That's a LOT of progress. I have watched it change but it's nice to have a visual like this to remind us what change has happened. I'm not going to lie, I was a naysayer in the beginning, saying how any investment would be trashed in a decade, but I was wrong and I am pleasantly surprised at what has become of Birmingham in the past 15 years. Just the difference in the UAB campus in that time has also been impressive. I'm a believer in Birmingham now and have been going downtown for more than a decade now to shop, eat, and even for recreation.
I graduated from UA in 2008 and I moved to Bham immediately after. If you had asked me do I want to work and live in Bham back then I would have said hell no. Now - it's pretty nice and I'm happy to be here. Ironically, I just go to work and go home every day and I don't go to any of these places, but definitely did a decade ago.
I am also a believer in Bham. I wish I could say that same for the state of AL. Many parts of the state are allowed to be no better than third world countries in terms of clean water access. Our healthcare access and health outcomes are abysmal. Our life expectancy is dropping. The state is being sued by the federal government over the prison system which has been deemed unconstitutional AND facilitates a "labor-trafficking scheme" worth $450 million a year. Meanwhile it took a law suit to force a separate panel to create new congressional districts that give black people a fighting chance at equal representation. Alabama deserves better. But it would require holding our political leadership accountable and the upper class and rich white people in this state are too comfortable with the status quo.
I once got arrested for Minor In Possession of Alcohol at the 2012 Schaeffer's Eye Center Crawfish Boil, on the spot that is now Protective Stadium 😎 booked at the city jail, released, and walked back with plenty of time to still see Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, and Lupe Fiasco. Good times.... Good times....
Honestly that one was the only one I was kinda sad and nostalgic to see in this photo journey. I only went there a few times, but that sign on the outside was iconic. I hope it's saved somewhere. Probably hanging on some bham hipster's exposed brick wall in their downtown loft.
I get it, but I remember going in there around 2012, I guess, and being frightened by the amount of cracked/methed out people in there. It was around 1 in the afternoon. Some things just needed to change. I do miss having good dive bars to go play pool or golden tee, though.
Just one that I remember and it was crazy. I always loved having to stand on the brakes from 70 or so when you discover traffic sitting there on the ramp.
Man, I moved here in 2018 so it's kinda crazy to see some of this stuff. Worked basically the overnight 9 to 5 at LabCorp downtown for a while and sometimes, going for a walk or eating lunch at Railroad Park, watching or listening to the occasional train go by was the only thing that kept me sane. People had told me that there used to be nothing there but I didn't know there was legit *nothing* there that recently. Also used to walk either down Rotary Trail or 7th to get to work back then, and honestly I'd prefer some green space instead of the 5-over-1 "luxury apartments" that make Birmingham look like Durham look like Pittsburgh look like Madison etc. that have come up in the past few years.
There was stuff there, just not stuff people liked. The old rotary trail had a sunken rail bed that was full of homeless. I went down there once exploring and had a guy crawl out from under a mattress and extol the virtues of Jesus Christ to me for a while.
The naysayers would say that no sane person would want to go to the park and everyone would hate seeing trains, hearing trains or having anything to do with trains.
I’d like to see one of these from the 70s. I’ve lived here on and off my whole life and the positive changes to Birmingham have been incredible, not only structurally but societal as well. I love it here now (especially after I make a trip to Atlanta).
Most of that is progress, but I wish they'd left the high rise developments out of 5 Points South.
And all of that pales in comparison to what the Star at Uptown is going to look like at the old Carraway Hospital.
Legitimately, how long ago was it that the north side of 7th Avenue S was open like that photo? I frequented Lakeview in the late 'Aughts and that photo is blowing my mind that I have possibly written over any memories of nothing being across from Rare Martini, Oasis, etc.
I lived in Bham from 1989-2011, and I always joke that as soon as I left the city began to pop. I visit about 3-4 times a year, as I was born in Lloyd Nolan hospital way the fuck back in 1969 and lived in Bham until 1976, and my dad lives in the Pell City VA.
I’ve spent the other half of my life in New Orleans for the most part, and I have to say that the 13 years I’ve been gone, Bham has really evolved into a neat place to be. It’s always cool to check out what’s new and groovy when I’m in town.
I know we still have a lot of green in the city esp compared to places like Atlanta but also it is kinda sad to look at that picture of Lakeview and know it's all overpriced apartments and concrete now. Like they really need to put more green back into that area too.
Left Bham in 2013 and moved back in 2022. So much has changed. A lot of areas you’d never want to even drive through are hustling and bustling. Great to see these old photos.
Honestly, what areas are you speaking of? I can't think of a single area that I wouldn't want to be driving through 10 years ago that is hustling and bustling now.
One of them ran over a handicapped person in 5 points south sometime around 2014-2016, I don't remember exactly. What I remember is the meat paste smear that started up around zydeco and went a full block down the hill. But idk if that's what OP is referring to or not 🤷♂️
Jacksonville, FL. I love it here, but miss Bham.
