20th Street North

looking south on 20th Street North in 2002

looking north on 20th Street North from Morris Avenue, c. 1900

looking north on 20th Street North from Morris Avenue, c. 1910-11

20th Street North is a north-south street in the center of downtown Birmingham which functions as Birmingham's "main street". It is sometimes called Birmingham Green after a rehabilitation project of the early 1970s.

20th Street begins at the northern end of 20th Street South at the Railroad Reservation. From there it first crosses Morris Avenue, and then continues for seven blocks to Park Place where it is terminated by Linn Park.

Short 20th Street is the one-block section of 20th Street between Birmingham City Hall and Linn Park. It was named Nina's Way in honor of Nina Miglionico in 2008. Originally 20th street bounded both sides of the park as East 20th Street and West 20th Street, but the east segment was abandoned as part of a compromise over the placement of the original Birmingham Public Library building in the late 1920s.

After this one-block section, Twentieth Street previously resumed its path to the east between the current locations of Municipal Auditorium and the Birmingham Museum of Art to the present site of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. After the I-20/59 bridge was built, this section was closed to traffic and eventually converted into a landscaped walk and fountain. There are other short sections of the street in North Birmingham, north of Oak Hill Cemetery and near Finley Boulevard.

20th Street was one of the city's earlier "whiteways" to have electric lighting. The lighting was upgraded and extended past 6th Avenue as far as Woodrow Wilson Park in 1945 under the city's contract with the Birmingham Electric Company.

Birmingham Green

1970 rendering for Birmingham Green

The Birmingham Downtown Improvement Association (BDIA) singled out the beautification of 20th Street as one of its major ambitions when it was formed in 1957. The idea was highlighted in Operation New Birmingham's 1960 recommendations for a "Comprehensive Beautification Program" and reiterated in the 1965 "Design for Progress".

As part of the campaign, Mrs. C. I. Dreyfus of the Birmingham Beautification Board proposed renaming 20th Street to "Vulcan Boulevard". The idea was taken up by businessman Temple Tutwiler, who touted the proposal as late as 1973.

Meanwhile, Tutwiler joined with Reese Murray, Marshall Haynes and Joseph Farley on a volunteer committee to study specific ways to beautify the downtown area. One of their recommendations was to widen sidewalks and add planters and benches to downtown streets, beginning with the seven blocks of 20th Street North, making it more friendly and attractive to pedestrians. New signage, lighting and street furniture would be included in the design. The additional space would be taken from parking and bus lanes, with transit stops moved to 19th Street North.

View looking South on 20th Street in May 1972

In 1970, ONB published a "Birmingham Green Plan", according to which $500,000 pledged by business and property owners would be supplemented with equivalent city funds in order to qualify for $1 million in federal grant money. When completed, the $2 million project would also include 19th Street between 1st and 3rd Avenue North and 2nd and 3rd Avenue North between 18th and 21st Street.

Architect James Adams prepared preliminary designs, saying of the proposal "We are knitting the fabric of the central business district with high quality thread -- that thread being the visual impact of the street scene." Planners hoped to attract more people to spend time downtown shopping and strolling. ONB would organize special committees to preserve the budget and to approve the design of specific additions, such as newspaper boxes and telephone booths. W. L. Jenkins designed and built the lighted stars and candy canes which decorated 20th Street in the 1970s. According to a December 1974 Birmingham News photo caption, "Major design companies have tried to hire him, 'But I just do this for fun,' he shrugged."

In January 1971, with only 11 of the 425 business and property owners who had agreed to support the project having contributed their pledges, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development released their grant funds. The 20th Street portion of the Birmingham Green project was dedicated on September 14, 1973 at a cost of $1.9 million. The city carried out additional work over the next two years. Meanwhile, building owners leveraged the public investment in streetscaping by making improvements to their properties. B. A. Monaghan began a major renovation of the Nabers, Morrow & Sinnige building at 109–111 20th Street North in 1973.

A two-year $1 million project to extend tree plantings into Southside was completed in 1994.

Notable Locations (south to north)

For an alphabetical list of locations, see the 20th Street North category.

Dates in parentheses indicate when the address was known to have been used, not necessarily the entire span of its use.

