18th Street North

18th Street North is one of the primary north-south streets in downtown Birmingham's business district.

18th Street begins at the northern end of 18th Street South, at the 18th Street underpass underneath the railroad tracks of the Railroad Reservation. From there it first crosses Morris Avenue and continues north until ending for Oak Hill Cemetery at 11th Avenue North. Between 1st Avenue North and the cemetery, the downtown section of 18th Street is one-way for north-bound vehicular traffic.

North of the cemetery, 18th Street resumes from an eastern shift by 17th Street North and continues to 17th Avenue North. North of I-65 the street picks up at 19th Avenue and crosses Village Creek before it runs into the interstate onramps at Finley Avenue. At 24th Court North, 18th Street resumes, paralleling I-65 as far as 37th Avenue North.

Electric lights were installed 18th Street North from Morris Avenue to 6th Avenue North in 1945 under the city's contract with the Birmingham Electric Company.

One block of 18th Street, between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue was converted from one-way to two-way traffic on December 5, 2016, allowing for better access to the Pizitz parking deck as the reopening of the Pizitz Building neared.

Notable locations

For an alphabetical list of locations, see the 18th Street North category.

Fountain Heights

• Railroad Reservation
  • 18th Street underpass (built 1931), LightRails (installed 2013)

• Morris Avenue intersects
  • west side:
    • Birmingham Central Station, Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority headquarters
  • east side:
    • former location of Hotel Royal (1887-), vacant lot with shoe shop (1891)

• 1st Avenue North (U. S. Highway 11) intersects
  • west side (Block 97):
    • 100-106: former location of National Hotel (1891-1904) / saloon (1891)
      • 100: former location of Johnnie's Grill (1953)
      • 104: former location of Jones & Co. tailors, cleaners & dyers (1923), House of Charm beauty salon (1953)
      • 106: former location of Isaac Moses merchant tailor (1887), vacant (1891), National Cafe (1904), Bates Finance Inc. (1953)
      • 108: former location of vacant store (1891), F. Rothenhofer cider (1899)
    • 110: former location of vacant store (1891), A. B. Broady & Co. undertakers (1902), Henry Uhl & Co. (1904), Quick Service Letter Co. (1953)
      • 110: former location of American Employment Service (1953)
  • 1st Alley North intersects
    • 112-114: Dog Days of Birmingham, former location of dwelling (1891), Hunter Furniture (1920-2009)
      • 114: former location of Wesleyan Mission (1899)
        • 114½: former location of Fleming House (1899)
    • 116-130: former location of commercial building
      • 116: former location of printing office (1891), Independent Publishing Co. (1899) Harrison Houpt Fleischmann & Co. (1904), Millinery Supply Co. (1953)
      • 118-130: former location of stores "being built" (1891)
      • 118: former location of Electrical Specialty Co. (1927)

• • east side (Block 98):
    • 101-111: Pizitz parking deck (1965), former location of Stewart's Mill (1881), saloon (1891), O'Brien House (1899), Shoppers' Park Lot
    • 103-111: former location of U.S. Employment Office (1953)
      • 103: former location of "negro saloon" (1891), American Dye Works / Davidson & Mabry tailors (1899)
      • 105: former location of vacant store (1891), J. H. McGee shoemaker / Connor & Co. plumbers (1899)
      • 107: former location of dentist's office (1891), J. J. Jones barber (1899), Beitman Bros. cigar manufacturer (1904)
      • 109: former location of undertaker / coffin shop (1891), Venable & Mathews soda waters (1899)
      • 111: former location of bank (1891), Williamson & Anderson undertakers (1899)
  • 1st Alley North intersects
    • 113–117: former location of Harris & Williamson electricians (1896)
      • 113-115: former location of Frank O'Brien saloon (1899), Jacob Abraham saloon (1904)
        • 113: former location of electrical supplies (1891)
        • 115: former location of vacant store (1891)
      • 117: former location of vacant store (1891), Sullivan & Hay printers (1899), L. Hirsch & Sons (1904)
    • 119: former location of dressmaker (1891)
    • 121: former location of R. J. Johnson barber (1899)
    • 127: former location of cider storage (1891)
    • 129-131: former location of Birmingham Gas Company (1891)

