Category Archives: Highland Avenue

Architecture, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, City of Birmingham, Highland Avenue, Historic Preservation, Neighborhoods, Publications, Research, Southside

What’s the National Register?

Ever thought about what historic organizations do and how they do it? What’s the organizational hierarchy?

  1. Federal Agencies
  2. Non Profit Organizations
  3. State Organizations
  4. Local Historical Organizations

Curious to learn more about a historic property? Living in a historic district, maybe? Let’s start with the National Register and answer those questions!

Federal Agencies & Non Profits

The National Register is a federal agency1 supported by tax dollars that promotes the restoration of significant historic properties. It maintains the official list of historic places in the United States worthy of preservation and is managed by the National Park Service.

It is NOT related to the National Trust for Historic Preservation which is a non-profit organization2 privately supported by their membership which advocates for historic properties. However, they do not manage nor approve register listings.

State

Properties included on the National Register must first be nominated or approved by state organizations3 and are subject to state laws, which in Alabama is the Alabama Historical Commission. Generally, nominated properties are at least 50 years old unless they are exceptionally important.

Local Historical Organizations

Birmingham Historical Society is among the local historical organizations4 which take great pride in their cities, researching their surroundings to educate and make recommendations about significant historic properties and people. It is often involved in the nomination process of historic properties and districts. Available publications document their research since their start in 1942.

In November of 2022, Birmingham Historical Society moved to the Southside area in the Highland Avenue Historic District near the Rhodes Park, Chestnut Hill, Country Club, Milner Heights, and Hanover Place Historic Districts.

Since that time, we’ve enjoyed exploring our new home in more depth. Our Highland Avenue neighbor, Randy Merritt, has been documenting the remaining historic homes on Highland Avenue as well as collecting archival photos of those that have been demolished.

The assortment tells the story of Birmingham’s pioneering residents whose strong belief propelled the city’s growth. It’s a tale of architectural innovation, economic power, social norms, financial successes, and the complex local politics of that time.

So, whether intrigued by the people, the location, the event, or by the lessons learned, history at all levels creates a compelling story worth preserving and telling. Grateful for the organizations that continue to tell those stories! One can’t help but appreciate the efforts of all of the organizations dedicated to upholding and conveying this history.

Below shows some of the process in registering the Highland Avenue Historic District. The Birmingham Historical Society offices are on the ground floor retail space in what was originally the Altamont Apartment Building on lot #4 on diagram below.

A Guide to Architectural Styles, Architecture, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, Birmingham pioneers, BOOK, Exhibition, family history, George Ward, Highland Avenue, Historic Preservation, Neighborhoods, Southside, The Altamont

Period Costumes and Historic Houses

This past weekend, neighborhood Highland Park residents, Annie Leardine and Elizabeth Sanfelippo as community liaisons and co-chairs, assembled various property owners willing to share their houses, and garnered the support of local realtors as sponsors. Along with Friends of Highland Park – the neighborhood 501c3, the group successfully created a walking tour and porch visits entitled “It’s Nice to have you in Highland Park“.

Don’t miss the two videos below by Jacob delaRosa!
Click on images for links

Video produced by Jacob delaRosa. Check out more of his work at www.jacobdelarosa.com or reach out about collaborations or inquiries at jacob.delarosa.letschat@gmail.com
A woman speaking in a casual setting, wearing a black shirt with a design, with colorful decorations in the background.
A man with a beard and short hair speaks in front of a dark wooden background. Text on the screen identifies him as Bob McKenna, the owner of Clubhouse on Highland.
A woman with gray hair styled in waves, wearing a red cardigan over a black and white patterned blouse, sitting at a table. She appears engaged in conversation and is identified as Marjorie White, Director of the Birmingham Historical Society.
A man wearing glasses and an orange shirt sits outdoors, speaking. He appears engaged and expresses his role as the Executive Director of the Pro Bono Advisory Council.
Listen to neighborhood advocates talk of their appreciation for Highland Park.
Video produced by Jacob delaRosa.

