5th Avenue South

Fifth Avenue South (originally Avenue E) is a two-way, east-west avenue in Birmingham, one of the longest continuous avenues stretching across the city's south side. Portions of the street exist from North Titusville in the west to South East Lake in the east, but the main section runs from the Five Points South neighborhood all the way to Oak Ridge Park, becoming part of U.S. Highway 78 for a few blocks along its path.

Route

The beginning of 5th Avenue South is in the North Titusville neighborhood, west of downtown, at Center Street. It takes up from a short section of 5th Avenue Southwest that begins at Goldwire Street, about two blocks west of Center Street. The avenue ends at the intersection of 3rd Street and Omega Street.

In the Five Points South neighborhood, just east of the railroad tracks, the main portion of 5th Avenue South begins at 8th Street South. After passing under the raised portion of Interstate 65, in continues west through University of Alabama at Birmingham campus into the Southside neighborhood. There it passes under the Elton B. Stephens Expressway (U.S. Highways 31 and 280) and continues west into the Forest Park-South Avondale neighborhood.

As it enters East Avondale, 4th Avenue South, which is also U.S. Highway 78, merges into 5th Avenue at 45th Street. Thus 5th become Highway 78 for a few blocks, until the two split at 47th Street. Highway 78 continues east along Crestwood Boulevard while 5th turns more northeastward, forming the border between East Avondale and Crestwood North.

At the railroad tracks, the main road continues northeast as 1st Avenue South while 5th Avenue splits off more eastward to remain inside Crestwood North along the south side of the tracks. It continues into Oak Ridge Park before ending at Antwerp Avenue.

Another section begins in the East Lake neighborhood at Ligdon Road where Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services is located, only to end at 71st Street. It begins again southwest of 75th Street and continues a short way into South East Lake before ending again at Vanderbilt Street. It resumes again one block northeast at 78th Street and ends at the entrance of Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School at 81st Street. It resumes on the other side of the campus at 82nd Street before finally ending for good at 85th Street.

From 8th to 36th Street, the road provides two lanes of travel in each direction. It then becomes a two-lane road until meeting 4th Avenue and becoming Highway 78, where it is six lanes. North of Crestwood Boulevard, it is again four lanes until splitting off at the railroad tracks in Crestwood North. All other portions are two-lane, residential streets.

Notable locations

For an alphabetical list of locations, see the 5th Avenue South category.

North Titusville

• Center Street intersection (continues west as 5th Avenue Southwest)
• 1st Street South intersection
  • 200: former location of Patton & Clay (1920)
• Omega Street intersection (road ends)

Five Points South neighborhood

• 8th Street South intersection (road begins)
  • 801: UAB internal operations and storage (2016-), former location of Rhodes-Carroll Furniture Co. warehouse (1926), EBSCO Media
• 10th Street South intersection
  • north side (Block 278):
    • 1000: former location of Terry Showcase Co. (1926)
    • 1002: former location of Mann Brothers (1915)
    • 1010-1018: former location of Concordia Hall (1891-1926)
      • 1016: former location of Cocke & Lynch (1926)
      • 1018: former location of Penick & Ford Ltd insurance (1920)
    • 1020-1032: former location of Knebel Engine Co. (1891), Southern Syrup Co. (1915)
      • 1032: former location of Phillips Boys (1926)
  • south side (Block 277):
    • 1001: former location of Douglass & Chewning (1904), Southern Foundry & Machine Co. (1909)
    • 1009-1015: former location of Abendroth & Fisher Manufacturing Co. (1891), Union Foundry & Machine Co. (1899-1904). Concrete Steel Co. (1920-1926)

