Tag Archives: Vulcan

Birmingham Historical Society, Membership

Love Birmingham? Become Part of Its Story

For more than 80 years, the Birmingham Historical Society has explored, documented, and shared the stories of our city—its people, neighborhoods, architecture, landscapes, and remarkable history.

We invite you to join us.

Your membership helps support the Society’s research, publications, educational programs, and special events while connecting you with others who share an interest in Birmingham and its history.

Membership is $50 a year.

Members receive:

  • Our annual Birmingham Historical Society publication
  • Quarterly newsletters filled with Birmingham history
  • Invitations to programs, tours, and special events
  • The satisfaction of helping preserve and share Birmingham’s story for future generations

Whether you have lived in Birmingham all your life or have only recently discovered its fascinating history, there is a place for you in the Birmingham Historical Society.

Join the Birmingham Historical Society ➡️

Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, Birmingham pioneers, BOOK, Coal Mines, Railroads, Vulcan

Mineral Riches and Historic Mines in Birmingham

Birmingham emerged as the industrial capital of The South by 1900, and its growth was so fast, it was nicknamed The Magic City. For those curious about Birmingham’s resources, mines, and mineral lands, there are lots of sites to see (see pg. 11 of Birmingham by the Book for a list of 15 )! The historic Lone Pine Iron Mine opened around 1900 and can be viewed from The Vulcan Trail. It was a part of the Birmingham Mineral Railroad but the mine was closed shortly before WWI.

(photo above by Art Meripol 2025)

Tannehill Furnace (photo by Marjorie White)

During the Civil War, the Tannehill site expanded into three large stone cold blast furnaces producing up to 22 tons of pig iron daily for the Confederacy. The Union Cavalry under General James H. Wilson destroyed and burned the furnaces on March 31, 1865. But because it had successfully produced pig iron, the site is considered to be the birthplace of iron and steel making in the Birmingham District.

For more information, please refer to The Birmingham District: An Industrial History and Guide and Building Birmingham’s Industrial Base

Architecture, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, BOOK, Churches, City of Birmingham, Historic Preservation, Publications, Trustees

Birmingham’s Philip A Morris Fund supports preservation projects

Local Birmingham leader, preservationist, architectural historian, editor, and design enthusiast, Philip A. Morris, established a fund via the Community Foundation to perpetuate the good design for which he continually advocated during his lifetime. The first grants were only recently funded and included such notable preservation projects as Main Street Alabama, Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Railroad Park, and Freshwater Land Trust.

Click image above to visit Community Foundation website

Morris was a strong supporter of the efforts to restore Vulcan, as well as a contributor to BHS publications below:

A long time member and supporter of the Birmingham Historical Society, his life long contribution will now live on through his Design Arts legacy fund. Thank you Philip!

Birmingham Historical Society, Newsletters, Railroads, Red Mountain, Shades Creek, Vulcan

What Might Have Been – Vulcan’s Underground Wonderland

Monorails, subterranean boat tours, historic cycloramas and murals under Vulcan Park and The Club never materialized, but were suggested when The Club first opened in 1951. Inspired by the fantasy of California’s recently opened Disneyland, The Club management and the Chamber of Commerce did a series of promotional watercolors now in the collection of Birmingham Historical Society.

Read more about the history of “The Cut” in Birmingham Historical Society’s latest newsletter HERE. Want more? Join us!