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Gardendale, Alabama

Gardendale is a city in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States and a northern suburb of Birmingham. The population was 16,044 at the 2020 census.

History
A large farm settlement near the area today known as Gardendale was settled around 1825. Some years later, other settlers began to move into the community commonly known as Jugtown, a name given to the area based on the presence of a large jug and churn factory that operated in the area. Some years later, Hettie Thomason Cargo, a school teacher, would lead a campaign to change the name of the community after being embarrassed to admit she was from "Jugtown" at a regional teachers' meeting. In 1906, the name Gardendale was selected, and in 1955, the City of Gardendale was officially incorporated. Today, with more than 16,000 residents (estimated), the city of Gardendale has grown to include more than 400 businesses, 4 schools, and 24 churches.

In 1996, the Olympic torch run passed through the city during the weeks leading up to the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Before Interstate 65 was constructed, the main route between Nashville, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama was U.S. Route 31. Prior to being built as a four-lane road, U.S. 31 was a twisting two-lane road that is still largely visible today. From the north end of Gardendale, it is now Snow Rogers Road, North Road, Moncrief Road, and then Main Street southward through the city to the Fultondale city limit where it becomes Stouts Road. In the fall of 2008, new signs were placed along the original route of Stouts Road through Gardendale denoting its historical significance as a stagecoach route between Tennessee and Birmingham during the 19th century. The first traffic signals in the city were located along U.S. 31 at Tarrant Road, Fieldstown Road, and Moncrief Road as well as Tarrant Road at Pineywood Road. A new signal at the intersection of Fieldstown Road and Main Street near city hall replaced a blinking signal shortly thereafter. Fieldstown Road was a narrow two lane road from U.S. 31 westward until Interstate 65 was built and then Fieldstown Road was re-routed onto the new road in the mid-1980s. An abundance of traffic signals have been erected in the city since those early days. In approximately 1970, the city installed street lights along U.S. 31 from the Fultondale city limits northward to the Moncrief Road intersection. The technology at that time was for blue vapor lights. Today, nearly 40 years later those same blue vapor lights still exist with some being replaced with the more modern bulbs near major intersections. Since 1980, Gardendale has annexed considerable amounts of land on the north, east, and west sides. Much of the eastern area is uninhabited. The western annexation is centered along Fieldstown Road. Most of the newest residential development has been in this area and along Shady Grove Road south of Fieldstown Road. The northern annexation has centered along US 31 and extends nearly 2 mi farther north than 1980. The city has a working historical society, established January 23, 2006, that is working to record the history of the Gardendale area. They have a museum that is open to the public on Thursdays and Saturdays. It contains a variety of photographs, documents, and other historical memorabilia from Gardendale.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.0 sqmi, all land. However, with the recent annexation of several thousand acres from the community of Mt. Olive and other unincorporated areas, the city now has an estimated total area of around 25.0 sqmi. Gardendale is situated along one of the three major transportation corridors from the Midwest to the Gulf Coast (I-75, I-65, I-55). A tremendous volume of freight (via rail and truck) passes through or near Gardendale.

Gardendale is served by two major north–south highways: Interstate 65 and U.S. 31. A new interstate highway, Interstate 22 will run northwestward from I-65 near Gardendale towards Memphis, Tennessee. This freeway is open from Coalburg Road near Fultondale just southwest of Gardendale to Memphis. Another future road project is the Northern Beltline which will run from Interstate 59 near Argo westward across northern Jefferson County, crossing I-65 on the northern edge of Gardendale. This highway is currently designated to become Interstate 422. This route is some 15–20 years away from completion. Major east–west roads in Gardendale include Fieldstown Road (there has been some discussion of requesting a state highway designation for this road between US 31 and I-65 and perhaps westward towards I-22) which runs from U.S. 31 in Gardendale westward, Tarrant Road which runs from the city eastward, and Mt. Olive Road which runs northwestward from the city. Another future road project may be an extension of Fieldstown Road east of U.S. 31 to connect to the Castle Pines development (which is in the city but only accessible via a roundabout route nearly 10 mi long) and then across New Castle Road, and then further east to connect to Carson Road. Gardendale is located in an area that once yielded large amounts of coal. Gardendale is located at the southwestern end of one of the Appalachian ridgelines running from eastern Tennessee into northeast Alabama. Several old and closed coal mines exist in the area as well as lands that were once strip mined and then replanted for forests. No major waterways are located in Gardendale but several streams feed into the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River that passes north and west of the city. Much of the land inside the city limits on the east and northeast sides of Gardendale is rocky and hilly with deep ravines. This portion of the city is sparsely populated and has limited access by road. The only major rail line passing near Gardendale is a north–south track passing on the eastern edge of the city from Boyles Yard near Tarrant paralleling New Castle Road northward towards Blount County. This rail line carries freight and is not a passenger line. The nearest passenger train service is by Amtrak at the Birmingham station 10 mi south of Gardendale. Commercial air travel is located at the nearby Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,044 people, 5,551 households, and 3,790 families residing in the city. 2024 estimate 20,014

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 13,893 people, 5,670 households, and 3,979 families residing in the city. The population density was 746.1 PD/sqmi. There were 6,040 housing units at an average density of 337.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 88.4% White, 8.6% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. 1.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,670 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.92.

The median income for a household in the city was $60,244, and the median income for a family was $79,044. Males had a median income of $52,782 versus $41,224 for females. The per capita income for the city was $30,748. About 1.9% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,626 people, 4,733 households, and 3,474 families residing in the city. The population density was 647.9 PD/sqmi. There were 4,959 housing units at an average density of 276.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.19% White, 1.48% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,733 households, out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,786, and the median income for a family was $56,929. Males had a median income of $36,714 versus $29,039 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,673. About 3.5% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Most new business development in the past ten years has been along Fieldstown Road (and Odum Road) on the west side of the city between I-65 and US 31. Additional development, but to a lesser extent, has occurred along Mt. Olive Road near I-65. Several older more mature shopping and dining areas exist along US 31. The new City Center is being developed on Mt. Olive Road just south of Fieldstown Road. The new city hall and offices will be located here.

New retail developments are slated near Interstate 65 at exit 275. This area is within the Gardendale city limits. Exit 275 is one mile from the future exit 274 Interstate 422. The interchange of these two interstates will spur commercial growth at exit 275. The segment of Interstate 422 from Alabama State Route 79 to Interstate 65 is currently slated to be the second segment of Interstate 422 to be constructed. The first segment is a short stretch between Alabama State Route 79 and Alabama State Route 75 near Pinson.

Arts and culture
Annual events include the Magnolia Festival which occurs each spring and is held around and near the Civic Center complex on Main Street.

Government
Gardendale uses the mayor/council form of government. Past mayors include J.I. Pesnell, Gilbert Jacks, James Yarbrough, Horace Parker, G. William Noble, Kenny Clemons, and Othell Phillips. Stan Hogeland is the current mayor.

The city council consists of five members. The city is divided into five geographic districts with each one electing a council member to represent it on the city council. The election cycle for the mayor and council members is every four years during the same years as presidential elections. The mayoral position became a full-time paid position following the 2008 elections. The city council chooses a member to become council president, who presides over the council meetings. The current council consists of: Bryan Knox (District 1), Adam Berendt (District 2), Alvin Currington (District 3, council president), Greg Colvert (District 4), and Will Hardman (District 5).

Gardendale has a full-time Police Department (Chief Scott Banks) and Fire Department (Chief Joe Thomas). The Fire & Rescue Department has three stations with station 1 located on Decatur Highway and station 2 located on Fieldstown Road and station 3 located on Tarrant Road. Fieldstown Volunteers, which is located in the western portion of the city, is a combination emergency response/disaster relief squad that mainly responds to large emergencies and provides support to other agencies.

Gardendale has a new City Hall that opened in 2015 on Main Street near the Civic Center. The previous city hall has been demolished and the property was sold to CVS for use as a pharmacy. The new Gardendale Civic Center is located on Main Street across from Gardendale High School. The Gardendale Public Library is located on Mt. Olive Road just south of the intersection of Mt. Olive Road and Fieldstown Road. A new municipal justice complex including court, police department, and jail has been located within the former Food World building facing US 31 just north of the city center area. Gardendale has several parks and athletic facilities. G. William Noble Park (formerly known as Moncrief Park) contains 6 baseball fields, 8 tennis courts, a football field, and 3 playgrounds as well as picnic and party facilities. It is located just off Moncrief Road on the northside of the city. The tennis courts are well maintained, and host many different events as do the baseball fields. G. William Noble Park is well kept and gets new playground equipment periodically. Luman Harris Park is a girls softball facility located just off Pineywood Road in the southeast part of the city. Also located there is the Miracle Park which is used for mentally and physically handicapped children. Mini Park, consisting of a playground for smaller children is located on Keith Circle, just north of Tarrant Road, four tenths of a mile east of US 31. Celebration Park is located on Fieldstown Road on the western edge of the city and contains two soccer fields and a walking track, a "splash pad" water park for children. Memorial Park is located between Main Street and US 31 in the north central part of the city and honors those who have served in the US Armed Forces. Past park facilities included two tennis courts and the old civic center which were located adjacent to city hall in the center of the city, two tennis courts located on Tarrant Road in the eastern edge of the city, a mini park located at the corner of Peterson Drive and Tarrant Road which contained an asphalt basketball court, and a softball field that was located behind the south end of Bragg Middle School.