• Interstate 65 underpass
• 11th Street South intersection
  • north side:
    • 1114-1116: former location of Birmingham Broom Manufacturing Co. (1915-1926)
  • south side:
    • 1101: UAB Intramural and Club Sport Field Complex (built 2018), former location of Colonial Coal Co. (1926)
    • 1109-1113: former location of Birmingham Metal Products Co. warehouse (1915), Smallman-Brice Construction Co. (1920-1926), Ralph A. Smallman & Co. (1934)
    • 1115: former location of Arrow Transfer Co. (1926)
• 12th Street South intersection
  • former site of the Lane Teacher Building
  • 1201: former location of Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church (1899)
• 13th Street South intersection
  • 1300: site of proposed student apartment building (2019), former location of Quality Press (-2011)
  • 1313-1315: former location of Kirkpatrick Drilling Co. (1926)
    • 1315: former location of Terry Showcase Co. (1920)
  • 1321: former location of Silas Coates (1926), Jefferson County Department of Human Resources building (demolished 2019)
• 14th Street South intersection
  • north side:
    • 1420: former location of Tutwiler Coal Co. (1915)
  • south side:
    • 1401-1431: Jefferson County Department of Health Parking Deck, former location of Crawford-Vaughn Boiler & Locomotive Works (1926)
      • 1401: former location of Camp Transfer & Warehouse Co. stables (1915-1920)
      • 1405: former location of Crawford Boiler & Locomotive Works (1915), Crawford-Vaughn Boiler & Locomotive Works / Universal Coal Washer Co. (1920)
      • 1431: former location of Birmingham Belt Railroad (1904-1920)

• 15th Street South intersection
  • north side (Block 157):
    • 1500-1530: Arlington Business Center
      • 1500: Children's of Alabama
      • 1506: Watts Realty
      • 1510: Camp Smile-A-Mile offices
      • 1512: Children's of Alabama Clinical Care Transport
      • 1516: Medical Resources, Inc.
      • 1526: Jefferson Clinic
      • 1520-1530: former location of Birmingham Tack Works (idled in 1891)
  • south side (Block 178):
    • 1501: McDonald's restaurant
    • 1519-1531: former location of Halle-Randolph Manufacturing Co. lumber and millwork (1904), Randolph Lumber Co. (1909), Ridgeway Paper Stock Co. (1920), Pan Am Coal Co. / Shelburne Sales Co. (1926)
      • 1531: Captain D's restaurant

• 16th Street South intersection
  • north side (Block 158)
    • 1600: Children's Park Place, former location of Nabers' Grove and William Nabers residence
    • former location of St John's Methodist Church (1885-)
    • 1616: former location of Standard Manufacturing Co. (1904)
  • south side (Block 177):
    • 1601-1631: Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children
      • 1601-1623: former location of Heidt-Nelson Coal & Lumber Co. (1904-1915), Heidt Coal & Lumber Co. (1920-926)

• 17th Street South intersection (north only)
  • north side (Block 159):
    • 1700-1730: parking lot
      • 1700: former location of Birmingham Block Mills (1925), J. E. Penney storage (1926)
      • 1730: former location of Cumberland Presbyterian Church (1899)
  • south side (Block 176):
    • 1701-1731: Hazelrig-Salter Radiation Oncology Center and UAB Women and Infants Center
      • 1711: former location of T. B. Laycock Manufacturing Co. (1909), Young & Vann Supply Company warehouse (1915-1926)
      • 1731: former location of Ivy Leaf & Piper Coal Co. (1909-1920)
• 18th Street South intersection
  • north side (Block 160):
    • 1800: Parking deck, former location of Automotive Friction Materials Co. (1970)
      • Suite 109: Moe's Southwest Grill
      • Suite 111: McAlister's Deli
      • Suite 115: Sitar Indian Cuisine (May 2019-), former location of Iberia Bank
    • 1818: former location of Peerless Laundry Co. (1926)
    • 1820: Courtyard by Marriott Birmingham Downtown at UAB
  • south side (Block 175)
    • UAB North Pavilion
    • 1801: former location of J. H. Belser grocer (1899)
• 19th Street South intersection
  • north side (Block 161):
    • 1900-1908: Southside Station apartments
      • 1900: Milo's restaurant
    • 1910-1920: UAB 5th Avenue Parking Deck
      • 1916: former location of Bon-Ton Billiard Club (1925)
    • 1922-1930 UAB Lot 55 parking lot, former location of the Parliament House hotel (1964–2007)
  • south side (Block 174):
    • 1901: former location of Hann the Rugman
    • 1917: 1917 Clinic

