4th Avenue North

Fourth Avenue North is an east-west street running through downtown Birmingham. It runs from Center Street in the west to 24th Street North in the east. From 9th to 24th Streets, the three- to four-lane street is one way westbound.

The road appears again as a two-lane residential street between Interstate 59 and Wahouma Park, west of 72nd Street. It is interrupted by the interstate between 75th and 77th Streets, but then continues from 77th to 88th Place, running between Lynn Park and East Lake Park.

Fourth Avenue runs through a few historic districts, including its own 4th Avenue Historic District (from 16th to 19th Street), the Civil Rights District, and the Loft District. In addition, the buildings at 1914, 1917, 1919, and 1930 are part of the Downtown Birmingham Retail and Theatre Historic District.

History

Fourth Avenue originally extended east to 26th Street North, but when the Birmingham Post Office was constructed in the early 1970s, it occupied the space where the street had run.

4th Avenue North was converted from two-way to one-way (westbound) traffic was from 24th Street North to 9th Street North in 1973 by the Alabama Department of Transportation's TOPICS (Traffic Operations Program to Increase Capacity and Safety) program.

Notable locations

For an alphabetical list of locations, see the 4th Avenue North category.

Smithfield neighborhood

• Center Street intersects
• 1st Street North intersects
• 2nd Street North intersects
  • 221: former location of Stacey Williams Co. food brokers & Yellow Label Syrup manufacturers (1964)
  • 230: former location of Mutual Service Station (1964)
• 3rd Street North intersects (north only)
  • 301: former location of Mercury Freight Lines garage (1964)
  • 312: former location of Mercury Freight Lines (1964)
• Atlantic Coast Line Railroad crosses
• 4th Street North intersects
• Valley Creek crosses
  • 416: R C Body Shop, former location of Carroll Machine & Welding (1964)
• 5th Street North intersects
  • 501: Parnell's Tire & Wash
  • 520: former location of Associated Cleaning Contractors (1964)
  • 524: former location of Genuine Parts Co. (1964)
  • 529-531: former location of Circle E S Steak House (1964)
• 6th Street North intersects
  • 601: former location of Mark's Oxygen Co.
  • 610: New St James Baptist Church
• 7th Street North intersects
• 8th Street North intersects
  • 804: former location of Long-Lewis Hardware Co. (1964)
  • 829: former location of Vulcan Printing & Litho storage (1964)
  • 831: Birmingham Daiquiris, former location of Beco Cleaning Co. (1964)
• 9th Street North intersects
  • 900: Dreams Imports
  • 901: Adams Inn
• I-65 south onramp from 10th Street North
  • 1006-1046: former location of Birmingham Transit Company's 4th Avenue Barn
• I-65 crosses above
• I-65 north offramp at 11th Street North

Fountain Heights

• Interstate 65 offramp at 11th Street North
  • 1100: Mike's Downtown Shell
  • 1101: Texaco containing a Sneaky Pete's
  • 1129: Sera-Tech Biologicals & Biomat USA
• 12th Street North intersection
• former Birmingham Southern Railroad crossing
• former St Louis & San Francisco Railway crossing
  • 1200: America's First Federal Credit Union headquarters
  • 1227-1229: former location of David Tire Co. (1964)
• 13th Street North intersects
  • 1301: Jim Burke Nissan
  • 1328: former location of John Dumas Restaurant (1964)
• 14th Street North intersects
  • 1410: former location of Arrow-Smith Co. heating contractors (1964)
  • 1417: former location of Points Building Co. (1964)
  • 1417½ : former location of Bonanza's Metropolitan Social Club (1964)
  • 1419: former location of Contractors Association Inc. (1964)
  • 1421-1423: former location of Forniss Printing Company (1964), offices of Glare magazine
  • 1427: Edwards Chevrolet body shop (1964-)
• 15th Street North intersection
  • 1500: former location of Smith & Gaston Funeral Home (1964)
  • 1501: Birmingham Fire Station No. 6
  • 1517: former location of Mirror Publishing Co. (1964), offices of The Birmingham Mirror
  • 1518: former location of Dester Brooks Flower Shop (1964)
  • 1522: Gay Office Supply, former location of Ann's Gifts and Ready To Wear (1964)
  • 1521: former location of Shotokan Karate
  • 1523: Xtensions hair salon
  • 1530: Metropolitan AME Zion Church
  • 1531: Mrs B's on Fourth
  • former site of Brown Belle Bottling Company