Central City neighborhood

Railroad Reservation

street continues as 20th Street South

• West side (Block 108)
  • 2-6: Two North Twentieth building (originally the Bank for Savings Building (built 1962), former site of the Relay House (1871-1886), and Union Station/L & N Station (1887-1960)
    • 4: former location of Moore & Handley, Union News Co. restaurant (1941)
    • 6: former location of Jesse Weatherly restaurant (1941), Hendon & Company parking lot (1964)
• East side (Block 107)
  • 1: former location of L & N Lunch Room (c. 1929), U.S. Tire Service (c. 1938-1941), L&N Railroad freight depot (1941), First National Bank of Birmingham parking lot (1964)
  • 3: vacant (c. 1926-1929), First National Bank of Birmingham parking lot (1964)
  • 5: former location of G. D. Ganoudes (1926), Quality Cafe (c. 1929), United States Rubber Co. offices & auto accessories (1941), First National Bank of Birmingham parking lot (1964)
  • 7: parking lot, former site of Elyton Land Company building, former location of The Pride of Alabama Saloon (1904), G. M. Newton/Cassius Welch restaurants (1910), Exchange Hotel (1926-1929), Hobson Cafe, P & K Cafe, La Dame Cleaners and Argyres Petras barber (1941)
    • 7½: former location of Exchange Barber Shop (c. 1929), E. L. Higdon Brokerage Co. and Travelers Protective Association Post B

Morris Avenue

• West side (Block 108)
  • 8-14: former location of Metropolitan Hotel (built 1886, demolished 1900, rebuilt 1901)
    • 8-10: former location of the Metropolitan Hotel (1886-1926), W. M. Prince (1926), Gilbert Hotel (1941), Grayson's Spinning Wheel
      • 8: former location of Metropolitan Fruit Stand, Metropolitan Barber Shop (c. 1929-1941)
      • 10: former location of Metropolitan Cafe (1886-1926), New Era Restaurant (1935), Lontos Restaurant (1930s-1941), and Stand 'N Snack
  • 12-20: Woodward Building (built 1902), former location of Hewlett Block (burned 1900)
    • 12: former location of Woodward Billiard Hall (1926-1929), Courts & Co stock brokers (1941-1964)
    • 14: former location of Stollenwerck's Drug Store, Mineral City Auction House (1888), C. D. Pantaze restaurant (1910), Woodward Hat Cleaning Co. (1925-1929)
    • 16: former location of George Costello confectionary (1926-1929)
    • 20: PNC Bank, former headquarters of First American Bank and RBC Bank.
• East side (Block 107)
  • 9: Taylor Building, former headquarters for Superior Mortgage Corporation, former site of Joe Wheeler Cafe (1926-1929), P & K Cafe (1941)
    • 9½: former location of Exchange Cigar Store (1926), Harris Hat Shop (c. 1929), Cosmopolitan Hatters (1941)
  • 11: former location of Grand Central Hotel (1897), Louis Johnson restaurant (1910), Harry Kenelis (1926), Deluxe Billiard Hall (c. 1929)
  • 13: former location of Postal Tel-Cable Co. (1926), Postal Telegraph (c. 1929)
  • 17: John A. Hand Building (built 1912 as the American Trust and Savings Bank Building, later the American-Traders National Bank Building, and First National Bank Building, former headquarters for the American Trust and Savings Bank, First National Bank of Birmingham, Superior Bank and Cadence Bank.

