former location of [[Red Mountain Market]] (2011)
** North side
 
*** [[Railroad Park]]
* [[13th Street South]] intersects
** South side
** north side
*** 1415: [[Shoe Factory Skate Slab]] (former [[Shoe Corp.]] warehouse, destroyed by fire in 2006)
*** 1300-1320: [[Baker's Row]] (renovated 2015), formerly [[Flowers Foods bakery]] and [[Merita bakery]] (closed 2012)
* [[15th Street South]] intersection (south only)
**** 1320: [[Economic Development Partnership of Alabama]] (2017-) / [[Alabama Business Intelligence Center]] (2022–)
** North side
** south side
*** Railroad Park
** 1301-1319: [[Parkside Parking Lot]] (built 2018), former location of [[Building Materials Wholesale]], [[Marjam Supply Company]]
*** 1500: Former site of [[EGN warehouse]]
** 1321: [[Wood Wade building]] (built 1932), former location of [[Associated Equipment Company]], proposed location of [[Beer Engineers]] (2013)
** South side
 
* [[14th Street South]] intersects (street is designated [[Willie Mays Drive]] for next two blocks)
** north side:
*** 1400–1430: [[Railroad Park]]
** south side:
*** 1401-1431: [[Regions Field]] (built 2013)
**** 1401-1409: former location of [[Interstate Batteries of Alabama]] (-2011)
**** 1415: former location of [[Shoe Corp.]] warehouse (burned 2006), [[Shoe Factory Skate Slab]] (2009-2012)
 
* [[15th Street South]] intersects (south only)
** north side:
*** 1500–1530: Railroad Park
**** 1500: Former site of [[EGN warehouse]]
** south side:
*** 1501: [[Southeast Express]]
*** 1501: [[Southeast Express]]
*** 1531: [[B & A Warehouse]]
*** 1531: [[B & A Warehouse]]
* [[16th Street South]] intersection (south only)
 
** North side
* [[16th Street South]] intersects (south only, [[Willie Mays Drive]] designation ends)
*** Railroad Park
** north side:
*** 1600: former location of [[SYSCO Food Services warehouse]]
*** 1600–1630: Railroad Park
* [[17th Street South]] intersection (south only)
**** 1600: former location of [[SYSCO Food Services warehouse]]
** North side
*** former location of [[Means & Fulton Iron Works]] (1899)
*** Railroad Park
 
** South side
* [[17th Street South]] intersects (south only)
*** 1799: [[Standard at Midtown]] proposed condominium building
** north side:
* [[18th Street South]] intersection
*** 1700–1730: Railroad Park
** North side ([[Block 113C]])
**** 1706: former location of [[Henry Ellen Coal Co.]] (1887)
*** [[Birmingham Parking Authority Lot D]] ([[1975]]–present)
**** 1730: former location of [[St Louis–San Francisco Railway]] freight house (built 1947, demolished after 1970)
** South side
** south side:
*** 1701-1730: [[Parkside Apartments]] (built 2015), former proposed site for [[Standard at Midtown]]
**** 1705: former location of [[Southern Express Co.]] stables (1899)
 
* [[18th Street South]] intersects
** north side ([[Block 113C]]):
*** [[Powell Avenue Steam Plant]] plaza (under development), [[Birmingham Parking Authority Lot D]] (1975-2015)
** south side ([[Block 122]]):
*** 1801: [[Midtown Center]] ([[Laboratory Corporation of America]])
*** 1801: [[Midtown Center]] ([[Laboratory Corporation of America]])
* [[19th Street South]] intersection
*** 1809: former location of [[Wimberley & Thomas]] Hardware (1957)
** 1909: former location of [[The Lighthouse]]
 
** 1911: former location of the [[Wiseola|Wiseola Bottling Company]]
* [[19th Street South]] intersects
** north side:
*** 1912: former location of [[C. Oliver]] blacksmith (1899)
*** 1920: former location of [[Luvenia Lovett]] restaurant (1897)
*** 1926: former location of [[S. Jones]] blacksmith (1899)
*** 1928: former location of [[Gem Cycle Co.]] (1899)
*** 1930: former location of [[Seaboard Air Line Railroad]] freight office, freight station, passenger station and police (built 1904, demolished after 1970)
** south side:
*** 1901: former location of clothier (1891), [[Magic City Dye House]] (1899)
*** 1903: former location of [[C. E. Lindell]] lodging house (1899)
**** 1903A: former location of vacant store (1891)
**** 1903B: former location of coffin shop (1891)
*** 1905-1909: former location of wholesale grocery (1891)
**** 1905-1907: former location of [[A. V. Welsh Vinegar Co.]] (1909)
**** 1909: former location of [[The Lighthouse]]
*** 1911: former location of the [[Wiseola|Wiseola Bottling Company]] (1909)
*** 1913: former location of [[Star Bottling Co.]] (1904)
*** 1925: former location of blacksmith shop (1891)
*** 1927½: former location of [[Madam Ola Colston]] house (1899)
*** 1929-1931: former location of saloon (1891), [[Dusenberry Bros]] saloon (1899)
 
