' %^^%o^ \'»\/ V^^°^ V*-y .^.- ^^^"^^^ -W^ ^ o^ c • • • • ^o •5'. ,- . .^^xMn^- - ^x ^^mi//^.* ""^^A cV^^^DX'. ^*-_ .-^' -dm^^^" '-f Ao^ \.^' .^'\ ■ ••. %> "' ,*^ ."•. H «>» ^ ' * J^ At \ 3R/ SOUVENIR OF. . . BIRMINGHAM, Ala. PHOTO-GRAVURES. The Albertype Co., brooklyn. n. y. Copyright, 1903. by R. T. BOYETT, Birmingham Ala OCT 23 1?C3 Copy.-itn^ tntiy .""^■- "€ f- w - -■ ^ ^^ 3 CLASS a <> '- -) / C ^ <^ COPY 8. .V)j/i5^i^^ Court House. ^£^'k>T.-ii:Ji-:?Sir:.-'^:,'-^.ii^!^XU^i^^'3i^?^-i wmm First Avenue, looking east. Union Depot. ;: ■is"' -• Nineteenth Street, looking south. m.. I«l|Biii r ,^ J^^ „J ;-ir~£i t ^ HiLLMAN Hotel. [ B yy^i^iipt {jj.j.j.yj The Birmingham News. The Daily Ledger. Second Avenue, looking west. Southern Club. ■-^.ii. Residences. lunLKi ^.i^Uuui,. Florence Hotel. First House built in Birmingham. Was located on First Avenue near corner 21st. Street, where Seal's Hall is now located. H^^-^/-' Birmingham Business College. Peter Zinszer's Nammoth Furniture House. Capital Park. Bijou Theatre. IBELH'-ftr/D PR.F.ftE> Churches. vj ^V MS C,i_/Mr^ Residences. Athletic Club. '^ Ct-.URCH OF TH.E_ AOVE,NT ''E.Pf SC O PA U ; Churches. Elks Home. Highland Avenue. North Highland School. Paul Hayne School. North Side Fire Department. <: o I ^-'jiii AvoNDALE Cotton Mill. AvoNDALE Park. Views in Elm Leaf Cemetery. Sloss Furnace. Steel Rod Mill at Ensley. First Avenue, Woodlawn. Helm Portrait Go's Studio. Parker Station, Woodlawn, Ala. Hill & Boyett, Publishers of Birmingham Souvenir. Some Facts and Figures Concerning Birmingham. THE span of years compassing the Age of Birmingham is in measure just equal to one generation of civilized humanity. A little over thirty years ago the site of Birmingham was a cornfield. Stately buildings erected for commercial purposes, equally as stately buildings for public uses and private dwellings in which luxury competes with comfort, attest the change that has occurred in one genera- tion and are but the prelude to still greater progress that must develop with the advent of another and succeeding generation. Birmingham is not a city of full stature and attained growth. She has but emerged from the clothes of her babyhood. What is one generation in the life of a growing great city ? It simply indexes in its develop- ment what it is to be, just as " coming events cast their shadows before." A special staff correspondent of the New York Sun sent here in February of this year wrote to his paper as follows : " Prior to 1871 no such place existed as Birming- ham. It was not even on the map. There wasn't even so much as a railroad in the County. The region about here, a stretch of about fifteen miles long by three or four wide, called Jones Valley, in the center of which sets Birmingham, is one of the largest centers of population and manufacturing industries in all the country East of the Mississippi and South of the Ohio Rivers. What it is destined to become in one or two decades is not safe to prophecy, unless you are prepared to commit yourself to figures which nobody who has not been here and studied conditions with his own eyes will believe. Put the City of Birmingham down for a population of 300,000 by the time the next census is taken, and you will not be very wide of the mark. Indeed, it is only a matter of annexation of that which probably is her own even now, that is. required to bring Birmingham to a population which has crowded ever}' other city ini the South for second place in point of size after New Orleans. " Within the city boundaries the population is probably limited to 60,000. But Birmingham has seventeen (17) satellites in the way of suburbs, all within the sphere of her influence and subject to her attractions. These suburbs vary in population from 1,000 to 10,000 and are constantly growing. Mutual interests, from a financial, commercial and sanitary point demand the welding of the various Civic Corporations into one homogeneous whole. This means one city government — the parent of all. It means the concentration of efforts to bind together in one great city the scattered fragments that dot the valley. It is a case of ' In Union there is strength.' It means ' Grealei Birmingham.' The first practical step in this consolidation will be taken when the bonds issued to build a great sanitar}^ sewer for mutual service are sold, and the work on it begun. We are growing towards Greater Birmingham everj- day. ' It is written in the stars ' — and so plainly that 'he who runs may read.' " Value of Real Estate. When the Elyton Land Company in June, 187 i, held its first public sale of lots at Birmingham, competition was not keen, and prices were on the bargain counter order. Any inducement necessary' to influence one to erect a building was conceded. Land was plentiful and houses were very scarce. It is difficult to believe that lots which then brought from three to five dollars per front foot, now readily command $1500.00 per front foot. In one instance, $1,800.00 per front foot has been refused for one of these lots that went for a song in 187 1. While such prices apply only to choice locations of business property, their mention " points a moral and adorns a