Birmingham City Hall (1901): Difference between revisions

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[[Image:1901 Birmingham City Hall.jpg|right|thumb|475px|Birmingham City Hall, c. 1909]]
[[Image:1901 Birmingham City Hall.jpg|right|thumb|475px|Birmingham City Hall, c. 1909]]
:''For other Birmingham City Hall buildings, see [[Birmingham City Hall (disambiguation)]].''
:''For other Birmingham City Hall buildings, see [[Birmingham City Hall (disambiguation)]].''
The '''Birmingham City Hall (1901)''' was built in [[1901]] on the same site as the [[Birmingham City Hall (1888)|First Birmingham City Hall]], the southeast corner of [[4th Avenue North]] and [[19th Street North|19th Street]], [[Block 73]].
The '''Birmingham City Hall (1901)''' was built in [[1901]] on the same site as the [[Birmingham City Hall (1882)|First Birmingham City Hall]], the southeast corner of [[4th Avenue North]] and [[19th Street North|19th Street]], [[Block 73]].


In addition to municipal offices, the building housed the [[Birmingham Fire Department]], a National Guard unit, the first [[Birmingham Public Library]] and several retail spaces. It also housed a gymnasium that was opened for public recreation. Contractor for the project was [[Henry Stockmar]], who returned to the building as a member of the [[Birmingham Board of Aldermen]] as soon as it opened.
In addition to municipal offices, the building housed the [[Birmingham Fire Department]], a National Guard unit, the first [[Birmingham Public Library]] and several retail spaces. It also housed a gymnasium that was opened for public recreation. Contractor for the $200,000 project was [[Henry Stockmar]], who returned to the building as a member of the [[Birmingham Board of Aldermen]] as soon as it opened.


The building was damaged by a [[1925 City Hall fire|fire in 1925]], which destroyed the library and caused irreparable damage to the central tower. Space in the [[Martin Office Building]] was provided for the city while repairs were made. The library relocated to a [[Linn-Henley Research Library|new building]] at [[Woodrow Wilson Park]] in [[1927]].
The "Council Chambers", used by the [[Birmingham Board of Aldermen]] until [[1913]] and thereafter by the new [[Birmingham City Commission]] for public meetings, originally occupied the 3rd floor, and later moved to the 2nd floor. A [[City Market]] operated on the ground floor of the building, at 1909-1913 4th Avenue North. In 1923-1925 it was managed by [[T. B. Tanner]] and [[J. M. Stewart]].
 
The building was damaged by a [[1925 City Hall fire|fire in 1925]], which destroyed the library and caused irreparable damage to the central tower. It was proposed that year that the city acquire [[Block 20]], west of [[Linn Park|Woodrow Wilson Park]] as the site for a new City Hall and an option was placed to buy that block for $1,051,590.75, but was made contingent on selling the former site for $1,750,000.00 or more. The highest offer brought to the City Commission was $1,600,000.00, made by a syndicate of "real estate men" just days before the option expired and after the Commission had already engaged the [[Inglenook Construction Company]] to repair the older building.
 
Space in the [[Martin Office Building]] was provided for the city while repairs were made. The library relocated to a [[Linn-Henley Research Library|new building]] at [[Woodrow Wilson Park]] in [[1927]].


Another fire which broke out shortly after midnight on [[June 23]], [[1944]], caused heavy damage to the fourth floor, housing the offices of the city comptroller and city engineer. Twenty companies responded to the blaze, which sent flames high into the air. Commissioner of Public Safety [[Bull Connor]] stated that the police radio, the antenna for which was on the roof of the building, was restored to service within an hour of the fire being successfully brought under control.
Another fire which broke out shortly after midnight on [[June 23]], [[1944]], caused heavy damage to the fourth floor, housing the offices of the city comptroller and city engineer. Twenty companies responded to the blaze, which sent flames high into the air. Commissioner of Public Safety [[Bull Connor]] stated that the police radio, the antenna for which was on the roof of the building, was restored to service within an hour of the fire being successfully brought under control.


The 1901 building, without its tower and attic levels, continued to house city offices until [[1950]] when a new [[Birmingham City Hall]] was completed across from the [[Jefferson County Courthouse]] at Wilson Park. Its cornerstone was removed and stacked with previous ones adjacent to the south entrance of the new building.
The 1901 building, without its tower and attic levels, continued to house city offices until [[1950]] when a new [[Birmingham City Hall]] was completed across from the [[Jefferson County Courthouse]] at Wilson Park. Its cornerstone was removed and stacked with previous ones adjacent to the south entrance of the new building. The vacant building was demolished in January [[1952]].
 
