National Register Listings in
Jefferson County, Alabama

Age-Herald Building Agee House Alabama Penny Savings Bank Alabama Theatre Anderson Place Historic District Anderson Place Historic District (Boundary Increase) Arlington Arlington Park Automotive Historic District Avalon Avondale Park Historic District Bank of Ensley Bass, Jonathan W., House Belcher-Nixon Building Belview Heights Historic District Bethel Baptist Church, Parsonage, and Guardhouse Birmingham Civil Rights Historic District Birmingham Wholesale Warehouse Loop West Historic District Birmingham, Railway, Light and Power Building Birmingham-Southern College Blessed Sacrament Academy Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Bottega Favorita Bradshaw House Brown, Dr. A. M., House Cahaba Homestead Village Historic District Caldwell-Milner Building Canaan Baptist Church Center Street Historic District Chestnut Hill Historic District Claridge Manor Apartments Continental Gin Company Country Club Historic District Crittenden Building Cullom Street-Twelfth Street South Historic District Downtown Bessemer Historic District Downtown Birmingham Historic District Downtown Birmingham Historic District (Boundary Increase II) Downtown Birmingham Historic District (Boundary Increase III) Downtown Birmingham Historic District (Boundary Increase) Downtown Birmingham Retail and Theatre Historic District Downtown Birmingham Retail and Theatre Historic District (Boundary Increase) Downtown Ensley Historic District Dr. Pepper Syrup Plant Dunbar High School East End Baptist Church Empire Building Enslen House Episcopal Church of the Advent Exclusive Furniture Shop Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta-Birmingham Branch Fire Station No. 10 Fire Station No. 11 Fire Station No. 12 Fire Station No. 15 Fire Station No. 16 Fire Station No. 19 Fire Station No. 22 Fire Station No. 3 Fire Station No. 6 First Baptist Church, East Thomas First Baptist Church, Kingston First Christian Church Education Building First Ebenezer Baptist Church First National-John A. Hand Building First Presbyterian Church First United Methodist Church Five Mile Creek Bridge Five Points South Historic (District Boundary Increase III) Five Points South Historic District (Boundary Increase II) Five Points South Historic District (Boundary Increase) Flintridge Building Forest Park Fourth Avenue Historic District Fox Building Gaston, A.G., Building Gleissner, John D. and Katherine, Lustron House Glen Iris Park Historic District Graymont School Hanover Court Apartments Hanover Place Historic District Heaviest Corner on Earth Highland Avenue Historic District Highland Plaza Apartments Hollywood Historic District Hotel Redmont Howard College Estates Historic District Ideal Department Store Building Jefferson County Courthouse King, A.D., House Kress, S. H., and Company Building Lakeview School Lakewood Historic District Leeds Downtown Historic District Loveman, Joseph, & Loeb Department Store Lustron House on Columbiana Road Magnolia Avenue South Historic District Manchester Terrace McAdory Building McAdory, Thomas, House Miles Memorial College Historic District Milner Heights Historic District Morris Avenue Historic District Morris Avenue-First Avenue North Historic District Mount Ararat Baptist Church Mountain Brook Estates Building Nabers, Morrow and Sinnige, Building New Pilgrim Baptist Church New Rising Star Baptist Church North Lakeview Industrial District Norwood Boulevard Historic District Oak Hill Cemetery Orlando Apartments Owen Plantation House Owen, Dr. Thomas McAdory, House Palmerdale Homesteads Historic District Parham Apothecary Building Peace Baptist Church Phelan Park Historic District Pinson Hills Historic District Pinson Main Street Historic District Powell Avenue Steam Plant Powell School Pratt City Carline Historic District Pratt School Quinlan Castle Ramsay-McCormack Building Red Mountain Suburbs Historic District Redmont Garden Apartments Reed, William, House Rhodes Park Rickwood Field Ridgely Apartments Roebuck Springs Historic District Rosedale Historic District Rosedale Park Historic District Sadler House Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church Sardis Baptist Church Second Presbyterian Church Shady Grove Baptist Church Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Sloss Blast Furnace Site Slossfield Community Center Smith, Joseph Riley, Historic District Smithfield Historic District Smithfield Historic District (Boundary Increase) South Central Bell Building South East Lake Historic District South Highlands of East Lake Historic District Southern Railroad Depot Southern Railway Terminal Station Southside Historic District Southside Historic District (Boundary Increase) St. Luke AME Church St. Luke AME Zion Church St. Paul's Catholic Church Steiner Bank Building Stonecroft Tarrant City Downtown Historic District Thomas By-Product Coke Works Historic District Thomas Historic District U.S. Post Office Vulcan Waters Building Watts Building West End Hills Missionary Baptist Church West End Masonic Temple West Park Whilldin Building Wimberly-Thomas Warehouse Windham Construction Office Building Woodlawn City Hall Woodlawn Comercial Historic District Woodlawn Highlands Historic District Woodlawn Historic District Woodward Building Wright, Bernice L., Lustron House Wylam Fire Station Zinszer's Peter, Mammoth Furniture House
Alabama was the birthplace of some of the most famous musicians in history, including Hank Williams, Nat King Cole, and W.C. Handy, who is often referred to as the "Father of the Blues."
Alabama random facts
Jefferson County, Alabama, holds a rich and diverse history that dates back to its establishment in 1819. Named after Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, the county was initially settled by Native Americans, including the Cherokee tribe, who inhabited the region prior to European colonization. The early European explorers began arriving in the 16th century, with French explorers being the first to claim the land in the early 18th century.

Jefferson County experienced significant growth and development during the early 19th century, primarily due to the discovery of vast mineral resources in the area. The discovery of iron ore and coal deposits transformed the county into a thriving industrial center. Birmingham, the county seat and the largest city, quickly emerged as a major hub for iron and steel production, earning it the nickname "The Pittsburgh of the South."

The county's industrial boom led to a massive influx of immigrants and laborers from across the United States and around the world, seeking employment opportunities. This influx of diverse cultures and backgrounds fueled the county's cultural growth and diversity. However, rapid industrialization also grappled with labor strikes, civil unrest, and social inequalities, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Jefferson County played a significant role in the struggle for equal rights, with prominent figures like Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth leading civil rights efforts in Birmingham.

In recent years, Jefferson County has faced challenges related to economic recession and financial crisis. The county underwent the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history in 2011 due to excessive borrowing and mismanagement. However, it has since experienced a slow but steady recovery.

Overall, Jefferson County has evolved from its early Native American roots to become a center of industry, culture, and social change. Its history is a testament to the resilience and determination of the people who have shaped the county and contributed to its ongoing development.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Jefferson County, Alabama.

  • 1819: Jefferson County is established as one of the original counties in the state of Alabama.
  • 1871: The Birmingham District is discovered, leading to a boom in iron and steel industries.
  • 1873: The city of Birmingham is founded as a result of the industrial growth in the area.
  • 1902: Construction of the Thomas Jefferson Hotel, a landmark in downtown Birmingham, begins.
  • 1909: The Birmingham Barons, a minor league baseball team, is established.
  • 1921: The Vulcan statue, now an iconic symbol of Birmingham, is dedicated.
  • 1937: Birmingham Airport, later renamed Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, opens to the public.
  • 1963: The Birmingham campaign for civil rights takes place, including the infamous bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church.
  • 1971: The Jefferson County Courthouse, an architectural landmark, is completed.
  • 2011: Jefferson County files for the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.