• 20th Street South intersection
  • north side:
    • 2008: former location of O. T. Dozier (1899-1904)
    • 2010-2016: former location of Drennen Motor Car Co. assembly plant (1926)
      • 2012: former location of Birmingham Mattress Co. (1904-1915), Steel By-Product Co. (1920)
    • 2016-2018: former location of Tate & Traylor Ford Doctors (1923)
      • 2016: Hotworx
      • 2018: Pizza Hut (opened February 2018), former location of J. H. Houppert (1909), Pryor Motor Co. service department (1926)
    • 420 21st Street South: Weldon Martin Rubber building, Merienda (2010-), former location of Weldon Martin Rubber (1920-), Tom Williams Dodge, Magic City Brewery (1995-2000), Tiki Bob's Cantina (2002-2006), Bourbon Street Grill (2006-2008), Bongo's Cantina Lounge (2008), Chronic Tacos (February-July 2019)
  • south side:
    • 2001-2031: Kirklin Clinic (built 1992)
      • 2001-2017: former location of the Paul Hayne School (built 1886)
      • 2023: former location of Crawford's Auto Shop (1926)

• 21st Street South (Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard South) intersection
  • north side (Block 163)
    • 2100-2130: former location of Schillinger's Brewing Co. (1891-1909)
  • South side (Block 172)
    • 2101-2115: Kirklin Clinic Parking Deck
      • 2101: former location of Birmingham Paper Co. (1915)
      • 2111: former location of Furniture Warehouse Co. (1909), Charlie's Transfer Co. (1915-1926)
        • 2111½: former location of New Process Cork Co. (1926)
    • 2117-2131: Whitaker Building (built 2001)

• 22nd Street South intersection
  • north side (Block 164):
  • 2200-2218: former location of City Ice Delivery Co. (1891-1926), Birmingham Ice Factory Co. (1891-1915), Birmingham Ice & Cold Storage Co. (1920-1926)
    • 2222: Happy Hounds, former location of Confederate Motors
  • south side (Block 171):
    • 2201: Liv on Fifth, former location of J. M. Tuck grocery (1899), F. W. Cook Brewing Co. (1915)
      • Suite 100: Clarus Consulting Group
    • 2203: former location of City Delivery Co. storeroom (1899), Lex Brewing Co. (1915)
    • 2207: former location of Harvey Furniture
    • 2211: former location of Anc-Co Preserving Co. / A. N. Chappell & Co. (1926)
    • 2213: former location of Birmingham Janitors Supply Co. (1926)
      • 2213a: former location of Dixie Chemical Products Co. (1926)
    • 2221-2231: Workplay

• 23rd Street South intersection
  • north side:
    • 2300-2330: former location of C. H. Feldner grocer (1899), Empire Fuel & Iron Co. (1915), Smith Coal Co. (1920), McLaughlin Coal Co. (1926)
      • 2330: The Quest, former location of Brownell Auto Co. service department (1926)
  • south side:
    • 2301-2307: Sherwin-Williams
      • 2305: former location of A. Jackson barber (1899)
    • 2309-2311: Business Interiors, former location of Pheonix Supply Co. (1926), Ted's Garage
    • 2313-2315: former location of George F. Wheelock & Co. (1926)
    • 2317-2331: Estes Automotive Center
• 24th Street South intersection

Southside neighborhood

• 24th Street South intersection
  • north side:
    • 2408-2416: former location of Hinkle Bros. Co. (1926), 5th Avenue Antiques (-2019)
    • 2420: Bonds Brothers Supply Company
  • south side:
    • former location of Cleveland Manufacturing Co. (1934)
    • 2409: former location of Domestic Laundry Co. (1909-1920), Greeson Auto Top Co. (1923)

• 25th Street South intersection
  • north side:
    • 2500: former location of Joseph Cadenhead restaurant (1928)
    • 2508: Hertz
  • south side:
    • 2503: Gulf Coast Rehab Equipment
    • 2505: Artistic Concept Florist
    • 2509: former location of Bauer & Co. (1904)
    • 2513: Tooter's Catering, former location of Fairchilds Coal Co. (1909)
    • 2523: Pattillo Balance & Hearing Center