tale." The good book says " The stone rejected by the builder became the corner stone of the edifice." A ver^' important feature to ever}' community and to every municipality is the rate of taxation. For the City of Birmingham this rate is $1.00 on eveiy $100.00, while the State tax is 75 cents per $100.00, and the County tax is 55 cents per $100.00. The total is $2.30 on the $i 00.00. The same rate applies to other towns in the County. One-sixth of the taxes paid into the State Treasury for 1902 was paid by Jefferson County. The Real Estate of the County is now estimated at $35,000,000. Last year it was 529,654,337. To this add $15,260,607 for assessment on personal property, and the grand total on assessed property for 1902 was $44,915,034. And it has been growing for years, and is certain to keep on increasing in value as the years roll by. In 1897 the assessed value of real estate in the County was $14,901,079. In six years the amount has doubled. The figures carry their own comment. For the City proper the real and personal tax assessment was for 1902, $18,318,- 406. And thirty years ago the site of the City was a corn field. Can any other city asking the attention of Investors make a better showing ? How many can make a showing as good ? Verily, none. Schools. Next in importance to taxes comes the Educational advantages, and these two generally influence decision in favor of or against a place. Birmingham offers in the way of Public Schools a system excelled by none other, and equaled by but few. Six commodious, well arranged and well equipped Public Schools are for white patrons, to which will soon be added a High School Building. The colored element has been provided for in this respect according to their needs. Besides the Public Schools there are private schools of rare excellence, and winning most favorable mention. Also fine business colleges for both young men and women, chief of which is the Birmingham Business College, under the able management of Prof. Willard J. Wheeler. There are two seminairies for young ladies, which have more than a local reputation, and whose rapid and continuous growth attest their popularity and usefulness, chief of which is the Pollock-Stephens Institute, conducted by Mrs. E. T. Taliaferro and Madame C. D. Elford. Then the Baptist denomination has a college for young men at East Lake, and the Methodists have a college at Owenton. There are also parochial schools, and the Catholics are as successful here in the conduct of their schools as they are at other places. Birmingham can certainly point with pride to her excellent schools, which commence with the Kindergarten and end with the finished course. Churches. While low taxes and good schools are characteristic of progressive communities, the moral tone is indicated by the number and character of their churches. In this respect Birmingham can point with pride to her temples erected to the living God. In architectural appearance they are evidences of good taste and cultivation, while their cost attests the pride and love taken in their erection. All denominations are represented, and all the churches are prosperous. The first Methodist Church cost over $200,000, and is a model of architectural beauty. Public Buildings. Birmingham has its share of Public Buildings. A City Hall, costing $250,000, has lately been erected, while the building of sewers, she opening of new streets, and the laying of cement sidewalks is a never-ceasing work. Hospitals. For the sick and needy we have as finely appointed Hospitals, of recent erection, as modern sanitation and experience could suggest. The leading one in capacity and cost is Saint Vincent Hospital, conducted under Catholic auspices. Then there is the Hillman Hospital, which started from a small beginning, and has grown to be a lofty monument to the persistent and untiring devotion of noble women. Besides these there are private infirmaries and a Medical College with modern equipments. We have two large ten-story buildings and one of nine stories, and all their space for offices has been engaged. Musically, socially and intellectually Birmingham is a city of cultivated people — and welcome those who come to cast their lots with them. Senator Morgan recently said, " For the future I do not believe Birmingham and the district have really begun to realize its fullest promise." However, this City and district will be the greatest anywhere on this continent. Turning now to a commercial view of affairs ponder over these facts, viz : In 1897 — Our Bank Clearings were, - - $20,907,495 In 1902— " " " " - - 56,781,048 In 1903 — " " " " - - 60,029,461 In 1898 — Our Bank Deposits were, - - $ 3,500,000 In 1903— " " " " - - 11,475,454 Banks. First National Bank, Alabama National Bank, American Trust and Savings Bank, People's Savings Bank, Jefferson County Savings Bank. Steiner Brothers, Bankers. Birmingham Trust and Savings Co. The Coal production in 1898 was - - 6,416,741 tons " 1902 " - - 10,327,713 " The Coke production in 1899 was - - 1,798,612 tons " " " " 1902 " - - 2,210,735 " The Pig Iron production in 1898 was - 1,020,559 tons " " " " " 1902 " - 1,500,000 " " " '• " " 1903 " - 