Category Archives: Smithfield

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, Birmingham Civil Rights, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, Birmingham pioneers, BOOK, Book Sale, Historic Preservation, Music, Smithfield

If you missed the documentary…

The film produced by Katie Rogers and Brandon McCray tells the story of how jazz was cultivated and popularized in Ensley, centered around what is now known as the Nixon Building, located at the junction of two streetcar lines. During the 1920s and 1930s, the nightclub on this corner was a vibrant social hub and dance venue. Admission required tuxedos and proper evening attire, a standard that gave rise to the club’s legendary name: Tuxedo Junction.

Book cover titled 'Magic City' by Burgin Mathews, featuring a prominent historical figure in jazz with musicians and dancers, highlighting the impact of Birmingham's jazz tradition.

This era also marked the emergence of some of Birmingham’s most influential jazz musicians, many of whom were trained by renowned band director Fess Whatley at Parker Industrial School. At the time, Parker Industrial was the only Black high school in Alabama, and its students honed their musical skills by performing at Tuxedo Junction, helping to shape a distinctive jazz tradition that would resonate far beyond Birmingham. The song Tuxedo Junction performed there and written by Erskine Hawkins cemented its place in history.

Parker Industrial High School in Smithfield
Black and white photo of a corner building that houses the 'Black Pearl' store and a sign for 'Turbo Variety Store,' with traffic lights and parked cars visible on the street.
The Nixon Building a/k/a Tuxedo Junction

The good news is that the documentary Tuxedo Junction will air on PBS on February 19. Those who attended the special screening on Sunday can attest that it is well worth the wait—don’t miss it! Sunday’s event also featured a book signing by Burgin Mathews, author of Magic City: How the Birmingham Jazz Tradition Shaped the Sound of America, his 10 year passion project that further highlights the city’s enduring impact on American music. Jazz music by Birmingham legends, Bo Berry and Jose Carr, created the magic that continues to captivate music lovers everywhere.

Black and white image of a large industrial complex with smokestacks emitting smoke, surrounded by various buildings and train cars. The text credits Brandon McCray and Katie Rogers as producers.
Tuxedo Junction documentary
Aerial view of a crowded theater with an audience seated in rows, watching three speakers on stage in front of a large screen.
Author Burgin Mathews, Katie Rogers, and jazz greats Bo Berry and Jose Carr at Virginia Samford Theater
A man and a woman smiling for a selfie, standing in front of a red curtain. The man has blonde hair and glasses, wearing a green sweater, while the woman has long blonde hair and a patterned blouse.
BHS President Wayne Hester, and documentary co-producer, Katie Rogers
Smiling man in a pinstripe suit stands next to a framed photograph of theatrical performers.
John Nixon, who owns his father’s dental office-the tuxedo junction building, is posed with a photo of his father who acted opposite Virginia Samford many years ago
Three individuals posing together in a casually elegant indoor setting. The first person on the left is wearing a black sweatshirt and sneakers. The middle person is dressed in a formal suit and tie. The person on the right is wearing a floral dress. They appear to be smiling and standing together in front of a decorative wall.
Producers Brandon McCray and Katie Rogers with the owner of the Tuxedo Junction Building, John Nixon
A group of four individuals standing on stage during an event, engaging with the audience. One person is speaking into a microphone while the others listen attentively. The setting appears to be a theater.
Katie Rogers, Bo Berry, Jose Carr, and Brandon McCray
Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins 
with lyrics by Buddy Feyne

Feelin' low
Rockin' slow
I want to go
Right back where I belong
Way down south in Birmingham
I mean south in Alabam'
There's an old place where people go
To dance the night away
They all drive or walk for miles
To get jive that southern style
It's an old jive that makes you want
To dance till break of day
It's a junction where the town folks meet
At each function in a tux they greet you
Come on down, forget your care
Come on down, you'll find me there
So long town, I'm heading for
Tuxedo Junction now
[Instrumental]
Feelin' low
Rockin' slow
I want to go
Right back where I belong
Way down south in Birmingham
I mean south in Alabam'
There's an old place where people go
To dance the night away
They all drive or walk for miles
To get jive that southern style
It's an old jive that makes you want
To dance till break of day
It's a junction where the town folks meet
At each function in a tux they greet you
Come on down, forget your care
Come on down, you'll find me there
So long town, I'm heading for
Tuxedo Junction now
Tuxedo Junction now
Arthur Shores, Birmingham Civil Rights, Birmingham pioneers, BOOK, Dynamite Hill, family history, Fred Shuttlesworth, Smithfield

Keeping the Stories ALIVE

So very proud of Birmingham Historical Society Trustee Barbara Shores who continues to share the story of her life on Dynamite Hill. As the daughter of civil rights activist Arthur Shores, she has preserved her family’s involvement in Birmingham’s civil right’s history in the book, “Birmingham’s Dynamite Hill”, and in the videos below.