• Elton B. Stephens Expressway underpass
  • north side:
    • 2612: Mt Olive Baptist Church
    • 2630: former location of the A B C Co. (1915), Andrew Tedeski junk dealer (1926)
  • south side:
    • 2617: Hutchinson Automotive
    • 2625: Red Mountain Rovers (2018), former location of Williams Machine & Welding

• 27th Street South intersection
  • 2700-2730 Absco Fireplace & Patio
    • • 2730: former location of Huston Biscuit Co. (1887-1909), American Bakeries Co. (1920)
  • 2709: former location of Birmingham Stair Building & Hard Wood Works (1887)
  • 2721: Trim Tab Brewing, former site of the Barber Motorsports Museum

• 28th Street South intersection
  • north side:
    • 2800: former location of Cherokee Mills (1926)
    • 2806: former location of Cullman Produce Co. (1915)
    • 2824: Warehouse building (built 1940s) Automatic Seafood and Oysters (2019-), former location of Automatic Sprinkler Company, Stegall Metal Industries, Aqua nightclub (2011-2014), Escape Birmingham (2015), Elevation nightclub, Xclusive Lounge, Club RIO, Redmont Distilling Co. (2016-2017)
  • south side:
    • 2801: Alabama Graphics & Engineering, former location of Alabama Coal Yard (1926)
    • 2809: Yarbrough Companies
    • 2831: former location of Southern Manufacturing Co. (1899-1904)

• 29th Street South intersection
  • north side:
    • 2900-2930: Lakeview Green (proposed), former location of W. C. Davis School (1949-1980s), Davis Center (1980s-2013, demolished 2018)
  • south side:
    • 2919: former location of Burt Brick & Cement Co. (1926)
    • 2923: American Osment, former location of Feldner Grocery & Coal Co. (1909), J. J. Overstreet & Son (1920)

• 30th Street South intersection
  • 3001: former location of Sanders Truck Rental (1971)
• 31st Street South intersection
  • 3100: Partners Tax & Accounting and Hartline Investment Advisors (2016-), former location of Hamilton Parts & Equipment
  • 3101: Advance Auto Parts
  • 3119: Meeting Street Graphics

• 32nd Street South intersection
  • 3200-3208: former location of Alabama Oil Co. (1899-1909), Indian Refining Co. (1915-1920), General Oil Corp. (1926)
  • 3224-3230: former location of Denegre Baked Enamel Remover Co. (1926)
  • 3201: Tsitalia Imports, former location of A. A. Polis boarding house (1899)

• 33rd Street South intersection
  • north side:
    • 3300: American Pipe & Supply, former location of The Texas Co. (1920-1926)
  • south side:
    • 3301-3307: former location of Salvation Army Rescue Home (1909-1926)
    • 3309: former location of Salvation Army Rescue Home annex (1926)
    • 3317: Kendell Electric, former location of Roden Electrical Supply Company
• 34th Street South intersects
  • 3401: former location of The Arbor (1980), Elegant Earth at the Arbor (-2019)
  • 3413: Grassroots Wine Wholesalers
  • 3421: Lighting Partnership
• 35th Street South intersection
  • 3500: Ethan Hunt Auto, former site of Williamson-Willey Pontiac Plaza
• 36th Street South intersection
  • 3600: DME Services
  • 3601: Davis Wholesale Florist, former location of Jackson Hardware Supply Co. (1969)
  • 3608: former location of T.J.'s BBQ
  • 3616: Skyline Exhibits & Graphics
  • 3624: Avondale Animal Hospital, former location of Birmingham Limb & Brace
  • 3625: Sound of Birmingham
  • 3626: The Pawms pet resort
  • 3629: Lane Energy Systems
• 37th Street South intersection

Forest Park-South Avondale

• 37th Street South intersection
  • 3703: Printing Place
• 38th Street South intersection
  • 3800: Fifth Avenue Apartments
  • 3833: Avondale United Methodist Church (built 1922-1925)

