Cahaba Road

Cahaba Road (formerly Cahaba River Road) is an approximately two-mile long, predominantly north-south road connecting Key Circle on the crest of Red Mountain in Birmingham to Shades Creek Parkway/Mountain Brook Parkway in Mountain Brook. It passes through both English Village and Mountain Brook Village and is the location of the main entrance to the Birmingham Zoo.

Cahaba Road was created before 1900. In 1927, the Jemison Company paved the road, providing smoother and faster access to their Mountain Brook Estates subdivision from Birmingham. For a long time, the part of the road going through English Village was known as 24th Street or 24th Street Road. In the mid-20th Century, prior to the construction of the current U.S. Highway 280, the road was part of the Florida Short Route.

In Mountain Brook Village, Cahaba Road converges with Montevallo and Canterbury Roads as a five-way intersection. However, an access road rings this intersection, setting the Mountain Brook Estates building, which is between Montevallo and Canterbury, back far enough to have some storefronts facing Cahaba.

South of Shades Creek Parkway/Mountain Brook Parkway, south bound traffic can only access the Shades Brook Building. However, there is an exit from U.S. Highway 280 that leads north bound traffic past the Shades Brook Building and on to Cahaba Road.

In 2015 the section of Cahaba Road in Birmingham bordering the Zoo and Birmingham Botanical Gardens was narrowed to two (wider) lanes to make way for sidewalks. The turn lane was replaced with a roundabout at the zoo entrance and a new pedestrian gate for the Botanical Gardens. The changes were planned by landscape architect Nimrod Long to calm traffic, which had a tendency to speed through that section, to make the area safer for pedestrians and cyclists, and to upgrade the landscaping. The project was financed by the City of Birmingham, partly through a federal SAFETEA grant, and contracted through the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Notable locations

For an alphabetical list of locations, see the Cahaba Road category.

• Key Circle, (road continues north as Arlington Avenue)
• Berwick Road intersects (east only)
• Carlisle Road intersects (east only)
• Lanark Road intersects (west only)
  • west side:
    • 1900: Henhouse Antiques, former location of Carla's Flowers (1983)
    • 1906: Jeffrey Dungan Architects (2015–), former location of English Village Standard Service Station (1959), Fowlkes & Smith insurance (1983), National Bank of Commerce branch (2008–), Dungan Nequette Architects / Action Sports Art (2010–2015)
    • 1928: former location of Freedle Decorators (1959), Charlie Preston Studios photography
    • 1930: Vino/Gallery 1930 (2011–), former location of a English Village Drug Co. (1949), Gibbs-Doster Drug Co. (1959), Karl Zeitz Motors gas station (1983), Gallery Terrence Denley, White Gallery
  • east side:
    • 1901: former location of Key Circle Beauty Salon (1983)
    • 1903: Prints Charming Soho (Ari Millner, 2020–), former location of Ken Ives photography studio (1959–1983), Park Lane Flowers
    • 1905: Brogue & Cuff Clothiers, former location of Jones Electric Co. contractors (1959), Vanity dress shop (1983)
    • 1907–1911: commercial building
      • 1907: former location of American Heating & Plumbing (1959), Borden Metal Products Co. (1983), The Elegant Earth (1988)
      • 1909: Continental Bakery (1984–), former location of Macon Realty Co. / Strozier Realty Co. (1959), Jane Simon boutique (1983)
      • 1911: Chez Lulu (1995–), former location of Sperry Products Inc. laboratory equipment (1959), Ted Brooks Guitar & Music Co. (1970), Park Lane Flowers & Interiors (1983)
    • 1919–1929: former location of National Bank of Commerce (–2019)
      • 1919: former location of Mountain Brook Cleaners (1959–1983),
      • 1929: former location of 1929 Cahaba Road office building, Arthur Murray Dance Studios

• 20th Avenue South intersects
  • west side:
    • 2000: former location of Perfection Laundry (1959), Village Framers (1983)
    • 2004: Trouve' (2012-), former location of Davison's Pharmacy (1949–1959), Hale Interiors (1983)
    • 2006: Monkee's, former location of James Mezrano & Associates interior designers (1983), Belleweather
    • 2008: MPower Pilates & Cycle Studio, former location of Park Lane Beauty Salon (1959), Grand Jete
    • 2010: former location of Mobile TV Service repair shop (1959), Maralyn Wilson Gallery (1983)
    • 2012: former location of Nola's Delicatessen (1959), Waite's Fine Foods, Billy's Bar & Grill (1979–2019)
    • 2020–2030: Chester's International headquarters, former location of Riley Shell Service Station (1959), San Ann gas station (1983), Eckerd Drugs, Village Wine Market
  • east side:
    • 2001–2003: Kahn Properties building (built 2013)
      • 2001: former location of Hitching Post Barbecue (1950s), English Village Radio & Television Service storage (1959), Jordan Alexander jewelry (2013)
      • 2003: Amparo Fine Living (2020–), former location of Briarcliff Shop (1983), Sherwin-Williams Paint Store (2013)
    • 2005: former location of English Village Radio Shop (1949), English Village Beauty Shop (1959)
    • 2031–2037: former location of English Village Service Station (1959)
    • 2031: Bobby Carl's Table, former location of Christian's Classic Cuisine / Wanda June's deli & wine shop (1983–1988), Café Ciao (–2008), Bambinelli's (2008–2011), Salvatore's (2011-), La Catrina (2014-), Root to Tail restaurant (2017-2019)
    • 2031E: former location of Christian's Classic Cuisine (1983)
    • 2037: Chester's International culinary center and showroom, formerly Joe Muggs/Yogurt Mountain, Iz Cafe (2017-)

