5th Avenue North

5th Avenue North is a downtown street in Birmingham's northside. It ends at a drainage headwall for Valley Creek at 7th Street North to the west and becomes Messer Airport Highway to the east as it crosses below the Elton B. Stephens Expressway and the Norfolk Southern Railroad.

The eastern end of 5th Avenue North was once the principal entranceway into Birmingham by rail, as it was the site of the Birmingham Terminal Station. Many of Birmingham's early hotels were constructed along 5th Avenue heading west toward 20th street from the station.

The intersection of 5th Avenue North with 24th Street North is close to the geographical center of Birmingham. A large storm culvert extends from downtown to I-65 below 5th Avenue North.

Notable locations

• 1301: Jim Burke Pontiac/Buick/GMC
• 1409: Jim Burke Chevrolet/Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge
• 1527: A. G. Gaston Building
• 1600: Kelly Ingram Park
• 1617: Freedom Manor
• 1800: Federal Courthouse Building
• 1800: former site of Roden Hotel
• 1801: Federal Reserve Building
• 1915: former location of DeMoes' Lunch Counter and the Alhambra Restaurant
• 1919: former location of Ben Chapman's Bowling Lanes
• 1961: Wachovia Tower
• 1960: Regions Center
• 2001: former site of Tutwiler Hotel (1914)
• 2101: Redmont Hotel
• 2107: Age-Herald Building
• 2224: former site of Downtowner Motor Inn/National 9 Inn
• 2300: Bankhead Towers (formerly Bankhead Hotel)
• 2311: former site of Gulas Restaurant and Lounge
• 2305: Jessie's Place
• 2600: former site of Magic City sign and Birmingham Terminal Station
• 7502: Airport Inn

References

• "Fun facts, historical tidbits and tips to find your way around Birmingham from traffic engineer John Garrett." (January 2, 2007) Birmingham News.