* [[20th Street South]] intersection (begin 1st Avenue Cut)
* [[20th Street South]] intersection (begin 1st Avenue Cut)
** North side
** north side:
*** 2000: The [[Daniel Building]] ([[Compass Bank]] headquarters)
*** 2000: The [[Daniel Building]] ([[Compass Bank]] headquarters)
** South side ([[Block 121]])
*** 2012: former location of [[Birmingham Mattress Co.]] (1896-1899), [[Avondale Steam Laundry]] (1904)
*** former site of [[W. A. Mitchell & Co.]] saloon
*** 2014: former location of [[Steinhart & Stollenwerck]] (1896), [[Standard Stove Works]] (1899)
*** 2016: former location of [[Union Transfer Warehouse]] (1896), [[Sloss Iron & Steel Co.]]  warehouse (1899)
*** 2018-2030: former location of [[Heidt-Nelson Coal & Lumber Co.]] (1896-1899)
** south side ([[Block 121]]):
*** 2001-2031: [[Cityville Block 121]]
*** 2001: former location of [[W. A. Mitchell & Co.]] saloon
*** 2009: former location of [[P. Clemons]] blacksmith (1891-1899)
*** 2013-2017: former location of "negro shanties" (1891)
*** 2019: former location of [[Phillip Clements]] (1896)
*** 2021: former location of [[Crook-Dunn Electric Co.]] (1949)
*** 2021: former location of [[Crook-Dunn Electric Co.]] (1949)
*** [[Cityville Block 121]]
 
* [[Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard South]] intersection/underpass
* avenue passes below [[Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard South]] at the [[21st Street Viaduct]]
** South side
** south side ([[Block 120]]):
*** 2127: [[Ramwood Furniture]]
*** 2105: former location of [[Duncan & Orr]] stables (1899)
*** 2129: [[Brad Morton]] studio and [[Brad Morton residence|residence]] (former [[Seaboard Saloon]])
*** 2109: [[David Carrigan residence]] (2016-), former location of [[Kentucky Livery]] (built 1893)
* [[22nd Street South]] intersection
*** 2111: former location of [[Instant Cash]], built 1937
*** 2115–2119: [[The Percée]] condominiums (2022–), former location of [[Auto Radiator Co.]] warehouse (built 1927), [[Brad Morton]] studio (–2019), proposed office building (2021)
*** 2125: former location of [[Portedreo Garage]] (built c. 1925)
*** 2127: [[Ramwood Furniture]] (built c. 1925)
*** 2129-2131: former location of [[Brad Morton residence]]
**** 2129: (built c. 1916)
**** 2131: former location of saloon (1891), [[Seaboard Saloon]] (built 1897), [[W. Davis]] (1899), [[A. H. Davis]] (1904)


