Center Street: Difference between revisions

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(A bit more about it's role in the street grid.)
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'''Center Street''' in [[Birmingham]] divides [[downtown]] from [[Western Birmingham]]. It was originally '''Broad Street''' in the town of [[Elyton]].
'''Center Street''' in the [[Smithfield community]] divides [[downtown]] from [[Western Birmingham]]. It was originally '''Broad Street''' in the town of [[Elyton]].
 
The street is a defining border for the [[Birmingham city center street grid|Birmingham street grid]].  East of Center Street, streets and avenues are designated "north" or "south" depending on their location relative to the [[Railroad Reservation]].  West of Center Street, both streets and avenues are designated as "west" if they are north of [[Valley Creek]], while roads south of the creek are designated "southwest".


Prior to the 1950s, the street served as a border between residential areas zoned for white and black residents under [[Birmingham]]'s [[segregation laws]]. As that border was challenged by attorney [[Arthur Shores]], and eventually ruled unconstitutional, the district became the focus of a [[Bombingham|firebombing campaign]] aimed both at black families moving in and white families selling out. The neighborhood earned the nickname of "[[Dynamite Hill]]".
Prior to the 1950s, the street served as a border between residential areas zoned for white and black residents under [[Birmingham]]'s [[segregation laws]]. As that border was challenged by attorney [[Arthur Shores]], and eventually ruled unconstitutional, the district became the focus of a [[Bombingham|firebombing campaign]] aimed both at black families moving in and white families selling out. The neighborhood earned the nickname of "[[Dynamite Hill]]".


==Route==
==Route==
The street is interrupted in several places. Beginning at its southern end at [[Green Springs Avenue]], '''Center Street South''' runs due north, past [[Center Street Middle School]] to [[6th Avenue South]]. where it bends with the [[Birmingham city center street grid|Birmingham street grid]]. Continuing north by northwest, it jogs over two blocks at [[2nd Avenue South]] in [[Titusville]], then winds across the [[Norfolk-Southern Railroad]] tracks into [[Elyton]]. It then crosses [[Valley Creek]] and bends due north through [[Graymont]], over [[I-20]]/[[I-59|59]], and ends at [[Old Bankhead Highway]] in [[Fountain Heights]].
The street is interrupted in several places. Beginning at its southern end at [[Green Springs Avenue]], '''Center Street South''' runs due north, past [[Center Street Middle School]] to [[6th Avenue South]]. where it bends with the Birmingham street grid. Continuing north by northwest, it jogs over two blocks at [[2nd Avenue South]] in [[Titusville]], then winds across the [[Norfolk-Southern Railroad]] tracks into [[Elyton]]. It then crosses [[Valley Creek]] and bends due north through [[Graymont]], over [[I-20]]/[[I-59|59]], and ends at [[Old Bankhead Highway]] in [[Fountain Heights]].


'''Center Street North''' picks up at [[Finley Boulevard]] and runs for a few blocks to [[26th Avenue North]] near the [[Birmingham Food Terminal]].
'''Center Street North''' picks up at [[Finley Boulevard]] and runs for a few blocks to [[26th Avenue North]] near the [[Birmingham Food Terminal]].

Revision as of 00:29, 10 December 2013

Center Street in the Smithfield community divides downtown from Western Birmingham. It was originally Broad Street in the town of Elyton.

The street is a defining border for the Birmingham street grid. East of Center Street, streets and avenues are designated "north" or "south" depending on their location relative to the Railroad Reservation. West of Center Street, both streets and avenues are designated as "west" if they are north of Valley Creek, while roads south of the creek are designated "southwest".

Prior to the 1950s, the street served as a border between residential areas zoned for white and black residents under Birmingham's segregation laws. As that border was challenged by attorney Arthur Shores, and eventually ruled unconstitutional, the district became the focus of a firebombing campaign aimed both at black families moving in and white families selling out. The neighborhood earned the nickname of "Dynamite Hill".

Route

The street is interrupted in several places. Beginning at its southern end at Green Springs Avenue, Center Street South runs due north, past Center Street Middle School to 6th Avenue South. where it bends with the Birmingham street grid. Continuing north by northwest, it jogs over two blocks at 2nd Avenue South in Titusville, then winds across the Norfolk-Southern Railroad tracks into Elyton. It then crosses Valley Creek and bends due north through Graymont, over I-20/59, and ends at Old Bankhead Highway in Fountain Heights.

Center Street North picks up at Finley Boulevard and runs for a few blocks to 26th Avenue North near the Birmingham Food Terminal.

Locations

References

  • Ridenhour, Norman Jr and Ralph Holmes (August 21, 1963) "No One Injured by Blast on Center Street". Birmingham Post-Herald
  • "Fun facts, historical tidbits and tips to find your way around Birmingham from traffic engineer John Garrett." (January 2, 2007) Birmingham News
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