• 16th Street North intersection
  • North side (Block 63)
    • 1600: former location of Infinity Club Connection
    • 1612: former location of Jones & Jones Parking Service (1964)
    • 1616: former location of Pink Rose Cafe (1964)
    • 1618: former location of Central Barber Shop & Central Pressing Shop (1964)
    • 1620: former location of Maizie's Beauty Shop (1964)
    • 1620½: former location of Fraternal Hotel (1964)
    • 1622: former location of Mabry Brothers mens' clothes (1929), Monroe's Steak House (1964)
    • 1624: former location of Fraternal Cafe (1964)
    • 1626: former location of Morris Cafe (1929)
    • 1628: former location of parking lot (1929), Apex Cab Co. and Jackson Cab Co. (1964)
    • 1630: Colored Masonic Temple (built 1922), former location of Stagg Billiard Parlour, Ford & Campbell Jeweler, Masonic Auditorium

• • South side (Block 70)
    • 1601: former location of 4th Avenue Service Station (1964)
    • 1603-1613: former location of Davis' Fourth Avenue Parking Lot (1964)
    • 1615: former location of Afro-American Life Insurance Co. (1964)
    • 1617: Dawson's Burgers Wings & Fries
    • 1619: former location of Carver Barber Shop & Carver Beauty Shop (1964)
    • 1621: former location of Wheaten Printing Co. (1929-1964)
    • 1623: Yehman Caribbean Restaurant, former location of Banner Printing Co. (1929), Patton's Variety Shop & Patton's Beauty Shop (1964)
    • 1623½: former location of LaPetite Lodge hotel (1964)
    • 1625: former location of Hill's Place Cafe (1929)
    • 1627: former location of Walton's Cafe (1929)
    • 1629: former location of C. O. Drive Barber Shop (1929)
    • 1631: Carver Theatre (built 1934), Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame (opened 1993), former location of Madam Greenly's Barber Shop (1929), Payne's Medical Clinic (1931)

The New Deal Barber Shop at 1701 4th Avenue North

• 17th Street North intersects
  • North side (Block 62):
    • 1700: Hugo L. Black Federal Courthouse secured parking, former location of James Luckie residence, Lambranks Confectionery Co. (1929), Stanley's Cafe (1964)
    • 1702: former offices of The Progressive Farmer
    • 1704½: former location of Blue Note Hotel
    • 1706: former location of Manhattan Billiard Hall (1929)
    • 1708: former location of Alper's Clothes Store (1929)
    • 1710: former location of Peterman's Barbecue (1929), Peterman Barber Shop
    • 1712: former location of Dixie Cafeteria & Dixie Theatre (1929), Allright Parking lot (1964)
    • 1714: former location of People's Photo Studio & Charles Johnson's Barbecue (1929), Lounge Grill (1964)
    • 1716: former location of Star Billiard Parlor (1929)
    • 1718: former location of Fashion Tailor's Shop, W. R. Stroger's Cold Drink & Frolic Theatre (1929), New Home Billiard Parlour (1964)
    • 1718½: former location of New Home Hotel
    • 1720: former location of The Style Shop (1929), Tower Burger Snack Bar (1964)
      • 1720A: former location of Mac's Famous Shine Parlour (1964)
    • 1722: former location of Frolic Billiard Hall (1929), Famous Shines & Billiard Parlour (1964)
    • 1724: former location of Bennie's Cafe (1929) Green Acres Restaurant (1964)
    • 1726: former location of Red Ball Billiard Hall (1929), Big Bargain Outlet (1964)
    • 1728: former location of Blumber's Loan & Pawn (1929), Famous Record Bar & Bomchel Watch Repair (1964)
    • 1730: former location of Guaranty Mercantile clothing (1929), The Quality Store (1964)
  • South side (Block 71):
    • 1701: Urban Impact, Inc. former location of Charles Cafe (1929), Dunbar Cafe (1964)
      • 1701B: New Deal Barber Shop
      • 1701C: former location of Utopia Cleaners (1964)
      • 1703A: Talk of the Town Barber & Style Shop, former location of Service Barber Shop (1929)
      • 1703B: Miles Lounge, former location of Alabama Fine Tailoring (1929)
    • 1705: Green Acres Cafe, former location of Lincoln's Cafe (1929), OK Cleaning Co. (1964)
    • 1707-1709: Magnolia BBQ & Fish
      • 1707: former location of Dunbar Billiard Hall (1929), Hollywood Tea Room (1964)
      • 1709: former location of Dixie Shoe Hospital (1964)
    • 1711: Magic City Barber Shop, former location of White Front Barber Shop (1929)
    • 1715: Alabama College of Barber Instruction, former location of C. O. Kaking's (1929)
    • 1717: former location of Famous Theater, R. H. Sthmer Hot Dogs & Chicago Defender Shoe Shine (1929)
    • 1719: former location of Champion Shoe Shine (1929), Steamline Billiard Parlour (1964)
    • 1721: former location of Champion Billiard Parlor (1929), Dixie Cafeteria (1964)
    • 1723: former location of Champion Theatre (1929), Jones Valley Barber Shop (1964)
    • 1725: former location of Palm Leaf Shoe Shine (1929), Stag Shine Parlor (1964)
    • 1727-1731: Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park, former location of Brock's Drugs building (built 1915, demolished 1980s), Brock Drug Co. (1928-1962) and Palm Leaf Hotel/Palm Leaf Lunch Room (1928-1977), Palm Leaf Billiard Hall (1929), and Famous Harlem Shoe Shop (1937-1980)