===[[Southside neighborhood]]===
===[[Southside neighborhood]]===
* [[22nd Street South]] intersection
* [[22nd Street South]] intersection
** former location of [[McKnight & Co.]]'s [[City Coal Yard]] (1886-)
** north side:
** 2204: [[Williams-Blackstock Architects]] (former [[V & W Supply Company]] building)
*** 2200-2204: [[Williams-Blackstock Architects]], [[Atlas Digital Partners]], [[AdventureKEEN]] publishers, [[StrategyWise]] (2019-) former location of [[McKnight & Co.]]'s [[City Coal Yard]] (1886-), [[Corona Coal Co.]] / [[Birmingham Feed & Sale Stables]] (1896)
** 2212: [[Golden & Associates]]
**** 2202: [[V & W Supply]] annex (built c. 1925), [[American Chemical]] (1990)
** 2214: [[Golden Construction]]
*** 2212-2214: (built c. 1915) [[Golden & Associates]] (2005-) / [[INFLCR]] (2019-), former location of [[Brandstettner & Atcheson]] hardware (1887), [[Birmingham Water Works]] mechanical and electrical department (1990)
** 2226: [[Pullman Flats]]
**** 2214: former location of [[W. M. Phillips]] wagon yard (1899)
** 2229: [[Davidson Design Group]]
*** 2216: former location of [[Shaw & Leslie]] (1887), [[Southern Dairies]] (built c. 1916)
*** 2226: [[Pullman Flats]] / [[Birmingham Legion FC]]
** south side ([[Block 119]]):
*** 2201-2211: parking lot
**** 2201: former location of fruit stand (1891), [[T. Swope]] shoemaker (1899)
**** 2203: former location of [[Brooks & Brooks Stockyard]] (1899)
**** 2205:  [[V & W Supply]] building (built c. 1921), former location of [[J. Griffin]] blacksmith (1899)
**** 2209-2211: former location of [[W. H. Neill]] livery stable (1891), [[S. S. Jones]] livery stable (1899)
***** 2209½: former location of [[B. Chatmon]] barber (1899)
***** 2211: former location of [[C. D. Latham]] grocer (1887)
*** 2213: [[Women's Foundation of Alabama]] (2023–) former location of [[Interiors by Kathy Harris]] (2011), [[Moxy]] branding / [[Kode Apparel]], [[Birmingham Legion FC]]
*** 2215: [[Nathan & Nathan]] collections (built c. 1921 for [[The Pate Co.]]), former location of livery stable (1891), [[V & W Wholesale]]
*** 2217-2223: former location of [[W. T. Hodges & Co.]] general merchandise (1899)
**** 2217-2221: former location of [[Hodges & Brooks]] / [[Deer Creek Coal Yard]] (1896)
**** 2219: former location of carpenter's shop (1891)
** 2227: [[Walding LLC]] attorneys, (built 1907 as [[Blanch Barnard residence]], a brothel)
** 2229-2231: [[Newspaper Union Building]] (built 1891): [[Davidson Design Group]], former location of [[American Newspaper Union]] (1891-1908), [[Magic City Casket Co.]] (1904-), [[Moore Co.]], [[SoMo Galleries]] (1989-)
 
* [[23rd Street South]] intersection (south only)
* [[23rd Street South]] intersection (south only)
** former location of [[Amzi Godden Co.]] warehouse (1903-)
** north side:
** 2312: [[H & W Company]]
*** 2300-2308: former location of [[Virginia & Alabama Coal Yard]] (1896), [[Standard Basket Co.]] (1902), [[Amzi Godden Co.]] warehouse (built c. 1902), [[Hardwick & Co.]] (1990-), [[Good Dog Bar & Dog Park]] (2022–)
** 2316: [[Innovative Office Solutions]], [[Direct Communications]]
*** 2310: (built c. 1902), former location of [[Hardwick Steel]] (1990)
*** 2312: [[H & W Company]]
*** 2316: [[Birmingham Animal Hospital & Resort]] (2022), former location of [[The Lemak Group]] (2011), [[Innovative Office Solutions]], [[Direct Communications]]
*** 2330: former location of [[People's Ice Company]] (1899)
** south side:
*** 2301-2305: former location of [[Hodges & Brooks]] warehouse (1896), [[Allgood & Moody]] cotton warehouse (1899)
*** 2321-2327: former location of [[Perfection Laundry]], [[KRO Laundry]] (1990)
**** 2321: built c. 1909 as a brothel
**** 2323: built c. 1925
**** 2327: built c. 1905 as a brothel
 
