Tag Archives: Bessemer

Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, BOOK, Food History, Highlands Bar & Grill, Restaurant History

Exploring Birmingham’s Historic Dining Scene

Birmingham has firmly established itself as a sought after town for foodies. Thanks to the talent and mentorship of Frank Stitt, (whose restaurant Highlands Bar & Grill won James Beard’s most outstanding restaurant in the country) Birmingham now has numerous white tablecloth dining experiences in addition to these old favorites below.

Irondale Cafe specializes in Southern comfort food
Dreamland Barbeque’s Southside location.

But The Bright Star in Bessemer, claims the title of Alabama’s oldest continuously operating restaurant. Established in 1907, the 300 seat restaurant is a James Beard “American Classic Winner”with down-home cooking, hand-painted murals, and a legendary star sign welcoming guests for over 100 years.

The Bright Start restaurant in 1915 (4th location)

For a list of over 25 historic eateries and their locations, check out Birmingham by the Book (pg. 11)!

Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham pioneers, BOOK, Book Sale, Book Signing, Coal Mines, family history, Genealogy, Historic Preservation, Neighborhoods, Publications, Research

Before Quinlan Castle

Historic Quinlan Castle was demolished earlier this year to make way for a new Southern Research building. But prior to Quinlan Castle, this was the location of the Roberts’ home, parents to author Anne Roberts Gayler of One Hundred Years, a memoir released by Birmingham Historical Society in September 2023.

Prominent early residents of Birmingham, David Roberts and his bride, Belle Sumter Yates Roberts, moved their family from Charleston first to Bessemer and then to Birmingham in 1894. Roberts had successfully raised capital for the formation of DeBardeleben Coal & Iron Company and took an ownership role in the new firm that was formed in 1886. At the time of his death in 1909, he was associated as a director of several banks and leading industrial and commercial interests in Birmingham. He was 63, his widow, 48, his daughter and the author of this book, only 27 years old.

They later moved to Altamont Road and the author states, “I went to Birmingham for (my sister’s) wedding, a home affair, in Mother’s great house. There was only one difficulty. The minister had some trouble getting to the house on the Altamont, for the automobiles of that era lacked edurance.”

The story of this remarkable Birmingham family as written by Anne Roberts Gayler at the age of 100, is available October 1st, 2023, 4:00PM at a Publication Celebration, 2827 Highland Avenue. The public is invited! Now available on Amazon HERE