• Fairway Drive (east) / 21st Avenue South (west) intersect
  • west side:
  • 2102: former location of Honea Kindergarten & Private School (1959), Emory Realty Co. / DeBardeleben & Associates engineers / Travel Inc. / Protective Life Insurance Co. (1983)
  • 2106: former location of Ferlisi & Associate / Turnipseed & Freeman Development Co. / The Duke Agency insurance (1983)
  • 2112: former location of Cahaba Apartments (1959–1983)
  • 2124: former location of Trafford Apartments (1959–1983)
  • east side:
    • 2101: former location of Gulf English Village Service Station (1959–1983)
    • 2117: Little Hardware, former location of Park Lane Super Market (1959–1983), Arman's, and Park Lane by Kathy G. (2000s–2014))

• Park Lane South intersects (east only)
• English Village Lane intersects (west only)
  • 2207: Carolyn Smith residence (1959–1983)
  • 2218: Stephen Dorsky residence (1983–)
• Peacock Lane intersects (west only)
  • 2365: former location of Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham (1959–2004)

• Lane Circle intersects
  • 2400-2424: The Manning condominiums (built 2015)
    • 2420: former location of the John Gleissner residence (built 1940s, demolished 2015)
    • 2424: former location of the Bernice Wright residence (built 1940s, demolished 2015)

• • 2630: Lane Park:
    • west side: Birmingham Botanical Gardens (established 1962)
    • east side: Birmingham Zoo (established 1955)

• Lane Park Road intersects
  • 2629–2631: RealtySouth training center, former location of O'Connor Shell Service Station (1959)
    • 2629: former location of Ray & Co. real estate (1983)
    • 2631: former location of Guaranty Savings & Loan (1983)

• U.S. Highway 280 access road/Culver Road intersection
  • west side:
    • 2702: Shell gas station, former location of Firestone tires (1956–1959), Mid-South Citgo Oil Co. gas station (1983)
    • 2706: former location of Art's Restaurant (1959), The Petite Shop (1983)
    • 2710–2712: Village Press (1983–)
      • 2710: former location of Essie Frank Shop clothing (1956–1959)
    • 2714–2716: Ritch's Pharmacy (1983–), former location of Bama Hardware Store (1949–1959)
    • 2718: ARC Realty, former location of Ritch's Pharmacy (1956-), Arthur's Coiffures (1983–2008), Ware & Co. (2014–2015), Matthew Bees (2016–2017)
    • 2724–2726: Etc... (2015–), f
      • 2724: former location of Eve's Leaves (1967–2008), Lulie's on Cahaba (2011), Patina (2015)
      • 2726: former location of Browdy's delicatessen (1944–1967), Baskin-Robbins (1970s–1983), Jane Simon clothing (2008)
      • 2726½: Andrea Carmichael, former location of Lola Mae Jones dance teacher (1959), Valley Theatre
    • 2730: Stella Blu (2014–), former location of Adorable Shop clothing (1956–1983), Susan G. Matthews (2008)
    • 2732: Outpost (2018-) former location of Renay Millinery (1959), Robertson Travel Post (1983–1986), Mary Helen McCoy antiques, Swank (2008–2011), Formtext Livid Boutique, Bill Ingram Architect (2015–2016)
    • 2734: M. Lavender (2011–), former location of American-Peerless Deluxe Laundry & Cleaners (1959), Riggins Foods (1983), Henry Maus Antiques (2008)
    • 2736: Kay Cleaner (2008–), former location of Shellie's Hair Styles (1956), Mr John's Beauty Salon (1959)
    • 2738: Starbucks coffee (2001–present), former location of Perlmutter's clothing (1956–1959), Boutique Bootery & Bazaar (1983)
  • east side:
    • 2701–2707: Barton-Clay Fine Jewelers (1987–present), former location of Mountain Brook Service Station (1959), Mountain Brook Union 76 gas station (1983)
    • 2709–2711: former location of Smith's 5 & 10-cent store (1959)
      • 2709: Amy Murphy Studio, former location of Ringland Galleries / Valley Knit Shop (1983)
      • 2711: Betsy Brown interior design
    • 2713: Dana Wolter Interiors, former location of Attic Insulation Co. (1959), Video Station (1983)
    • 2715: Mountain Brook Creamery, former location of Mountain Brook Shoe Hospital (1959)
    • 2721–2727: Village Corner at Mountain Brook, former location of Standard Oil Co. gas station (1959), Horne's Mountain Brook Chevron (1983)
      • Suite 110: Envy Nails (2014–)
      • Suite 120: South Oak title & closing services (2019), former location of Swoop (2014–2017)
      • Suite 130: Carrigan's Public House (2019), former location of Dram Whisky Bar (2009–2019)
      • Suite 200: Abhi restaurant (2019–), former location of Avo (2009–2019)

