Oxmoor Road

Oxmoor Road is an approximately three and three-quarters mile long street running mostly roughly northeast-southwest through Homewood between Independence Drive (U.S. Highway 31) and West Oxmoor Road. It is part of a road dating back to at least the 1860s which was previously known as Oxmoor-Irondale Road and connected the Cahaba Iron Works in Irondale with Oxmoor Furnace in Oxmoor, hence the road's name.

History

In the 1860s, Oxmoor-Irondale Road was used to haul pig iron from both Irondale and Oxmoor south to Selma. The road was also important for early settlers of Shades Valley as it was easier to use it to access the two furnace's commisary stores for supplies than to cross Red Mountain to Elyton, or later Birmingham, for them. It was along this road that the settlements that would eventually become Homewood took shape. At some point in the first half of the 20th century, the road became known simply as Oxmoor Road.

Mining camps along Oxmoor Road were used as filming locations for the 1925 silent feature Coming Through.

Most of Oxmoor Road was resurfaced in 1949.

During the late 20th century, two bypasses were created along Oxmoor Road. First, during the 1970s, Oxmoor Boulevard was built north of Oxmoor Road to provide light industry that appeared on West Oxmoor Road a multi-lane route to I-65 and avoid a residential area. Oxmoor Road intersects both ends of Oxmoor Boulevard. Second, during the late 1980s, Palisades Boulevard and Palisades Drive routed traffic through the Palisades shopping center to Green Springs Highway. In this case, direct access into the residential section along Oxmoor was cut off as Oxmoor feeds directly into the two Palisades roads.

Road description

Oxmoor Road is one of the primary east-west roads through Homewood, although the majority of it, except for some left turn lanes at select intersections, is two-lane road. Oxmoor is a five-lane road between Columbiana Road and east end of Oxmoor Boulevard (near Green Springs Highway and Interstate 65) and between the west end of Oxmoor Boulevard and West Oxmoor Road. At the intersection with the west end of Oxmoor Boulevard, Oxmoor Road makes a 90-degree turn to the south. It then forms a fork with West Oxmoor Road and becomes West Oxmoor for those traveling south. The eastern end of Oxmoor Road becomes Hollywood Boulevard.

Just south of the Palisades, Oxmoor Road is on the Birmingham-Homewood border. Between Oxmoor Boulevard and West Oxmoor Road, portions of Oxmoor Road are fully in Birmingham while others are again along the Birmingham-Homewood border.

Notable locations

For an alphabetical list of locations, see the Oxmoor Road category.

• West Oxmoor Road intersects (continues south as West Oxmoor Road)
  • 90: InTown Suites Oxmoor
  • 102: Sandstone Medical Technologies
  • 111: Buffalo Rock Company headquarters
  • 124: former location of J. T. Suduth & Co. (1969)

• Oxmoor Boulevard/Barber Court intersect
  • 140C: former location of Computerland (1990)
  • 160: Shades Valley Community Church, former location of Oxmoor Ice Lodge, Alpine Ice Arena
  • 165 (600 Oak Grove Road): Pizzeria GM

• Oak Grove Road intersects (south only)
  • north side:
    • 162: Cantina Tortilla Grill (Jorge & Aimee Domingue Castro 2023–), former location of Devinci's Pizza, Florida Grille, Sirena's Latino & Seafood Grill, Bogue's, Homewood Diner (-2018), Oxmoor Bar & Grill (June-August 2018), The Little London (2020-2022)
    • 168: Big Color
    • 172–174: former location of Common Thread (fall 2014–2023)
      • 172: The Hub co-working (fall 2014–)
      • 174: Seeds Coffee (Jeff & Brett Huey April 2013–) / Taproot Landscaping (Jacob Snuggs October 2014–)
    • 184: Oxmoor Automotive, former location of Rainoldi's Auto Services
    • 186: 186 Building (built 1965)
    • 190: Hatfield Auto Parts & Service
    • 208: former location of Texaco gas station
    • 260: former location of Admiral Benbow Inn (built 1972, closed 2014), Holiday Inn Homewood, Country Hearth Inn & Suites, Rodeway Inn & Suites, America's Best Value Inn & Suites
  • south side:
    • 169: 169 Oxmoor Road mixed use project (built 2023), former location of Weygand Surveyors
    • 173: Weygand Surveyors (2023–), former location of Simply Ponds & Gardens, Total Yard (Brian Krogsgard –2023)
    • 187: Nexus Fitness
    • 195: Econo Lodge Homewood, formerly Comfort Inn Oxmoor Hotel
    • 197: Chevron gas station