Public
Gardendale is served by several schools operated by the Jefferson County Schools school district. Gardendale Elementary School which opened in 1969 and replaced the older elementary school located about 300 yards east of the current school. Bragg Middle School was built later to handle the growing student population. Until Bragg was opened, Gardendale High School handled grades 7–12. Both Gardendale High School and Bragg Middle School use the nickname Rockets and share the same colors of maroon and gray. Gardendale High School is rated as a 6A school for athletic competition for the two-year period beginning in the fall of 2010. Also located on the north side of Gardendale is Snow Rogers Elementary School. Snow Rogers school is unique in that although it is inside Gardendale city limits, it is a feeder school for both Bragg Middle School in Gardendale as well as North Jefferson Middle School located in nearby Kimberly, Alabama. These schools in turn feed into Gardendale High School and Mortimer Jordan High School located in nearby Kimberly, Alabama. Residential addresses of Snow Rogers students determine which school they go to once leaving Snow Rogers Elementary. Mt. Olive Elementary is located in the nearby unincorporated Mt. Olive community. Gardendale High School used the Rogers campus as well as temporary classroom buildings while a new high school was being constructed on the site of the former high school (which was built in the mid-1960s). The new high school opened in early 2010. Gardendale High School graduated its first students in 1968.

In November 2013, the city requested to break off its schools from those of Jefferson County and form its own mostly-White school system. The county schools had a majority of Black students. By establishing its own school district, Gardendale has ensured its schools will mostly have White students. Other towns in the county have followed this route and so moved toward de facto racial segregation. In early 2018, the attempt to break away from the county schools was squashed by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Madeline Haikala awarded the NAACP money on the grounds that the city government did not act in good faith, with the fine being almost $850,000. She stated the appellate argument had a "lack of candor".

Gardendale continues to impose its 10 mill tax while, at the same time, Jefferson County is imposing its countywide 8.8 mill tax for schools.

Private
Tabernacle Christian School is located on the northern side of the city, run by Gardendale Baptist Tabernacle. Their athletic teams carry the nickname Torches. Gardendale Christian Academy is also located on the northern side as a school and daycare run by Gardendale Church of the Nazarene. GCA's mascot is King's Knights.

Adult
Gardendale was once home to the Rogers Area Vocational School which has now been demolished to make way for soccer & baseball fields as well as student parking.

Media
Gardendale is located within the Birmingham television and radio market, the 39th largest market in the United States.

Newspapers covering Gardendale include The Birmingham News (3x weekly, based in neighboring Birmingham); The North Jefferson News was once based in the city but merged with the Cullman Times in April 2020 and ceased operations under the North Jefferson News name at that time.

Radio station WPYA (97.3 FM) is licensed and identified on air as a Gardendale radio station. This station is a Top 40 (CHR) station that covers the Birmingham radio market. The broadcast studios and transmitter are not located in Gardendale even though the station is licensed to Gardendale.

Health care
In 2019, UAB opened a free-standing emergency room with outpatient clinics and helipad access. Large hospitals offering secondary and tertiary care, including a trauma center, are located nearby in Birmingham, the home of the University of Alabama School of Medicine, the UAB hospitals, Baptist Brookwood hospital system, and St. Vincent's hospital system. Gardendale is served by several small health centers/clinics that are part of these larger healthcare systems.

Notable people

 * Mario Addison - professional football player
 * Jack Biddle - state legislator
 * Jordan Howard - professional football player for Philadelphia Eagles
 * Pat Keedy - former professional baseball player for 1985 California Angels,1987 Chicago White Sox and 1989 Cleveland Indians
 * Trey Mullinax - PGA professional golfer
 * John Salter - mixed martial arts fighter
 * Willie Wyatt - former Alabama Crimson Tide Football and Arena Football League player
 * Chris Fryar - drummer for the Zac Brown Band

title: Gardendale, Alabama


text:
Grayson Valley, Alabama

Grayson Valley is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in the northeastern Birmingham area, in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It is located between the Spring Lake neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama and the Birmingham suburbs of Clay, Trussville, and Center Point. At the 2020 census, the population was 5,982.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,982 people, 2,598 households, and 1,718 families residing in the CDP.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Grayson Valley, Alabama


text:
Graysville, Alabama

Graysville is a city in northwestern Jefferson County, Alabama, United States, located north of Adamsville. At the 2020 census, the population was 1,950.

History
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, this city was called Gin Town. Because it had the only cotton gin for miles around, the community grew. It incorporated as Graysville initially in 1897. As the town grew, the need for businesses and houses of worship grew as well. One street over from this site, the Union Church was established in the early 1900s. All people of all denominations met and worshiped there as it was the only church for miles around. In 1927, the town charter was revoked on the grounds of "inactivity."

This city was reincorporated on November 17, 1945. The first meeting of the town council took place at the old school house on January 16, 1946. Later that year, the original city council established the Graysville Water Works system. In 1949, the city council established the Graysville Gas Board which eventually became the Graysville Municipal Gas System. During the 1950s and 1960s, the local coal mines and steel mills attracted families from all over Alabama. As a result of this growth, Graysville established the city's first series of home developments and subdivisions. During the 1980s and 1990s, Graysville expanded its city limits by annexing multiple acres in what was then unincorporated in Jefferson County.

Its communities were damaged by an EF3 tornado on January 23, 2012.

Geography
Graysville is located at 33.62694°N, -86.96222°W (33.626955, -86.962255). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.3 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,950 people, 765 households, and 542 families residing in the city.

2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 2,165 people, 907 households, and 607 families living in the city. The population density was 343.7 PD/sqmi. There were 1,066 housing units at an average density of 169.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 73.9% White, 23.6% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. 1.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 907 households 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 30.2% of households were one person and 12.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.

The age distribution was 20.3% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% 65 or older. The median age was 44.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.

The median household income was $35,750 and the median family income was $44,926. Males had a median income of $37,156 versus $30,917 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,308. About 15.9% of families and 20.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 2,344 people, 976 households, and 696 families living in the city. The population density was 373.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,090 housing units at an average density of 173.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 75.26% White, 23.12% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.17% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 976 households 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 25.7% of households were one person and 14.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.85.

The age distribution was 20.9% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.

The median household income was $30,994 and the median family income was $35,938. Males had a median income of $30,692 versus $25,446 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,328. About 8.2% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Graysville, Alabama


text:
Helena, Alabama

Helena is a city in Jefferson and Shelby counties in the state of Alabama. Helena is considered a suburb of Birmingham and part of the Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area. As of 2022 the |The United States Census Bureau estimates the population to be 21,862.

Helena is highly regarded as a place to live and raise children; Business Week ranked the city as the 13th "Best Place to Raise Your Kids" in 2007. It has the eighth-lowest crime rate per population in the U.S., and the city was ranked in Money magazine's 2007 list of "Best Places to Live: Top 100" in the U.S., placing at number 91. The Alabama League of Municipalities awarded Helena the 2008 Municipal Achievement Award (population 10,001 to 20,000).

Helena initially incorporated in 1877, but reincorporated in 1917 after errors were discovered in the initial incorporation papers. Its population was not recorded separately in the U.S. Census until 1920, reflecting the later date of incorporation.

Early settlers
The area was long the territory of the historic Muscogee people, known by English colonists as the Creek Indians. While Scots-Irish and English traders had interaction with them, and there was some armed conflict in the early 19th century, most European-American settlers did not come to this area until 1849. This was after the United States had conducted Indian Removal of the Creek and other Southeastern tribes in the 1830s, to lands west of the Mississippi River.

The first European-American settlers to Helena, which they initially named Cove, were veterans of the final campaigns of the War of 1812. Members of Andrew Jackson's army were attracted to the quiet, peaceful valleys and streams after the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. By 1856, the Cove post office opened. Shortly thereafter, the settlers changed the name of the town to Hillsboro.

Civil War
The onset of the American Civil War brought the need for the South to increase its manufacturing production and develop new industries, in service of the Confederate States of America. Coal and iron ore mines were dug throughout this area and the construction of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad provided new transportation connections. Helena became an important industrial center for the wartime efforts. Around 1864 a rolling mill was built on Buck Creek, near the rail lines to process the iron from Selma.

Peter Boyle, an engineer for the railroad working on a new line, met and courted Helen Lee. He would name the rail station that supported the rolling mill after her. Eventually the town was named Helena after the train station.