Historical costumes from the period were encouraged and one of the event sponsors, Priscilla LeBerte and her husband Adam, were among those wearing period clothing. In the photos below, Elizabeth is wearing a costume originally made for Mrs. George Ward, but is representing Florence Jordan – the widow of Mortimer Jordan, who built the Jordan house after his death. This 2nd annual event with live music and refreshments highlighted the warmth and charm of this historic neighborhood while inviting guests to explore its architectural treasures.

Two women engage in conversation at an event, one holding a card, with attendees and display boards in the background.
BHS Director Marjorie White
Three people dressed in vintage attire stand in front of a large white historic building with columns and a decorative facade.
Standing in front of the Mortimer Jordan House on Highland Avenue
Two women engaged in conversation at a round table in a light-filled room adorned with framed artwork.
BHS President Wayne Hester withTrustee Linda Nelson
Three people in vintage clothing, two women in white and beige dresses and a man in a vest, stand on the steps of a mansion with intricate door designs.
On the right is Elizabeth Sanfelippo as Mrs. Mortimer Jordan, the builder of the Jordan house
A crowded indoor event with attendees engaging in conversations and exploring displays featuring historical photos, showcasing community participation.
Heritage Hunt participants
Two women and a man dressed in vintage clothing, posing on the steps of a white house with decorative details.
Priscilla (one of event sponsors) & Adam LeBerte stand next to event co-chair, Elizabeth Sanfelippo
A gathering of people inside a historic house, enjoying refreshments and cookies, with a vibrant floral arrangement in the foreground.
Trustees Barbara Shores and Dan Weathers with refreshments at BHS offices
Three women seated and standing at a table displaying various historical books and materials related to the Highland Park neighborhood.
BHS Trustees Katie Tipton, Gerry Waters, and VP Carol Slaughter
All photos courtesy of Jacob delaRosa, http://www.jacobdelarosa.com

Developer Bob McKenna generously opened his doors to showcase the restoration work currently in progress at the historic Warner House, one of the soon to be restored “Three Sisters“. Additionally, tours were offered at the celebrated Brown House, known today as the Clubhouse on Highland, providing insight into the neighborhood’s rich heritage and architectural diversity.

The event saw an impressive turnout, with approximately 350 participants. Sixty-six individuals and groups enthusiastically completed their scavenger hunt known as Highland Heritage Hunts. Each of these participants was rewarded for their efforts with a copy of Birmingham Homes: A Guide to Architectural Styles, which serves as a resource for those interested in the historical and architectural significance of the houses in the area.

The success of this event would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of its organizers, as well as the enthusiastic participation of all those who turned out. Many thanks to everyone involved for making this such a memorable occasion!

A happy family consisting of a man holding a young child and a woman beside him, all smiling and posing for a photo. The background shows a room with displays and people.
Co-chair Annie Chester Leardine and her family
A woman wearing a red hat and a black and red outfit stands next to a man in a green shirt. They are posing in front of a display with drawings of architectural styles, including 'Queen Anne' and 'American Four-Square'.
An exhibit of architectural styles was displayed at BHS offices (behind Joseph Bostany and Sheila Chaffin)
A person standing near an exhibit displaying architectural drawings titled 'Architectural Styles of Birmingham Homes' on a white board.
Birmingham Homes: A Guide to Architectural Styles was the scavenger hunt prize, displayed here
A group of people browsing a photo exhibition featuring black and white images displayed on a large panel, with one person studying the photos closely and another standing with a clipboard.
Exhibition of houses in Highland Park as they looked at the turn of the century was displayed at BHS offices on Highland Avenue
All photos by Jacob delaRosa
A woman in a vintage cream dress and large hat holds a parasol, standing in a charming garden setting with guests mingling and various plants around.
Group of people gathered in a lush garden area, discussing amidst various plants and greenery, with a large tree and decorative statues nearby.
A lively outdoor setting with people dining at tables under colorful string lights, while musicians perform in the background. The atmosphere is festive and vibrant.
A man playing the trumpet outside a building, with a smartphone set up nearby and a sign that reads 'HEAR OUT'.
A female musician with glasses and a denim jacket sings into a microphone while seated next to a male guitarist playing an acoustic guitar. They are performing outside a house adorned with pumpkins and greenery.
A woman singing into a microphone while a man plays guitar under a white canopy at an outdoor event, surrounded by greenery.
A Guide to Architectural Styles, Annual Gathering, Architecture, Audubon Society, Birmingham Historical Society, BOOK, Exhibition, Highland Avenue, Historic Preservation, Music, Neighborhoods, Open house, The Altamont

