Glen Iris Park
Glen Iris Park is a 33-acre residential subdivision of 20 estate-sized lots surrounding a central open space in a hollow or "glen" north of Red Mountain. Its looping semi-private drive is accessed from 16th Avenue South near 10th Place South and it stretches back to 18th Avenue South. It is the namesake of the Glen Iris neighborhood in Birmingham's Southside.
The subdivision was developed beginning in 1898 when Robert Jemison Sr purchased 40 acres for $4,000 and hired landscape architect Samuel Parsons and architect Thomas Walter III to assist in creating a professionally-designed park-like setting for the homes of many of Birmingham's elite. Walter also designed Jemison's personal home at __ Glen Iris Park, which was completed in 1902.
Among the restrictions agreed upon by owners in the subdivision were a minimum initial construction cost of $3,000, a responsibility to share in the maintenance of the 5-acre central green space, and not to sell their home without the unanimous consent of their neighbors.
Most of the lots were built on between 1910 and 1940, although the most recent house to be completed was constructed on a formerly vacant lot in 1998.
After World War II many of the large homes remained in the hands of aging residents a generation or two removed from the first builders. After their children moved out, their incomes were strained to keep up maintenance, leading to the loss of three historic homes from condemnation. Nevertheless, residents were proud of their subdivision and wary of social changes, such as the growth of the Medical Center, which were perceived as threatening the community's future.
In 1970 the Alabama Land Investment Corp. and Redman Development of Houston, Texas proposed to build a 900-unit apartment complex at Glen Iris Park. They pledged to respect the natural terrain by terracing the apartment buildings, and to preserve most of the trees in the central open space which would feature a swimming pool, tennis, handball and volleyball courts and a large clubhouse. The developer noted that the redevelopment would increase the ad valorum tax payments to the city from Glen Iris Park from around $3,500 to $205,000 per year.
Glen Iris residents, believing that change was inevitable, voted unanimously in favor of selling out at the above-market prices offered, and the Birmingham City Council approved rezoning the subdivision to R-6. The agreement, however, failed to move forward after William Anderton, a non-resident Glen Iris Park property owner, objected. A provision in the agreement to recommend for a return to single-family zoning was not acted upon. The attorney involved in drafting the agreement died in a traffic accident before the matter was brought back to the City Council.
A Glen Iris Neighborhood Group was formed in 1975 with George Bohorfoush as president. They petitioned the City Council to reverse the rezoning back to single family, but were unsuccessful in 1978 vote. Council member Larry Langford complained that the debate was moot since the use of the property was restricted by covenant.
The group supported historical research that allowed the subdivision to be added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 30, 1984.
Houses
- Eastern side
- 3:
- 5: R. DuPont Thompson, passed to his daughter Mrs John Akin
- 11:
- 15:
- 17: bought by James and Jewel Cochran in 1955
- 19:
- 21:
- Western side
- 4:
- 6:
- 8:
- 10:
- 16:
- 20:
References
- Washburn, Dennis (November 3, 1971) "[ Medical center apartments rezoning approved by council]" The Birmingham News - via Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections
- "Glen Iris Park set trend for hillside housing." (December 19, 1971) The Birmingham News - via Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections
- Kindred, Ingrid (June 21, 1978) "Council zoning decision may boost preservation effort" The Birmingham News - via Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections
- Fullman, Lynn Grisard (November 13, 1983) "Neighborhood Profile: Glen Iris Park" The Birmingham News - via Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections
- Archibald, Alecia (May 11, 2008) "Glen Iris: Gated Southside enclave." The Birmingham News
External links
- Glen Iris Park historical marker at hmdb.org