==Offices==
* 2nd floor
** 200: [[Birmingham Traffic Court]] (1935)
** 201-203: [[Birmingham Department of Public Safety, Health and Education]] (1935)
** 204-205: [[Birmingham City Clerk]] (1935)
** 205: [[Birmingham City Civil Service Board]] (1935)
** 206: [[Birmingham Department of Finance and General Administration]] (1935)
** 208–215: [[Birmingham Police Department]] / Traffic Division / [[WPFM-AM]] / Moving Inspector (1935)
** 212-214: [[Birmingham Bureau of Identification]]
** 218: [[Birmingham Police Department]] Woman's Department (1935)
** 221: [[Birmingham Recorder's Court]] (1935)
* 3rd floor
** 301: [[Birmingham Division of Child Hygiene and Public Health Nursing]] (1935)
** 302: [[Jefferson County Bureau of Sanitary Engineering]] (1935)
** 303–305: [[Birmingham Department of Health]] / [[Jefferson County Board of Health]] (1935)
** 304: [[Jefferson County Bureau of Records and Vital Statistics]] / [[Birmingham Bureau of Records and Vital Statistics]] (1935)
** 305: [[Birmingham Division of Food and Dairy Inspection]] (1935)
** 306: [[Birmingham Amusement Supervisor]] (1935)
** 308–311: [[Birmingham Division of Sanitation]] / [[Birmingham Division of Communicable Diseases]] (1935)
** 312-313: [[Jefferson County Health Department]] laboratory / [[Birmingham Health Department]] laboratory (1935)
** 314: [[Birmingham Department of Public Improvements]] / Garbage Superintendent (1935)
** 315–318: [[Birmingham Building Department]] / [[Birmingham Paved Street Department]] / Street Superintendent (1935)
** 319: [[Birmingham Bureau of Health Education and Publicity]]
* 4th floor
** 401: [[Birmingham Electrical Department]] / [[Birmingham Street Lighting Department]] / [[Birmingham Department of Weights and Measures]] (1935)
** 402: [[Birmingham City Purchasing Agent]] (1935)
** 407–408: [[Birmingham Engineering Department]] (1935)
** 410–416: [[Birmingham City Comptroller]] (1935)
** 417–420: [[Birmingham Law Department]] (1935)
** 423–424: [[Birmingham Park and Recreation Board]] (1935)
** 425–426: [[Birmingham Plumbing & Excavating Department]] (1935)
** 427: [[Birmingham Zoning Board of Adjustment]] (1935)
 
==Tenants==
* [[19th Street North]]
** 317: [[Broom Fish Co.]] (1897), [[Burson Gun & Key Co.]] (1925), barber (1931), [[Nowlins Cafe]] (1935)
** 319: [[C. D. Kenny Co.]] coffees & teas (1905)
** 321: [[Taft's]] uniform shop, [[City Hall Barber Shop]] (1935)
** 323: former location of [[Abo-Samra & Kandella]] art goods (1904), [[City Hall Watch Shop]]
** 325: [[Hillman Hotel Barber Shop]] (1925), jewelry (1931), [[City Hall Hatters]] (1935)
** 329 (corner): [[Levy Bros Drug Co.]] (1929–1935)
* [[4th Avenue North]]
** 1901 (corner): [[Levy Bros Drug Co.]] (1929–1935)
** 1903: [[McCain Tailoring Co.]] (1929), [[Dixie Cafe]] (1941–1945)
** 1907–1909: [[Austin Music Co.]] (1941–1947)
*** 1907: [[Blue Ribbon Shoe Shop]] (1923-1929), [[City Hall Shoe Rebuilders]] (1964)
*** 1909: [[Wright Office Equipment]] (1929), [[Alabama Reweaving Co.]] (1964)
** 1911: [[City Hall Barber Shop]] (1929), [[Jefferson County Board of Health]] WPA project bureau (1941), [[Community Finance & Thrift]] & [[Community Acceptance Co.]] (1964)
** 1913: [[Birmingham Traffic Department]] (1929), [[City Industrial Water]] (1941)
** 1915: [[Cozy Lunch Room]] (1928-1929), [[Woodford Electric Supply Co.]] (1941), [[Chesterfield Co.]] loans (1964)
*** 1915½: [[City Traffic Division]] paint & sign (1941)