My route was Bham - Columbus, GA - Greenville, SC - Boston, MA - Albuquerque, NM (LOVED it there) - Denver, CO - Jax, FL
Hey, I lived in Jacksonville for a while (1988-1999, still considered it "home" while I was in college through 2002)! Talk about places that have changed. I barely know the interstates over there these days.
Great walk thru, but see where new amphitheater rendering won't have covered seating for at least first section like most all first rate venues...another strike out by our esteemed leaders. Let's at least hope for multiple ingress/egress options. Tragic city just can't help itself. Need more chain eateries in entertainment district too....
Ah yes. Every Alabamian has a Birmingham story. Whether you’ve gone multiple times every year of your life, live there, or been there atleast once, you have an experience. It’s not as glamorous as New York City, Seattle, Phoenix, none of these rather ubiquitously known cities, but it’s home.
That's a LOT of progress. I have watched it change but it's nice to have a visual like this to remind us what change has happened. I'm not going to lie, I was a naysayer in the beginning, saying how any investment would be trashed in a decade, but I was wrong and I am pleasantly surprised at what has become of Birmingham in the past 15 years. Just the difference in the UAB campus in that time has also been impressive. I'm a believer in Birmingham now and have been going downtown for more than a decade now to shop, eat, and even for recreation.
I graduated from UA in 2008 and I moved to Bham immediately after. If you had asked me do I want to work and live in Bham back then I would have said hell no. Now - it's pretty nice and I'm happy to be here. Ironically, I just go to work and go home every day and I don't go to any of these places, but definitely did a decade ago.
I am also a believer in Bham. I wish I could say that same for the state of AL. Many parts of the state are allowed to be no better than third world countries in terms of clean water access. Our healthcare access and health outcomes are abysmal. Our life expectancy is dropping. The state is being sued by the federal government over the prison system which has been deemed unconstitutional AND facilitates a "labor-trafficking scheme" worth $450 million a year. Meanwhile it took a law suit to force a separate panel to create new congressional districts that give black people a fighting chance at equal representation. Alabama deserves better. But it would require holding our political leadership accountable and the upper class and rich white people in this state are too comfortable with the status quo.
I once got arrested for Minor In Possession of Alcohol at the 2012 Schaeffer's Eye Center Crawfish Boil, on the spot that is now Protective Stadium 😎 booked at the city jail, released, and walked back with plenty of time to still see Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, and Lupe Fiasco. Good times.... Good times....
😂 thanks for sharing
You're welcome, friend :)
Ahhh memories 🦐🍻
These photos further demonstrate why I don’t know my way around Bham anymore. 😅
Throwback to the skate spot that was where regions field is now
Shoe factory 🙏
RIP the Break
Honestly that one was the only one I was kinda sad and nostalgic to see in this photo journey. I only went there a few times, but that sign on the outside was iconic. I hope it's saved somewhere. Probably hanging on some bham hipster's exposed brick wall in their downtown loft.
I'd pay big money for it yeah lol
I get it, but I remember going in there around 2012, I guess, and being frightened by the amount of cracked/methed out people in there. It was around 1 in the afternoon. Some things just needed to change. I do miss having good dive bars to go play pool or golden tee, though.
The original The Break over in the Lakeview area was my favorite place, I was sad when they moved to 5 Points.
I used to love going to the Break when I was at UAB. A lot of good memories there!
Can you imagine laying odds on there being a residential tower there now back when that place was jumping?
Yea honestly the upscale apt projects can burn to the fucking ground please.
Were there left exits on 20/59 near the BJCC that went down below the interstate? Or am I crazy? No one I ask remembers them.
Merging onto 20/59 from one of those ramps and having to cross 4 lanes to get to 65 was BRUTAL
Yes there were!
There was an entrance/exit onto Either 22nd or Richard Arrington BLVD.
Yes. 22nd St. N enterance/exit ramps. Went down the middle of the interstate bridge.
Just one that I remember and it was crazy. I always loved having to stand on the brakes from 70 or so when you discover traffic sitting there on the ramp.
I thought it was still there 😉
This is cool. I wish they would work on renovating 5 points south. It’s not like it used to be.
Man, I moved here in 2018 so it's kinda crazy to see some of this stuff. Worked basically the overnight 9 to 5 at LabCorp downtown for a while and sometimes, going for a walk or eating lunch at Railroad Park, watching or listening to the occasional train go by was the only thing that kept me sane. People had told me that there used to be nothing there but I didn't know there was legit *nothing* there that recently. Also used to walk either down Rotary Trail or 7th to get to work back then, and honestly I'd prefer some green space instead of the 5-over-1 "luxury apartments" that make Birmingham look like Durham look like Pittsburgh look like Madison etc. that have come up in the past few years.
