Tag Archives: Red Rock Trail System

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.
Birmingham Landmarks, Birmingham pioneers

Did you know Birmingham had a Red Light District?

The City of Birmingham sanctioned a red light district which operated from 1905 to 1915 along 1st Avenue South, east of 20th Street. (Birmingham by the Book, pg 58) Madame Blanche Bernard offered free carriage rides from her ‘house of ill repute’ to guests’ hotels. She was among several proprietors who ran ‘classy sporting houses’. Statewide prohibition in 1915 shut these down as well as more than 100 saloons on Birmingham’s Southside.

Today’s Rotary Trail follows the stretch of tracks along 1st Avenue South linking Railroad Park to Sloss Furnaces as part of the Freshwater Land Trust’s Red Rock Trail System. And breweries once again flourish in the area.

Historic brick buildings with green awnings and large windows, under a partly cloudy sky.
Seaboard Saloon (1897) 2131 1st Avenue South
Front view of a brick building with large windows and a balcony, surrounded by trees and greenery, with a person standing near a streetlight.
Madam Blance Bernard (1907) 2227 1st Avenue South
A night view of the Rotary Trail sign in Birmingham, Alabama, illuminated with lights, showcasing the words 'Rotary Trail in the Magic City' against a backdrop of a full moon and modern buildings.
Rotary Trail (2016) 1st Avenue South from 20th Street to 24th Street South
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.