Sunday afternoon offered a perfect fall day to tour and appreciate several of Forest Park’s finest homes as a member of the Heritage Society. Although thoughtfully updated with modern conveniences, many of the original features remained or had been restored and it was easy to imagine how families lived at the turn of the century.
The histories of their prominent original owners were shared in a booklet that also included the original 1909 plat of Forest Park. The T. Felton Wimberly home was built in 1911, and the J.F. Leary residence was constructed in 1910. This very popular annual event directly supports the mission of the Birmingham Historical Society.
Established in 1942, the Birmingham Historical Society enhances the quality of life in Birmingham, Alabama, by preserving, studying, and celebrating its past while helping to shape its future. The Society celebrates Birmingham’s history through research, publishing, and education, and it engages the public to make our shared history and heritage more visible, clarify their value, and empower their stewards.
Heritage Society members are acknowledged in the annual report, AND receive an invitation to the annual Heritage Society gathering in an historic home. Heritage Society memberships are $500.
This promises to be a lively afternoon as Alabama historian and folklorist Joyce Cauthen brings the story of her favorite fiddler, Tom Freeman, to Birmingham Historical Society on Sunday, October 4th, from 3–5 p.m. This charming, self-educated fiddler used his talent to evade law enforcement, to sell moonshine, and to play for community gatherings and political rallies.
Sunday, October 4th, 3-5 p.m. Birmingham Historical Society 2827 Highland Avenue Birmingham, AL 35205
Free and Open to the Public
Freeman was born in rural Cullman County in 1883. He taught himself on a homemade fiddle at the age of 9, and from then on it was his constant companion. He later lived and played music in Bug Tussle and Cold Springs. His descendants, who still live in Bug Tussle, preserved his handwritten—and sometimes difficult to read—manuscripts recounting his colorful life, from his time in prison and his moonshine adventures, to his grandfather’s service in the Civil War. Joyce Cauthen transcribed these manuscripts from the originals. They are now in the collection of Southern Music Research Center.
The collection documenting his music and life was developed in collaboration with author Joyce Cauthen as a supplement to her book The Ballad of Fiddling Tom Freeman: Music, Moonshine, and Murder in Bug Tussle, Alabama, published June 2026 by the University of Alabama Press. In this book, Joyce Cauthen brings to life his stories, his community, and his music. Nine home audio recordings are available at the Southern Music Research Center.
Warren Manning and Jemison & Co. designed and developed Mountain Brook Estates from 1926 – 1929. (pgs. 114-115 of Birmingham by the Book) The main avenue in the newly developed Mountain Brook Estates was Mountain Brook Parkway, which parallels Jemison Park, designed as a linear parkway in the floodplain of Shades Creek.
The Tutwiler-McDonald Estate was built on the parkway as a replica of George Washington’s Mt. Vernon to showcase standards for Jemison & Co.’s new subdivision. The Old Mill facing the estate, was designed in 1927 as a promotional landmark for the new community, and was never a functioning mill. Other improvements included stone gates, bridges, bridle trails, and Mountain Brook Village, intended to mimic an English countryside village.
View of Shades Creek Valley from Mountain Brook Estates
Shades Creek: Flowing through Time tells the story of waters and tributaries touching the shores of Birmingham, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Hoover, Bessemer and other stretches of Jefferson, Bibb and Shelby County, Alabama. Far more than a trickling stream on a slow mosey, Shades Creek has shaped, supported and influenced life on its journey to today. Learn of explorers and Native Americans; Civil War iron-making; the water’s nurturing of native plants and wildlife; and how Shades Creek shaped modern times by providing inspiration to regional planners like Warren Manning and the Olmsted Brothers. Read too of problems in this paradise, brought on by bad judgments or good intentions gone wrong; and of the environmental groups rallying to rescue and protect the treasure. 216 pages, lavishly illustrated with more than 50 maps and 250 photographs
The oldest homes in Birmingham tell the story of prosperous early industrialists and real estate developers, the struggles of the working classes, architectural trends, and the civil rights era.
The Smithfield/Dynamite hill homes of the civil rights era are described on pg. 90 of Birmingham by the Book.
Some of the most expensive homes were built on 30 acres in Glen Iris Park (pgs 102-103) prior to 1920 and along Highland Avenue in Southside.
More modest homes were in the Five Points South area and along Cullom Street, built in the 1890s.
In the late 1880s, Thomas was a company town with rented housing for those who needed to live close to the iron producing furnaces. By 1912, 550 workers lived in this community.
Pioneering early planters who became prominent citizens of Birmingham included Isaac Sadler, Thomas McAdory, and Thomas Owen who built flourishing plantations from 1820s to early 1900s. (pg. 26 of Birmingham by the Book)
Other significant early neighborhoods included :
Anderson Place, Milner Heights, Forest Park and Mountain Terrace. (pgs. 104-109).
The Hollywood homes in Homewood were designed in 1924, influenced by Hollywood, California, and including some of Birmingham’s first mission style architecture.
Roebuck Springs was contoured around knolls, and boasted an English Garden aesthetic as well as the first designed 18-hole golf course and country club grounds. (pg. 98 of Birmingham by the Book).
