Linn Park: Difference between revisions
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:''This article is about the current downtown park. For the first park in Birmingham, see [[Linn's Park]]. There is also a [[Lynn Park]] in [[East Lake]].'' | :''This article is about the current downtown park. For the first park in Birmingham, see [[Linn's Park]]. There is also a [[Lynn Park]] in [[East Lake]].'' | ||
[[Image:Linn Park axis 2006.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Linn Park in 2006]] | |||
'''Charles Linn Park''' (formerly '''Woodrow Wilson Park''', '''Central Park''', and '''Capitol Park''') was one of three parks included in the original plans for [[Birmingham]]. It was built in what would later become downtown during the city's early boom days. It was given the name "Capitol Park" initially because Birmingham's early boosters planned to lobby for moving the state capital from Montgomery to the new city. | '''Charles Linn Park''' (formerly '''Woodrow Wilson Park''', '''Central Park''', and '''Capitol Park''') was one of three parks included in the original plans for [[Birmingham]]. It was built in what would later become downtown during the city's early boom days. It was given the name "Capitol Park" initially because Birmingham's early boosters planned to lobby for moving the state capital from Montgomery to the new city. | ||
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==Historic events== | ==Historic events== | ||
[[Image:Linnpark.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Capitol Park in 1910]] | |||
* 1870s: A temporary [[Exposition Building (1870s)|Exposition Building]] showcased the region's mineral wealth for visitors to the city. | * 1870s: A temporary [[Exposition Building (1870s)|Exposition Building]] showcased the region's mineral wealth for visitors to the city. | ||
* 1886: The 1870s Exposition Building was forced into service as classrooms for students from [[Powell School]], displaced by a fire. | * 1886: The 1870s Exposition Building was forced into service as classrooms for students from [[Powell School]], displaced by a fire. | ||
Revision as of 14:07, 25 May 2009
- This article is about the current downtown park. For the first park in Birmingham, see Linn's Park. There is also a Lynn Park in East Lake.
Charles Linn Park (formerly Woodrow Wilson Park, Central Park, and Capitol Park) was one of three parks included in the original plans for Birmingham. It was built in what would later become downtown during the city's early boom days. It was given the name "Capitol Park" initially because Birmingham's early boosters planned to lobby for moving the state capital from Montgomery to the new city.
The park was first renamed, for Woodrow Wilson, after World War I. It was later renamed Linn Park to honor Charles Linn, who created the first landscaped park in the city near the Relay House.
Linn Park is surrounded by the original Birmingham Public Library bulding, now the Linn-Henley Research Library, the Jefferson County Courthouse, Birmingham City Hall, Park Place Tower and other office buildings. It is bounded by 20th Street North to the west, Park Place to the south, 8th Avenue North to the north, and both Linn-Henley Research Library and the Jefferson County Courthouse to the east.
The park contains several statues and other monuments, including a marker designating the official center of Birmingham.
As Birmingham's primary civic space, Linn Park hosts numerous events such as the Birmingham Christmas tree lighting ceremony, City Stages, the Magic City Art Connection, Magic City Blues Fest and other gatherings.
Historic events
- 1870s: A temporary Exposition Building showcased the region's mineral wealth for visitors to the city.
- 1886: The 1870s Exposition Building was forced into service as classrooms for students from Powell School, displaced by a fire.
- 1914: The city sponsored nightly cinema screenings in the park.
- 1921: President Warren G. Harding delivered a landmark speech on race relations during the Semicentennial of Birmingham
- 1921: A Fashion-Industrial Exposition was staged inside a temporary Exposition Building during the Semicentennial of Birmingham
- 2005: American Idol finalist Taylor Hicks performed a mini-concert for home-town fans which was filmed for the television program.
See also
References
- White, Marjorie Longenecker, ed. (1980) Downtown Birmingham: Architectural and Historical Walking Tour Guide, second edition. Birmingham: Birmingham Historical Society.