Wilson's Raid
As the final battles of the Civil War were being fought, Union forces amassed a force for a cavalry raid to attack the South's war fighting capability, as Sherman's march had done the previous year. Led by James Harrison Wilson, this force passed through the town of Helena on March 30, 1865, where they destroyed much of the newly developed industry and residential buildings.

Reconstruction
Within a few years of the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the reconstruction era, industrialists were again developing the area coal and iron ore resources. The railroads were rebuilt and coke ovens were established by the Eureka Company in 1870. The rolling mill was rebuilt in 1873, with support spurred by Rufus Cobb, later elected as a two-term governor. Much of what was Hillsboro had been absorbed by the expanding Helena area. The town was surveyed by Joseph Squire in 1873 and incorporated in 1877.

By 1880, Helena contained "six mercantile stores, one drugstore, two hotels, and several boarding houses… The rolling mill had been expanded and modernized and the number of merchants had increased."A rail yard was added by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company.

Depression era
Helena was first incorporated in 1877 but had to reincorporated in 1917 after the initial incorporation paperwork was found to contain errors. Charles Hind was elected mayor the same year. Much of the industry began to decline as the economy contracted in the years after World War I. The rolling mill was closed in 1923 and many mine closures followed. As the Great Depression set in during the 1930s, the town fell on hard times. Many residents left to find work elsewhere.

1933 Tornado
Around 3 AM on May 5, 1933, residents were awoken to a massive tornado that ripped through the heart of Helena. A total of twelve persons were killed; 75 people were reported as injured. Many of the original houses were completely destroyed and railroad cars were overturned. The property damage was estimated to be in the range of $100,000 to $150,000 (not adjusted).

Modern expansion
Helena remained a small town in the largely rural county until suburban growth from Birmingham reached the city in the late 20th century. Numerous residential and commercial developments have taken place, spurring improvements to city facilities and services. By the early 21st century, Helena had large population gains, with related growing pains in trying to provide services, as a result of its convenient location and high quality of life.

2021 tornado
Another tornado struck the town on March 25, 2021, causing EF1 damage to several homes and downing trees throughout several neighborhoods. The tornado eventually reached low-end EF3 strength northeast of town.

Geography
Helena is located at 33.27972°N, -86.85611°W (33.279715, -86.856060).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.1 sqmi, of which 17.1 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.12%) is covered by water. The Cahaba River and its tributary Buck Creek run through Helena. Buck Creek is dammed upstream of Alabama State Route 261 in the Old Town area to form Lake Davidson. It was used both for recreation and to generate water wheel power at the turn of the 20th century. Fishing, wading, and canoeing are popular uses of both waterways.

Helena sits at the foothills of the very southern extent of the Appalachian Mountains as they descend into the Gulf of Mexico coastal plain. The area is largely rolling hills with numerous small streams, and undeveloped areas are primarily mixed woodlands.

Downtown Birmingham is 20 mi (32 km) north via Alabama Route 261 to US-31 or I-65.

Climate
The climate of Helena is typical of the Deep South, with long, hot, humid summers and short, relatively mild winters. Summer high temperatures are commonly in the upper 90s and low 100s F; winter lows are usually in the 20s F. Measurable snowfall is rare, occurring only a few times a decade. Thunderstorms are frequent occurrences during the summer. The Helena area experiences two severe weather peaks, early spring (March–April) and late fall (November), with tornadoes being frequent hazards during both peaks. Hurricanes coming ashore on the northern Gulf coast occasionally reach Helena with tropical storm-force winds.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 20,914 people, 6,718 households, and 5,119 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, 16,793 people, 3,828 households, and 3,043 families resided in the city. The population density was 603.0 PD/sqmi. The 3,983 housing units averaged 233.3 per square mile (90.1/km$2$). The racial makeup of the city was 82.5% White, 13.1% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 1.1% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races; 3.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 3,828 households, 43.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.2% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.5% were not families; 17.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was distributed as 28.7% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 42.7% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $62,908, and for a family was $66,250. Males had a median income of $45,291 versus $32,431 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,323. About 1.4% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Economy
The local economy is broadly diversified among professional, service, and manufacturing jobs. Many of the residents of Helena commute to work in other communities within the greater Birmingham area. No employer is dominant in the city, and recent economic growth has mainly come in the service industries to support the increased population. Well-known local industries include the Vulcan Materials Company construction aggregate quarry and the Plantation Pipeline depot and tank farm. A developed industrial park includes a wide variety of manufacturers.

Arts and culture
Helena holds numerous arts and crafts fairs, and musical performances throughout the year in public spaces. Helena Old Town Live Summer Concert Series bring thousands into Amphitheater Park to hear great music.Helena's residents also have easy access to cultural attractions in the greater Birmingham area, such as the Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham Museum of Art, McWane Center, and Vulcan statue and park.

During 2005, Helena gained nationwide notice as the hometown of singer Bo Bice, who was a finalist on the popular Fox program American Idol. Magnolia Springs Manor was the host of Sacha Baron Cohen’s character Borat in his famous 2006 hit film.

Annual cultural events
Major annual community events largely reflect traditional small-town American life. They include an Easter Egg Hunt, Buck Creek Festival, 4th of July picnic, concert and fireworks; Fall Carnival, Spring Fling, and Christmas Parade.

Museums and other points of interest
Major points of interest include the Cahaba River, Old Town Amphitheater, and the Old Town district, which includes the 19th-century jail and railroad freight depot, as well as commercial structures from the 19th century. The Kenneth R. Penhale Museum opened in October 2011 in the Old Town district.

Sports
Outdoor sports are popular in Helena. Football attracts the most participants and spectators at all levels; golf, basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer are also popular among residents. Some children participate in city-sponsored sports and school-sponsored sports. Others participate in sports at the nearby Pelham YMCA.

Numerous minor-league sports franchises are located in the Greater Birmingham area, within which Helena is located. Local sports venues (in that area) include the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium (Hoover Met), Regions Field in Southside of Birmingham, Legion Field in Birmingham, the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC), and Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds. College sports, which are most popular in Helena, just like the rest of Alabama, use several of these venues. College sports fans in Helena most commonly support the Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, UAB Blazers, and Samford Bulldogs, and many are alumni of those schools.

Parks and recreation
Numerous parks are provided within Helena by the city and Shelby County. These parks feature open green spaces, playground equipment, a fishing pond, and a baseball field complex often used for tournaments and recreational leagues. The Helena Sports Complex opened in 2003 and features a community center and spaces for baseball, softball, cheerleading, basketball, and soccer. The most popular parks in Helena include Joe Tucker Park and Cahaba Lily Park. The Old Town Helena Amphitheater, along the banks of Buck Creek, features a stage and grass seating area where numerous productions are staged, including the popular Summer Sundown Cinemas (free movies) and 4th of July celebration. The Cahaba River and its tributary Buck Creek run through Helena. Buck Creek is dammed upstream of Alabama Highway 261 in the Old Town area to form Lake Davidson. Fishing, wading, and canoeing are popular uses of both waterways.

Government
The city has an elected mayor-council form of government. The mayor and council is elected at-large Those elected in 2020 are: Helena City Council:
 * Mayor - Brian Puckett
 * Chris Willis - Place 1
 * Christopher R. VanCleave - Place 2 (Pro-Tempore)
 * Alice Lobell (City Council President) - Place 3
 * Laura Joseph - Place 4
 * Hewy Woodman - Place 5

The city operates the following departments:
 * Administrative
 * Building Inspectiins,Planning
 * Cou
 * Fire
 * Human Resources
 * Parks & Recreation
 * Police
 * Public Works
 * Revenue and Finance
 * Utility Board

The city enjoys full-time, paid public safety services through the Helena Police Department and Helena Fire Department. The Helena Fire Department has three fire stations and includes volunteer firefighters in addition to the paid staff. The Helena Police Department includes a K-9 unit. Together with the fire department, it sponsors a Law Enforcement Explorer Post with Learning-for-Life, a division of Boy Scouts of America.

Education
Public education for students from kindergarten to 12th grade is provided by the Shelby County School System, including Helena Elementary School, Helena Intermediate School, Helena Middle School, and Helena High School. A new high school, to accommodate the increased number of students, was constructed and opened in the fall of the 2014–15 year.

Media
Helena is within the Birmingham/Tuscaloosa/Anniston media market. Its major local television stations are WBRC Fox 6, WBIQ APT (PBS) 10, WVTM (NBC) 13, WTTO CW 21, ABC 33/40, WIAT CBS 42, WPXH ION 44, and WABM MyNetworkTV 68. Helena is also served by all the Birmingham radio stations, including 100.5 WJQX, an ESPN Radio station licensed to Helena. The Birmingham News is Helena's major daily newspaper. It publishes a special Shelby County section, the Shelby News, in addition to the regular Birmingham edition, which is distributed to Helena subscribers.