1st Avenue North

View north from the 100 block of 20th Street in 1917

• West side (Block 99)
  • 100-108: Empire Building, former Colonial Bank offices and site of Bank Saloon, Piccadilly restaurant
    • 100: former location of Patterson's Cigar Store (c. 1929) Green Drug Co. and Colonial Bank branch
    • 102: former location of Seaboard Air Line Railroad ticket office (1926-1941), Louis Stephens travel agency (1964)
    • 104: former location of Traylor Optical (1925-1929), Central of Georgia Railroad ticket office (1941), Interstate Finance Co. (1964)
    • 106: former location of Empire Barber Shop (1926-1964)
    • 108: former location of Howard's Cleaning & Pressing (1923) Seaboard Finance Co. (1964)
      • 108½: former location of Birmingham Sign Co. (1926)
  • 110: former location of Gelders' Restaurant (1897-1904), Model Cafe (1910), Piccadilly Theatre (1926), Piccadilly Cafeteria (c. 1929), vacant (1964)
    • 110½ : former location of John J. Potts confectioner (1941)
  • 1st Alley North
  • 112-118: Birmingham Trust building (built 1902, rebuilt 1922), former main office of Birmingham Trust National Bank
    • 114½: former location of Umbels & Robinson barbers
    • 116: former location of Snow & Rambow Saloon, New Home Sewing Machine Co. (1888)
    • 118½: former location of C. N. Lontos restaurant (1910)
  • 120: former location of H. Simon building (built 1875), E. Oppenheimer & Co. liquor dealer (1888), Lontos Cafe (1926-1929), Bon Ton Hatter (1941-1964)
    • 120½: former location of Model Beauty Parlor (1925-1926), Stone's Beauty Shop (1941)
  • 122-124: Webb Building (former site of the Dude Saloon, National Shirt Shop, Fletcher's News Stand (1923), W. G. Patterson Cigar Co. (1923-1929), Yogo's Frosty Frozen Yogurt, Purple Onion, and Pope Jewelers)
• East side (Block 100)
  • 101-107: Brown Marx Building (1908-), former headquarters of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company), former site of the National Bank of Birmingham building ("Linn's Folly", 1872-1908)
    • 101: former location of R. D. Burnett Cigar Store (c. 1929)
    • 103: former location of H. Mercer jewelry (1884), B. M. Chenoweth & Co. sporting goods (1926), Henry Porter clothing (1941-1964)
    • 105: former location of Southern Railway ticket office (1926-1941)
    • 107: former location of Pelle & Smith tailors, P. H. Linnehan optician & jeweler (1926), S. L. Ledbetter's medical practice, Postal Telegraph Cable Co. (1941), McKinstry's Flowers (1964)
  • 109–111: Nabers, Morrow & Sinnige building, Advantage Marketing Communications, Engel Hairston & Johanson, former location of Nabers, Morrow & Sinnige drugstore
    • 109: former location of John R. Thompson Co. (1926), Thompson's Cafeteria (1941)
    • 109½ : former location of Enoch Pruitt & Ernest Lanzellotta dentists (1926), Staley Co. loans (1941)
  • 1st Alley North
  • 113: Cafe Dupont, former location of The Hat and Gents' Furnishing Parlor (1884-) Manhattan Bar (1904), Bond Brothers Clothes (1926), Rite's Clothes (c. 1929), 20th Century Bakery, 20th Century Grill (1941-1964)
  • 113½: former location of Thomas Molton real estate (1888), 2 Vests Sign Co. (1925), 20th Century Lounge
  • 115: former location of Merlin Herzfeld (1926), Hanover Shoe Store (c. 1929), Hickman & Kerns sporting goods (1941), P. & S. Apothecary (1964)
  • 117: former location of H. A. Manson (1926), Henry Clay Shoes (c. 1929), Utopia Cleaners (1941),Paul's Barber Shop (1964) and King Tut Deli (1990s-2000s)
  • 117‎½: former location of L. C. Hutton Jr (1926), Mack's Lunch Counter (c. 1929), Hot Dog King (1964), now incorporated into the entrance to 119
  • 119: McKinney-Strahan residence, former location of D. W. Abbott jewelry (1884), Sparks Barber Shop (1926), Nelle Ehlers news director and Tutor Hats (1941), Household Finance
    • 119½: former location of Bon Ton Hatters (1941)
  • 121: Manhattan Deli & Grill (2016-), former location of Jaffe Jewelry (1941), Baxter Clothiers (1964), Stand N' Snack/Sandwich Chef, New York Style Delicatessen (-2013), Tau Poco (2013-2016)
  • 123: Bromberg's building (built 1946), former location of the Drennen's department store and Stein's Mens' Clothiers (1941)