See more neighborhood history as well as over the mountain areas, all divided by region in Birmingham by the Book. Some early examples are included below.
W.P.G. Harding House, Glen IrisWorker House, East ThomasWorker House, East ThomasT.O. Smith House, Roebuck SpringsSchwab House, Highland Avenue AreaSadler House, McCalla, 1827Robley Munger House, Arlington ParkRobert Jemison House, Glen IrisParker Bown House, SmithfieldOwen House, Bessemer, 1833Mission Style House, HomewoodMcAdory House, Bessemer, 1840Mary M Means House, Dynamite Hill, SmithfieldLuffman House, Glen IrisLoveman House, SouthsideJordan House, Highland AvenueJohn Drew House, Dynamite Hill, SmithfieldJ. Cary Thompson House, Five Points SouthHollywood House, HomewoodH.K. Milner House, Milner CrescentHayes Davis House, East ThomasHassinger House, Highland AvenueForest Park HouseForest Park HouseEnsley HousesCullom Street Houses, SouthsideCullom Street House, SouthsideCullom Street House, SouthsideCullom Street Houses, SouthsideBrown and A.G. Gaston House, Smithfield
One of the oldest barbecue joints in the USA still in operation is the Golden Rule in Irondale. Established in 1891 by the Williams family, it’s operated under multiple owners since then. But over 130 years, it’s expanded not only its menu, but its presence throughout Alabama and the South.
Nationwide shipping attests to the ongoing popularity of this historic location. See pg. 86 of Birmingham by the Bookfor other must-sees near this Irondale location!
Alabama Librarians and the Alabama Department of Archives and History outlines how to clean and preserve old books as well as five things you should NEVER do with old documents. Click on images to print them out.
Old books, newspapers, photos and letters.
York. England. 01.26.19. Genealogy – My Family History – Old family photographs dating from around 1890 up to about 1950. This period of time covers two world wars and massive changes to society. These old photographs document the period on a personal level in a time before the digital age and social media.
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of Independence Day, the July 2026 newsletter of Birmingham Historical Society explores the links between George and Martha Washington and the places, residences, food, and artifacts that memorialize them locally.
A prefabricated home plan of Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, was available in the Sears & Roebuck catalogue by 1932, and two residential replicas were constructed in Mountain Brook; one on Mountain Brook Parkway and the other on Fairway Drive. A look-alike building named Washington Hall at American Village in Montevallo, Alabama contains 3 spaces related to the birth of the nation: the Grand Foyer, the Assembly Room, and the Mount Vernon room.
It was in the Assembly Room…”that Washington was appointed Commander-in-Chief of The Continental Army, and on July 4, 1776, The Declaration of Independence was adopted. In the same space, The U. S. Flag was agreed upon and The Articles of Confederation approved. Here also, The Constitutional Convention occurred in 1787, with Washington pressing from The Rising Sun Chair.” (Historical Marker Database)
“The Mount Vernon Room was inspired by what Washington called “The New Room.” It represents the place where on April 14, 1789, he was informed that he had been unanimously elected as The First President of the United States.” (Historical Marker Database)
Montevallo’s American Village now boasts the finest collection of Washington family memorabilia outside of Mount Vernon including almost 1,000 items purchased from Shelby County residents.
Included in the July 2026 BHS newsletter, is the complete recipe of Martha Washington’s Great Cake which was served at her wedding anniversary every year. Baked for 5 ½ hours and serving 40 people, the recipe was passed on to her granddaughter and was eventually adapted and published by culinary historian, Nancy Carter Crump.
It’s well known that George Washington suffered from dental problems throughout his life which may have contributed to his death. Another noted local link to the Washingtons includes UAB’s Reynolds-Finley Historical Library which contains his letters to dentists, confirming Washington’s lifelong trouble with his teeth.
Finally, the July BHS newsletter tributes a number of Revolutionary War soldiers who settled in Jefferson County and lists Alabama Places named for Revolutionary War Era Figures and Battles.
To receive detailed historical information in periodic newsletters like this as well as invitations to special events and lectures, please consider joining BHS. Return this form below or click HERE for more information.
Lots of ideas for things to do with your father in Birmingham by the Book: A Guide to the Magic City. Explore places where you’ve never been, or visit historical sites that your father remembers. Listen to stories from his past about Birmingham’s industrial age or the Civil Rights Movement.
Visit sports venues or history museums and parks. Museums, theaters, concert halls, and research libraries abound along with a list of family friendly outings and descriptions. Or try a walking tour exploring the architecture of the city center with historical descriptions.
If food is his thing, find a list of historic restaurants that have been operating for decades. Or take a picnic to some of the diverse parks, preserves, greenways, scenic drives, and viewpoints. Stroll through historic neighborhoods or read about their origins and historical importance.
All of this and more can be found in the guide with photos, background, maps and more! Have a Happy Father’s Day!
Order from Amazon or pick up from BHS offices at 2827 Highland Avenue.
Birmingham is a true ‘foodie’ town now with multiple fine restaurants from which to choose, attracting tourists from all over the country. But it’s always been innovative and resourceful regarding food. These unique items were among those first invented in Birmingham and many are still available.
