Birmingham Greyhound Station: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Birmingham Greyhound Station.jpg|right|thumb|300px|From the southeast in October 2010.]]
[[Image:Birmingham Greyhound Station.jpg|right|thumb|450px|From the southeast in October 2010.]]
The '''Birmingham Greyhound Station''' is a bus terminal constructed by Southeastern Greyhound Lines in [[1950]]. It is located on what had been a vacant parcel on the 700 block of [[19th Street North]] facing [[Birmingham City Hall]] adjacent to the former terminal. It was designed to accommodate 30 buses operated by Southeastern Greyhound, Teche-Greyhound, Dixie Greyhound and Alabama Coaches.
The '''Birmingham Greyhound Station''' is a former bus terminal on [[Block 35]], on the 700 block of [[19th Street North]] facing [[Birmingham City Hall]] adjacent to a former terminal.


Initially planned in [[1941]], the project was delayed by [[World War II]]. The streamlined "moderne"-style structure was constructed by [[Brice Building Company]] for $750,000.
The building, developed for Southeastern Greyhound Lines, was initially planned for what had been a vacant parcel in [[1941]]. The project was delayed by [[World War II]], and was not completed until [[1951]]. It was designed by Louisville, Kentucky architect W. S. Arrasmith in the "streamline moderne" style that Greyhound favored. The exterior was cream-colored brick with limestone trim. The interior featured plastered walls and terrazzo floors. The station was constructed by the [[Brice Building Company]] for $750,000.


On [[May 15]], [[1961]], United States Attorney General Robert Kennedy unsuccessfully pleaded with station manager [[George Cruit]] to find a driver willing to take stranded [[Freedom Rides|Freedom Riders]] on to [[Montgomery]]. The transcript of the telephone conversation, released to the media, fueled suspicions that Kennedy had instigated the demonstrations.
The station was designed to accommodate 30 buses arranged according to a "scientific" plan that made it, "impossible to get on the wrong Greyhound bus." The design of the Birmingham station was adjusted to accommodate separate waiting rooms and restaurants for white and black passengers. In addition to Southeastern Greyhound, the terminal accommodated buses operated by Teche-Greyhound, Dixie Greyhound and Alabama Coaches.


During the [[Freedom Rides]] in May [[1961]] the Greyhound coach bound for New Orleans via Birmingham was firebombed in [[Anniston]] on [[May 14]] and never arrived. The next day, U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy pleaded with station manager [[George Cruit]] to find a driver willing to take stranded passengers on to [[Montgomery]]. The transcript of their telephone conversation, released to the media, fueled suspicions that Kennedy had instigated the demonstrations.
Greyhound relocated its bus services to the newly-built [[Birmingham Intermodal Station]] in [[2017]]. In June [[2019]] the former station building was sold to developer [[Mike Mouron]] for $2.06 million. He plans to restore its original architectural design and lease space to office tenants. Over the next year, Mouron acquired two vintage passenger buses to convert into casual meeting spaces. The [[Birmingham Design Review Committee]] approved the exterior design and materials in December.
{{stub}}
==References==
==References==
{{Locate | lat= 33.519087 | lon=-86.811476 | zoom=16 | type=h }}
{{Locate | lat= 33.519087 | lon=-86.811476 | zoom=16 | type=h }}
* "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/Greyhound(1-50).jpg Greyhound to Build $750,000 Terminal here]" (January 17, 1950) ''Birmingham News'' - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/Greyhound(1-50).jpg Greyhound to Build $750,000 Terminal here]" (January 17, 1950) ''Birmingham News'' - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* [http://www.birminghamhistorycenter.org/uploadedFiles/File/Kennedy1.pdf Transcript] of conversation between Cruit and Kennedy
* [http://www.birminghamhistorycenter.org/uploadedFiles/File/Kennedy1.pdf Transcript] of conversation between Cruit and Kennedy
* Wrenick, Frank E. (2006) ''The Streamline Era Greyhound Terminals: The Architecture of W.S. Arrasmith.'' McFarland. ISBN 978-0786425501
* Jefferson County Historical Commission, Birmingham Public Library & Bessemer Hall of History (2010) ''[[Birmingham and Jefferson County Alabama]]'' Images of America Series. Mount Pleasant, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738587301
* Van der Bijl, Hanno (July 1, 2019) "Developer buys former Greyhound station downtown for $2M." {{BBJ}}
* Van der Bijl, Hanno (December 11, 2019) "DRC approves plans for historic renovation of former Greyhound station." {{BBJ}}
* Thornton, William (April 27, 2021) "[https://www.al.com/business/2021/04/birminghams-greyhound-bus-terminal-returning-to-its-1950-glory-theres-history-here.html Birmingham’s Greyhound bus terminal returning to its 1950 glory: 'There’s history here']" {{BN}}


{{stub}}
[[Category:Birmingham Greyhound Station|*]]
[[Category:Bus stations]]
[[Category:Bus stations]]
[[Category:19th Street North]]
[[Category:1951 buildings]]
[[Category:1950 buildings]]

Latest revision as of 14:19, 28 April 2021

From the southeast in October 2010.

The Birmingham Greyhound Station is a former bus terminal on Block 35, on the 700 block of 19th Street North facing Birmingham City Hall adjacent to a former terminal.

The building, developed for Southeastern Greyhound Lines, was initially planned for what had been a vacant parcel in 1941. The project was delayed by World War II, and was not completed until 1951. It was designed by Louisville, Kentucky architect W. S. Arrasmith in the "streamline moderne" style that Greyhound favored. The exterior was cream-colored brick with limestone trim. The interior featured plastered walls and terrazzo floors. The station was constructed by the Brice Building Company for $750,000.

The station was designed to accommodate 30 buses arranged according to a "scientific" plan that made it, "impossible to get on the wrong Greyhound bus." The design of the Birmingham station was adjusted to accommodate separate waiting rooms and restaurants for white and black passengers. In addition to Southeastern Greyhound, the terminal accommodated buses operated by Teche-Greyhound, Dixie Greyhound and Alabama Coaches.

During the Freedom Rides in May 1961 the Greyhound coach bound for New Orleans via Birmingham was firebombed in Anniston on May 14 and never arrived. The next day, U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy pleaded with station manager George Cruit to find a driver willing to take stranded passengers on to Montgomery. The transcript of their telephone conversation, released to the media, fueled suspicions that Kennedy had instigated the demonstrations.

Greyhound relocated its bus services to the newly-built Birmingham Intermodal Station in 2017. In June 2019 the former station building was sold to developer Mike Mouron for $2.06 million. He plans to restore its original architectural design and lease space to office tenants. Over the next year, Mouron acquired two vintage passenger buses to convert into casual meeting spaces. The Birmingham Design Review Committee approved the exterior design and materials in December.

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