The Fox Building

• 18th Street North intersection
  • North side (Block 61)
    • 1800-1818: Central Parking System surface lot
      • 1800: former location of Berman's Store No. 3 (1929-1964)
      • 1804: former location of Bohemian Co. bakery (1929-1964)
      • 1806: former location of Kaplaman's Market (1929), J. Chaimowitz Meats (1931)
      • 1810: former site of Everybody's Market (1929-1931), Shniper's 4th Avenue Clothing (1964)
      • 1812-1816: former site of Car Park Inc. parking lot (1964)
        • 1812: former location of Clarence Saunders Groceries (1929), Hill Grocery Store (1931)
        • 1816: former location of Gulf Coast Meat & Vegetable Co. (1929), Blomstom's Meat Market (1931)
    • 1818: former location of Hill Grocery Co. (1929)
    • 1820-1830: One Federal Place (built 2002)
      • 1820: Continental Bakery (2014-), formerly Mix (2011-2013) & Restaurant G (2002-2006)
    • 1820-1822:
      • 1820: former location of Piggly-Wiggly (1929), Sirote's Delicatessen (1931)
      • 1822: former location of Catanzano Brothers fruits & vegetables (1929), Catanzano Brothers fish market (1931)
    • 1824-1830: former site of the Fox Building (built 1895, demolished 1981)
      • 1824: former location of John Fox's Sons Groceries (1895-1910), Roger's Groceries (1929), Quality Market (1931)
      • 1826: former location of Tom D. And on Vegetables and Alabama Fish Oyster Co. (1929), meat market (1931)
      • 1828: former location of Elite Market (1929), Bel-Air Finance Co. (1964), ladies' clothes (1931)
      • 1830: former location of Letaw's Drug Store (1929), Lane Drug Store (1931), Home Loan & Discount Corp & Famous Loan & Finance Co. (1964)
  • South side (Block 72)
    • 1801: former location of Koplon's Korner clothes (1931-1964)
    • 1803: former location of Roosevelt Hotel (1931), Ansley Hotel (1964)
    • 1805: former location of Browdy's delicatessen (1929), Phillip's Jewelry Store (1964)
    • 1807: former location of Peerless Supply Co. (1929), Oscar Hyde Loans (1964)
    • 1809: former location of Mewbourne & Spain undertakers & embalmers, Kantor's Delicatessen (1929), National Lunch (1931), Uncle Sam's Pawn Shop (1964)
    • 1811: former location of Abel-Rose Merchandise Co. (1964)
    • 1813: Harambe, former location of M. M. Zavelo Army Goods store (1929), Boston Shoe Store (1931-1964)
    • 1815: Wee Care Academy, former location of Feltus Brothers Wallpaper & Hardware (1929), Alabama Loan Co. pawnbrokers (1964)
    • 1817-1831: surface parking
      • 1817: former location of George's Cafe (1929-1964)
      • 1819: former location of H. Bloomston Meat Market (1929), Coplon Loan & Jewelry Co. (1964)
      • 1821-1835: former site of Hillman Hotel (built 1901, demolished 1967)
        • 1821: former location of A. W. Hosiery (1929), Hudson's Cut-Rate Store (1964)
        • 1823: former location of Alabama Auction Room (1929)
        • 1825: hotel entrance
        • 1827: former location of Hillman Shoe Shop (1929)
        • 1829: former location of Hillman Hotel Cafe (1929), Hillman's Grill (1964)
        • 1831: former location of Sablow Brothers Gent's Furnishings (1929)
        • 1833: former location of Loveman Jewelry (1929)
        • 1835: former location of Town Talk Clothes (1929)