* [[24th Street South]] underpass (end 1st Avenue Cut)
* [[24th Street South]] underpass (end 1st Avenue Cut)
** 2409: former branch office of [[Ballard & Ballard]] millers
** 2400–2530: proposed location for [[The Tracks]] apartments, former location of [[Thomas Steel Products Co.]] / [[T. E. Stevens Construction]] (–2020)
** 2417: [[First Avenue Rocks]]
** 2405: former location of [[Cheryl Morgan residence]]
** 2409: former branch office of [[Ballard & Ballard]] millers, [[Nelson Glass]] (1990)
** 2413: former location of [[Toro-Cordes Iron Arts]] (2000-2007)
** 2417: commercial building (built c. 1926), [[Stash]] (2022), former location of [[Alabama Overhead Door]] (1990), [[First Avenue Rocks]] (-2019)
** 2420: [[Thomas Steel Products]]
** 2420: [[Thomas Steel Products]]
** 2421: (built c. 1925), former location of [[Auto Laq Paint & Body]] (1986)
** 2423: former location of [[Burt Brick & Cement Co.]] (1925)
** 2431: [[Auto & Truck Services]] (built c. 1924), former location of [[Wall & Floor System]]
* [[25th Street South]] intersection (south only)
* [[25th Street South]] intersection (south only)
* [[Elton B. Stephens Expressway]] underpass
* [[Elton B. Stephens Expressway]] underpass
** 2701: [[Goodwyn Mills and Cawood]]
** 2701: [[2701 1st Avenue South|one-story office building]] (built 2005), [[Navigate Affordable Housing Partners]] (2022–), former location of [[Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood]] architects (2005–2020)
** 2801-3199: [[CSX 32nd Street Yard]]
** 2801-3199: [[CSX 32nd Street Yard]]
** 2726: [[Alabama Ballet]]
** 2726: [[Alabama Ballet]]
** 2800: [[Seaboard Yard townhomes]]
** 2800: [[Seaboard Yard townhomes]]
** 2900: [[The Lamb Firm]]
** 2900: [[Alexander Shunnarah Personal Injury Attorneys PC]] (2016-), former location of [[The Lamb Firm]]
** 2920: [[Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds]]
** 2920: [[Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds]]
** 3000: former location of [[Joe Salamone]] grocery store (1962)
* Passes under [[35th Street viaduct]]
* Passes under [[35th Street viaduct]]


=== [[North Avondale]]/Southside neighborhood ===
=== [[North Avondale]]/Southside neighborhood ===
* Passes under [[35th Street viaduct]]
* Passes under [[35th Street viaduct]]
** [[Old Car Heaven]]
** [[M2]], former location of [[Old Car Heaven]]
*** [[Sunrise Plaza]]
** 3607: Former location of [[Cave 9]]
** 3607: Former location of [[Cave 9]]
** 3625: former location of [[Arnold Institutional Foods]] (1973)
** 4001: former location of [[Fortieth Street Baptist Church]] (1927)
<!-- where 37th Street South intersection would be -->
<!-- where 37th Street South intersection would be -->


Line 126: Line 219:


=== North Avondale/[[East Avondale]] ===
=== North Avondale/[[East Avondale]] ===
* 42nd Street South intersection (south only)
* 42nd Street South intersects (south only)
** 4242: [[Christian Union Spiritual Church]] (1942)
** 4240: [[Bagby Elevator Company]]
** 4240: [[Bagby Elevator Company]]
* 44th Street South intersection (north only)
* 43rd Street South intersects
** 4330-4350: [[Duffy's Garage]] (2019-), former location of the [[Community Recycling & Resource Center]] (2016-2018)
* 44th Street South intersects (north only)


=== East Avondale ===
=== East Avondale ===
* 44th Street South intersection (north only)
* 44th Street South intersection (north only)
** 4410: [[Christian Union Spiritual Church]] (1960-1971-)
** 4500: (road terminus)
** 4500: (road terminus)
** 4722: [[Healing Spring Baptist Church]] (1971)
** Road terminus
** Road terminus
* 48th Street South intersection
* 48th Street South intersection
Line 140: Line 238:
=== [[Woodlawn]] ===
=== [[Woodlawn]] ===
* [[5th Avenue South]] intersection (road continues west as 5th Avenue)
* [[5th Avenue South]] intersection (road continues west as 5th Avenue)
** 5500: [[Smiles for Keeps]]
* [[55th Street South]] intersection
** 5528: [[City Arts Boutique]]
** 5500: [[Smiles for Keeps]] (built 2006), former location of [[Freeman Service Station]] (1941), [[Nifty One Hour Cleaners]] (1964–1970)
** 5612: former location of [[Frostop]] drive-in
** 5501: parking lot, former location of [[Trackside Gas Station]] (1941–1970)
** 5701: [[Faush Metropolitan Manor]]
** 5505–5509: 2-story commercial building, former location of [[Woodlawn Auto Parts]] (1941), [[Alabama Auto Parts]] (1964–1970), [[B & B Automart]] (2007–)
** 5704: [[Interfaith Hospitality House]] (1983-2009)
** 5507: former location of [[Seminole Lav. Co.]] (1926)
** 5720: [[Christ Health Center]]
** 5509: former location of [[Quality Laundry]] (1926)
* [[Georgia Road]] intersection
** 5519: used car lot
* 59th Street intersection
 