2nd Avenue North

• West side (Block 86)
  • 200-206: Roden Block (1884-)
    • 200: Paramount Bar (2013-), former location of Toggery Shop (1926), United Cigar Store (c. 1929), Paramount Candies (1930s), Corner Soda (1941-1950s), Paramount yogurt shop (2011–2013)
    • 202: shoe store/tobacco shop (c. 1929), Watts Apparel Shop (c. 1931)
    • 204: former location of Saxophone Shoppe & Music House (1926), Bon Ton Hatters (c. 1929), Watts Specialty Shop (1941), Zoe's Candies (1964), Subway Restaurant
    • 206: former location of Bon Ton Hatters (1926), Hanover Jewelers (c. 1929-1964) and Betty Maid Dress Shop (1941)
      • 206½: Roden Block stairway
  • 208-210: Joseph McClure Commercial Real Estate, LCS Designs
    • 208: former location of M. Muller fish seller (1888), T. L. McGowan & Co. (c. 1889) and W. L. Douglas Shoe Co. (1926-1941), Reynolds Haberdashery, Merle Norman cosmetics (1964), Parisian inventory storage
    • 210: former location of Royal Cafe (1910), Reynolds Haberdashery Co. (1925-1926)
      • 210A: former location of Nestle Beauty Shop (1926), Lane's hosiery shop (1930s-1941)
      • 210B: former location of Martha Rutherford (1926), Sherman Shops (1930s-1941)
  • 2nd Alley North
  • 212: Iron Age building, former offices of the Birmingham Iron Age, former location of Faust Cafe (1920-1929), Mitzi Dress Shop (1941), vacant (1964-)
    • 212½: former location of Birmingham Beauty Shoppe and Dolly Mayson Cosmetic Company (1941)
  • 214: Brick & Tin, former location of John Manegold confectionery (1888), Vanity Boot Shop (1926-1929), Thom McAn Shoes (1941), Busch's Jewelry, Mill Discount Drug (1964)
  • 216: vacant restaurant space and CoreLinQ (2016-), former location of Fowlkes & Myatt groceries (1888), Princess Theatre (1914-1929), Burt's Shoe Store (1941), Mary Jane Shoe Store (1964), Quizno's restaurant
    • 216½: former location of Arcade Billiard Parlor (1925-1926)
  • 218: Bistro 218 (2013-), former location of a boarding house, barber shop, candy store, Bromberg's (1926-1946), Maurice boutique (1946), Gordon's Jewelry (1964), Hanover Shoes, and Seafood D'Lite (2008-2012)
    • 218½: former location of Claire's Beauty Shop (1926)
  • 220-224: Farley Building (built 1909, entrance at 1929 3rd Avenue North)
    • 220-222: former location of Liggett's Drugs (1941)
      • 220: former location of Nisley Co. (1926), Eisley Beautiful Shoes (c. 1929), Russell Stover Candies
    • 222-224: Classic Basket, former location of Shaw & Davin equipment dealers, Florsheim Shoe Store (1964)
    • 224: former location of W. E. Neal & Co. flour, grain & hay (1886-)