The Shelby County Reporter is a weekly newspaper covering Shelby County, including Helena.

Additionally, the Helena - The Magazine is published monthly by the City of Helena as a public service; it is mailed to all Helena residents. The Helena - The Magazine is a news and culture magazine-style publication, that runs 52 pages, and includes reporting on past and future community events, profiles on local businesses and residents, and monthly columns by area physicians and elected government officials.

Transportation

Helena is located near two major interstates. I-459, which joins major east–west interstates I-20 and I-59, is located 9 miles to the north; north-south oriented I-65 is 3 miles east of Old Town Helena. AL-261 runs through the heart of Helena and connects the city to neighboring Pelham, where it intersects US-31, located 2 miles east of Old Town. Here it becomes Valleydale Road and continues to its terminus at US-280, ultimately connecting Helena with eastern Hoover.

CSX Transportation provides rail service on two separate lines, the S&NA South subdivision between Birmingham and Montgomery, and the Lineville subdivision between Birmingham and Atlanta, Georgia.

General aviation and private jet services are available at the nearby Bessemer Airport (EKY) about 8 miles north of Old Town. Extensive commercial flights are available at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) about 25 miles to the northeast. Intercity rail service is available on the Amtrak Crescent, 19 miles to the north in Birmingham.

Utilities
Electric service is provided by Alabama Power Company; water, sewage, and garbage pick-up by the city; and cable television and internet provided by multiple providers.

Healthcare
Numerous medical professionals practice in Helena. Many cater to family and individual patient's needs in areas such as counseling, dentistry, psychiatry, physical therapy and primary care. The city also benefits from its proximity to Birmingham's extensive medical community, including several major hospitals and University of Alabama at Birmingham medical schools. The closest hospital is Baptist Shelby in Alabaster.

Notable people

 * Bo Bice, American Idol's 2005 runner-up
 * Liz Cochran, 2009 Miss Alabama and competitor in the 2010 Miss America Pageant, was born here.
 * Vonetta Flowers, Olympic Gold Medal gymnast
 * Rebecca Luker, actor and singer, who appeared in several musicals
 * Leigh Hulsey, member of the Alabama House of Representatives and former member of the city council

title: Helena, Alabama


text:
Charles XIII

Charles XIII, or Carl XIII (Karl XIII, 7 October 1748 – 5 February 1818), was King of Sweden from 1809 and King of Norway from 1814 to his death. He was the second son (and younger brother to King Gustav III) of King Adolf Frederick of Sweden and Louisa Ulrika of Prussia, sister of Frederick the Great.

Though known as King Charles XIII in Sweden, he was actually the seventh Swedish king by that name, as Charles IX (reigned 1604–1611) had adopted his numeral after studying a fictitious history of Sweden. In Norway, he is known as Charles II.

Early life
Prince Charles was placed under the tutelage of Hedvig Elisabet Strömfelt and then Ulrica Schönström. He was appointed grand admiral when he was but few days old. He was described as a good dancer at the amateur theatre of the royal court. Reportedly he was not very close to his mother. The Queen preferred her youngest children, Sophie Albertine and Frederick Adolf.

Charles was, however, his father's favorite, and similar to him in personality. He was also described as close to his brother Gustav during their childhood.

Because of his position as the heir to the throne after his elder brother Gustav, he was early targeted as a useful tool for the opposition to his brother: already in the 1760s, the Caps (party) tried to use him against his brother the crown prince through his then love interest countess Brita Horn, daughter of the Cap's politician Adam Horn. Gustav, however, was always careful to prevent Charles from being used by the opposition, which came to its first test during the December Crisis (1768), when Charles, ultimately, did not let himself be used by the Caps party. In 1770, he made a journey through Germany and France alone.

Reign of Gustav III
After the death of his father in 1771, when his brother the crown prince was abroad, the Caps once again attempted to use him against his brother, now King Gustav III of Sweden, and his mother Louisa Ulrika used this in order to have her own rights as a dowager queen respected by the Caps. Upon the departure of his mother to Prussia, and the return of his brother, however, Gustav III managed to win him to his side.

In 1772 he cooperated in the Revolution of 1772 of his elder brother, King Gustav. He was given the task of using his connections in the Caps party to neutralize it and secure the southern provinces by use of the military, tasks he performed successfully and for which the king rewarded him with the title Duke of Södermanland.

Duke Charles in early years was the object of his mother's plans to arrange political marriages for her children. On the wish of his mother, he was to be married to her niece, his cousin Philippine of Brandenburg-Schwedt, a plan to which he had agreed in 1770. The government, however, refused to issue negotiations because of the costs. After the accession of Gustav III and the coup d'état which introduced absolute monarchy, his brother terminated these plans against their mother's will in October 1772, and began negotiations for a marriage between Charles and his cousin Hedwig Elizabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp. As King Gustav had not consummated his own marriage, he wished to place the task of providing an heir to the throne with his brother. Charles agreed to the marriage in August 1773, and the marriage took place the following year. After a false alarm of a pregnancy of Hedwig Elizabeth Charlotte in 1775, the king finally consummated his own marriage. Charles and his wife lived separate private lives and each had extramarital affairs. During the great succession scandal of 1778, when queen dowager Louisa Ulrika questioned the paternity of the issue of Gustav III, Charles sided with his brother the king against their mother, this despite the fact that it was in fact he who had informed her of the rumors regarding the legitimacy, something he however withheld from the king.

Charles was described as dependent and easily influenced. His numerous affairs gave him the reputation of being a libertine. He was reputed for his many lovers, of which the more well known were Augusta von Fersen, Charlotte Eckerman, Françoise-Éléonore Villain, Mariana Koskull and Charlotte Slottsberg, the last one reputed to have had political influence over him. He unsuccessfully courted Magdalena Rudenschöld, and her refusal of his advances has been pointed out as the cause of the harsh treatment he exposed her to as regent during the Armfelt conspiracy. After the late 1790s, when his health deteriorated as a result of a series of rheumatic attacks, his relationship to his consort improved and she gained more influence over him.

The Duke was known for his interest in the supernatural and mysticism, and he was engaged in several secret societies. He was a member of the Freemasons. He was reportedly a client of the fortune teller Ulrica Arfvidsson, and he also favored the medium Henrik Gustaf Ulfvenklou. In 1811, he founded the Order of Charles XIII, a Swedish order of chivalry awarded only to a maximum number of 33 knights, on the condition of confessing the Lutheran Evangelic Religion and being Freemasons. All Princes and Kings of the Bernadotte dynasty, the royal house of Sweden are from baptism, incorporate parts of the royal order of knights and freemasons. In addition are the order of merit granted to members of foreign Grand Lodges affiliated to the so-called Swedish System, such as the Grande Loge Nationale Française, if of royal rank. When the Swedish order of Freemason's states that "Freemasonry in Sweden has continued to develop under leadership of their Grand Masters, all of them belonging to the Royal House since more than 200 years", the origin of which arrives in large from King Charles II of Norway, XIII of Sweden.

Duke Charles was given several political tasks during his tenure as a duke. In 1777, he served as regent during Gustav III's stay in Russia. In 1780, he served as formal chief commander during the king's stay in Spa. The same year, Gustav III named him regent for his son should he succeed him while still a minor. However, he was not appointed regent during the journey of the king to Italy and France in 1783–84, and in the following years, he came under the influence of Gustaf Adolf Reuterholm, who was in opposition to the monarch, and came to be less trusted by Gustav III.

In 1785, he was offered the Dukedom of Courland by the nobility of the Duchy and given the support of Gustav III. This however never materialized.

On the outbreak of the Russo-Swedish War of 1788 he served with distinction as admiral of the fleet, especially at the battles of Hogland (7 June 1788) and Öland (26 July 1789). On the latter occasion he would have won a signal victory but for the remissness of his second-in-command, Admiral Liljehorn.

The autumn of 1789, Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte wished to depose Gustav III and place her husband Duke Charles upon the throne. Her ideal was the Swedish Constitution of 1772, which she saw as a good tool for an enlightened aristocracy, and the war and the Union and Security Act had made her a leading part of the opposition. She cooperated with Prince Frederick Adolf of Sweden and Gustaf Adolf Reuterholm. The plan was to force Charles to act as a symbol of the opposition to the Union and Security Act when the time was right. When the time arrived to make Charles act, however, he refused, which effectively foiled the coup.

Charles was in close connection to the opposition against Gustav III, and it is debated whether he knew of and supported the plans to assassinate the king.

Reign of Gustav IV Adolf
On the assassination of Gustav III in 1792, Charles acted as regent of Sweden until 1796 on behalf of his nephew, King Gustav IV, who was a minor when his father was shot in the Stockholm opera. Gustav III had designated him regent in his earlier will. When he was dying, he altered the will, and while still appointing Charles regent of his minor son, he was no longer to rule absolute, but restricted by a government consisted of the supporters of Gustav III. After the death of the monarch, however, Charles successfully contested the will and was given unlimited power as sole regent.