* [[55th Place South]] intersects
** 5521: [[Polaris]] event/co-working space / [[Village Apothecary]] candles (2022–), former location of [[Wadsworth Service Station]] / [[Bill Gantt Flooring Co.]] (1964-1970), [[Allied Electric Motor Service]] (2007)
** 5524: former location of [[Zarzour's Peacock Drive Inn]] (1958), [[Bill & Edna's Restaurant]] / [[Halwood Candy Co.]] (1964), [[Flo's Restaurant & Lounge]] (1970)
** 5525–5529: [[SocialVenture]] non-profit incubator and conference center, former location of [[Ebbitt House]] hotel (1887), [[Garrison Van & Warehouse]] (1964–1970)
*** 5525: former location of [[Shiflett's Pharmacy]] (1941)
*** 5527: former location of [[Woodlawn Furniture Store]] (1941)
*** 5529: [[D'Trespa Consignment Boutique]] ([[LaRoyce Marsh]] 2022–), former location of [[Sound & Page]] listening room (2013–2014), [[Open Shop]] (opened December 2014), [[Great Bear Wax Co.]] / [[Bungalow Bungalow]] (2019–2021)
** 5528: [[You Good? Self-Care Sanctuary]] (2023) , former location of [[Royal Custom Cabinetry]] / [[Royal Custom Coin-O-Matic]] (1964), [[Superior Engraving]] (1970), [[City Arts Boutique]] (2011–2013), [[Thrive Wellness Lounge]] ([[Tish Fletcher]] 2022–)
** 5530: [[Woodlawn Marketplace]] (2022–), former location of [[Woodlawn Cycle Cafe]] ([[Armand Margjeka]] & [[Kyle Campbell]] 2016–2020)
** 5532: former location of [[James Faulkner]] / [[Donald Slappey]] physicians (1964), [[Slappey, Faulkner & Morris]] physicians (1970)
** 5536–5544: [[AT&T]], formerly [[Southern Bell]] [[Woodlawn Exchange]], [[South Central Bell]]
*** 5544: [[Friendly Sitters]] / [[Home South Mortgage Service]] / [[Safelite Auto Glass]] / [[Vet-Co Inc.]] (2007)
 
* [[56th Street South]] intersects
** north side:
*** 5600: former location of [[Spivey's Gulf Service Station]] (1941), [[Woodlawn Gulf Service Station]] (1964-1970), [[Mays Auto & Tire]] ([[Dwight Mays|Dwight]] & [[Edna Mays]] 1980s–2021)
*** 5608: former location of [[D & E Auto Sales]] ([[Dwight Mays|Dwight]] & [[Edna Mays]] 1990s–2021)
*** 5612: [[R & F Inc.]] convenience store (2007–), former location of [[Frostop]] drive-in / [[Better Food Stops Inc.]] (1964), [[Kentucky Fried Chicken]] (1970) [[Super Sound]] car stereo (2007)
** south side:
*** 5601: former location of [[Newman Cleaners & Dyers]] (1941), [[Hendrix Super Texaco]] (1964–1970), [[Stinnett Transmission Inc.]] (2007)
*** 5607: [[Gerald Vines]] accountant (2007–), former location of [[Paul Longshore]] dentist (1964-1970),
*** 5613: vacant lot
*** 5621 (100 57th Street South): [[Woodlawn Dental]] ([[M. Dale Williams]] 2008–)
 
* [[57th Street South]] intersects
** north side:
*** 5704: [[Interfaith Hospitality House]] (1983–2009)
*** 5720: [[Christ Health Center]] (2009-), former location of [[Jefferson County Department of Health]] [[Eastern Health Center]] (1964–2008)
*** 5804–5812: [[Live Oaks Clinic]] (built 2019)
** south side:
*** 5701–5731: [[Faush Metropolitan Manor]] apartments (2007)
**** 5707: former location of [[Roy Kracke Jr]] dentist (1964–1970)
**** 5715: former location of [[Jerome Weaver]] physician (1964–1970)
**** 5729: former location of the [[Robinette Apartments]] (1941–1970)
 
* [[Georgia Road]] intersects
** 5813: former location of [[Butler Service Station]] (1941), [[Battery Stores Exchange]] (1964-1970)
** 5819: former location of [[Reese Engineering Co.]] warehouse (1964)
* [[59th Street South]] intersection


