Bessemer's Mummy

June 7, 2023 quintan
Bessemer’s Mummy By Jim Langley, Research Historian Billy the Kid and the James Gang all come to mind when we think of notorious outlaws in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In Alabama, we had Rube Burrow, who would rob trains in Texas and Oklahoma and then skedaddle back to Lamar County, Alabama, for sanctuary.
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Report on Alabama Historical Association, April 7-9, 2022

May 10, 2022 quintan
Report on Alabama Historical Association, April 7-9, 2022 By Pam Thompson and Linda Joseph Editor’s note: Linda Joseph and Pam Thompson attended the 74th annual meeting at Florence. Here is their report! Upon arrival, we saw an African-American lady with a cane at the hotel door. She was alone and we asked her to ride
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Old Elyton and its centerpiece, Arlington Plantation

November 11, 2021 ryan
Experience and learn about the Birthplace of Birmingham: Old Elyton and its centerpiece, Arlington Plantation! Read all about it!
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Maggots Solve Crimes in Hoover

July 14, 2021 quintan
By the time a body is found in the woods, investigators may not have much physical evidence to go on. For example, a body is found in the woods in Shelby County.
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Hoover’s Riverchase Community Started with a Roll of the Dice

June 14, 2021 quintan
Harbert was born on July 19, 1921, to John and Mae Schooling Harbert in Greenville, Mississippi; he had two siblings. His father was in the construction business, so the family had to move on occasion to follow jobs.
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History of Long-Lewis

June 9, 2021 quintan
A few years ago, the Prime Timers senior group of Hoover Ross Bridge was having their annual Christmas luncheon at the Bright Star in Bessemer. At the luncheon, it was my honor to sit at the table with Mr. and Mrs. Vaugh Burrell of Long-Lewis Ford.
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1930 - Boondoggle at Camp Andrews Boy Scout Camp (current Hoover)

June 9, 2021 quintan
When you think of a Boondoggle, what comes to mind? During my military and business experience, I went on a few boondoggles. Usually, these were trips to exotic places for conferences, etc. where you could combine business with pleasure. The dictionary defines boondoggle as an extravagant and useless venture.
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Hoover Historians Celebrate New Grave Markers

May 3, 2021 ryan
Jim Langley, president of the Hoover Historical Society, led a guided tour through Oak Hill Cemetery in downtown Birmingham on Friday morning and many of those following him through the oak-shaded lanes were descendants of one of the famous families buried there. Click here to read the rest
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Old Bluff Park School demolition complete; renovation work begins

March 11, 2021 quintan
The demolition of part of the old Bluff Park School campus was officially deemed complete this past Friday, and contractors hope to begin renovation work next week on the original building that was preserved, a Hoover school official said Wednesday. Complete Demolition tore down an old lunchroom and kitchen, a four-classroom addition on the left
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THE ATOMIC BOMB STALLS BLUFF PARK COMMUNITY CENTER

March 8, 2021 quintan
In 1951, the Shades Cliff Civic Club of Bluff Park wanted to build a community building to be used as a meeting site and for community events. However, it was not that easy.
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WHY IS HOOVER’S BROCK(S) GAP AN IMPORTANT HISTORICAL SITE IN NEED OF PROTECTION?

February 16, 2021 ryan
By Jimmy W Langley, President-Hoover Historical Society

The Key that unlocked the gateway for the founding of Birmingham is hidden in the mountain rocks, trees, and bushes of Hoover Alabama. People in this area knew as early as the 1840s that Red Mountain had red iron ore and the surrounding areas had coal and limestone.
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HOOVER PIONEER – HONORABLE THOMAS OR “GOOD TIME TOMMY”

October 2, 2020 quintan
By Jimmy Langley – President, Hoover Historical Society

Lover’s Leap is one of the most intriguing historical sites in Hoover Bluff Park. Its legend began with Creek Indian lore, of a brave stabbing a troublesome marriage suitor and then jumping with remorse from Lover’s Leap with her in his arms. It was where an early
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DAVY CROCKETT ALMOST DIED A FEW MILES FROM HOOVER, BEFORE THE ALAMO

August 7, 2020 southernbelles
When I was a kid of 10 years old, Sunday night was a big deal. I would get especially excited when I knew Walt Disney would have Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier. He was a great hero of mine, born on a mountaintop in Tennessee and he killed a bear when he was
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A Historic Visit - Gadsden, AL

February 6, 2019 southernbelles
A few years ago, I made a special effort to attend the Annual Meeting of the Alabama Historical Association. That year, the meeting was in Gadsden, AL near Attalla where I grew up.  I was quite surprised to learn that one of their places of local interest was the site of the Dwight Manufacturing Company
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Autumn and Food

November 5, 2018 southernbelles
MEMORIES OF AUTUMN AND FOOD By Jean C. Butterworth   What childhood memories do I have of Autumn I ask myself? Pulling back the years of my memories, I think first of my grandmother, who was as busy as a bee when it came to preparing for our family’s long winter months ahead.   As
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Sounds like Barney Fife

August 7, 2018 Hannah Green
It wasn’t the Brinks Robbery, but in the early days of our fair city, an unusual theft was pulled off by a robber in broad daylight. The following tale was recounted to me by Jane Hoover Parrish, who has lived in the area for 49 years, even before Hoover was incorporated. We’re not sure of
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Water, Water Everywhere

August 7, 2018 Hannah Green
In the early days of Bluff Park, visitors were probably seeking a cool place to vacation, clean air and, certainly, clean water. Bluff Park afforded them all of these things.  A conversation in September 2012 with Tommy Tucker, longtime resident of Bluff Park, resulted in information about water and springs in the area. Most interesting
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Two De Sotos? – and a memory of Mentone, Alabama

August 7, 2018 Hannah Green
By Inez McCollum June 7, 2018 Reprinted from Alabama Pioneers One of my favorite places to visit in our state is Mentone, Alabama. There is so much natural beauty in the area that each season inspires awe. In the Spring, pastel colored Mountain Laurel is scattered through the forest with a polka dot effect. The trees give
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About the Tyler's of Bluff Park

August 7, 2018 Hannah Green
Robert Tyler came to our Hoover Historical Society January meeting, and I got to visit with him! He and his wife Clara are members. His dad, Luther Tyler, had been so helpful when we were gathering Bluff Park history to celebrate the birthday of the school back in 1988.  Luther had even given the Bluff
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The Snowflake Hydrangea is Hoover's Official Flower

August 7, 2018 Hannah Green
“Keeping Hoover clean and green” is the motto for the city of Hoover’s Beautification Board.  Among their accomplishments are City Arbor Day, Tree City USA Program, and Litter & Recycling programs.  But, did you know this 20-member volunteer group played a role in getting the Snowflake Hydrangea named the City’s Flower?  Resolution 3626, adopted April
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