The Duke-regent was in practice not willing or capable to manage the state affairs, reportedly because of his lack of energy and staying power. Instead, he entrusted the power of government to his favorite and adviser Gustaf Adolf Reuterholm, whose influence over him was supreme. These four years have been considered perhaps the most miserable and degrading period in Swedish history; an Age of Lead succeeding an Age of Gold, as it has been called, and may be briefly described as alternations of  fantastic jacobinism and the ruthless despotism. Reuterholm ruled as the uncontested regent de facto the entire tenure of the regency, "only seldom disturbed by other influences or any personal will of charles". The unexpectedly mild sentences of the involved in the regicide of Gustav III attracted attention. In 1794 the discovery of the Armfelt Conspiracy exposed the opposition of the Gustavian Party. The marriage negotiations of the young king disturbed the relationship to Russia, and the alliance with revolutionary France was greatly disliked by other powers.

On the coming of age of Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden in November 1796, the duke's regency ended. His relationship to Gustav IV Adolf was cordial though never close, and he was not entrusted with much responsibility during the rule of his nephew. In 1797 and 1798, he and his consort had their first children, though in neither case the child lived. After this, the Duke and Duchess made a journey through Germany and Austria in 1798–99.

In 1803, the Boheman affair caused a severe conflict between Gustav IV Adolf and the ducal couple. The mystic Karl Adolf Boheman (1764–1831) had been introduced to the couple by Count Magnus Stenbock in 1793 and gained great influence by promising to reveal scientific secrets about the occult. Boheman inducted them into a secret society Yellow Rose in 1801, where both sexes were accepted as members, and to which the Counts and Countesses Ruuth and Brahe as well as the mother of the queen were introduced. Boheman was arrested upon an attempt to recruit the monarch, who accused him of revolutionary agendas and expelled him. The ducal couple were exposed in an informal investigation by the monarch, and the duchess was questioned in the presence of the royal council. In 1808, Charles was again chief commander during Gustav IV Adolf's stay in Finland. He is presumed to have been, if not involved, aware of the plans to depose Gustav IV Adolf in 1809. He kept passive during the Coup of 1809, and accepted the post of regent from the victorious party after having assured himself that the deposed monarch was not in mortal danger. Charles was initially not willing to accept the crown, however, out of consideration for the former king's son.

Reign
On 13 March 1809, those who had dethroned Gustav IV Adolf appointed Charles regent, and he was finally elected king by the Riksdag of the Estates. By the time he became king, he was 60 years old and prematurely decrepit. In November 1809, he was affected by a heart attack, and was not able to participate in government. The new constitution which was introduced also made his involvement in politics difficult. A planned attempt to enlarge the royal power in 1809–10 was not put into effect because of his indecisiveness and health condition.

His incapacity triggered a search for a suitable heir. The initial choice was a Danish prince, Christian August, who took the name Charles August upon being adopted by Charles. However, Charles August died only a few months after his arrival in Sweden. One of Napoleon's generals, Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, was then chosen as his successor. The new crown prince took over the government as soon as he landed in Sweden in 1810. Charles's condition deteriorated every year, especially after 1812, and he eventually became but a mute witness during the government councils chaired by the crown prince, having lost his memory and no longer being able to communicate.

By the Union of Sweden and Norway on 4 November 1814, Charles became king of Norway under the name Carl II of Norway. After eight years as king only by title, Charles died without a natural heir on 5 February 1818, and Bernadotte succeeded him as King Charles XIV John.

Charles was the 872nd Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in Spain.

Family
He married his cousin Hedwig Elizabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp (1759–1818), on 7 July 1774 in Stockholm. They had a son who died in infancy:

 * 1) Carl Adolf, Duke of Värmland (Stockholm, 4 July 1798 – Stockholm, 10 July 1798). Lived six days; buried at Riddarholmskyrkan (Riddarholm Church).

With Augusta von Fersen, he had an extramarital son:

 * 1) Carl Löwenhielm 1772–1861

Adopted sons:
 * 1) Charles August, Crown Prince of Sweden
 * 2) Charles XIV John of Sweden

Honours

 * Sweden:
 * Knight of the Order of the Seraphim, 7 October 1748
 * Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Sword, 7 October 1748; Grand Cross, 1st Class, 27 July 1788
 * Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Polar Star, 7 October 1748
 * Commander Grand Cross of the Order of Vasa, 7 October 1748
 * Founder of the Order of Charles XIII, 27 May 1811
 * Kingdom of Prussia: Knight of the Order of the Black Eagle, 18 October 1770
 * Russian Empire:
 * Knight of the Order of St. Andrew, 28 August 1796
 * Knight of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, 28 August 1796
 * 🇩🇰 Denmark: Knight of the Order of the Elephant, 10 February 1810
 * Spain: Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, 23 September 1814

Written sources

 * Signum svenska kulturhistoria: Gustavianska tiden
 * Ingvar Andersson: Gustavianskt (1979)
 * Signum Förlag: Frihetstiden
 * Lars Elgklou: Familjen Bernadotte. En kunglig släktkrönika
 * Herman Lindqvist: Historien om Sverige. Gustavs dagar

title: Charles XIII


text:
Homewood, Alabama

Homewood is a city in southeastern Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It is a suburb of Birmingham, located on the other side of Red Mountain due south of the city center. The population was 26,414 at the 2020 census.

Early history and development
In 1800, the first settlers arrived in the area that is now known as Homewood. However, the area's population would not grow significantly until a cholera epidemic ravaged the city of Birmingham in 1873, an issue only made worse by the financial crisis brought on by the Panic of 1873. (See Timeline of Birmingham, Alabama).

Seeking new beginnings and safer living spaces, many Birmingham residents began moving out of the city, buying up land and developing communities in the surrounding areas. Many of the smaller communities which would eventually become Homewood were developed during this time period, including Rosedale, Grove Park, Edgewood, and Oak Grove.

Edgewood saw the greatest amount of development. The community had an electric railway leading to downtown Birmingham by 1911 and a man-made lake by 1915. The lake was created by the construction of a dam along Shades Creek near Columbiana Road. Two parallel roads were graded on either side of the lake with the intention of creating a race track around the lake, however these plans never came to fruition. The roads eventually became Lakeshore Drive and South Lakeshore Drive.

Incorporation
On December 29, 1926, a local attorney named Charles Rice started a movement to merge several of the communities surrounding Birmingham. In September of the same year, Rosedale, Edgewood, and Grove Park voted to incorporate under the name Homewood. The city of Hollywood, Alabama was annexed into Homewood in 1929.

In 1955, Oak Grove was also annexed into Homewood.

Great Depression and World War II
The Great Depression, beginning in 1929, greatly damaged Homewood's economy. Additionally, a polio epidemic, which sickened 80 children in Homewood, struck around the same time. However, the regional community and economy began to recover with the outbreak of World War II and the accompanying boom in Birmingham's steel industry, where production ramped up to support the war effort. Partly due to the steel boom, Homewood's population increased by 74% between 1940 and 1950.

Civil rights era
In 1959, Homewood voters defeated a move by Birmingham to annex the city. In July 1964, a second annexation attempt allegedly succeeded, but voting issues and lawsuits caused the Alabama Supreme Court to rule the election null and void on September 9, 1966 (See "City of Birmingham v. Bouldin"). In a special election on December 13, 1966, another vote for annexation failed with 65% of Homewood residents voting against it.

Homewood avoided the worst of the turmoil associated with the Civil Rights Movement and, more specifically, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's 1963 Birmingham campaign. However, in September 1963, the Shades Valley Sun newspaper reported on a racially motivated bombing on Central Avenue in Rosedale.

Homewood broke away created its own school system separate from the Jefferson County school system in 1970, opening the new Homewood High School in December 1972.

Hollywood
Hollywood is a former town annexed into Homewood, Alabama, in 1929. A historic district of much of the area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Hollywood Historic District. The district is roughly bounded by U.S. Highway 31, U.S. Highway 280, and Lakeshore Drive and is significant for the Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style of surviving houses and other buildings.

Clyde Nelson began developing Hollywood Boulevard as a residential subdivision in 1926. He employed a sales force of 75, armed with the memorable slogan "Out of the Smoke Zone, Into the Ozone", to entice Birmingham residents over Red Mountain. Architect George P. Turner designed many of the new homes in the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, which had become fashionably linked with the glamour of Hollywood, California in the early days of the motion picture industry there. Turner also nodded to the English Tudor style which was already widespread in Birmingham and over the mountain.

The Hollywood Country Club on Lakeshore Drive (destroyed in 1984 by fire) and the American Legion Post 134 (originally Hollywood's Town Hall) were also built at this time.

In order to support his new development, Nelson created the area's first autobus line and extended the first natural gas pipeline into Shades Valley.