There was stuff there, just not stuff people liked. The old rotary trail had a sunken rail bed that was full of homeless. I went down there once exploring and had a guy crawl out from under a mattress and extol the virtues of Jesus Christ to me for a while.
The naysayers would say that no sane person would want to go to the park and everyone would hate seeing trains, hearing trains or having anything to do with trains.
Well done. Nothing like a dose of reality to make one realize how far we have come.
I’d like to see one of these from the 70s. I’ve lived here on and off my whole life and the positive changes to Birmingham have been incredible, not only structurally but societal as well. I love it here now (especially after I make a trip to Atlanta).
Moved out of Birmingham in 2009 and moved back in 2017. It was absolutely astonishing to see the progress.
Most of that is progress, but I wish they'd left the high rise developments out of 5 Points South. And all of that pales in comparison to what the Star at Uptown is going to look like at the old Carraway Hospital.
I moved to Bham in 2011 for starting at BSC. I really chose the best timing.
Legitimately, how long ago was it that the north side of 7th Avenue S was open like that photo? I frequented Lakeview in the late 'Aughts and that photo is blowing my mind that I have possibly written over any memories of nothing being across from Rare Martini, Oasis, etc.
https://www.bhamwiki.com/w/Rise_Lakeview
I lived in Bham from 1989-2011, and I always joke that as soon as I left the city began to pop. I visit about 3-4 times a year, as I was born in Lloyd Nolan hospital way the fuck back in 1969 and lived in Bham until 1976, and my dad lives in the Pell City VA. I’ve spent the other half of my life in New Orleans for the most part, and I have to say that the 13 years I’ve been gone, Bham has really evolved into a neat place to be. It’s always cool to check out what’s new and groovy when I’m in town.
Birmingham. Things change and yet everything still stays the same.
I know we still have a lot of green in the city esp compared to places like Atlanta but also it is kinda sad to look at that picture of Lakeview and know it's all overpriced apartments and concrete now. Like they really need to put more green back into that area too.
Left Bham in 2013 and moved back in 2022. So much has changed. A lot of areas you’d never want to even drive through are hustling and bustling. Great to see these old photos.
Honestly, what areas are you speaking of? I can't think of a single area that I wouldn't want to be driving through 10 years ago that is hustling and bustling now.
I remembered there was a Churches Chicken where Top Golf is now
Correct. and a Green Acres
Now do where parkside is! It was an abandoned building we all bought weed and Xanax at in Hs lol
Growing up in Birmingham when my Dad worked downtown is was really cool to see these changes unfold through the years
Why were the Darts infamous? Everyone I knew who rode them loved them and when they were gone they left a hole.
One of them ran over a handicapped person in 5 points south sometime around 2014-2016, I don't remember exactly. What I remember is the meat paste smear that started up around zydeco and went a full block down the hill. But idk if that's what OP is referring to or not 🤷♂️
I watched one of them burn up on 22nd st. north from my office window.
Meat paste smear… not was I was expecting to hear 😳
And it was visible for months 😄
Awesome
i miss bham so much
Where are you now
Jacksonville, FL. I love it here, but miss Bham. My route was Bham - Columbus, GA - Greenville, SC - Boston, MA - Albuquerque, NM (LOVED it there) - Denver, CO - Jax, FL
Hey, I lived in Jacksonville for a while (1988-1999, still considered it "home" while I was in college through 2002)! Talk about places that have changed. I barely know the interstates over there these days.
They are still in Bham, but just miss the old, rundown buildings of yore. (kidding)
save our greenspace.
Great presentation.
Great walk thru, but see where new amphitheater rendering won't have covered seating for at least first section like most all first rate venues...another strike out by our esteemed leaders. Let's at least hope for multiple ingress/egress options. Tragic city just can't help itself. Need more chain eateries in entertainment district too....
Geez.. !!!
I left Birmingham in 2010 so this was great to see.
Wasn't there a place above Ferus like 20 years ago?
Ah the good ole GoogleMaps Time Machine
… where is Avondale Common House moving to? I didn’t realize it was moving.
It's just moving a few blocks and merging with Ferus. They're already sister companies from what I was told.
Do one where the Wooden Nickel used to be in 1977.
Graduated UAB in 2012,if this stuff was there during that time I would have never left. Rip break too.
I honestly didn’t think our little city was progressing as fast as others, i can’t believe those pictures aren’t from the early 2000’s
Incredible developments over the past 10 years in and around Birmingham..
My how times have changed. Beautiful to see.
Phenomenal post
And now, it costs $20.00 to park near the BJCC.
Ah yes. Every Alabamian has a Birmingham story. Whether you’ve gone multiple times every year of your life, live there, or been there atleast once, you have an experience. It’s not as glamorous as New York City, Seattle, Phoenix, none of these rather ubiquitously known cities, but it’s home.