• 2nd Avenue North intersects
  • west side (Block 88):
    • 200-210: former location of of Gulf Downtown Service Station (1930s-1953)
      • 200-208: former location of Birmingham Hotel (1890s-1916), New Florence Hotel (1916, demolished 1935),
        • 200: former location of dwelling / fruit stand (1891)
        • 204: former location of print shop (1891)
        • 206: former location of Naff & Burney grocers (1887), tin shop (1891), McDonald & Wishart sign painters (1899), John Reed saloon (1904)
      • 208-210: former location of Kimball House hotel (1891), Julia Payne boarding house (1899), Commercial Hotel (1904)
        • 208: former location of Birmingham Railway & Electric Co. freight depot (1899) George Diffay restaurant (1904), Florence Dry Cleaning Co. (1925)
        • 210: former location of R. Knauff & Co. lumber dealers (1882-1904), Standard Furniture
  • 2nd Alley North intersects
    • 212: former location of upholsterer (1891), Joseph Marsicano saloon (1904), Queen Theatre (1910s), New Queen Theatre (1919–1920s)
    • 214: Former location of dwelling (1891), Necchi Sewing Machine Co. / Dillard Sewing Machine Co. (1953), Cummings Beauty Salon, New Breed Barber Shop, O'Carr's (2017-2019)
      • 214½: former location of Belmont Studio photographers (1953-1969)
    • 216: former location of Ruth Pierson beauty salon (1953)
      • 216½: former location of Union Hall (1907), Lamont Beauty Salon (1953)
    • 218: former location of T. W. Morefield grocery store (1887), store (1891), Olympia Cafe (G. Guvalos 1916)
    • 220-230: former location of dwelling (1891)
      • 220: former location of W. H. Murphy saloon (1904), Lucius Cafe (1910), Egbert Snelling barber / Webb Finance Co. (1953)
      • 222: former location of Wylie Davis restaurant (1904), Gerber Furniture Co. (1953), Atlas & Warr Optical (1961)
      • 224: former location of Rose Woodall beauty salon (1953)
      • 226: former location of Mabry Bros. (1904), Royal Finance Co. (1953)
      • 228: former location of Charles M. Harris & Co. undertakers (1902–1904)
      • 230: Terry's Place (2019), former location of People's Drug Co. (1904), Jimmie's Soda and Cigar (1929-1931), The Kottage (2008), Legends Sports Bar & Lounge / Legends Cigar Bar (2011-2018)

• • east side (Block 87):
    • former site of WBRC-AM studios, USO (1945)
    • 201-209 McWane Science Center parking deck (built 1971 as Loveman's parking deck), former location of U.S. Court House and Post Office (built 1893, demolished 1920s)
      • 205: former location of Dixie Cream Donuts (1953)
      • 207: former location of Alabama Parking Lot entrance (1953)
      • 209: former location of Danny's Restaurant (1953), Larry's Restaurant & Lounge (1950s)
        • 209B: former location of Otis Jewelry Co. (1953)
    • 211: former location of Alabama Theatre confectionary dept. (1953)
  • 2nd Alley North intersects
    • 213-219: Alabama Theatre (built 1927) stage entrance
      • 213: former location of W. L. Cole boarding house (1899), W. C. Harris restaurant (1904)
      • 217: former site of the Alabama Penny Savings Bank (1890-1913)
      • 219: former location of Bains Furniture Co. / Lynn & Son / R. W. Gayle (1904)
        • 219½: former location of the People's Home Telephone Co. (1904)
    • 221-227: Goldstein building (renovated 1927)

• 3rd Avenue North intersects
  • west side (Block 71):
    • 300: Parisian building (built 1928) Gray Construction/Atlas RFID Solutions (2016-), former location of Mrs I. G. Nabers boarding house (1887), Mrs H. S. Varnell boarding house (1899), Parisian department store (1928-1937), Calder Furniture Co. (1941-1952), Citizens Federal Savings & Loan (1968-2003)
    • 302: former location of Dixie Land Cafe (1920)
    • 306: former location of Hury Amusement Co. / Champion Theater (1920)
    • 310-314: former location of Frank O'Brien sheriff (1899)
      • 310: Pythian Temple (built 1913), former location of the Birmingham Reporter offices (1920s), Birmingham History Center offices (2014-2018)
      • 312: former location of Lucius Cafe (1911), Utopia Theatre (1916), Frolic Theater (1920)
      • 314: former location of J. J. Judge musician (1899), Gillespie & Ogilvie restaurant (1910), ABC Store

The Rush Hotel at 316A 18th Street North. 1931 photo by W. B. Phillips

• • • • 316-318: Savoy Theatre (built 1916), former location of Mark's Dry Goods (1980)
        • 316: former location of Durham Woolen Mills store, Weinstein's Clothing
          • 316A: former location of Rush Hotel (1930-1949)
        • 318: Redmont R&D (2016-), former location of Mrs G. Bremsteller furnished rooms (1899), Equator Pool Room (1930s), Fresh Squeeze (2018-)
          • 318½: former location of Madam Lena Wilson (1899)
    • 320-328: Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park (built 1999), former site of Brock Drugs building (built 1915, demolished 1980s)
      • 320: former location of Lena Jenkins lunch stand (1899), Cassimus & Co. (1904)
      • 320½: former location of Hotel Davis (1920), Palm Leaf Hotel (1930s-1942)
      • 322: former location of William Bookholdt & Co. / Iron City Bakery (1888), Jacob Schoettlin saloon (1899-1904)
      • 328: Palm Leaf Lunchroom (1925)
    • 330: former location of C. D. Kenny Co. coffees & teas (1916–1918)