• East side (Block 85)
  • 201-211: Frank Nelson Building (1903), formerly the First National Bank Building, built as home of the First National Bank of Birmingham, later housed the Birmingham School of Law (1996-2012)
    • 201: Whiteboard It. Former location of Norton Drug Store, A. & A. Ash Jewelers (1940-2007)
    • 203: former location of Flagg Bros. Shoe Store (1941)
    • 205: [Frank Nelson Building]] building entrance
    • 207: Trattoria Centrale (2009-), former location of Gilbert & Daniel leather goods (1884), Adam Hats (1941), Florsheim Shoes (1946), Mary Ball Candies (1964), Puff & Browse Smokeshop (1980s) Roma's Italian Bistro (-2009)
      • 207½: former location of John Sarver (1926)
    • 209: UPS Store, former location of Wainwright Hamm (1926), United Woolen Stores (c. 1931-1964)
    • 211: former location of Isaac Moses merchant tailor (1888), Fisch's Bakery & Lunch Room (1910), Royal Hat Shop (1941)
  • 2nd Alley North
  • 213: Forstall Art Center (2016-), former location of Delmonico Restaurant (1897), Goodyear Raincoat Co. (1926), Mayo's Mens' Clothes (1941), O.P.O. Clothes (1946), J. B. Strauss Clothing (c. 1929), Fidelity Federal Savings & Loan (1964), Cityscape Group
  • 213½: former location of J. W. McClain architect (1905), E. H. Kincaid/Clarence Satterwhite/Cromer Art Craft Pen Co. (1926), Hill Sign Co.
  • 215: former location of Alabama Paper Company (1888-), W. & W. Dry Cleaning Co. (1923), Blumberg Loan Co./H. A. Back Sandwich Special (1926), Marbels Cadie-Wear (c. 1929), Godwin Stationery Company (1930s), J. B. Strauss & Co. (1941), Alabama Paper Company, Hanover Shoe Store (1964)
  • 215½: former location of Two Vests Sign Co. (1926), A. A. Bonds furniture, Goodwin Stationery Co. (1941)
  • 217: Alchemy men's store (2015-), former location of O. K. Barber Shop, Marchal Jewelry Co. (1926), Worth Feminine Apparel (c. 1929), Wormser Hat Store (1930s-1964), Orange Julius and Sojourns (2007-2010)
  • 219: Bon Ton Hatters, former location of T. M. Perryman grocery store (1887), Dally's Beauty Shoppe (1925), Dundee Woolen Mills (1926), Royal Hatters (c. 1929), Studio Book Shop (1941-1964) and Thom McAn Shoes (1964)
    • 219½: former location of LaRose Beauty Shop (1926)
  • 221-227: Urban Studio
    • 221-225: former location of Porter's clothing (1941)
      • 221: former location of Wells Co. (1926), Shoney's Big Boy and MedTown Pharmacy
      • 223: former location of Wormer Hat Store (1926)
      • 225: former location of the Stag Saloon, Hagan-Dunlap Drug Co. (1926), Patterson Cigar Store (c. 1929)

