The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-25
OUR BIRTH DATES
FROM THE HOLIDAYS
First Mayor Commenced His Duties on
December q, 1871.
SOME OF THE OLD BUILDINGS
That Have Stood to See Many Christ
mas Seasons.
FIRST AVENUE BRICK STRUCTURE
Is Now the Oldest Standing and 1t Was
Also the First to be Erected of
Brick Some interest
ing History.
SOME OF THE OLD BUILDINGS
FIRST AVENUE BRICK STRUCTURE

The holiday season. with its mirth. mer-
ry-making and good cheer, holds special
interest for Birmingham, significant of her
nativity, as well as that of the prince Of
Peace" The birth of the city properly
dates from December 81, 1871, when the first
mayor assumed the duties of his office and
the destiny of the city was launched in tho
Yuletide just twenty-seven years ago.
True, the plans of the great city were
formed some months before, and a few
scattering huts, representing the pioneer
settlement, had sprung up, which, like the
Star of Bethlehem pointing to the coming
of mighty King, attracted the attention
of the wise men of the time, forebodng the
building of a great city.
Strangely coincident with the coming of
Christ, the city sprung from the womb of
the virgin field and forest, which might be
said of other cities as well, yet allied as it
is with the Christmas season, in this spe-
cial instance it is worthy of note.
The early history of the city has been
chroniced time and time again, yet in the
rapid strides which she has made few
"reminiscences which may have been forgot
ten might be of interest.
First salspf Lots
On June l. 1871, the first sale of lots by the
Elyton Land Company was held, and many
hopeful spectators who had come from
different sections of the state and country,
attracted by the new Ell Dorado, were on
hand. The first lot offered for sale was
knocked down to Major A. Marie, who
came from Wetumpka. The lot was site-
ated at the corner of First avenue and
Nineteenth street, the site of the present
Saks building and the price paid was $50.
Many other lots were sod and soon people
began to flock in. The track of the Ala
bama and Chattanooga Railroad, which is
now a part of the Alabama Great South
ern had been completed, but no train serv-
ice had yet been established.
On the 18th day of August 1871, the first
building, a rough section house, was con-
structed on the south side of the track
above Twentieth street. Other buildings be-
gan to go. up, among which was the his
toric blacksmith shop which until a few
years ago stood on the present site of the
Steiner building. In September of the same
year man named Ford, who had case his
destinies with the struggling village, put
up the first brick building, which is still
standing, and lays distinction to being the
oldest building in the city at this time. 1t
is two stories high and is situated in First
avenue, between Eighteenth and Nineteenth
streets, about midway the block and its
walls and roof give shelter to thrifty
of Greece who, wholly unconscious of it's
historic haunts, deals out fish and bread to
hungry hordes. The next brick which
reared it's head was built at the corner of
jor A. Marie. The material was hauled In
agons from Brooks Gap, some miles
distant. In the meantime Mr.. Ford
had opened a grocery and general store in
his new brick, which became popularity
known as the Ford building" The village
continued to grow and a few months later
P. B. Worthington put up the brick at the
corner of First avenue and Twentieth
street, at present occupied by Solomon &
Levy. The next brick, at the corner of
Second avenue and Twentieth, was more
pretentious than it's predecessors, rearing
its head three stories high. 1t was built by
]. b. Webbs, it's present owner, who opened
saloon and hotel.
Center of Civilization
The town continued to grow. Second ave-
nue. and Twentieth street being about the
center of civilization, SO to speak. Mr.. Ford
had apparently selected bad location, as
his store was almost Isolated being far re-
moved from the business center and he
soon sold his stock and cleared out. For
several years his building was unoccupied
for the reason that it was too far out.
]. w. Mcdonald owned the northeast cor
ner of Second avenue and Twentieth street
which later became known the 5000
corner, the owner having been offered that
amount for it.
Tho population continued to increase and
the town to spread, and before many years
Birmingham became famous as the Magic
City of the south.
The population of Birmingham at the
time when the city charter was granted,
was not of class that the "soid men, of
the community deemed trustworthy to elect
competent officers to direct the affairs of
the municipality, and at the request of a
number of substantial citizens, Governor
Lindsey appointed Robert H. Henley, a
prominent young lawyer, as mayor of the
city. After serving one year, Mayor Henley
resigned on account of i'll health and died
a short time after in Savannah, Ca, where
he had gone for rest. His remains were
brought to Birmingham and inferred with
distinguished honors In Oak Hill Cemetery,
and according to his wish, plain stone
inscribed with the simple epitaph, Here
lies the first mayor of Birmingham" was
erected to his memory
The subsequent history of Birmingham Is
made up Of many Interesting events which
are familiar to the older inhabitants, who
were closely associated with every move
ment which tended to build up the city, and
who have rendered material assistance in
making her the most promising twenty sew
en-year-old city in the United States