Hollywood incorporated as a town on January 14, 1927 with Clarence Lloyd as its first and only mayor. The town was annexed into Homewood on October 14, 1929. The Great Depression virtually ended development of the subdivision.

In 2002, the Hollywood Historic District was registered with the National Register of Historic Places, and is home to The American Institute of Architects (AIA)-nominated houses like 11 Bonita Drive. The listing includes 412 contributing buildings and one contributing site, over a 815 acre area.

Geography
Homewood is located at 33.46833°N, -86.80806°W (33.468306, -86.808146). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.31 sqmi, all land.

The city, along with the rest of Jefferson County, lies atop iron, coal, and limestone deposits.

Shades Creek, which is part of the Cahaba River system, runs through Homewood.

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 26,414 people, 9,770 households, and 5,966 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,191.6 PD/sqmi There were 10,942 housing units.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 25,167 people, 10,092 households, and 5,760 families living in the city. The population density was 3,032.2 PD/sqmi. There were 11,385 housing units at an average density of 1,371.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 69.696% White, 17.3% Black or African-American, 0.2% Native American, 2.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 4.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. 7.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 10,092 households 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.9% were non-families. 34.4% of households were one person and 9.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution was 22.8% under the age of 18, 17.4% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% 65 or older. The median age was 29.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.

The median family income was $78,252. Males had a median income of $50,163 versus $41,023 for females. The per capita income for the city was $30,601. About 5.1% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 25,043 people, 10,688 households, and 5,878 families living in the city. The population density was 3,014.7 PD/sqmi. There were 11,494 housing units at an average density of 1,383.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 79.75% White, 15.30% Black or African-American, 0.20% Native American, 2.57% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.00% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 2.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 10,688 households 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.0% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.0% were non-families. 36.2% of households were one person and 9.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.87.

The age distribution was 20.3% under the age of 18, 17.8% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.

The median household income was $55,431 and the median family income was $70,256. Males had a median income of $40,969 versus $34,694 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,491. About 4.4% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Public schools
The Homewood City School System is made up of five schools, including three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school:
 * Shades Cahaba Elementary School
 * Edgewood Elementary School
 * Hall Kent Elementary School
 * Homewood Middle School
 * Homewood High School

Colleges and universities

 * Samford University

Parks

 * Patriot Park
 * Homewood Central Park
 * West Homewood Park
 * Woodland Park
 * Overton Park
 * Spring Park
 * Homewood Soccer Park

Notable people

 * Ameer Abdullah, American football running back
 * Mary Anderson (1918–2014), actress
 * Paul DeMarco, lawyer and former Alabama State Representative
 * Aaron Ernest, sprinter
 * Katy Freels, professional soccer midfielder
 * Charles Ghigna, children's author
 * Evan Mathis, former American football offensive lineman
 * Ronald Nored, National Basketball Association assistant coach
 * Eric Ramsey, former American football player
 * Samantha Shaw, former State Auditor of Alabama
 * Luther Strange, U.S. Senator
 * William C. Thompson, Presiding Judge, Alabama Court of Civil Appeals

title: Homewood, Alabama


text:
Hoover, Alabama

Hoover is a city in the Jefferson and Shelby counties in north central Alabama, United States. Hoover is the largest suburban city in Alabama and the 6th largest city in Alabama. The population was 92,606 at the 2020 census. Hoover is part of the Birmingham, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area and is also included in the Birmingham-Cullman-Talladega, AL Combined Statistical Area. Hoover's territory is along the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

The Birmingham Barons Minor League Baseball team, which traces its history to 1885, played its home games at the 10,800-seat Hoover Metropolitan Stadium from 1988 through 2013, when it moved to Regions Field in the Parkside District of Birmingham.

History
This suburban area near the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains had been known as the Green Valley community since the 1930s; it was mostly a bedroom or residential community into the late 1970s and early 1980s. The City of Hoover was incorporated in 1967, named for William H. Hoover (1890–1979), a local insurance company owner.

On September 8, 1980, the city annexed the Riverchase business and residential community, gaining large office buildings, employers, and workers to increase the city's tax base. When Interstate I-459 was opened, a major interchange with Interstate I-65 was constructed within the borders of Hoover, improving access.

In 1986 the Riverchase Galleria multi-use complex opened; it has significantly increased the tax revenue for the city. It has also attracted new residents and businesses to the area. The city has grown extremely fast, aided by its annexations of territory as well as new developments. The city has expanded its facilities, and now operates a Municipal Center, Library, and Public Safety Center. The city expects to continue to increase in population, which has risen significantly since 2008. It numbered 92,606 as of the 2020 census.

Geography
Hoover is located at 33.38644°N, -86.80494°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 50.326 sqmi, of which 49.354 sqmi is land and 0.972 sqmi, is water.

Many major highways pass through the city limits, including I-65, I-459, and U.S. Route 31. Via I-65 or US-31, downtown Birmingham is 11 mi north, and Montgomery is 82 mi south. Via I-459, Atlanta, GA is 152 mi east, and Tuscaloosa is 53 mi west.

Government
The municipal government has operated under the Mayor-Council form of government since incorporation. The Mayor and City Council are elected on a non-partisan basis to concurrent four-year terms of office, which begin on October 1 of election year. Policy-making and legislative authority is vested in the City Council, which consists of seven "at-large" elected members (prior to 2004, the council consisted of five at-large members.) (Candidates for at-large elections must gain a majority of voters; such a system has been found in other cities in Alabama to limit the ability of minority voters to elect candidates of their choice.)

The city council is responsible for considering local resolutions and ordinances, adopting an annual budget, and appointing members to local boards and committees. The Mayor is responsible for carrying out and enforcing the city's policies and ordinances.

Economy
The Riverchase Galleria shopping-hotel-office complex generates tax revenues for the city; it is also the location of numerous retail, hotel, and office workers. The Riverchase Office Park, and other office parks and buildings throughout Hoover, house many large corporations. Major shopping centers in the city include Riverchase Galleria on US 31, Patton Creek on SR 150, and Village at Lee Branch on US 280. The Central Business District is intersected by US 31, SR 150, and US 280. I-65 and I-459 intersect in the city.

Top employers
According to the City's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are:

Public safety
Hoover Fire Department is a full-time career department operating from 11 fire stations throughout the city. The city has one battalion. There are eight engine companies, two quints, one ladder truck, three ALS rescue/ambulances, and two battalion chief cars. All engine companies are staffed with a minimum of three people, with at least two being firefighter/paramedics. All engines are classified ALS (Advanced Life Support). The department also operates one heavy rescue truck, and one hazmat unit. Hoover Fire Department holds a Class 1 ISO rating. In 2016, the department responded to over 10,000 calls.

Hoover operates its own enhanced 911 emergency call center, which has 24 operator positions, 2 communication supervisors, 1 department manager and is staffed 24/7.

Hoover provides traffic, severe weather, disaster information, and details on special events on low-power AM radio (1610 kHz).

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 92,606 people, 36,799 households, and 25,337 families residing in the city. The population density was 1926.6 PD/sqmi There were 39,008 housing units.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 81,619 people in 32,478 households, including 22,476 families, in the city. The population density was 1,870.3 PD/sqmi. There were 35,474 housing units at an average density of 812.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 75.1% White, 14.8% Black, 0.2% Native American, 5.1% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 3.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. 6.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 32,478 households 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 25.8% of households were one person and 7.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution was 25.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

The median household income was $72,960 and the median family income was $94,066. Males had a median income of $65,023 versus $44,525 for females. The per capita income for the city was $39,141. About 3.4% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 62,742 people in 25,191 households, including 17,406 families, in the city. The population density was 1,454.6 PD/sqmi. There were 27,150 housing units at an average density of 629.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 87.66% White, 6.77% Black, 0.16% Native American, 2.89% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.40% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 3.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 25,191 households 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 25.9% of households were one person and 6.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.

The age distribution was 24.8% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

According to a 2007 estimate, The median household income was $75,365, and the median family income was $89,513. Males had a median income of $55,660 versus $34,836 for females. The per capita income for the city was $33,361. About 2.1% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
Hoover is served by two interstate highways, 65 and 459, with a major interchange near the center of the city. Major arterial roads include U.S. Route 31 as a north–south route through the middle of the city, U.S. Route 280 in the eastern portion of the city, Route 150 as an east–west road connecting the city center to the western side, and Valleydale Road connecting Route 31 and Route 280. Hoover is also served by the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority.