3rd Avenue North

20th Street looking south from 4th Avenue c. 1928

• West side (Block 73)
  • 300-310: Hood Building/Blach's building (1890) former location of Hood-Yeilding General Merchandise Store (1890-1910), Bencor Hotel (1910-1935), Blach's (1936-1980s), Blach's Lofts (2007-)
    • 300: former location of Patton-Pope Drugs (1909), A. Schulte Cigars (1926-1929), Hardin's Coneys, Butler's Shoe Store, Wallock's, MBA Structural Engineers
      • 300A: former location of Benjamin Fell (1926)
    • 302: former location of White Palace Hat Shop (1926-1929)
      • 302A: former location of , Lollar's Cameras (1926-1929), Terreson's photo printing
    • 304: former location of Noble Cleaners & Dyers (1926), Brodnax Jewelers (c. 1931-1964), Reed Lawson Jeweler
      • 304A: former location of Birmingham Sandwich Shop (1925-1926)
    • 306: former location of Hotel Bencor (1926), Noble Shirt Shop (c. 1929) Eleanor's Gift Shop (c. 1929)
    • 308: former location of Lawson Reid Inc. (1926) Arnold Clothing Co. (c. 1929), Jarman Shoes, Sommer Co. tailor
      • 308½: former location of Sommer Co./C. F. Shelton/W. R. Venable (1926)
    • 310: former location of Armstrong Hat Co. (1925-1926), Shyer's Jewelry (c. 1929)
  • 3rd Alley North
  • 312: former location of Sam Harris paints and wallpapers (1888), Warner-Smiley Company undertakers, Lynch Jewelry Co. (1926), Lasso's Kiddie Klothes (1955), Christian Science Reading Room (1964)
  • 312½: former location of Hilton Studio/Eugene Beauty Shoppe (1926), Irvin Payne Jr music teacher, Ned Green Sign Co., Glamor Life mail order house
  • 314: former location of E. Wagner fruit and produce (1888), Hooper's Cafe (1910), McCowan Walk-Over Boot Shop (1926-1929), Lindy Jewelry, Angelo's Italian Restaurant (1964)
  • 314½: former location of Greek American Social Club
  • 316-330: former location of Linville/Southern Hotel (1899-1964)
    • 316: former location of Empire Clothing Co. (1923-1929) Odum's mens' clothing, vacant (1964)
    • 316½: hotel entrance
    • 318: former location of G. Nichols restaurant (1897), Farmer & Cannon Jewelry (1926), Tooley-Myron Studios photographers
    • 320: former location of Glover & Kincaid barber shop (1923-1926), Marchel Jewelry Co. (c. 1929), Louis W. Perry Jewelry Co. (1948), vacant (1964)
    • 322: former location of Norton's Barber Shop (c. 1929)
    • 330: former location of Norton's Drug Store (1926), Lane's Drug Store and Hardy Shoe Store
• East side (Block 74)
  • 301-303: Watts Building (1927), People's Finance & Thrift, Renasant Bank branch; former site of Watts Building (1888-1926)
    • 301: former location of Patterson Cigar Store (c. 1929), Russell Stover Candies (1964)
    • 303: former location of Easonville Creamery (1910), Regal Shoes, Glenn Batteiger optometrist (1930s), Lollar's Cameras (1964)
  • 305: former location of Wilkerson & Stone pharmacy (1888), Dailey's (1926), Wells Clothing Co. (c. 1929), Blackburn's Fabrics (1964)
  • 307: former location of Martha Washington Candy Co. (1926-1929), Casino Restaurant (1935-1945), Blackburn's Fabrics (1964)
    • 307½: former location of Hotel Marion (1926)
  • 309-311: former location of Christian Enslen grocery store, Britling Cafeteria No. 2 (1926-1960s)
  • 309½: former offices of Britling Cafeteria Co. Inc. (1964)
  • 3rd Alley North
  • 313: Roly Poly sandwich shop, former location of Thomas G. Simpson & Co., B. D. Whilden flour, grain and hay (1888), Royal Clothing Co. (1926-1929), Alabama Heating & Roofing and the Gaslight Theatre
  • 313½: former location of J. F. Knox photography studio
  • 315: former location of Allen's Silk Shop (1926), Eleanor's Cards
  • 317-319: former location of Augusta Friedman Shop (1925-1926)
    • 317: The Post office building (built as Birmingham Green Postal Station), former location of R. A. Wilson restaurant (1910), Birmingham Gas Co. (c. 1929), Exchange Security Bank (1964)
      • 317½: former offices of Exchange Security Bank, Lange, Simpson, Robinson & Somerville attorneys
    • 319: former location of Wheeler's Cantilever Shoe Store (1926-1929), Royal Hatters (1964)
  • 321-323: former location of Anthony Dietlein Grocer
    • 321: Brava Rotisserie Grill (opened 2015), former location of Trivers Clothes (1926), Bolber Clothing (c. 1929), Taylor Optical Co., Robino News Co. (1964), Roly Poly, Java and Jams (2007-2010), Razzleberries (2010-2011)
      • 321½: former location of Rex Billiard Parlor (1926)
    • 323: former location of Brackin's Inc. jewelers (1926-1929), Leeds Clothing (c. 1929), Ford's Clothes
  • 325: Jimmy John's sandwich shop; former location of Frew & Milligan (1926), Busch Jewelry Co. (1964), McDonald's, Salsa and Sabor, El Mexicano, and Bayou Deli
  • 325½: former location of H & S Optical Co.

