Category Archives: Parks & Recreation

Olmsted Brothers, Parks & Recreation

Nature Walks Along Lakeshore Drive

Part of the Red Rock Trail System, this 3.9 mile greenway along Lakeshore Drive in Homewood is in the floodplain of what used to be Edgewood Lake. This Homewood segment is part of an interconnected network of multi-use greenways, parks, bike lanes, and street-based sidewalks across Jefferson County, Alabama.

A great interactive map by the Freshwater Land Trust locates all the greenways, nature trails, gardens, and bike lanes in Jefferson County. The non-profit began trail building in 2010 using funds for a master plan following the Olmsted Brothers’ 1925 park plan for Birmingham. A list of parks, preserves, greenways, scenic drives, and viewpoints is also in Birmingham by the Book on page 12. And page 8 lists the abandoned railroads that present opportunites for hiking rail trails.

A tranquil river scene surrounded by lush green trees and foliage, with reflections in the water and a sandy bank in the foreground.
A diverse group of people walking along a paved path under a rusted metal bridge, surrounded by greenery and trees, on a sunny day.
A person standing on a hiking trail surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage in shades of orange, red, and yellow.
A person sitting on a platform high in a tree, connected by a suspended walkway, surrounded by bare trees and a hillside view in the background.
Architecture, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, civil rights, Map, Neighborhoods, Parks & Recreation, Railroads

Map Your Visit to the Magic City

Birmingham by the Book Cover

Use this guide and the map below to plan your visit to Birmingham. Each location includes the matching page number from Birmingham by the Book: A Guide to the Magic City, so you can easily read more about it.

Using the map: Tap or click the white menu icon in the upper-left corner of the map (legend button), immediately to the left of the blue B to chose a category, then select any map marker to see the site name, photographs, information, and its page number in the book.

On a phone or tablet: You can move around the map and zoom in to explore different areas of Birmingham. Use the map’s legend button to switch between categories. Choose a category before expanding the map in the upper right hand corner.

When you click or tap a pin on the map, a little popup will appear with the site’s name and the matching page number from the book, so you can easily find it.

Using an iPad and it won’t open? Try this link instead and open in a new tab.

What’s in Birmingham by the Book? All these sites above and MORE!

Visit the Magic City of Birmingham using Birmingham by the Book!
Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham pioneers, BOOK, family history, Neighborhoods, Parks & Recreation, Shades Creek, Warren Manning

Building Mountain Brook: Shades Creek, Mt. Vernon Replica, and The Old Mill

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
Birmingham Historical Society, Frederick Law Olmsted, Olmsted Brothers, Parks & Recreation, Red Mountain Park

I can see for miles and miles…from Ruffner Mountain

Over 1,000 acres just minutes from downtown Birmingham (and covering an area larger than Central Park) is the reclaimed mining land of Ruffner Mountain. Mining operations began on the mountain under the Sloss Iron and Steel Company to supply iron ore to nearby Sloss Furnaces from the late 1880s until operations finally closed on June 1, 1953.

It’s the highest point in the city of Birmingham and now features over 12 miles of hiking trails. The preserved panoramic view began with 25 acres of the former limestone quarry and surrounding land in 1977. Additional land was provided by the city, by various conservation organizations, and the state’s Forever Wild Land Trust.

The Red Rock Trail System® (RRTS) is a 750-mile master plan connecting 6 main trail corridors including Ruffner Mountain. An interactive map shows the complete system and according to Birmingham Historical Society Director Marjorie White, the map looks very similar to what the Olmsted Brothers firm proposed for Birmingham in 1924.

In 2017, Ruffner Mountain was one of six Birmingham historical sites celebrating Alabama’s industrial and economic history.

Interested in hiking, biking, or nature trails? There’s lots from which to choose and you can find a comprehensive list located on pgs 12-13 of Birmingham by the Book.

Birmingham Historical Society, Neighborhoods, Olmsted Brothers, Parks & Recreation, Planning, Engineering, and Permits, Publications

Good News for Village Creek Greenways!

The 44 miles of Village Creek make up 53% of Birmingham’s Special Flood Hazard area. The creek stretches across Birmingham metro area from Roebuck Springs in the east to Ensley in the west and played a major part in Birmingham’s industrial beginnings. The Freshwater Land Trust is now actively working to develop the area into a continuous recreational trail and greenway, while preserving local habitats. However, in the interim, repeated flooding over 50 years has resulted in more than 17 federal disasters.

(Video showing flooding of Village Creek near the airport by WVTM 13)

The Birmingham Historical Society has been advocating for green space along this corridor since 1984 beginning with the BHS study of the floodplains in East Lake, East Birmingham, and Ensley for the US Army Corps of Engineers. (See an excerpt below.) During that study, it was discovered that the celebrated Olmsted Brothers (a NY landscape architecture firm well known for their design of Central Park) had presented a plan for Birmingham back in 1925 for continuous greenways along the creek. This plan was subsequently reprinted and publicized by the society.

From the BHS study, Village Creek, 1985

Katie Britt, Alabama’s senator, has now secured $2.6 million for Village Creek floodplain restoration. This will provide a long-term solution, protect residents, particularly those in Ensley, improve infrastructure, and reduce flooding risks for motorists traveling through these areas. The federal/local partnership is an investment in local neighborhoods as well as quality of life with trailways for walkers, runners, and bikers throughout the city as illustrated by Phase I of the Ensley Greenway below. Thank you to all those involved and who continue to invest in Birmingham’s future!