• Oxmoor Boulevard merges from west
• Interstate 65 interchange
  • north side:
    • Green Springs Shopping Center
    • 290: Burger King, former location of Oak Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church (1960)
    • 298: Shark's Fish & Chicken (addressed as 254 Green Springs Highway)
  • south side:
    • 275: Travel Inn, former location of Rodeway Inn (C. K. Thompson 1972–1982, Dileep Patel 1982)
    • 295: Mobil gas station (addressed as 400 Green Springs Highway)

• Green Springs Highway intersects
  • north side:
    • 300–320: retail strip
      • 300: Advance America cash advance (2008–)
      • 304: Payless ShoeSource (2008–)
      • 306: American Deli (2016–), former location of Gus's Hot Dogs (Homewood)
      • 308: Maya Restaurante Mexicano (2018–), former location of Los Compadres (1990s–2016)
      • 320: former location of Reynolds Pharmacy, SharpCarpet flooring (2015–)
  • south side:
    • 301: Los Valedores taco truck
    • 303: former location of Peg-Leg's seafood restaurant (1987)
    • 307–309:
      • 307: Logo Express
      • 309: MetroPCS
    • 321: Nina's Cleaners

• Columbiana Road intersects
  • road continues east as Palisades Boulevard
  • Oxmoor Road resumes at cul-de-sac

• Theda Street intersects (south only)
• Palisades Drive intersects (one way eastbound access along Oxmoor)

• Edgeview Avenue (north) / Havenwood Court (south) intersect
• Westover Drive intersects (south only)
• Mecca Avenue intersects (north only)
  • 850: Edgewood Presbyterian Church (1912–)

Edgewood Business District

• Peerless Avenue (north) / Virginia Drive (south) intersect
  • north side:
  • 920: Ketcham & Co. (2019–), former location of DWP Construction, Soda Jerk restaurant (2017-)
  • south side:
  • 901: Birmingham Direct Primary Care
  • 913–917: Edgewood Terrace Apartments

• St Charles Street intersects (north only)
  • north side:
    • 930: 930 Oxmoor Road (redeveloped 2023), former location of Dixie Super Store (1970–1976), V. Richard's, Homewood Antiques (2011–2022)
    • 932: Sam's Deli & Grill, former location of Moneer's
    • 934: Ono Poke (2018–), former location of O'Neal Drugs, Short N Sweet Consignments, Sash and Beau consignments (-October 2017)
    • 936: Edgewood Creamery
    • 940: Homewood Pharmacy, former location of Homewood Florist
    • 960: Honest Coffee Roasters (2023–), former location of Dreamcakes
  • south side
    • 921–929 Markle-Reed Retail Center
      • 921: Birmingham Direct Primary Care (2021–), former location of Southern Trophy & Plaque Co. (Crawford Barrow 1976), Homewood Personal Fitness (2008), For the Home furniture consignment (2011), Benjamin Cornelius, Allstate Insurance (2013-), Water Shop Wellness Center (2016-2017)
      • 923: Elude Nail Spa (2019–), former location of Richard Brown Inc., Top Stitchin' monograms (2011), Weezie's Candy Emporium (2016-2017)
      • 925: Needco Cabinets (2020–), former location of Ellen's Flowers & Gifts (1970), On Top Embroidery & Design (2011-)
      • 927: Big Spoon Creamery (February 2019-), former location of The Charm Shop beauty salon (1969-1970), Edgewood Tees & Graphics (2011), Sprout & Pour (2015-August 31, 2018)
      • 929: Habitual Lash (2022–), former location of Ketcham & Co., Dear Prudence (-2021)
    • 931: Blakelee's Bouquets (2020-), former location of Maggi's prom & pageant shop (1986), Homewood Florist (2008) Aquarium Fantasies (2011), Ellis Architects (2015–2016)
    • Markle-Reed Building (built 1935), Escape Day Spa / Bella Bridesmaids; originally Edgewood Drug Company, later Greene Mar Drugs, Markle Discount Drugs, Markle Home Health Care Center, Pet Safari and Blonde Salon Spa