4th Avenue North

• West side (Block 60)
  • 400-410: Clark Building
    • 400: former location of Industrial Savings Bank (c. 1929), Schwobilt Clothes (1964), Central Bank
    • 400½: former location of Mary Beard's Tea Room, Cafe Italiano (1966-1974]), Piccolino Lounge
    • 402: former location of 20th Street Fruit Store, Delight Barber Shop (c. 1929), vacant (1964), Charles Arndt clothiers
    • 404: former location of A. C. Keily's photo studio, the Stork Shoppe, and Mehr's Music Store & Novelty Shop (c. 1929-1930s)
    • 406: former location Faulkner's Stationery (c. 1929), Smith & Hardwick booksellers, Birmingham Press Club
    • 408: former location of Peerless Laundry, Studio Book Store (c. 1929), Lampland Novelties (1964)
    • 410: former location of Claradon Hat Shop, Statesman Barber Shop (1964)
    • 410A: former location of Harris Florist (1964)
  • 4th Alley North
  • 412-424: Wells Fargo Tower, (formerly SouthTrust Tower and Wachovia Tower), offices of Wells Fargo Bank. Maki Fresh on ground floor
    • 412-414: former location of Joy Young Restaurant (1919-1980s)
    • 416: former location of Peerless Cleaners (c. 1929), G. A. C. Finance Corp. (1964)
    • 418: former location of Goodyear Shoe Hospital (c. 1929-1964)
    • 420: former location of Dixie Water Garden (c. 1929), People's Finance & Thrift Co., Utopia Cleaners (1964)
    • 422: former location of New Hat Cleaning Co. (c. 1929) Carr Floral Company (1930s-1964)
    • 424: former location of Gibb-Fort Drugs, shooting gallery, former location of Florsheim Shoes (1945), Krystal hamburgers (1964-), Jefferson Federal Savings and Loan Association branch
• East side (Block 59)
  • 401-407: Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 3
    • 401: former location of Patterson Cigar Store, Lenak Studios (1945-)
    • 403: former location of E. E. Forbes & Sons, Hafter's ladies clothes (1925), vacant (c. 1929), Quick Park parking lot (1964)
    • 403½: former location of Multigraphic Advertising Co. (1925), Birmingham View Company
    • 405: former location of London Hatters (1923)
    • 407: former location of Nicholas D'Cassimus restaurant (1910), Greenwood Café
  • 4th Alley North
  • 413-429: Viva Health building, formerly Regions Plaza, former location of the Tutwiler Hotel (built 1914, demolished 1972)
    • 413: former location of Tutwiler Coffee Room
    • 415: former location of Butterfield Fruit & Produce Co. (1888-)
    • 421: former location of Drum Room
    • 423: former location of Armstrong Clothing Co.
    • 425: former location of Tutwiler Flower Shop
    • 429: former location of Tutwiler Drug Co.

5th Avenue North

• West side (Block 47)
  • former location of Occupy Birmingham's "Camp Mayhem" (2011-2012)
  • 500-508 Regions Center (1972-, formerly AmSouth-Sonat Building)
    • 500: former location of Southern Club (1893-1929) Works Progress Administration (1930s), Birmingham Red Cross (1943-1967)
    • 502: former location of Birmingham Athletic Club (1903-1925), YMCA Birmingham (1926-1930s) Dixie-Carlton Hotel (1940-1948) YWCA Birmingham (1948-1960s)
  • 5th Alley North
  • 514-524: Regions-Harbert Plaza (formerly AmSouth-Harbert Plaza), Summit Club
    • 520: former location of Hendon Car Park (1964)
    • 526: former location of YMCA Building, U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Office (1964)
    • 528: former offices of Munger Realty Co., Montgomery Real Estate & Insurance Co.
    • 530: former location of Standard Oil Station, City Finance Co.
• East side (Block 48)
• Winged Victory statue (1999)
  • 501-507: Financial Center Building (1982), offices of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, former location of Molton Hotel (1914-1979)
    • 503: former location of R. F. D. Lounge (1964)
    • 505: former location of Blossom Shop florist (1923-1929)
    • 507: former location of Molton Cafe (c. 1929)

• • 5th Alley North
  • 513-521: Carpenter House, Episcopal Diocese of Alabama
  • 529-531: Cathedral Church of the Advent

6th Avenue North

• West side
  • 600: Family Reserve Insurance building (1946), also known as the Land Title Building, former home of the Woman's Missionary Union (1951-1984). Former site of the A. W. Smith residence
  • 606-608: former offices of R. E. Smith insurance and realty, Roy Smith, attorney (1964)
  • 610: former location of Dale's Restaurant (1964)
  • 612: former location of A. Nash tailoring (1923), Taylor Real Estate & Insurance Co. (1964)
  • 614: former location of Conway Plaza sundries (1964)
  • Park Place Tower
    • former location of Snow-Smith Drug Co.
• East side
  • 601: Birmingham Board of Education Parking Deck
  • 615: Birmingham Board of Education Building (1965), home of the Birmingham Board of Education, (proposed site for an unbuilt Westin Grand Bohemian, 2004)

Park Place

20th Street shifts west, becomes known as Nina's Way (formerly Short 20th Street)