Communities

 * Acton
 * Altadena
 * Bluff Park
 * Caldwell Mill
 * Chace Lake
 * Country Club Highlands
 * Deer Valley
 * Georgetown
 * Green Valley
 * Greystone
 * Inverness
 * Lake Crest
 * Lake Cyrus
 * Lake Wilborn
 * Patton Chapel
 * Pinewood
 * Riverchase
 * Rocky Ridge
 * Ross Bridge
 * Russet Woods
 * Shades Mountain
 * Shoal Creek
 * Southlake
 * The Preserve
 * Trace Crossings

Parks

 * Aldridge Gardens
 * Bluff Park Community Center and Playground
 * Blue Ridge Park
 * Georgetown Park
 * Howard Lake Park
 * Inverness Park
 * Loch Haven Park
 * Moss Rock Preserve
 * Ross Park
 * Russet Woods Park
 * Star Lake Park
 * Sertoma Park
 * Veterans Park
 * Wildflower Park
 * Chace Lake Park

Primary and secondary schools
Hoover is served by Hoover City Schools. It has ten elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools, Spain Park High School and Hoover High School. Both schools have ranked high for excellent academics, being rated close to the top five hundred schools in the country. During the 2022–2023 school year, some 2,841 students enrolled in Hoover High School, 1,503 in Spain Park High School, with a total of 13,557 students in the Hoover City School system. Spain Park received the National Blue Ribbon Award in 2008.

Berry Middle School, which served as the city's first high school before the present Hoover High was constructed, was closed after the 2005–2006 academic year. Students were moved to a new Berry Middle School constructed near the site of Spain Park High School. A poll of residents in 2007 favored selling the school, possibly to the independent Shades Mountain Christian School. Simmons Middle School and Bumpus Middle School are the city's other middle schools.

Given the population expansion, the city built Riverchase Elementary to relieve overcrowding of some schools. The student population bubble is advancing in the system, and in the 2011–2012 academic year, Bumpus Middle School and its students were relocated to the former freshman center of Hoover High School. The former Bumpus site became Brock's Gap Intermediate School in 2011. The former Berry site became the current Bumpus Middle School in 2011. Brock's Gap served 5th and 6th graders until 2018 when Hoover Rezoning went into effect. They now serve 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Bumpus Middle School served only 7th and 8th graders until 2018 because of Hoover Rezoning. They now serve 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.

Colleges and universities
The Shelby-Hoover campus of the Jefferson State Community College is in Shelby County, is in Hoover, near Spain Park High School. Faulkner University has a campus on Valleydale Road; The University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) in downtown Birmingham is only 8–10 miles away, and features the premier medical school of Alabama.

Miscellaneous education
The Birmingham Supplementary School Inc. (BSS, バーミングハム日本語補習校 Bāminguhamu Nihongo Hoshūkō), a part-time Japanese school, holds its classes at the Shelby-Hoover campus. Its office is at the Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC facility in unincorporated Talladega County, near Lincoln. The school opened on September 1, 2001.

Media
Hoover has one television station, WBMA, branded as ABC 33/40, with its studio within the Hoover city limits. The metro area has TV broadcasting stations that serve the Birmingham-Anniston-Tuscaloosa Designated Market Area (DMA), as defined by Nielsen Media Research. Charter Communications, Bright House Networks, and AT&T U-verse provide cable television service to specific communities in Hoover. DirecTV and Dish Network provide direct broadcast satellite television, including both local and national channels.

No radio stations operate from Hoover, although residents are served by numerous stations from the Birmingham market. (WERC-FM is licensed to Hoover but its studio is located in Birmingham.)

Two newspapers serve Hoover: the Over the Mountain Journal newspaper, published twice monthly and delivered for free to select neighborhoods in Hoover and nearby communities; and the Hoover Sun, published monthly and mailed for free to roughly 24,000 homes and businesses in Hoover.

Enjoy Hoover, a 6x/year magazine, is distributed freely at hundreds of locations throughout the city, editorially focused on dining, entertainment, shopping, and healthy living in Hoover.

Notable people

 * Ben Chapman, was an outfielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Chapman's playing reputation was eclipsed by the role he played in 1947 as manager of the Phillies, antagonizing Jackie Robinson
 * George Pickens, National Football League wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers
 * Chris Richards, American professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for Premier League club Crystal Palace and the United States national team

Points of interest

 * Aldridge Botanical Gardens
 * Hoover Metropolitan Stadium (formerly Regions Park), home of the SEC baseball tournament
 * Riverchase Galleria
 * Moss Rock Preserve
 * The Library Theatre

title: Hoover, Alabama


text:
Hueytown, Alabama

Hueytown is a city in western Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Birmingham metropolitan area, and was part of the heavy industry development in this area in the 20th century. The population was 16,776 at the 2020 census.

Hueytown was the home of the Alabama Gang, famous in NASCAR stock car racing. In 1992 the city became known for the unexplained "Hueytown Hum", a mysterious noise later thought to be caused by large underground ventilation fans used in a nearby coal mine.

Its nearby residential and business communities were damaged by an F5 tornado on April 8, 1998 and by an EF4 tornado on April 27, 2011.

Geography
This city is located at 33.43778°N, -86.9975°W (33.437709, -86.997579).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.145 sqmi, of which 19.979 sqmi is land and 0.166 sqmi, is water.

It is accessible from I-20/59 exits 112 and 115.

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 16,776 people, 6,545 households, and 4,553 families residing in the city. The population density was 852.7 PD/sqmi There were 7,128 housing units.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 16,105 people, 6,412 households, and 4,517 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,388.4 PD/sqmi. There were 6,998 housing units at an average density of 603.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 70.0% White, 27.2% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. 2.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,412 households, out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 15,364 people, 6,155 households, and 4,517 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,323.7 PD/sqmi. There were 6,519 housing units at an average density of 561.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 83.81% White, 15.49% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. 0.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,155 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

Economy
The median income for a household in the city was $41,225, and the median income for a family was $49,380. Males had a median income of $36,087 versus $26,025 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,735. About 5.3% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

Industrial history
Although the Hueytown area has a history of farming, it has been a part of both the steel and coal mining industries in Jefferson County.

William & Joseph Woodward formed The Woodward Iron Company on New Year's Eve, 1881. With William as company president and Joseph as company secretary, the brothers purchased the plantation of Fleming Jordan. The plantation had originally been developed by his father, Mortimer Jordan, in 1828. The plantation included portions of present-day Hueytown and was one of the largest cotton plantations in the area.

On the former site of Mrs. Jordan's rose garden, Woodward Furnace No. 1 began operation on August 17, 1883. A second furnace went into blast in January 1887 and the two furnaces had a daily output of 165 tons. A mine also went into operation in the Dolomite community, which is today mostly within the City of Hueytown. By 1909, there was a third furnace and a daily capacity of 250,000 tons with a workforce of 2000 men on the payroll.

By the 1920s Woodward Iron's many expansions made it one of the nation's largest suppliers of pig iron. Joseph's son, A. H. (Rick) Woodward, had become Chairman of the Board of Woodward Iron, and was one of the most prominent citizens of Alabama. He is probably best remembered as the owner of the Birmingham Barons minor league baseball team and the namesake of Rickwood Field, the nation's oldest professional baseball park still in use.

In 1968, Mead Corporation acquired Woodward Iron just as the steel industry was going into decline. In 1973, the last blast furnace closed, and Koppers Corporation bought the remaining coke production plant. Eventually, even Koppers had closed coke production as well. Much of the 1200 acre site today has been re-developed for lighter industrial use.

Coal mining began about the start of the 20th century at Virginia Mines. Today this section of Hueytown contains mostly subdivisions of homes (Virginia Estates and Edenwood). However, some of the original buildings from its mining past remain, including the superintendent's house, multiple supervisors' houses, and two company-built churches.

Some source say veteran prospector Truman H. Aldrich assembled these lands as part of his extensive coal properties, others cite two red-headed brothers, George and E. T. Shuler, as having opened the Virginia Mine in 1902. Having recently arrived from Virginia City, Nevada, they named their new mine after that western city. A mine disaster in February 1905 caused extensive damage. An underground explosion, one of the worst recorded mining disasters in Alabama history, entombed the entire day crew and caved in the mine entrance. When rescuers finally cleared the 1500 ft shaft, they found 106 men dead and 20 dead mules.

In 1936, Republic Steel purchased the mine. It continued to be worked until September 1953, when it closed permanently.

Government
The City of Hueytown was incorporated on December 3, 1959, and operates under a Mayor-Council form of government. The Mayor is elected to a four-year term. The five City Council members are also elected to four-year terms. Originally elected at-large, the city changed to single-member districts in the 1990s which resulted in the creation of one majority-minority council district. Neither position is term-limited.

Mayor C.C. "Bud" Newell died in office. The President of the City Council, Gerald Hicks, was then elevated to the position of Mayor and completed the remaining years of the term.

The original Alderman for the City of Hueytown in 1960 were as follows:

 * J. P. Campbell
 * Prude T. Cowen, Sr.
 * Myrtle T. Durrett
 * David N. Kornegay
 * R. G. Wall

Listed below is a partial list (alphabetical) of former members of The City Council who were not otherwise members of the original Council.

