Peerless Saloon: Difference between revisions
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:''This article is about the Birmingham saloon. For the saloon in Ensley, see [[Peerless Saloon (Ensley)]].'' | |||
[[File:1900s Peerless Saloon OV Hunt.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Peerless Saloon in early 1900s. Photo by [[O. V. Hunt]].]] | [[File:1900s Peerless Saloon OV Hunt.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Peerless Saloon in early 1900s. Photo by [[O. V. Hunt]].]] | ||
[[File:1939 Peerless Saloon.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Peerless Saloon in 1939. Photo by [[W. B. Phillips]].]] | [[File:1939 Peerless Saloon.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Peerless Saloon in 1939. Photo by [[W. B. Phillips]].]] | ||
The '''Peerless Saloon''' was a 3-story, turn of the century Victoria-styled saloon built in [[1889]] at 1900 [[2nd Avenue North]] in downtown Birmingham. It was built by the [[Decker-Gilreath Construction Co.]] and featured decorative brickwork. | The '''Peerless Saloon''' was a 3-story, turn of the century Victoria-styled saloon built in [[1889]] at 1900 [[2nd Avenue North]] in downtown Birmingham. It was built by the [[Decker-Gilreath Construction Co.]] and featured decorative brickwork. | ||
In [[1904]] the proprietors were [[Thomas O'Byrne|Thomas W. O'Byrne]], [[J. J. Odom]], [[ | In [[1904]] the proprietors were [[Thomas O'Byrne|Thomas W. O'Byrne]], [[J. J. Odom]], [[Frank Edwards|Frank M. Edwards]], and [[W. R. Wilkerson]]. [[A. Kontos]] operated from the same address. On [[May 4]], [[1906]] a shootout between [[Thomas Hewlett]] and [[Harry Haynes]] left Hewlett and [[John Shugart]] dead. [[Mayor of Birmingham|Mayor]] [[George Ward]] ordered the saloon closed. | ||
Edwards and Wilkerson were listed as the owners in [[1907]], shortly before the saloon was forced out of business by [[prohibition|local prohibition]] in [[Jefferson County]]. At the time, the business was reportedly paying $650 per month in rent, plus $1,000 per year for a city operating license. | |||
From [[1908]] until at least [[1916]] the [[Vaudette Theater]] operated from the building. The building was remodeled in [[1920]]. | |||
Demolition of the former saloon building was opposed by many preservationist groups including [[Operation New Birmingham]] as it was at the time one of the oldest surviving structures downtown. By May 2001, it was added to the ''Places in Peril'' list of the [[Alabama Historical Commission]] and the [[Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation]]. | Demolition of the former saloon building was opposed by many preservationist groups including [[Operation New Birmingham]] as it was at the time one of the oldest surviving structures downtown. By May 2001, it was added to the ''Places in Peril'' list of the [[Alabama Historical Commission]] and the [[Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation]]. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* "[http://www.memory.loc.gov/service/gdc/scd0001/2010/20101208001tr/20101208001tr.pdf An Industrial Review of the General Business Interests of Birmingham] and the cities and towns comprising the great state of Alabama" (1904) Birmingham: Post B, Alabama Division, Travelers Protective Association | * "[http://www.memory.loc.gov/service/gdc/scd0001/2010/20101208001tr/20101208001tr.pdf An Industrial Review of the General Business Interests of Birmingham] and the cities and towns comprising the great state of Alabama" (1904) Birmingham: Post B, Alabama Division, Travelers Protective Association | ||
* "Will Boom Chattanooga" (November 1, 1907) ''Montgomery Times'' | |||
* Niolet, Benjamin (December 18, 2002) "Owner to raze Peerless Saloon." {{BN}} | * Niolet, Benjamin (December 18, 2002) "Owner to raze Peerless Saloon." {{BN}} | ||
[[Category:Peerless Saloon building|*]] | |||
[[Category:1889 buildings]] | [[Category:1889 buildings]] | ||
[[Category:1889 establishments]] | |||
[[Category:1907 disestablishments]] | |||
[[Category:2003 demolitions]] | [[Category:2003 demolitions]] | ||
[[Category:Former bars]] | [[Category:Former bars]] | ||
Latest revision as of 03:18, 19 December 2021
- This article is about the Birmingham saloon. For the saloon in Ensley, see Peerless Saloon (Ensley).
The Peerless Saloon was a 3-story, turn of the century Victoria-styled saloon built in 1889 at 1900 2nd Avenue North in downtown Birmingham. It was built by the Decker-Gilreath Construction Co. and featured decorative brickwork.
In 1904 the proprietors were Thomas W. O'Byrne, J. J. Odom, Frank M. Edwards, and W. R. Wilkerson. A. Kontos operated from the same address. On May 4, 1906 a shootout between Thomas Hewlett and Harry Haynes left Hewlett and John Shugart dead. Mayor George Ward ordered the saloon closed.
Edwards and Wilkerson were listed as the owners in 1907, shortly before the saloon was forced out of business by local prohibition in Jefferson County. At the time, the business was reportedly paying $650 per month in rent, plus $1,000 per year for a city operating license.
From 1908 until at least 1916 the Vaudette Theater operated from the building. The building was remodeled in 1920.
Demolition of the former saloon building was opposed by many preservationist groups including Operation New Birmingham as it was at the time one of the oldest surviving structures downtown. By May 2001, it was added to the Places in Peril list of the Alabama Historical Commission and the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation.
In summer 2003 it was demolished after its owner, George Ladd of Ladd Property Management, determined it would be too costly to both renovate the structure and bring it up to current building codes. In 2004, Ladd began construction of a new building on the site. Known as the "1900 Building", it was completed in 2005, but remained vacant until software firm Fleetio leased the upper floor in 2017.
References
- "An Industrial Review of the General Business Interests of Birmingham and the cities and towns comprising the great state of Alabama" (1904) Birmingham: Post B, Alabama Division, Travelers Protective Association
- "Will Boom Chattanooga" (November 1, 1907) Montgomery Times
- Niolet, Benjamin (December 18, 2002) "Owner to raze Peerless Saloon." The Birmingham News