Pratt City: Difference between revisions
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'''Pratt City''' is a former municipality, coinciding with the current [[Pratt community]], one of [[Birmingham]]'s [[List of Birmingham communities|23 communities]]. The area, originally called '''Coketon''', grew up rapidly around the [[Pratt Mines]], which had opened in the early 1870s | '''Pratt City''' is a former municipality, coinciding with the current [[Pratt community]], one of [[Birmingham]]'s [[List of Birmingham communities|23 communities]]. The area, originally called '''Coketon''', grew up rapidly around the [[Pratt Mines]], which had opened in the early 1870s. [[Henry DeBardeleben]] sold the mines to [[Enoch Ensley]] in [[1882]]. By [[1886]] it was the state's largest mine complex. | ||
[[Streetcars|Streetcar service]] to Pratt City from [[Birmingham]] via [[Thomas]] arrived in [[1887]], providing a heavily-trafficked commercial spine ([[Carline Avenue]]) cutting across the dozens of distinct subdivisions laid out by independent speculators in a widening ring around the mines. Notable car stops included [[Estelle Station]] and [[Ida Station]]. By [[1890]] the community had more than 4,000 inhabitants, mainly miners, from a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds. | [[Streetcars|Streetcar service]] to Pratt City from [[Birmingham]] via [[Thomas]] arrived in [[1887]], providing a heavily-trafficked commercial spine ([[Carline Avenue]]) cutting across the dozens of distinct subdivisions laid out by independent speculators in a widening ring around the mines. Notable car stops included [[Estelle Station]] and [[Ida Station]]. By [[1890]] the community had more than 4,000 inhabitants, mainly miners, and predominantly white, though from a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds, including Austrian, British, French, German, Irish, Swiss, and Swedish. Black miners and their families mainly occupied areas close to the railroad in a community that came to be known as the '''Drifttracks'''. | ||
Pratt City was annexed into "[[Greater Birmingham]]" in [[1910]]. The Pratt Mines ceased operating in the 1920s, though the community remained a commercial destination until the 1950s. Limited opportunities for employment precipitated a steady decline in economic activity. | Pratt City was incorporated as its own municipality in [[1891]]. It was annexed into "[[Greater Birmingham]]" by the [[Alabama State Legislature]] in [[1910]]. | ||
The Pratt Mines ceased operating in the 1920s, though the community remained a commercial destination until the 1950s. Limited opportunities for employment precipitated a steady decline in economic activity. | |||
==Mayors== | ==Mayors== | ||
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* ''[http://www.bhistorical.org/pdf/Pratt%20City_Thomas.pdf Two Industrial Towns: Pratt City and Thomas]'' (February 1988) Birmingham: Birmingham Historical Society | * ''[http://www.bhistorical.org/pdf/Pratt%20City_Thomas.pdf Two Industrial Towns: Pratt City and Thomas]'' (February 1988) Birmingham: Birmingham Historical Society | ||
[[Category:Pratt City|*]] | [[Category: Pratt City|*]] | ||
[[Category:Former municipalities]] | [[Category: Former municipalities]] | ||
[[Category:1910 disestablishments]] | [[Category: 1891 establishments]] | ||
[[Category: 1910 disestablishments]] | |||
Latest revision as of 10:57, 2 July 2024
Pratt City is a former municipality, coinciding with the current Pratt community, one of Birmingham's 23 communities. The area, originally called Coketon, grew up rapidly around the Pratt Mines, which had opened in the early 1870s. Henry DeBardeleben sold the mines to Enoch Ensley in 1882. By 1886 it was the state's largest mine complex.
Streetcar service to Pratt City from Birmingham via Thomas arrived in 1887, providing a heavily-trafficked commercial spine (Carline Avenue) cutting across the dozens of distinct subdivisions laid out by independent speculators in a widening ring around the mines. Notable car stops included Estelle Station and Ida Station. By 1890 the community had more than 4,000 inhabitants, mainly miners, and predominantly white, though from a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds, including Austrian, British, French, German, Irish, Swiss, and Swedish. Black miners and their families mainly occupied areas close to the railroad in a community that came to be known as the Drifttracks.
Pratt City was incorporated as its own municipality in 1891. It was annexed into "Greater Birmingham" by the Alabama State Legislature in 1910.
The Pratt Mines ceased operating in the 1920s, though the community remained a commercial destination until the 1950s. Limited opportunities for employment precipitated a steady decline in economic activity.
Mayors
- Ephraim Hudnall, 1899-1901, 1903-
- Joseph Lacey, -1910
References
- Two Industrial Towns: Pratt City and Thomas (February 1988) Birmingham: Birmingham Historical Society