• 39th Street South intersection (north only)
  • 3900: residence (built c. 1890)
  • 3906: residence (built c. 1890)
  • 3910: residence (built c. 1890)
  • 3916: residence (built c. 1925)
  • 3924: apartment building (built c. 1970)
  • 3926: apartment building (built c. 1970)

• 40th Street South intersection (south only)
  • Avondale Regional Library
  • Avondale Park
  • 4032: Pyle's Clock Shop
  • 4036: Avondale Marble Works building, Parkside Cafe, former location of Avondale Marble Works (1915-1920), Avondale Marble & Granite Works (1926), Parkside Home & Garden (2000–2008)
  • 4038-4040: Fancy's on 5th / The Marble Ring, former location of Dominick Lusco (1909), K. B. Efthoxios (1920), Ford Graves (1926), A & P, Number One Barbecue, Tres Taylor Studio, Hot Diggity Dogs (2016-2020), former site of Junkyard Jukes concert series
• 41st Street South intersection (north only)
  • 4100: Munchies Food Store / Taco Morro Loco, formerly Avondale Grill
  • 4116: former location of His House Christian commune
• 42nd Street South intersection (south only)
  • 4210: former location of Avondale First Methodist Church (1909), Avondale Methodist Episcopal Church (1915-1920)
  • 4246: Aletheia House, former location of the Avonwood Rest Home
  • 4266: residence (built c. 1912)
• 43rd Street South intersection
• 44th Street South intersection
  • 4413: Birmingham Friends Meeting
  • 4439: Birmingham Fire Station No. 10/22
• 45th Street South intersection, street merges with 4th Avenue South

Forest Park-South Avondale/East Avondale

• 45th Street/4th Avenue South intersection (becomes U.S. Highway 78 from west)
  • Continental Gin
  • 4501: former location of Avonwood Drug Co. (1926)
  • 4503: Accounting & Business Consultants
    • 4503 rear: former location of McDonald Cafe (1927)
  • 4505: former location of Hill Food Store / Great A & P Tea Co. (1926)
  • 4507: former location of Avonwood Cafe (1926)
  • 4509: former location of Avonwood Cleaning & Dyeing Company / Avonwood Barber Shop (1926)
  • 4513: former location of Seasick Records
  • 4515: Southern Skin Divers Supply
• 46th Street South intersection
  • North side
    • 4601: Harris Auto Sales
    • 4605: former location of Avonwood Cleaners
    • 4625: former location of Avonwood Service Station
  • South side
    • 4600: Dollar General, former location of Nomtae
    • 4612: former location of JoJo's Gun and Pawn
• 47th Street South intersection

East Avondale/Crestwood South

• 47th Street South intersection
  • 4710: World Class Auto Repair
  • 4726: former location of Club 4726 (Gracie Shedrick 1961)
• Crestwood Boulevard intersection (Highway 78 follows Crestwood to east)
• 48th Street South intersection

East Avondale/Crestwood North

(formerly Grand Avenue)

• 48th Street South intersects
  • north side:
    • 4814: FunktionArt, former location of H & H Outboard Service Station (1964-1970), Amps Cycle (2007)
    • 4830: former location of Grand Avenue Service Station (1941), Baumgardner Service Station (1964), Bill's Texaco (1970)
  • south side:
    • 4801: former location of Park & Widener Real Estate (2007)
    • 4807: Birmingham Trophy Shop (2007-)
    • 4829: former location of Hill Grocery Co. (1926)
    • 4831: Beauty Shock salon (2015-), former location of Birmingham Electric & Belt Railway substation (1915) Mack's 1-Hour Cleaners (1964), Ware Heating & Air (1970), K P Studios photographers (2007)

