Tag Archives: Vulcan Park

Neighborhoods, Railroads, Red Mountain, Red Mountain Park

Where was Red Mountain Park’s Streetcar Line?

Red Mountain Park that visitors know and love today was not located anywhere near the Red Mountain Park in this vintage 1911 flyer. This promotion was for a stop on a streetcar line that brought visitors to undeveloped over the mountain communities, hoping that they would buy a lot. The historic route that crossed Red Mountain was called the Edgewood line, which ran through Lone Pine Gap on the L&N railroad line near present-day Vulcan Park. What had been difficult land to reach, quickly developed as a result.

Vintage advertisement for Red Mountain Park featuring elevation details, views of Birmingham, and information about nearby attractions and amenities.
Vintage advertisement for Red Mountain Park (1911-1915) featuring elevation details, views of Birmingham, and information about nearby attractions and amenities.

This streetcar route was built in 1911, and connected downtown Birmingham to the developing southern suburbs of Rosedale and Edgewood (Homewood) over the mountain. It began on 20th Street and 14th Avenue South, making its way via the 18th Street cut near Vulcan, and crossing Red Mountain to what is today, Homewood’s Central Avenue. (See pg. 112 in Birmingham by the Book for more information)

A group of four people walking through a narrow stone passageway, with foliage above and an informational sign on the wall.
Vulcan and the Lost Pine Mine entrance (active from 1904 to 1908)


It eventually transitioned to buses and operations ceased in the late 1950s. But a visible segment sits in the middle of the Broadway and Oxmoor intersection. A 60′ stretch of the original 1920 steel rails and surrounding red bricks still remain paved into the asphalt. Thanks to the efforts of community support, when the tracks were paved over in 1968, a short section was preserved as a permanent reminder of the Birmingham & Edgewood Electric Railway.

Map of the Red Mountain Railroad Route, illustrating the layout of the area, including streets, subdivisions, and key landmarks.

Annual Gathering, Annual meeting, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham Historical Society, BOOK, Book Sale, Book Signing, Cake Contest, Food History, Publications

Photo Highlights from the Annual Meeting

First the PROGRAM! Birmingham boosters Stewart Dansby and Tom Cosby had the audience enthusiastically participating in a “Birmingham IQ” quiz highlighting the many superlatives that make Birmingham a great place to live. Did you know…? WOW! The audience was impressed by stats and amenities that are often overlooked by Birmingham natives.

Birmingham Historical Society President Wayne Hester begins the annual meeting as the audience reviews multiple choice answers to the “Birmingham IQ” quiz by Tom Cosby and Stewart Dansby.

Stewart Dansby and Tom Cosby created a list of multiple choice answers to test Birmingham’s knowledge of their city.

Group of five individuals posing for a photo at an event, with one person holding a tote bag that says 'Monet to Matisse'.
Pictured left to right: Stewart Dansby, Maury Shevin, Jennifer Chandler (Vulcan Park & Museum), Graham Boettcher (Birmingham Museum of Art), and Tom Cosby. Maury Shevin was the winner of the Birmingham IQ test. Jennifer and Graham donated prizes along with prizes from Lyric Theater, Rickwood Field, and Birmingham Historical Society.

Next the BOOK!

Birmingham Historical Society members all received a copy of Birmingham by the Book: A Guide to the Magic City, a definitive guide of over 50 years of research by Marjorie White about her adopted city. Tasked with directing the organization as a newcomer, one of her first goals was to create a guide and many years and over 70 publications later, this is the not-to-be-missed result. A book signing by Marjorie White followed the meeting.

Available locally at Thank You Books, Shoppe, Birmingham Museum of Art, and at Birmingham Historical Society.

After the quiz, Birmingham Historical Society VP, Rick Sprague, reported on the progress of the society since a survey produced a strategic plan that was published in 2020. He noted that ALL goals have been achieved and in some cases surpassed!


Followed by the CAKES! In recognition of the guide book’s history, all of the cakes entered used recipes that were over 50 years old with some interesting stories to accompany them.

A round, frosted cake with a smooth white icing and small red flecks, placed on a decorative glass cake stand.

And finally many thanks to the JUDGES! Three members of Les Dames d’Escoffier Birmingham agreed to judge the cakes. Christiana Roussel, Sonthe Burge, and Charbett Cauthen. We were delighted to have their expertise and share in their enthusiasm for all things culinary!

Three women smiling together at a table with desserts, including cakes and a potted plant, at an event.
Two women engage in conversation at a table filled with various desserts and snacks during an event, with a large cake prominently displayed.
A decorated table featuring several cakes and desserts, with greenery accents and decorative place settings. Three women are engaged in conversation nearby.
A pecan meringue torte displayed on a glass plate, partially sliced to reveal its interior layers. The dessert is on a yellow serving platter alongside a knife and a rolled cloth napkin. A yellow award ribbon reads 'Best Visual Presentation.'
Judges left to right: Christiana Roussel, Sonthe Burge, and Charbett Cauthen. BHS Trustee and cake contest organizer, Carolanne Roberts, chats with Christiana.

Thank you to all who participated and especially to all who attended!