The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1900-09-03
OUR BIRMINGHAM
SEEN BY A VISITOR
And How the Best of All Cities
lmpreSSeS
THE STRANGER WHO COMES
Noble Streets, Abundant Activity, Vast
Business Interests Expanding, Life
and Light of Commerce, Calm
Health of the Natives
THE STRANGER WHO COMES

A visitor to Birmingham writes TO The
Age-Herald these impressions:
Birmingham makes favorable Impress
ion upon strangers. The first step from the
car lands you in an airy, cool and com
modious depot, with a good basement I'M
der foot. The depot is clean, and not
mile so from the town. The leading
hotel is just across the street Hack fare
is saved at the start-a pleasant Impress
ion to begin with
This impression is not dispelled by fur
Their acquaintance; but, on the contrary,
is increased. Birmingham is a live and
prosperous city. You can feel that much
the moment you enter the streets. There
is life and hustle. The town is not asleep;
although the weather Is hot and the dog
days and dull season at hand.
This life and stir in the streets is re-
markable for Southern city. One is al
most prompted to think he is in New York.
There is something about Birmingham
which recalls New York. There is the same
air of wealth and prosperity. The people
have something to do and are doing it,
They do not hang around the corners and
watch the world go by. Then the num-
DNA5
depot is on Nineteenth street, and I don't
know whether the numbers run into the
hundreds, but l did see sign some miles
out afterwards with Fifty-thlrd street on
it. l have no doubt the town will some
day grow out to it,
When you consider that Birmingham is
hardly thirty years old, it is marvellous
Here are fine buildings, paved streets,
handsome residences that would do credit
to city of a hundred years. The last
census shows more people in Jefferson
County, where Birmingham is, than any
ol-.er county in the South, except New Or
leans. Well informed residents predict
population of 250,0G0 ten years hence. l do
not think this estimate is high. The city
is a young giant. 1t has all the promise of
a great future.
Birmingham is noted for its iron furnaces
and steel works. These industries employ
thousands and represent millions of capt.
tai. Outsiders have always in a vague
way associated Birmingham with iron; but
what many do not realize is that Birming-
ham is fast becoming a large and cos
mopolitan place.
Business is good. The town never sleeps.
well lighted and full of people. Some of
the most brilliant lights are those of the
barrooms, of which Birmingham has a
goody number. This is an unfailing sign
of the prosperity of a town. Temperance
people would perhaps deny this, but it is
statistical fact. Where money is made
and spent the barrooms get goo share of
it, yet this is no sign OF drunkenness on
the streets or elsewhere.
Every Southern city boasts of its women
admirable characteristic. But in beauti-
full women Birmingham exces. The
climate here is fine and the compilations of
its women good. They are well dressed
AMI altogether remarkably handsome. As
an offset to the beauty of the women, and
to show that perfection cannot be attained
in all things the Southern city has its set
of loafers. l saw a number of men sitting
on the sidewalk in Birmingham in front
of the hotels engaged in holding down
their chairs. And, thought |, Birming-
ham has its loafers, like other places. But
l was told, in discussing this afterwards
that these men were all strangers visiting
Birmingham on business, and not loafers
OF course this is true, and here again Biz
mingham eXcels her neighbors
Every street in the business section has
its car line. Some two or three. You get
your moneys worth on the cars. You can
ride in any direction from five to ten
miles. These street car men are enter
prising. They have foreseen the growth
of Birmingham and pre-empted the streets
for miles. These lines go to suburban
towns, parks and pleasure resorts They
are well patrOnized. and the comnanies
like everything else in Birmingham are
making money.
In a word, Birmingham is aliye-it is
growing, and is going to be a big city. 1t
is young and self-assertive-not old and
pompous. 1t does not dream of bygone
ante-belum splendors, but of future gen.
erations. 1t is not crystalized nor handi-
capped with moss back ideas.
1t is a coming city and not one which
is going. going, gone!