Tag Archives: Birmingham Mineral Railroad

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.

Birmingham Historical Society, Coal Mines, Historic Preservation, lecture, Railroads, Red Mountain, Red Mountain Park, Research

James Lowery on the Birmingham Mineral Railroad’s Legacy

Learn why the Birmingham Mineral Railroad was significant to Birmingham’s economic development, as explained by railroad historian, James Lowery. As volunteer coordinator and member of the Board of Directors of the Mid-South Chapter, Lowery details the privately funded Historic Birmingham Mineral Railroad Signs Project created to locate signs all along its route, in order to preserve its historical significance. More information is available HERE, along with a summary on Birmingham Historical Society’s May newsletter HERE

Note that this is the full presentation of James Lowery’s talk and is an hour and a half.
James Lowery and BHS President Wayne Hester hold the sign used to mark the Birmingham Mineral Railroad bed
Birmingham Historical Society, Historic Preservation, Historic Preservation Month, lecture, Railroads, Red Mountain

The Birmingham Mineral Railroad: A Century of Impact

The 393 mile division of the L&N Railroad known as the Birmingham Mineral Railroad was active for 100 years from 1884 to 1998. It transported raw materials of coal, iron ore, and limestone from local deposits into furnaces, then to processing facilities, and eventually to extended routes to be distributed across the country. Some portions have been converted to walking, biking, and hiking trails, while one segment from Bessemer to Tuscaloosa and Huntsville remains active. But James Lowery stressed in his talk May 10th that its historic importance to the economic development of Birmingham remains and needs to be preserved.

Two men holding a sign that reads 'Historic Birmingham Mineral Railroad Site' inside a building with historical displays in the background.
BHS President Wayne Hester with guest speaker, James Lowery
A table set with snacks and drinks, featuring a model train track, floral arrangements, and decorated cupcakes with railway signs. Guests are mingling in the background.
A lively gathering of people socializing at an indoor event, with a table featuring drinks, snacks, and floral decorations. A model train track is also visible in the foreground.
An interactive historical presentation featuring a speaker demonstrating tools in front of an audience seated in a room decorated with photographs and artifacts.
Presentation slide showing an old image of L&N Union Station from the late 1800s, featuring streetcars, tracks, and a person on a bicycle.
A speaker presents to an audience, displaying a slide titled 'Project Logo Embodies the Industrial Purpose of the BMRR' with visuals representing a logo related to rail and industrial themes.
Presentation slide displaying an excerpt from The L & N Employees' Magazine, February 1940, discussing the historical impact of the L & N Railroad on coal mines and furnaces, with a blurred audience in the foreground.
A speaker presenting information on early mining transportation in Birmingham, with a projector screen displaying text and an audience attentively listening.
A speaker presents to an audience in a room, with a display screen showing an image of oxen and mules pulling a wooden ore wagon from 1872, alongside text providing information about the photo.
A speaker presenting to an audience in a well-lit room, with a projected historical image on the screen about railroad construction from 1872. The audience, consisting of mostly older adults, is seated and focused on the presentation.
Over 70 people attended the talk by James Lowery on Birmingham Mineral Railroad at Birmingham Historical Society headquarters on Highland Avenue in Southside.

James Lowery is the volunteer coordinator and historian of the Mid-South Chapter of the Historic Birmingham Mineral Railroad Signs Project which is installing signs on the rail bed at various locations throughout the Birmingham area and in surrounding areas. He wants to make people aware of where the historic railroad ran, often in surprising places like below Vulcan, and in English Village. For more information, photos, maps, or to contribute to this project, click HERE or on the gallery above. And then, look for these signs! You may be surprised where you’ll find them.

The Birmingham Mineral Railroad is marked with signs like this.

See also BHS May 2026 BHS newsletter which includes additional information in the Salute to our Rail Heritage.

Birmingham Civil Rights, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, Churches, City of Birmingham, civil rights, Historic Preservation, Historic Preservation Month, Railroads, Research, Rickwood Field

May is Preservation Month!

Featured this year are three FREE events, with a tour of Rickwood Field, a talk on Birmingham Mineral Railroad, and a Community Preservation Spotlight in Titusville. Mark your calendars for these upcoming events! For more information, please contact Birmingham’s Historic Preservation Manager: Hannah.Garmon@birminghamal.gov

Birmingham Historical Society, Historic Preservation, lecture, Railroads, Research

Riding the Rails: Past Meets Present

Mark your calendars for this upcoming event on Sunday, May 10th, 3:00 PM at 2827 Highland Avenue! James Lowery is an authority on the path of the Birmingham Mineral Railroad, and has installed 199 signs to indicate the former roadbed.

Screenshot
Charlie Preston took this photo just north of the English Village Shopping Center: from the Birmingham Public Library Archives Collection