• • east side (Block 72):
    • 301: Lyric Theatre
    • 305: former location of Mrs L. A. Halsall dress maker (1887), R. W. Gayle plumber (1899)
    • 307: former location of Samuel Browne produce merchant (1887), R. Hawring dyer (1899)
    • 309-311: former location of Hotel Supply Company (1923)
      • 309: former location of Jay-Cee Men's Shop (1953)
      • 311: former location of Mrs L. Morgan boarding house (1899)
    • 313: former location of Mrs G. A. Wren boarding house (1899)
    • 315–329: 4-story office building, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama
      • 315: former location of Mrs M. A. Thomas furnished rooms (1899)
      • 321: former location of W. M. Grimsley & Co. upholsterers (1899), L. V. McEntire's Cash Market butcher shop (1923)
        • 321½: former location of Mrs M. J. Rowland boarding house
      • 323: former location of Woody & Co. (1904)
      • 329: former location of Koplon's Clothing Store

• 4th Avenue North intersects
  • west side (Block 62):
    • 400-422: Corner: Hugo L. Black Federal Courthouse (built 1987), former site of Roden Hotel (1913-1917), A & P grocery store, and Adamson Ford
      • 400: former location of W.C. Bulger grocer (1887), Home Bakery (1904)
      • 402: former location of Easonville Creamery (1904), City Restaurant (1920)
      • 406: former location of New Florence Hotel, New Florence Cafe (1937)
      • 418: former location of Aloia Studio photography (1920)
      • 422: former location of B. F. Roden residence (1899-1904)

• • east side (Block 61):
    • 401-415: parking lot
      • former location of Koplon's Korner clothing (1931-1964)
      • 405-409: former location of United Electric Co. (1904)
      • 411: former location of Page & Hicks grocers (1887), Blue Bird Cafe (1928), Right Spot Cafe (R. L. Jones, 1941)
    • 417-431: Federal Reserve building (built 1924), former location of Cumberland Presbyterian Church (1899-1904), proposed site of Federal Reserve tower

• 5th Avenue North intersection
  • west side:
    • 500-512: Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 7, former location of Central Presbyterian Church (1899), Happy John Bollas barbecue (1928-1969)
      • 500: former location of Ted's Cafe (Ernest George Lewis Logothates)
    • 514-530: parking lot
      • 520: former location of F. S. White attorney (1899)
      • 530: former location of Herman Saks merchant (1899)

• • east side:
    • 501-513: Robert S. Vance Federal Building
    • 519: former location of St John Studio (1923)
    • 529: former location of E. & H. Film Distributing Corp. (1925)

• 6th Avenue North intersects
  • west side
    • 600-614: Alabama Power Building (built 1925)
      • 610: former location of Isaac Hochstadter merchant (1899)
    • 616-630: Alabama Power Company Headquarters Complex (built 1990)
      • 630: former location of J. Loveman merchant (1899)

• • east side
    • 601-615: AT&T Employee Parking Deck (built 1969), former location of 6th Avenue Presbyterian Church (1925-1968)
    • 617-631: Alabama Power Company visitor parking

• 7th Avenue North intersects
  • west side:
    • 700: YMHA Building (built 1926), former location of Young Men's Hebrew Association (1926–1957), First Pentecostal Holiness Church (1967–1971), Good Shepherd Pentecostal Holiness Church (1983)
    • 714: former location of Morris Infirmary (1904)
    • Alabama Power employees parking deck
  • east side:
    • 701–709: parking lot
    • 711: Bender & Agboola
    • 715: Karam's Restaurant (Saber and Abrahim Alshoja 2022–), former location of Samuel Ullman residence (1899), Morris Newfield residence (1904), Marilyn's Deli (2008–2020)
    • 717–721: Alabama Power Company visitor parking lot no. 2
    • 725–729: one-story marble-clad building

• Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard (formerly 8th Avenue North) intersects
  • Alabama School of Fine Arts
  • 820: office & warehouse, remodeled for Alabama School of Fine Arts in 2016
  • 829: former location of Michie & Johnson (1904)

• • Passes under Interstate 20/Interstate 59

• 9th Avenue North intersects

• 10th Avenue North intersects (west only)
  • west side:
    • 1000: FBI Birmingham Field Office Building (built 2005)
  • east side:
    • former location of Loveman's warehouse
    • Kelly Ingram Post No. 668

• 11th Avenue North intersects (road ends)
  • former location of J. N. Scott & Co. private infirmary (1896)
  • Oak Hill Cemetery

• 13th Court North intersects (road resumes from 17th Street North)
• 14th Avenue North intersects
• 14th Court North intersects (east only)
• 15th Avenue North intersects
  • Fountain Heights mural (west side, 2011-)
  • 1503: former location of Curley's Place (Racie Heathcock 1961)
• 16th Avenue North intersects (west only; main road turns west as 16th Street North)
• 17th Avenue North intersects (east only)/17th Court North intersection (road continues as 19th Street North)

Evergreen

• 19th Avenue North intersects
• 20th Avenue North intersects (west only)
• 21st Avenue North intersects (east only)
• Crosses railroad tracks

Acipco-Finley

• Crosses railroad tracks
• Finley Boulevard intersects