Tag Archives: Temple of Sibyl

Neighborhoods, shades mountain, Vestavia

Birmingham’s Mountains

Look south from Birmingham’s city center and you’ll see Birmingham’s two parallel mountain ridges which define the surburban layout. Red Mountain is topped by Vulcan and some of Birmingham’s finest Redmont mansions. Shades Mountain is farther south, its south side gently sloping away and its north side dropping off in a steep ridge, with sweeping views in both directions. (See pgs 118-119 of Birmingham by the Book for more information about Shades Mountain development.)

Aerial view of a lush green landscape featuring two historic houses, surrounded by trees, with a city skyline in the background under a blue sky with clouds.
Redmont Mansions on Red Mountain

Before federal regulations controlled the pollution from the steel mills, this basin-like topography trapped smoky air over the city, prompting many residents to seek cleaner air “over the mountain.” Over time, prosperous early residential neighborhoods in the city were gradually abandoned for suburban “over the mountain” communities, including Homewood, Vestavia, Mountain Brook, Bluff Park, and Hoover.

Sunset over a valley with a fence in the foreground, surrounded by lush greenery and a cloudy sky.
Views from Bluff Park

Bluff Park offered the added attraction of chalybeate spring waters and cooling breezes, which drew summer visitors to cabins and even a hotel as early as the 1850s. Neighboring Vestavia boasted spectacular views across Shades Valley and became well known as the home of Birmingham’s former mayor, George Ward.

Beginning in 1926, Mayor Ward chose not to live in the city proper and instead developed a 20-acre estate and botanical garden atop Shades Mountain. He modeled his home on the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli, Italy, and the road leading to his residence was commonly called Vesta Via. As the area grew up around him, it ultimately gave rise to the community name of Vestavia Hills. Although Ward’s residence was demolished in 1971, his 88-ton Roman temple was preserved and moved to a nearby mountainside park.

Audubon Society, Birmingham Historical Society, George Ward, Newsletters, Vestavia

Birmingham becomes a Bird & Wildflower Sanctuary in 1927 thanks to Mayor George Ward

https://alaudubon.org/

Today’s Alabama Audubon was organized in 1927 by Birmingham Mayor George Ward who was influenced by birdhouse salesman, Joseph Dodson. After purchasing a collection of his products for his private residence in Vestavia, Ward became an avid bird enthusiast. He solicited the help of Dr. H.E. Wheeler, who was a curator of the natural history museum at the University of Alabama, to present an illustrated ‘bird talk’ and the Birmingham Audubon Society was born with 49 members, and George Ward as President.

Thanks to his efforts and those of his neighbor, E.J. Smyer, who had an interest in preserving wildflowers, a law was passed to preserve wildflowers in 1927 and wild birds in 1929 which exists to this day. Of the 800 recorded species in the United States, 327 were documented by the National Audubon Society to reside in Alabama.

Birmingham Historical Society’s November 2021 newsletter elaborates on the history of this organization and lists the 49 charter members. Interested in birding trails nearby? Here’s a map and list of popular areas to explore in Jefferson County. This guide or this list might be helpful as well. Finally, the Alabama Audubon’s quarterly guide lists upcoming events through the end of the 2021 year.

The most common bird in Alabama is the American Robin, followed by the Downy Woodpecker. For a list of the 24 most common birds, please refer to this list.
Birmingham Historical Society, Book Sale, George Ward, Research, Vestavia

Alabama NewsCenter shares Mayor George Ward’s story

Many thanks to the Alabama NewsCenter division of Alabama Power for sharing the story of George Ward’s contributions to the City of Birmingham with their customers. In their interest of highlighting ”…entrepreneurs doing innovative things, communities that make our quality of life so much better, and people doing things both great and small that make all the difference”, Alabama NewsCenter is helping the Birmingham Historical Society spread the word about a soon to be released book on Birmingham Mayor George Ward’s contributions, entitled Birmingham: The City Beautiful, compliments of G. Ward.

The NewsCenter article includes several photos of parks (courtesy of the City of Birmingham Parks & Recreation Board) envisioned by Ward in the early 19th century that are still being used today. However, his best known park was his residence on Shades Crest Mountain in Vestavia which no longer exists, but is now memorialized by the Temple of Sibyl.

You’re invited to attend a talk about the book to be released November 1st, 2021 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The book may be purchased there or from the Birmingham Historical Society.