Porch Crawl through Highland Park

A vintage illustration of Highland Park showcasing wide pathways, greenery, and houses, accompanied by event details for 'It's Nice to Have You in Highland Park 2025' scheduled for October 19th.

Meet our Birmingham Historical Society Highland Park neighbors! Live music, refreshments, historical scavenger hunt! See you Sunday afternoon, October 19th, 3-5pm with after party at ROJO. Click image above for detailed information.

Start at Birmingham Historical Society offices (H on the map below) to pick up a Highland Heritage Hunt, a scavenger hunt in which you’ll search for hidden artifacts while visiting the participating homes. Turn your completed hunt back into BHS for the chance to win a prize!

BHS will also have a new exhibit on display of house types that parallels their book Birmingham Homes: A Guide to Architectural Styles. Tour this non-profit responsible for researching, publishing, and promoting the history and heritage of HP. You can also learn how to research a home’s or apartment’s history and how to get a Jefferson County marker or purchase one of their books on Birmingham, including It’s Nice to Live in Birmingham, a reprint of the 1963 classic that launched our city’s motto.

Map showing a route with highlighted points labeled A to L through Highland Park and surrounding areas.
A Guide to Architectural Styles, Annual Gathering, Architecture, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, BOOK, Exhibition, Highland Avenue, Historic Preservation, Neighborhoods, Open house, Southside

Highland Park Open House

Mark your calendars for the Heritage Hunt and Open Houses featuring Porch and Garden Parties, a Birmingham Homes Exhibit, advice on how to get an historical marker, and opportunities to buy books about Birmingham. This popular 2nd annual event is lots of fun and a great opportunity to meet your Southside neighbors and tour some historic properties.

When: Sunday, October 19th, 3-5 PM

Where: Birmingham Historical Society, 2827 Highland Avenue South

Pay close attention to some of the architectural details in this neighborhood. Those completing the Heritage Hunt form distributed on Sunday at Birmingham Historical Society can claim a prize of the popular book, A Guide to Architectural Styles Featuring Birmingham Homes. Hope to see you Sunday!

Historical postcard view of Highland Avenue in Birmingham, Alabama in 1910, featuring Rhodes Park and various houses labeled by name.
Event flyer for the Birmingham Historical Society, announcing 'It's Nice to Have You in Highland Park' with details about open houses and tours of historical homes.

Birmingham Historical Society, BOOK, Book Sale, Film, Highland Avenue, lecture, Open house, Trustees

Upcoming Events! Mark your Calendar!

October 19, 3-5 p.m., It’s Nice to Have You in Highland Park, at 2827 Highland Avenue

November 16, 2 p.m., A Traveler’s Tales: William Bartram’s 1775 Journey…through the Southern British Colonies and the future state of Alabama, as told by Brian Rushing, naturalist and Bartram admirer, at 2827 Highland Avenue AND:

Celebrating the release of Building Birmingham’s Industrial Base, our 2025  Members Book, at 2827 Highland Avenue

January 18 or 25, 2 p.m., Tuxedo Junction documentary at the Virginia Samford Theater.

 February 23, 5: 30 p.m., BHS Trustees Supper and Annual Meeting, celebrating the release of Birmingham By the Book

March 15 or 22, 2 p.m. 1776, at the Virginia Samford Theater.

family history, Highland Avenue, Historic Preservation, Neighborhoods, Southside

Good News about the Three Sisters!