Birmingham Landmarks, Birmingham pioneers, Brock’s Gap, Coal Mines, Parks & Recreation, Railroads, Red Mountain, Red Mountain Park

Follow the Gaps for Railways, Hiking Trails, and Roadways!

Did you know that there are over 9 wind or water gaps in the Birmingham vicinity? The interactive topographical map below locates and names the gaps, many of which formed the rail bed for the Birmingham Mineral Railroad. Others form hiking trails today including the popular Grace’s Gap hiking trail at Red Mountain Park and the historic Brock’s Gap in Hoover.

Click on the location or select the name of the gap in the list following the map for more information on its location, elevation, and in some cases, water source. Thanks to John Troulias for finding the map and James Lowery for sharing it with Birmingham Historical Society.

At least nine gaps are located in the immediate vicinity of Birmingham . Thanks to John Troulias for finding the map and James Lowery for sharing it with Birmingham Historical Society.

The 4.2-mile Grace’s Gap Overlook trail in Red Mountain Park features sweeping valley views and abandoned mining ruins.

Nineteen gaps are located within Birmingham metro area with an additional eleven outside Interstate 459. Click on map above and select location for detailed information.

Historic Preservation, Hoover, Parks & Recreation, Shades Creek, Shades Crest Road, shades mountain

Protecting a Preserve in Bluff Park

Birmingham may soon have an 18 acre natural preserve near Tip Top Grill in Bluff Park, thanks largely to Larry Rodick, President of Friends of Shade Mountain, who has been spearheading the effort. Birmingham City Council has approved an agreement to work with Hoover and the non-profit organization to protect this historic and scenic site. Plans include gaining permission to create trails from the top of the bluff through the valley and all the way to Shades Creek. Read more about Bluff Park’s history HERE and HERE.

Group of four individuals posing in front of a Birmingham City Council backdrop, smiling and standing together.
Left to right: Marjorie White: Birmingham Historical Society Director, Larry Rodick: President of Friends of Shade Mountain, and preservation advocates Peggy Cornett, and Tabitha Lacy at the April 14th COB Council Meeting.
From Friends of Shades Mountain FB
Birmingham Landmarks, Birmingham pioneers, Coal Mines, Parks & Recreation, Railroads, Red Mountain, Red Mountain Park, Shades Creek, shades mountain

Historic Hiking Trails in Birmingham

Are you a hiker? Do you enjoy nature trails? Are you interested in history? If so, there is lots to explore on Birmingham’s historic hiking trails as posted by AllTrails and available right on your smartphone.

The app provides driving directions, maps, points of interest, photos, and even plant identification with estimated times, length of trails, elevation changes, and difficulty. Abandoned mines and railroad tracks, along with associated structures, tell the story of Birmingham’s early industrial heritage. The topography and natural environment offer clues into why the area developed as it has.

Red Mountain, Full Loop by Randi Bechtel
Irondale Furnace Trail by Brian Cash

Want more? Check out the numerous Birmingham Historical Society publications that go into depth about Birmingham’s industrial history including:

And follow the posts on the preservation of Ross Bridge

The weather is beautiful! It’s time to get outside and HIKE

Birmingham Historical Society, BOOK, Parks & Recreation, Publications, University of Alabama

Bartram’s Travels – 250 Years Ago

Brian Rushing, enthusiastic naturalist and Director of Economic Initiatives at University of Alabama, will dress up as 18th century environmentalist William Bartram as he shares the highlights of Bartram’s journey through the South in 1775. His talk on Sunday, November 16th, 2 PM, will be followed by a reception at Birmingham Historical Society.

Bartram’s journal entries over 250 years ago about Alabama are filled with enthusiastic praise for its beautiful topography, vibrant plants, diverse animals, and the rich cultures of its indigenous people. He marvels at its ‘majestic rivers’ and ‘delightful regions’ . Rushing shares Bartram’s fervor for Alabama’s natural wonders and is eager to share this passion in his talk on Sunday. Please plan to attend.

Members may also pick up 2025 publication – Building Birmingham’s Industrial Base.

A man dressed in historical attire sits in front of a table with various artifacts, books, and documents, under a tent in a forested area, depicting the historical figure William Bartram at Fort Toulouse.
Invitation to a talk and reception by the Birmingham Historical Society commemorating the 250th anniversary of William Bartram's Travels, featuring Brian Rushing.
An illustration of a Great Yellow Bream fish, labeled as Old Wife, alongside details about an event titled 'Bartram's Travels: Building Birmingham’s Industrial Base'.
Altamont, Neighborhoods, Parks & Recreation, Red Mountain

Beautiful new website of Altamont Park Conservancy

This beautiful but heavily forested and neglected overlook at the crest of the mountain in Redmont Park needed attention to preserve its beauty and longevity. So neighbors and parkgoers alike called upon landscape architect and long-time Birmingham Historical Society Trustee, Birgit Kibelka, to develop a Master Plan. Watercolors by local artist Adrienne Retief illustrate the goals they commissioned. Read about its history and follow along on their website as they execute their plan!

A watercolor of the west entrance to Altamont Park, featuring trees and a curved road.