• Montevallo Road intersects
  • west side:
    • 2800-2814: Bromberg's building (built 1959)
      • 2800-2810: Bromberg's jewelers (1959–present)
      • 2812-2814: former location of Burger-Phillips (-1970s)
        • 2812: The Impeccable Pig, former location of Lad 'N Lassie (1956), Big Sky Bread Company (1994–)
        • 2814: Ousler Sandwiches, former location of Logan Farms Honey Glazed Hams
  • east side:
    • 2801–2805: Mountain Brook Estates building
      • 2801: Harrison Limited, former location of Birmingham Trunk Factory (1959), City Federal Savings & Loan (1983)
      • 2803: Pappagallo (1983–), former location of Birmingham Trust National Bank (1956–1959)
      • 2805: Gilchrist drugs & sandwich counter (1928-), former location of Mountain Brook Pharmacy (1928)
        • 2805½: former location of Alabama Associates advertising (1956), Dessie Price alterations (1983)

• Canterbury Road intersects (east only)
  • west side:
    • 2812: former location of Lad N'Lassie children's clothes (1959), Burger Phillips Co. clothier (1983)
    • 2816: former location of Dobbs House restaurant (1959), All Seasons Travel (1983)
    • 2824: Iberia Bank Mountain Brook Village branch (built 2011), former location of Fred Tatum Gulf Station (1959), Charles Hart Gulf Service (1983), BP gas station, White Flowers (1990s-2000s)
    • 2830: Cook & Bynum Capital Management
    • 2850: Alabama Plastic Surgery / Over the Mountain Dentistry / LAH Real Estate / Mountain Brook Plastic Surgery Clinic
  • east side:
    • 2807: Realtysouth, former location of Hill Grocery Co. (1959), Browdy's delicatessen (1967–1991)
    • 2811: former location of Carter's Pan-Am Service Station (1959)
    • 2817: Leaf & Petal nursery (1983–)
    • 2819: Aladdin Cleaners (1983–)
    • 2829: Mr Burch Formal Wear (2011–), former location of Aladdin Cleaners (1959), Burch & Tant formalwear (1983)
    • 2833: former location of Russell Realty & Insurance Co. / Russell Realty Corp. (1959) Mayfield Cleaners (1969)
    • 2835–2837: Jim Davenport's Pizza Palace (1964–present)
    • 2839: Trocadero salon (1983–), former location of Downtown Properties Inc. / Waters Theatre Company (1959)
    • 2841: The Cook Store (2008–), former location of Antique Iron Craftsmen furniture (1959), The Kitchen Shoppe (1983)
    • 2843: Wells Fargo Bank (2009–), former location of Valley Christian Church (1959), SouthTrust (1983–2004), Wachovia (2004–2009)

• Culver Road intersects
  • west side:
    • 2900: All Seasons Travel, former location of Linde Co. / Hayes Stellite Co. / Electro Metallurgical Co. / Silicones Co. / National Carbon Co. (1959), Union Carbide Co. (1983)
  • east side:
    • 2901: Brick & Tin restaurant (2015–), former location of Sportsman Center boats (1959), Iron Art Inc. (1983)
    • 2903: Mason Music (2015–), former location of Carr Floral Co. (1959)
    • 2909: former location of General Mills Inc. (1959), Village Beauty Shop (1983)
    • 2911: Vitola Fine Cigars (2015–), former location of The Gallery Inc. interior decorators (1959), Haran Lowe Jr attorney (1983)
    • 2913: Thompson Architecture (2015–), former location of Iron Art Store No. 2 (1959), Head's First salon (1983), Individuality Gallery (2010)
    • 2915–2923: Mountain Brook Medical Building (1959)
      • 2921: Village Pet Care (2016–), former location of Century 21 realty (1983), Apple Development Company (2011)
      • 2923: former location of George Douglas physician / J. T. Sudduth & Co. manufacturer's agents (1959)
    • 2925: McConnell, White & Terry, former location of Ronald Holcombe chiropractor (1959), Your Travel Agent (Carolyn Allison, 1983)
    • 2927: former location of General Life Insurance Co. of Arkansas (1959), Jeff Bagwell architect (1983)

• Heathermoor Road intersects (east only), beginning of Jemison Park trail
• Watkins Road intersects (east only)
• Office Park Circle intersects (west only), access to Mountain Brook Office Park
  • Protective Center
  • Shades Creek Park office park
• Shades Creek Parkway/Mountain Brook Parkway intersects (one-way northbound traffic only)
  • 3300: Shades Brook Building, Neal Farmer & Associates (formerly ServisFirst Bank (2005–2009))
• U.S. Highway 280 intersection (northbound offramp only)

References

• "Shades Valley Six Minutes Nearer City" (November 1927) Jemison Magazine, p. 6
• Rodriguez, Ana (June 23, 2015) "Birmingham Zoo, Botanical Gardens to unveil Cahaba Road improvements July 1." The Birmingham News