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:1904 City Hall.jpg|1904 photograph
File:1908 Birmingham City Hall.jpg|1908 photograph
File:1909 Birmingham City Hall postcard.jpg|1909 postcard view
File:City Hall postcard.jpg|1910 postcard view
Image:Birmingham City Hall 1911.jpg|Birmingham City Hall, c. 1911
Image:Birmingham City Hall 1911.jpg|Birmingham City Hall, c. 1911
File:1925 Birmingham City Hall fire.jpg|The City Hall fire in 1925
File:1925 Birmingham City Hall fire.jpg|The City Hall fire in 1925
Image:Birmingham City Hall (1901).jpg|Birmingham City Hall after 1927
Image:Birmingham City Hall (1901).jpg|Birmingham City Hall after 1927
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Tenants==
Tenants in the City Hall building in the 1930s included a drug store, shoe repair, jewelry, barber shop, [[United Woolen Mills]], an optician, a café, the [[Austin Music Company]], the [[Jefferson County Board of Health]], [[Birmingham Industrial Water]], an electric store, and the [[Birmingham Traffic Department]].


==References==
==References==
* "[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98939604/city-decides-to-rebuild-on-4th-19th-in/ $1,600,000 Bid For City Hall Refused]" (January 17, 1926) {{BN}}, p. 1
* "Fire destroys city building" (June 25, 1944) ''Sarasota Herald Tribune''/Associated Press
* "Fire destroys city building" (June 25, 1944) ''Sarasota Herald Tribune''/Associated Press
* {{White-1977}}
* {{White-1977}}


[[Category:1901 buildings]]
[[Category:1901 buildings]]
[[Category:Block 73]]
[[Category:19th Street North]]
[[Category:19th Street North]]
[[Category:4th Avenue North]]
[[Category:4th Avenue North]]
[[Category:City Halls]]
[[Category:City Halls]]
[[Category:1950s demolitions]]
[[Category:1952 demolitions]]

Latest revision as of 16:29, 20 January 2024

Birmingham City Hall, c. 1909
For other Birmingham City Hall buildings, see Birmingham City Hall (disambiguation).

The Birmingham City Hall (1901) was built in 1901 on the same site as the First Birmingham City Hall, the southeast corner of 4th Avenue North and 19th Street, Block 73.

In addition to municipal offices, the building housed the Birmingham Fire Department, a National Guard unit, the first Birmingham Public Library and several retail spaces. It also housed a gymnasium that was opened for public recreation. Contractor for the $200,000 project was Henry Stockmar, who returned to the building as a member of the Birmingham Board of Aldermen as soon as it opened.

The "Council Chambers", used by the Birmingham Board of Aldermen until 1913 and thereafter by the new Birmingham City Commission for public meetings, originally occupied the 3rd floor, and later moved to the 2nd floor. A City Market operated on the ground floor of the building, at 1909-1913 4th Avenue North. In 1923-1925 it was managed by T. B. Tanner and J. M. Stewart.

The building was damaged by a fire in 1925, which destroyed the library and caused irreparable damage to the central tower. It was proposed that year that the city acquire Block 20, west of Woodrow Wilson Park as the site for a new City Hall and an option was placed to buy that block for $1,051,590.75, but was made contingent on selling the former site for $1,750,000.00 or more. The highest offer brought to the City Commission was $1,600,000.00, made by a syndicate of "real estate men" just days before the option expired and after the Commission had already engaged the Inglenook Construction Company to repair the older building.

Space in the Martin Office Building was provided for the city while repairs were made. The library relocated to a new building at Woodrow Wilson Park in 1927.

Another fire which broke out shortly after midnight on June 23, 1944, caused heavy damage to the fourth floor, housing the offices of the city comptroller and city engineer. Twenty companies responded to the blaze, which sent flames high into the air. Commissioner of Public Safety Bull Connor stated that the police radio, the antenna for which was on the roof of the building, was restored to service within an hour of the fire being successfully brought under control.

The 1901 building, without its tower and attic levels, continued to house city offices until 1950 when a new Birmingham City Hall was completed across from the Jefferson County Courthouse at Wilson Park. Its cornerstone was removed and stacked with previous ones adjacent to the south entrance of the new building. The vacant building was demolished in January 1952.

Offices

Tenants

Gallery

  • 1904 photograph

    1904 photograph

  • 1908 photograph

    1908 photograph

  • 1909 postcard view

    1909 postcard view

  • 1910 postcard view

    1910 postcard view

  • Birmingham City Hall, c. 1911

    Birmingham City Hall, c. 1911

  • The City Hall fire in 1925

    The City Hall fire in 1925

  • Birmingham City Hall after 1927

    Birmingham City Hall after 1927

References

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