During this Black History Month, we encourage reflection on the acts of violence that necessitated struggles against racial barriers in the pursuit of a more equitable Birmingham.

Have you seen “Defending Freedom: The Arthur D. Shores Story” produced by Jacksonville State University for Alabama Public Television? The film was created with historical footage and photos provided by the Shores family, as well as numerous interviews and meticulous research. It was first released in February 2024, but if you missed it, there will be a screening at Sidewalk Film Festival in August, or on PBS via links below.

How to Watch Alabama Public Television Presents

Alabama Public Television Presents is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.

Arthur Shores, Birmingham Civil Rights, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, BOOK, Book Sale, Book Signing, Churches, civil rights, Dynamite Hill, family history, Fred Shuttlesworth, Research, Smithfield

“Dynamite Hill” unveiled Sunday, December 11th at Tabernacle Baptist Church

The Birmingham Historical Society’s newest book has 13 first-hand accounts of what it was like to grow up on Dynamite Hill, the neighborhood that was repeatedly bombed in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Barbara Shores, the daughter of civil rights activist and attorney Arthur Shores, along with Marjorie White, director of BHS, bring those stories to life with childhood memories, photos, and historical background.

Ryan Michaels with The Birmingham Times, interviews Shores and White prior to the event on Sunday in this article. Shores notes that many young people who have grown up in Birmingham are unaware of the significance of Dynamite Hill in breaking the racial barriers that existed in housing and schools. It’s a story that needs to be told and retold! Please mark your calendars for Sunday’s event:

Birmingham’s Dynamite Hill” will be unveiled on Sunday, Dec. 11 at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 600 Center St. North in Birmingham’s Graymont neighborhood, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Please note that this and other BHS publications will also be available locally at SHOPPE in Forest Park, via USPS and online HERE

Arthur Shores, Birmingham Civil Rights, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, BOOK, Book Sale, Book Signing, civil rights, Dynamite Hill, family history, Fred Shuttlesworth, Historic Preservation, Smithfield

Autograph Party for Birmingham’s Dynamite Hill – December 11, 2-4PM

You’re invited to attend an autograph party of our newest publication, Birmingham’s Dynamite Hill, with speakers who grew up on the hill in the 1950s and 1960s. The event will be at the Tabernacle Baptist Church at 600 Center Street in the Center Street Historic District of Smithfield on December 11th, 2022, 2-4 PM. Please plan to attend!

Arthur Shores, Birmingham Civil Rights, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, Book Sale, Book Signing, civil rights, Dynamite Hill, family history, Fred Shuttlesworth, Historic Preservation, Smithfield

New Book Release! Birmingham’s Dynamite Hill

Gallery

This is the compelling story of the fight over residential segregation laws as told by the people who lived it. The multiple bombings in the ‘40’s, 50s, and 60’s of the close-knit Birmingham neighborhood, now known as Dynamite Hill, were intended to intimidate residents and discourage their families from building in designated ‘whites only’ zoned areas and attending white schools. But due to the persistence and courage primarily of resident and attorney Arthur Shores, archaic ordinances and laws were changed. In 2011, the Center Street district was added to the National Register of Historic Places, commemorating the fight for fair housing and schools.

Weaving first-hand accounts into the historical narrative, this new book personalizes the struggles and courage of the families whose homes and neighborhood were terrorized. It also tells of the accomplishments of the children of that era, their close ties, their memories, and their hope for the future. Multiple photos of historic events and homes along with personal interviews, makes this history come alive, representing as Arthur Shores’ daughter, Barbara Shores, says, ‘the best and the worst of humanity’. To purchase a copy of the book, please click HERE

Book signing at BHS Open House by Barbara Shores (daughter of Civil Rights attorney, Arthur Shores) and Jeff Drew (with whom Martin Luther King stayed when he was in Birmingham)

Although the neighborhood has seen brighter days, its location, character, and history make it unique. It’s important to know our history and to preserve and renew Dynamite Hill so that future generations may learn of this landmark neighborhood that illustrates the best and the worst of humanity.

~Barbara Shores
BOOK, Book Sale, civil rights, Dynamite Hill, Smithfield

New Book Release – Coming Soon!

This is the story of a neighborhood just west of the Birmingham city center. Known since a subdivision in 1887 as Smithfield, North Smithfield, Graymont, and East Thomas, the neighborhood’s current name honors the seminal legal battles for attainment of civil rights that unfolded here from 1946 to 1965. The 88-page book includes photographs, maps and accounts of the legal battles and civil rights fights, reflections of neighborhood leaders and participants in the struggles, as well as the stories of children, who grew up here in the 1950s and 1960s, describing their lives on the hill as they unknowingly witnessed history unfolding before them.

Publication expected mid-November at which time a celebration place and date will be announced. Stay tuned!

88 pages, 126 maps and photographs, $26.95