=== [[South Woodlawn]] ===
=== [[South Woodlawn]] ===
[[File:6400 1st Ave S 1919.jpg|right|thumb|375px|View looking east from 64th street in 1919]]
* 59th Street intersection
* 59th Street intersection
** 5903-5905: former location of [[Burris Grocery Co.]] (1926)
** 5916: [[Interfaith Hospitality House]] (2009-present)
** 5916: [[Interfaith Hospitality House]] (2009-present)
** 6400: [[Colonial RV Center]]
** former location of [[Woodlawn Church of Christ]] addressed 5 [[60th Street South]] (1955)
** 6460: [[Martin Animal Hospital]]
** 6015-6023: former location of [[Catherine Court Apartments]] (1964-1970)
** 6461: [[Market Services of Alabama]]
** 6035: former location of [[Woodlawn Apartments]] (1941-1970)
** 6100: former location of [[Erin's Beauty Shop]] (1964)
** 6104: former location of [[The Green Door]] florist (1964-1970)
** 6112: [[Sixty One Twelve Woodlawn]] apartments
** 6125: [[Bo's Ice House]] (2007), formerly [[Southeastern Ice Corp.]] (1941), [[Williams Ice House]] (1964), [[Howard's Moving & Storage]] (1964-1970), [[Woodlawn Ice House]] (1970)
** 6126: [[ChristFit]] gym, former location of [[Community Rebuilders]] shoe repair (1940s)
** 6200: former location of [[Mack's Place]] restaurant (1964)
** 6201: former location of [[Woodlawn Variety Shop]] (1941), [[Little Harlem Club]] ([[Ray Harris]] 1953), [[Clarence Hixon]] physician (1964)
** 6203: former location of [[62nd Shoe Shine Parlor]] (1964)
** 6221: [[Old Ship AME Zion Church]] (1941, 1960)
* onramp to [[I-20]] eastbound
* [[I-20]] overpass
* offramp from [[I-20]] westbound
** 6300: former location of [[Suddeth's Radio & TV Shop]] (1964-1970)
** 6303-6309: former location of [[Ritchey's Food Center]] (1970)
** 6310: former location of [[Sentell Oil Co.]] gas station (1970)
** 6400: [[Thrasher Brothers]] Trailways, [[Colonial RV Center]], former location of [[San Ann Service Station]] (1970)
** 6409: former location of [[Oscar C. Kyle]] grocery (1941), [[Coin-Op Laundry Center]] (1964)
** 6411: former location of [[Barlow Coal Coke & Transfer Co.]] (1941)
** 6425: former location of [[John Palumbo]] grocery (1941), [[Palumbo & Sacco Grocery]] (1964)
** 6429-6431: [[Bright House Networks]] offices, former location [[Mt Moriah Methodist Church]] (c.1920-1969), [[Road Runner High Speed Online]] (2007)
** 6444: former location of [[Primitive Baptist Church]] (1941)
** 6457: former location of [[Ann's Beauty Salon]] (1970), [[Kelly's Barber Shop]] (2007)
** 6460: former location of [[Martin Animal Hospital]] (1964-2011)
** 6461: [[Market Services of Alabama]] waste paper recycling (2007)
** 6465-6469: former location of [[Wahouma Roofing & Siding Co.]] (1964-1970)
*** 6469: former location of [[Hugh W. Brown]] auto wrecker (1941)
* 65th Street intersection
* 65th Street intersection


Line 160: Line 325:
* 65th Street intersection
* 65th Street intersection
** 7110: [[East End Memorial Hospital]]
** 7110: [[East End Memorial Hospital]]
** 7627-7631: former location of [[77th Street Church of Christ]] (1948-1996-)
* [[Oporto-Madrid Boulevard]] intersection
* [[Oporto-Madrid Boulevard]] intersection


Line 168: Line 334:
* 83rd Street South intersection (road terminus)
* 83rd Street South intersection (road terminus)
* 87th Street South intersection (road terminus)
* 87th Street South intersection (road terminus)
** 8721: former location of [[Faith Lutheran Church|Faith Lutheran Chapel]] (1959)
** 9016: former location of [[Pan Am Service Station & Cafe]] ([[P. T. Harrison]] 1951)