• West side
  • 700: Birmingham City Hall Parking Deck
  • 710: Birmingham City Hall
• East side
  • Linn Park

8th Avenue North

end of this section of 20th Street

• I-20/59
• East side
• 823: former location of Plumbers & Steamfitters Local No. 91
• 829: former location of Kelly Ingram Post No. 668 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
• 831: former location of Alabama Supply Company, Fuel Efficiency Engineering Co. (1964), Superior Machine & Equipment Co. (1964)
• 833: former location of Cochrane Roofing & Metal (1964)

9th Avenue North

• West side
  • 912: former location of Cosmos Tablet Co. (1964)
  • 936: former location of Rath Packing Co. meatpackers (1964)
• East side
  • 921-935: residences

Druid Hills neighborhood

10th Avenue North intersects St Louis & San Franciso Railway crosses

• West side
  • 1004-1006: former location of Bayliss Machine & Welding
  • 1015-1020: residences
• East side
  • 1001: former location of United States Plywood (1964)
  • 1017-1035: residences

11th Avenue North intersects

• West side
  • 1100-1136: residences
• East side
  • 1101-1123: residences
  • 1125: Becker Roofing Co. (1964)
  • 1127: Zion Hope Baptist Church (1964)
  • 1129: residence

12th Avenue North intersects

• West side
  • 1200-1202: Norwood Assembly of God (1964)
  • 1212: vacant (1964)
  • 1216: Sentell Oil Co. Service Station (1964)
• East side
  • 1201: Taylor Glass Co. (1964)
  • 1215: residence

13th Avenue North & F. L. Shuttlesworth Drive (formerly Huntsville Road) intersects

• West side
  • 1300-1346: residences
• East side
  • 1301-1329: residences

14th Avenue North intersects

• West side
  • 1400-1428: residences
  • 1430: apartments (5 units, 1964)
• East side
  • 1409-1411: Christ Lutheran Church (1964)
  • 1415-1429: residences
  • 1431: McQueen Beauty Shop (1964)
  • 1437-1441: residences

15th Avenue North intersects

• 1500-1511: residences

Druid Hill Drive begins

• 1524-1538: residences

15th Court North intersects

• 1541-1550: residences

15th Terrace North intersects

• 1554-1568: residences

Portage Avenue ends

• 1569-1591: residences

16th Avenue North intersects

• 1577-1705: residences

20th Place North intersects

• 2020-2024: residences

road discontinued after 2031

Evergreen neighborhood

21st Avenue North intersects

• 2100-2128: residences

22nd Avenue North intersects

• 2201-2228: residences

road discontinued after 2231

North Birmingham neighborhood

Village Creek crosses
24th Avenue North intersects

• 2401-2417: residences

Finley Boulevard intersects
25th Avenue North intersects

• 2500: Slossfield Community Center

25th Court North intersects
26th Avenue North intersects
26th Court North intersects

• 2616: Star Truck Parts, former location of Dodds Demolition Co. (1964)
• 2665: former location of Norala Seed Co. (1964)

27th Avenue North intersects

• 2716: former location of Hiller Truck Lines
• L & N Railroad (no crossing)

29th Avenue North intersects
road discontinued
30th Avenue North intersects
31st Avenue North intersects
32nd Avenue North intersects
33rd Avenue North intersects
34th Avenue North intersects
35th Avenue North intersects
36th Avenue North intersects
road continues as alley
37th Avenue North intersects
road discontinued
I-65 (no access)

References

• Nirenstein, Nathan (c. 1929) Birmingham, Alabama tax map of downtown district
• "Whitson's Tenant Map of Birmingham" (1930s) compiled, published and periodically revised by Bethel W. Whitson Organization, engineers, surveyors and mapmakers for the Jemison Real Estate Service (Jemison Realty Co., Inc.)
• Polk's Birmingham (Jefferson County, Ala.) City Directory (1964) Richmond, Virginia: R. L. Polk & Co.
• "New look for our big town" (August 18, 1970) Birmingham News - via Birmingham Rewound
• Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce (1976) Century Plus: A Bicentennial Portrait of Birmingham, Alabama 1976 Birmingham: Oxmoor Press, p. 16.

External links

• Photographs of 20th Street North from the Magic City Flickr Group