• 19th Street North intersection

Central City

1900 block of 4th Avenue North

• 19th Street North intersection
  • North side
    • 1900: former location of Trailways Bus Depot (site of Freedom Rides attack on May 14, 1961)
    • 1904: former location of Bernardine Seay Accordion Center (1964)
    • 1906: former location of Alabama Music Center (1964)
    • 1910: former location of City Gun & Key (1964)
    • 1912: former location of Haverty Furniture, Mutual Finance & Thrift (1964)
    • 1914-1916: former location of Louise Wooster's brothel
      • 1914: Forbes Building, former location of Forbes Furniture Co. & E. E. Forbes & Sons Piano Co. (1912-1996), Alabama Barber College
      • 1916: former location of Alabama Supply Co., Samuel E. Maples Auto Parking (1964)
    • 1918: former location of Lassetter & Co. warehouse
    • 1920: former location of Horton & Biddle Cycle Company (1920s), Williams Music House (1964), Wuxtry (1980s)
      • 1920½: former location of Childress Printing Co. (1964)
    • 1922: former location of Austin Music Co. (1964)
    • 1924: former location of Birmingham Club for Young Executives & Professionals (1964), Cane Break Supper Club (late 1960s) and Grundy's Music Room (1980-1992)
    • 1926-1930: Clark Building
      • 1930: former location of Schwobilt Clothing (1964)

• • South side (Block 73)
    • 1901: surface parking. former site of Market House, first and second Birmingham City Halls
    • 1907: former location of City Hall Shoe Rebuilders (1964)
    • 1909: former location of Alabama Reweaving Co. (1964)
    • 1911: former location of Community Finance & Thrift & Community Acceptance Co. (1964)
    • 1913: former location of City Parking Deck
    • 1915: Gus's Hot Dogs, "Reading Room" mural by Patricia Martin on east side of building, former location of Chesterfield Co. loans (1964)
    • 1917: parking lot, former location of Oliver Chalifoux's music store, Meadows Shoe Store (1964)
    • 1919: former location of E-Z Finance Co. (1964)
    • 1927: parking lot, former location of Tom's Steak House
    • 1931: parking lot, former location of Linville/Southern Hotel, Norton's Drug Store, Lane's Drug Store and Hardy Shoe Store, Shirley & Warr Optical (1964)

• 20th Street North intersection
  • North side
    • 2000: Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 3
    • 2010: former location of Alabama Auction Room
  • South side
    • 2011: Regions Investment Company building
    • 2013: Hood-McPherson building
    • 2019: Harbert Center
    • 2021: former location of Birmingham Paint & Glass Co.

• 21st Street North intersection
  • 2100: First Presbyterian Church
  • 2101: Downtown YMCA
  • 2128: Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 4
• 22nd Street North intersection
  • 2200: former site of Birmingham News building (1917)
  • 2201: Birmingham News building (2006), former site of Reinhard Wilda residence and Holy Angels Academy
  • 2223: formerly Steppers & Walkers, Ruby House, and Charcoal Steak House
• 23rd Street North intersection
  • 2300: Stonewall Building, former location of Birmingham Female College (1883-)
  • 2301: YWCA Building parking lot (former site of Stand N' Snack)
  • 2321: Fife's Restaurant
• 24th Street North intersection (street ends)
  • 2519: formerly Home Baking Company