Are you familiar with the three homes built around 1905 on Highland Avenue that once belonged to three sisters? While one has been fully restored, two of them have been abandoned for many years. But the good news is that the restoration of the other two will soon follow! Even better, the neighborhood will have some involvement. Take a look at these videos! And follow the progress on Facebook using this hashtag: #sisterhouserenovation.

CBS NEWS REPORTS ON PROGRESS 9/25/25

Inside Peek before the Renovation

Sister House Renovation

Historic house with a partially damaged roof and scaffolding in front, surrounded by greenery, indicating ongoing restoration efforts.
Exterior view of a historic house with scaffolding for restoration, featuring boarded-up windows and a staircase leading to the entrance.
Historic white mansion with large columns and a porch, surrounded by trees and grass.
Historic homes on Highland Avenue, featuring one restored and two undergoing renovation, surrounded by trees and greenery.

Read more about the restored Enslen House HERE

Front view of a large, restored historic house with columns and a balcony, surrounded by greenery.
Birmingham Historical Society, City of Birmingham, Exhibition, family history, Highland Avenue, Neighborhoods, Research

Celebrating another year in historic Highland Park!

Birmingham Historical Society is excited to be assembling a vibrant photographic collection of all of the historic homes that were constructed along Highland Avenue South. Director Marjorie White highlights the neighborhood’s significance to Birmingham’s rich history in the attached CBS 42 video. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year as we celebrate another year in our historic Highland Avenue neighborhood!

Click image above for CBS video
Architecture, Birmingham Historical Society, Highland Avenue, Historic Preservation, Neighborhoods, Research, Southside, The Altamont

New Year’s Eve Party December 31, 1930

Birmingham Historical Society’s offices are in the historic Altamont Apartments and ninety-four years ago, there was a New Year’s Party in the ‘ballroom’. Some of the columns in our offices evoke an elegance that suggest a ballroom might have been in our location.

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Perhaps it was a party to create interest in the recently constructed 1924 building. Or since it was sold around this time, maybe the new owner had grandiose plans prior to the Great Depression. Rumor has it that portions of a ballroom are still there but not in use off the main lobby to the south. Our curiosity is piqued! If anyone has any additional information about the location of the ballroom, we’d love to know and will update! Happy New Year!

A Guide to Architectural Styles, Altamont, Architecture, Birmingham Historical Society, BOOK, Book Sale, Exhibition, Highland Avenue, Neighborhoods, Publications, The Altamont

Thanks for coming!

Lots of interest in our Highland Park neighborhood, at an event in which Birmingham Historical Society displayed photographs of nearly all the original homes constructed along Highland Avenue (many courtesy of historian and neighbor Randy Merritt). Our Open House included not only our extensive exhibit, but also tours of the offices of our new neighbor, Alabama Audubon, The Greenbriar lobby in the historic Altamont building, and the front porches of several neighboring historic homes. The tour ended with music at Rojo.

Photos by Katie Tipton

Note that the BHS book, A Guide to Architectural Styles, provides context and recognition tips as to the style of many of the homes in Southside. And our latest book, a reprint of the 1962 book published by The Birmingham News, It’s Nice to Live in Birmingham, is now available for $20 via link above and will not be sold on Amazon.

Thank you to all who attended and we hope to see you again soon!

Photos by Louise McPhillips
A Guide to Architectural Styles, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, BOOK, Exhibition, Highland Avenue, Historic Preservation, Housing, Neighborhoods, Open house, Publications, Southside

Experience Historic Highland Park

We’re having an OPEN HOUSE Sunday, October 13th 3-5, celebrating our new/old reprint from the Birmingham News 1963 publication, “It’s Nice to Live in Birmingham”. Come join us, see an extensive exhibit of historic Highland Park homes in our offices, and visit our new neighbor, Alabama Audubon. Step inside the historic grand lobby and courtyard of The Greenbriar at Altamont, visit with neighbors on the front porches of several historic homes, and end the afternoon at Rojo with live music. 1920’s attire is welcomed!

More information on our Facebook Page

Our Highland Park Neighborhood Invitation