• 49th Street South intersects
  • 4900: Alabama Construction Supply (2007-)
  • 4908: former location of Steel City Electric Co. contractors (1964-1970)
  • 4909: Manitou Supply (2017-), former location of Electric Tool Co. (1964), Advance Glass Co. cutting room (1970)
  • 4911: The Jaybird (September 2017-), former location of The Beauty Box beauty shop (1964), Jean's Beauty Salon (1970)
  • 4913-4915: former location of Best Food Market & Grocery (1941)
    • 4915: former location of Advance Glass Co. (1964-1970), Brezina Furniture Repair Service (2007), Grand Avenue Market (2012)
  • 4916: former location of AAA Plumbing & Heating Co. (1964)
  • 4917: Brezina Refinishing, former location of Better Service Station (1941), Barker Brothers Service Station (1964-1970), Carl Jones Auto Parts machine shop (2008)
  • 4922: former location of Grand Avenue Beauty Salon (1941)
  • 4924: former location of LaDame Cleaners (1941)
  • 4926: former location of Barclift Feed & Coal (1941), Carl Jones Auto Parts (2007)
  • 4933: former location of Fren-Le Inn restaurant (Mrs L. Kelly 1941), Friendly Inn ([A. H. Lumpkin]] 1942), Dora's Cafeteria (1964-1970)
  • 4937: All Nations Worship Center (2007-)
• 50th Street South intersects
  • 5000: CMC Steel Alabama
  • 5004: Cooper Construction (2007-)
  • 5005: former location of Grand Apartments (1970)
  • 5006: former location of Continental Budget Corp. & Ashcraft Distributors (1964-1970)
  • 5013-5015: former location of P & L Grocery (1941)
    • 5015: former location of Jerrell Upholstery Co. (1964)
  • 5016: former location of Ace Neon Sign Co. (1964-1970)
  • 5017: former location of Alley's Drug Store (1941), American Electronic Products Company (1964), Rose's Automotive School (1970)
  • 5101: former location of The Birmingham News branch (1964-1970)
  • 5118: former location of Faucett Brady Steel erection yard (1970)
  • 5120: former location of Superior Venetian Blind Co. (1941), George's Place restaurant (1949), Barney's Place (B. E. Coats 1958), Barney's Drive-In (1964-1970), the Tool Box nightclub, Phoenix Cabaret nightclub (2007), destroyed by fire October 2016
• Seaboard Railway crosses over street
  • 5209: former location of Sims Auto Repair Shop ([1964), Woodlawn Ornamental Arts (1970)
  • 5212: former location of Emens Cleaners (1964)
  • 5216: former location of AAA Electric Co. contractors (1964)
  • 5217: Bhate Engineering (2007-), former location of Custom Craft Home Improvement Co. (1970)
  • 5220: former location of Guin Co. plumbers (1964-1970)
  • 5229: former location of Perfection Tackle Co. (1964-1970)
  • 5232 rear: former location of Hawkins Garage auto repair (1964)
  • 5243-5245: former location of A. W. Hooper Co. machinery (1964), Hooper Equipment Co. (1970)
  • 5302: former location of J. D. Moore Flooring Co. (1970)
  • 5305: former location of Crestwood Court Apartments (1964-1970)
  • 5312: former location of Birmingham Trophy Shop
  • 5313: former location of Crestwood Nursery School (1964-1970)
  • 5316: former location of Birmingham Trophy Shop (1938)
  • 5331: former location of Young Men's Home (1926)
• 54th Street South intersects
  • 5400-5450: former location of Woodlawn Union Station (1915-1941)
    • 5400 rear: former location of Watkins Printing Co. (1964-1970)
  • 5401: former location of Hill Grocery Co. (1926)
  • 5437: Groveland Baptist Church (2007-)
• 5th Avenue South intersects
• 54th Place South intersects (south only)
  • Residential
  • 5929: former location of Southside Wholesale Electric (2007)
• 62nd Street South intersection (south only)

Oak Ridge Park

• 62nd Street South intersection (south only)
  • Residential
• Antwerp Avenue (road ends)

East Lake neighborhood

• Higdon Road intersection (road begins)
  • 6869: Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services
  • 7000: former location of Crest Hill Sanatorium (1926)
• 71st Street South intersection (south only; road ends)
• Road begins
• 75th Street South intersection
• Oporto-Madrid Boulevard intersection

South East Lake

• Oporto-Madrid Boulevard intersection
  • former location of East Lake Baptist Church (1926)
• Vanderbilt Street intersection (south only, road ends)
• 78th Street South intersection (road begins)
• 81st Street South intersection (road ends)
  • Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School
• 82nd Street South intersection (road begins)
• 85th Street South intersection (road ends)