 * Richard Autry
 * Allan Brown
 * Ken Burns
 * Gerald Bush
 * Phillip Contorno (2004-2020)
 * John Linden Cox (1976–1980)
 * Phifer Crane (2004-2020)
 * Neil Ferguson
 * Jimmy Forrester
 * Georgia Grey Hampton
 * Gerald Hicks
 * Brad Hinton (1984–1988)
 * Lillian P. Howard
 * JoAnn Logan (the first minority member ever elected to the Council)
 * Carole Marks
 * Raleigh Rheuby
 * Lewis Robertson
 * Ray Robertson (2004-2016)
 * Howard Segars
 * J. B. Skates (1976–1980)
 * Charles Young

Schools and education history
The Hueytown area has been served by many schools over the past one hundred years. Most of these have been public schools of The Jefferson County School System which was founded in 1898. However, the first established school in the community was in August 1874, when several families gathered to build a small log building that served as both a church and school. That structure was located on the hill behind present-day Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. A later grammar school was built on Upper Wickstead Road but burned down in 1907. The following year, Hueytown Grammar School opened with just four teachers for its 100 students. Also located across the street from Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church it faced Dabbs Avenue. The school was replaced with a larger building in 1935 which faced Hueytown Road. That entire structure burned to the ground on the night of March 3, 1949. The present Hueytown Elementary School, which has been expanded many times, first opened in the fall of 1950.

The present Hueytown Intermediate School opened to the students in the fall of 2020. (November 2 or 9)

Other schools serving the city include: Hueytown High School, Hueytown Middle School (formerly Pittman Middle School and Pittman Junior High), Concord Elementary School and North Highland Elementary School. Four private religious schools, Deeper Life Academy, Garywood Christian School, Brooklane Baptist Academy, and Rock Creek Academy are located in Hueytown.

Other schools that served Hueytown in years past have long since been closed. They included Virginia Mines School, Rosa Zinnerman Elementary, and Bell High School. When an F5 tornado destroyed Oak Grove High School and Oak Grove Elementary School on April 8, 1998, students from the Oak Grove high school grades were temporarily relocated to the former Bell School campus until their new school reopened two years later.

Recently the Hueytown High School Marching, Symphonic, and Jazz Bands have gained some prestige by playing at the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA) and a dual concert with the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Symphonic and Wind ensembles.
 * The Hueytown High School mascot is the Golden Gophers, which came from the Minnesota Golden Gophers National Championship football team, which won the National Championship in 1960, the same year Hueytown was incorporated.

Sports and recreation
The abbreviation HYT (HueYTown) has become a popular term of reference for Hueytown among some of the residents; it is constantly used for sports. (for example HYT football).

Hueytown High School's football team made it to the Alabama State Playoffs in 1974, 1975, 1995, and 2004. They also made the playoffs in 2006, 2007, and 2008, marking the first time in school history to make three straight appearances. The 2010 team set a school record for wins by going 11–2, but the record was broken the next year by Jameis Winston and company by going 13–1. On June 18, 2009 Hueytown High School's football Coach Jeff Smith resigned. Spain Park High School assistant coach Matt Scott became the new head coach on July 7, 2009. The team made the playoffs once again in the 2010 and 2011 season under Coach Scott. Hueytown also made it to the 2016 state playoffs under Coach Scott Mansell, who was in his third year as head coach.

HHS's softball team has won the Alabama State Softball championship three times in four years: 2005 and 2006 as a 5A school and 2008 as a 6A school under Coach Lissa Walker. They won again in 2011 as a 5A school. After the 2011 season, Coach Walker resigned and was hired as the new coach for the Vestavia softball team. Coach Christie McGuirk was hired in Coach Walker's place to be the new coach for the 2011 season.

In 1974, the Hueytown High School Wrestling Team won the 4A State Championship under the guidance of then head-wrestling coach, Tony Morton.

Hueytown High School implemented its soccer program in the spring of 2014.

In addition to the public school sports programs, Hueytown offers many other community sports programs. For decades the city has enjoyed a very strong Dixie Youth Baseball program for all eligible age groups. Its Dixie Youth teams use facilities at Hueytown's Bud Newell Park and have seen several of its players eventually make it to the Major Leagues. The city also has a very strong girls fastpitch program that is based at Allison-Bonnett Girls Softball Park, also a city facility. Its Angels league All-Star team won the Dixie World Series championship in the summer of 2003 and its 6U All-Stars won the Alabama State Championship in the summer of 2009. Hueytown also has a Swim Club and a youth football program.

Hueytown also has Youth Soccer which started in 2003.

Hueytown is also home to the Central Alabama Boys & Girls Club, a multimillion-dollar facility that provides a variety of sports and recreation opportunities for the youth of the area, focusing primarily on after school and summer programs. It routinely serves more than 300 children each day.

The Alabama Gang
Hueytown was home to one of the dominant racing groups in NASCAR, the Alabama Gang. The city's main thoroughfare, Allison-Bonnett Memorial Drive, takes its name from drivers Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Davey Allison, Clifford Allison, and Neil Bonnett. The Alabama Gang also includes racing legend Charles "Red" Farmer. Though not considered a member of The Alabama Gang, Bobby and Donnie's older brother Eddie Allison had an active role in NASCAR for many years as a respected engine builder and still resides in Hueytown. His son, Jacob, is a radio personality on Birmingham, Alabama station WJOX. He also resides in Hueytown.
 * Bobby and Donnie Allison were originally from the Miami, Florida area; another member, Red Farmer, was a Nashville, Tennessee native but had raced in the Miami area before moving to Hueytown.

Because of its established motorsports roots, Hueytown was chosen as BMW Motorsport's initial North American base of operations before its first season with the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) in 1975.

Hueytown Hum
Beginning in late 1991 residents of Hueytown, and other nearby communities, reported hearing a droning low frequency hum at irregular intervals. The bizarre noises momentarily gained national attention and were reported in the New York Times in April 1992. In a logical conclusion town officials and many residents suspected the source of the hum was a massive $7 million mine ventilation fan with blades 26 ft in diameter. From local reports and an informal investigation by ABC World News Tonight, the fan operated by Jim Walter Resources was generally thought to be the culprit. However, JWR (then owned by a subsidiary of KKR) was in bankruptcy proceedings and denied its fan was the source. Following an inconclusive series of studies the hum subsided later in the year, never to return.

Notable people

 * Bobby Allison, former NASCAR driver
 * Davey Allison, late NASCAR driver
 * Donnie Allison, former NASCAR driver
 * Neil Bonnett, late NASCAR driver
 * Russ Davis, baseball player
 * Red Farmer, NASCAR and short track driver
 * Jimmy Kitchens, former NASCAR driver
 * Mark Waid, writer
 * Jolynn Wilkinson, ARCA driver
 * Jameis Winston, Heisman Trophy Winner; NFL Quarterback

title: Hueytown, Alabama


text:
Irondale, Alabama

Irondale is a city in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It is a suburb of Birmingham, northeast of Homewood and Mountain Brook. At the 2020 census, the population was 13,497.

The city is the site of Catholic radio/television broadcaster Eternal Word Television Network, or (EWTN). The city's annual Whistle-Stop Festival attracts thousands to its eclectic mix of art, food and music.

History
On October 5, 1887, the people of Irondale petitioned for incorporation. The town incorporated as Irondale (after Irondale Furnace) on October 19, 1887, following a vote on October 17, 1887. In 1891, Golden Rule Bar-B-Q, the oldest restaurant in Alabama, was founded in Irondale.

The 1916 Irondale earthquake, magnitude 5.1, caused some damage in the area, and was felt in neighboring states.

In 1981, Mother Angelica founded the Eternal Word Television Network, after starting operations in a garage.

On August 25, 2020, Irondale voters elected James D. Stewart, Jr. as the first black mayor in the city's history.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.0 sqmi, of which 9.0 sqmi is land and 0.11% is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,497 people, 5,161 households, and 3,022 families residing in the city.

2010 census
According to the 2010 census results, the population of the area was approximately 12,349 people. From 2000 to 2010, Irondale's population growth percentage was 25.8% (or from 9,813 people to 12,349 people). 23.1% of the Irondale city residents were under 18 years of age. Census 2010 race data for Irondale city include the racial breakdown percentages of 56.33% white, 35.38% black, 1.43% Asian and 7.78% Hispanic. Also, there were 5,495 housing units in Irondale city, 92.5% of which were occupied housing units.

Education
Irondale is served by Jefferson County Board of Education and is home to Shades Valley High School, Grantswood Community School, Irondale Community School, Irondale Middle School, Shades Valley Theatre Academy, Jefferson Christian Academy, and the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School.

Notable people

 * Fannie Flagg, author of best-selling 1987 novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe used Irondale is the location of the Irondale Cafe.
 * Marion Hobby, defensive line coach for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League

title: Irondale, Alabama