==Notes==
==Notes==

Latest revision as of 15:10, 7 May 2024

1st Avenue South (originally called Avenue A) is an east-west avenue in Birmingham running from I-65 in the west to Roebuck in the east. In the downtown area it is just south of Powell Avenue and one block from the Railroad Reservation. As it proceeds eastward it is interrupted by I-20/59 near Gate City and resumes in Woodlawn separated from 1st Avenue North by Division Avenue. It is once again interrupted by I-59 at 82nd Street South in East Lake and then terminates at 87th Street South just shy of Parkway East near the Roebuck Municipal Golf Course

The downtown section of 1st Avenue South is undergoing large scale redevelopment. It the main frontage for the Railroad Park between 14th and 18th Streets, and is also experiencing significant redevelopment around the location of the 1st Avenue Cut, which was redeveloped as the Rotary Trail. In 2016 the Birmingham City Council approved changing the name of a two-block section of 1st Avenue South adjacent to Regions Field to Willie Mays Drive.

Railway cut

Main article: 1st Avenue South railway cut
The 1st Avenue Cut, looking west from the 24th Street Viaduct in 2005

The 1st Avenue Cut is a depressed railroad bed which formerly served the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, which runs through the center of 1st Avenue South, below grade, from 20th Street South to 24th Street South. The reinforced concrete construction creating the grade separation was begun in the mid-1890s.

The presentation of the City Center Master Plan in 2005 showed the possibility of filling the cut to create a tree-lined boulevard. Some residents, vocally represented by then-City Councilor Elias Hendricks, expressed their view that the cut should be preserved for its interpretive and nostalgic value, but "cleaned up" to make it an asset to the area. The Central City neighborhood sponsored a clean-up day for the cut in June, 2005.

Main article: Rotary Trail

In 2016 the Rotary Club of Birmingham partnered with the city of Birmingham, Freshwater Land Trust, Operation New Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation to redevelop The cut as a linear public park, known as the "Rotary Trail". The park is part of the Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail System, connecting Railroad Park with Sloss Furnaces and beyond.

East of downtown

Moving east from the 24th Street viaduct the street is home to recent construction on the former Seaboard Air Line Railroad yard and spillover from the adjacent "Design District" around Dr Pepper Place in Lakeview. The 24th Street viaduct and Red Mountain Expressway overpass occasionally shelter small groups of homeless persons. The CSX 32nd Street Yard was active on the south side of the street until 2012. Until then it had often provided a staging area for the Ringling Bros & Barnum & Bailey's Circus train.

Red Light District

The area around the western ends of the railyards served as Birmingham's Red Light District in the early 20th century.

According to a 1909 report by Mayor George Ward the policy of "Segregation" had a positive effect:

"It has reduced the number of unfortunates in our midst over 75 per cent by driving hundreds away. It has reclaimed every other section of the city from suspicion and contamination. It has made it possible for women and children to go and be seen in every other part of the city at all times without fear of being misunderstood or embarassed. It has done more to prevent thievery, debauchery, and murder; more to prevent insidious temptation; more to reduce licentiousness, incipient and chronic, than can ever by known by the public or the authorities. This district should be regulated sternly; treated fairly; kept in the background, and conditions improved from year to year."1.

The best known house in the district was operated by Blanche Bernard who, banned from soliciting at the Terminal Station instead offered gentlemen a free carriage to their hotel. The catch was that even if their hotel was located just down 5th Avenue North, the carriage would always tarry around the Southside Loop to show off the attractions of the Red Light District. The houses were finally razed in the 1930s.

On the relatively isolated stretch between 35th and 41st Streets there is frequent drag racing in the late evenings. Past 41st Street, 1st Avenue peters out into a local-access street.

East end

1st Avenue South re-appears in downtown Woodlawn. Morse Avenue, now vacated within the Connors Steel plant, was renumbered as a disconnected section of 1st Avenue South.

Georgia Road forks away to the south at 58th Street. The avenue continues underneath I-20 into East Lake and continues through 20 blocks of predominantly residential areas until it is again interrupted by I-59 a few blocks shy of its eastern end at 87th Street.

Notable locations

For an alphabetical list of locations, see the 1st Avenue South category.

North Titusville

Five Points South neighborhood

Southside neighborhood

North Avondale/Southside neighborhood

North Avondale/Forest Park-South Avondale

  • 42nd Street South intersection (south only)

North Avondale/East Avondale

East Avondale

Woodlawn

South Woodlawn

View looking east from 64th street in 1919

East Lake neighborhood

South East Lake

Notes

  • (Ward - 1909)

References

External links

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