• Broadway Street intersects (south only)
  • north side:
    • 1006: Local No. 39 (Jonathan & Lyndsey Sealy January 2020–), former location of La Bamba Grill (Carlos Pinto 2009-2012, Peter Cooper 2012–2016), Vinnie Baggs (Tim Vakakes January 2017-2018), Saw's on the Side (December 2018–September 2019)
    • 1008: Saw's BBQ (Mike Wilson 2009–), former location of Byte Size (1990), Broadway BBQ (–2009)
    • 1010–1012: Slice Pizza & Brew (March 2024–); former location of New York Pizza (2003–2022)
      • 1010: former location of Toy & Record Shop (1960s)
      • 1012: former location of Valley Variety & Hardware Store (1940s)
    • 1014–1016: Taco Mama (2016-)
      • 1014: former location of New York Pizza (1982–2003), Cool Beans Coffee House, Hart & Soul Coffee Company (-July 2015)
      • 1016: former location of Night Owl Paper Goods
    • 1018: Engaged Wedding Library, former location of Edgewood Shoe Rebuilder (1970), The Ruby Begonia
    • 1030: Chevron gas station
  • south side
    • 1001: Trilogy Leather (Tony Pardi & Sam Sicola 1973–)
    • 1003: Edgewood Frame Shop (Tommy Smith / Grace Eskridge 1977–), former location of Bill's Hobby Shop, TV Sales and Service, Edgewood Hardware
    • 1009: former location of Esquire Cleaners (1970)
    • 1013: former site of Homewood Electronics Co. (1960s)
    • 1017: Edgewood Station shopping center (2017-), former location of Edgewood Service Center (-2017)
      • Suite 111: Greenhouse, former location of Mason Dixon Bakery & Bistro (October 2017-August 2018)
      • Suite 211: Three15 Studio
      • Suite 311: Ruby Sunshine (2019-), former location of BarTaco (-November 1, 2018)

Road continues

• Evergreen Avenue intersects (north only)
  • 1019: Dawson Memorial Baptist Church Family Recreation Center, former location of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church Family Recreation Center, Colonial Stores grocery)
  • 1114: Dawson Family of Faith (built 1925 and 1951 as Dawson Memorial Baptist Church)
  • 1400: Trinity United Methodist Church (built 1928 and 1950)
  • 1625: Bitty & Beau's Coffee (2023–), former location of Valley Cleaners (2008–2021)
  • 1629: Applause Dancewear, former location of Oxmoor Road Service Station (1956)
  • 1632: Homewood Park/Homewood Department of Parks and Recreation

• Central Avenue intersects
  • north side:
    • 1700–1706: Nabeel's Café & Market building
      • 1700: Hero Doughnuts expansion (2019-), former location of Hamburger Heaven, Nabeel's Market (–2019)
      • 1704: Freddy's (projected to open 2023), former location of Nabeel's Café entrance (1986–2022), Butler's Flowers (1970-1986)
      • 1706: former location of Nabeel's Café "Cafe Capri" room (-2022), Nabeel's Café (1971–1986)
  • south side:
    • 1701: Evernest (2008–)
    • 1703: MB Technologies
    • 1709–1711: St Francis Apartments

• Ridge Road intersects (south only)
  • north side:
    • 1708–1718: Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School (1951–)
    • 1720–1728: Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic church (1960–)
    • 1732: Oxmoor Animal Clinic
    • 1736: Lathan Associates Architects offices
  • south side:
    • 1721: Homewood Public Library (1985–), former location of Homewood Church of Christ (c. 1975-1985)

• Crescent Avenue intersects (north only)
  • 1734: Kripalani's Tailors / Hong Kong Tailors
  • 1736: Homewood School of Music
  • 1740: Esdale Law Firm / Alabama magazine, former location of Resolutions LLC

• Mayfair Circle intersects
  • 1744: Winston, Winston, Jenkins & Chastain
  • 1745: Studio G Pilates
  • 1747: Gina Falletta / State Farm Insurance

• Linden Avenue intersects (north only)
  • 1751: Church of the Open Door (1970)
  • 1752: Homewood Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
  • 1754: BOOST Kids
  • 1755: Assistance League of Birmingham / Prime Time Treasures, former location of Homewood Public Library

• Roxbury Road (north) / 18th Street South (south) intersect
  • 1800: Ridout's Brown Service Chapel
  • 1808: Hallman Hill sales office
  • 1809: Walter Holmquist residence
  • 1817: Brookwood Primary Care (2008–), former location of New London Recording Center (1969-1978)
  • 1840: The Eastbury condominiums (2019–), formerly The Hill apartments

• Firefighter Lane (north) / 19th Street South (south) intersect
  • north side:
    • Hallman Hill (formerly Homewood Gardens Apartments)
      • Shiki Birmingham, former location of Pinches Tacos (2011–2014)
  • south side:
    • 1901: former location of Carriage House Weddings (2003–2020)

• Cook Street intersects (south only)
  • north side:
    • • 1920: AT&T Homewood Exchange
  • south side:
    • Cameron's Corner shopping center
      • 1909: Do It Yourself Crafts, former location of Hawkins Book Store (1976)
      • 1915: Hunter's Cleaners
      • 1917: former location of Qwik Mart and Majik Market
      • 1919: UPS Store, former location of Neverthirst, McMillan Interiors

• Drake Street intersects (south only)
  • north side:
    • Homewood Shell
  • south side:
    • Piggly Wiggly
• Independence Drive intersection (continues east as Hollywood Boulevard)

References

• Summe, Sheryl Spradling. (2001). Homewood: The Life of a City. Homewood, AL: Friends of the Homewood Public Library.