1,875,000 " Car Service. The cars handled by the Car Association in 1899 was - 373,683 « " '< " " " " " 1902 " - 615,937 Does anyone want better evidence of the rapid developement of an increasing bus- iness? The gross volume of the wholesale and retail trade of the City for 1902 amounted to about $70,000,000. Of this amount $17,000,000 was produce and markets, while $15,000,000 was groceries, and $10,000,000 was dry goods, notions, clothing, furniture, carpets etc. The balance was distributed through other departments of trade. The limited space allowed these excerpts from authentic sources precludes a further addition. What has been stated here may stagger some readers, and cause them to imagine that AUadin and his wonderful lamp have been resurrected and burnished. Let those remember that figures do not lie, and what is said above is but a transcript from ofhcial records open at all times to examination and courting inquiry. Read the story and visit this wonder of the world, and you will say as did the Queen of Shebato Solomon, who after viewing his riches, and witnessing his greatness and his wisdom exclaimed " the half had not been told me." Our gates are never closed. They are always open to the visitor, the investigator, the home seeker. We are expanding and ever reaching out. We want to fill this valley with homes, and we are going to do it. " No pent up Utica contracts our powers; The world, the boundless Universe is ours." A warm welcome is extended to those in pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. All these combine here to make this valley an ideal place for business or residence. We are not " the coming City ", for we are now the City," par excellence " of the South, and are fast developing into one of the leading centers of the industrial world. How We Crow. Birmingham's high tide of prosperity continues. The year 1902 was a record year but 1903 marks a wonderful advance in this district and exceeds the expectations of even the most pronounced optimist. The manufacture of steel on a large scale here has passed its experimental stage more than twelve months ago, but to-day it is far more firmly established than ever as a commercial proposition. The Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company produced last year atitsEnsley plant 170,340 tons of steel ingots. The production for the first half of this year has been 94,522 tons. This steel industr}' is now the key to the situation. With it everything is possible in the way of industrial developement. Following the production of steel comes the finished product in variety, and already a good start has been made along this line. Steel rails of the highest quality are just now being turned out here. The Birmingham district has thirty blast furnaces, two steel mills, a rail and struct- ural steel plant, three rolling mills, a spike mill, pipe works, rod and wire mills, and all manner of wire manufacturing concerns. The cast iron pipe companies produce about 200,000 tons annually. The labor pay rolls of the district amount to $3,500,000 a month, which is a large increase over last year. In addition to its vast industrial business Birmingham has built up a large merc- antile trade. The cotton compresses here handle 100,000 bales a year. The lumber trade is veiy large and the wholesale merchants do a jobbing business that amounts to $30,000,000 a year. Within the twelve months ending April 30th, 1903, 137 companies were incorpor- ated here with a combined capitalization of $4,912,200. In the same period the sum of $6,113,643 was spent by the big corporations in improvements. Seventy-five per cent, of all the traftic hauled by the railroads of Alabama is credited to the Birmingham district. The taxable valuation of property in Jefferson County is $48,000,000 Birmingham has an electric street railway system of 106 miles, which is superior to any in the South, and the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power Company ,which owns and operates it, is spending $2,500,000 on the extension and improvement of its properties, Birmingham is already a great railroad center, the following R. R. companies already operating here : The Louisville and Nashville, the Southern, the Queen and Crescent the Frisco, the Central of Georgia, the Illinois Central and the Seaboard. The Gould system will probably be the next to come. Birmingham is the greatest traffic center of the South, and ever}' road in the South must eventually come this way. To give some idea of the enormus amount of traffic done in this great district — 64 passenger trains and 200 freight trains run in and out of Birmingham daily. New houses built in Birmingham and its environs during the twelve months ending April 30th, 1903, numbered 2,084 ^^'^d cost $4,269,975. Birmingham's water supply is adequate for the City's needs and its sewerage has been sufficient up to the present time, but looking to the rapid growth of population Jefferson County is constructing two great trunk sewers at a cost of $500,000. Newspapers. There are three daily newspapers published in Birmingham, the Age-Herald, a morning paper, and published seven days in the week ; the Neii , " «