10 surprising (and impressive) facts about Birmingham
November 4, 2022 · 20th Street, Culture & History, Engage, Visit
New to Birmingham — or maybe heading out with a local? Whether you’re making small talk on a first date, chatting with coworkers or just want to flex your trivia skills, these fun facts about the Magic City are guaranteed to impress.
1. There’s magic in the ground!
Birmingham’s nickname, “The Magic City,” dates back to its rapid growth after its founding in 1871. By the turn of the 20th century, the city’s booming industrial development was happening so fast that people said it must be magic.
2. Birmingham has the heaviest corner on Earth.
You heard that right! At the corner of 20th Street and 1st Avenue North downtown, four early skyscrapers once dominated the skyline: The Woodward, The Brown-Marx, The Empire and the American Trust and Savings Bank buildings. A 1911 magazine article dubbed it “The Heaviest Corner on Earth” — and the name stuck.
3. Iron City, built by nature
Birmingham sits in Jones Valley, one of the few places in the world where all the natural ingredients for making iron — coal, iron ore and limestone — exist in one spot. This unique geology powered the city’s early industrial boom.
Fun fact: A steel rope just 2 inches thick can lift around 320,000 pounds — the weight of a blue whale!
4. Home to the world’s largest iron statue
Standing 56 feet tall, Vulcan — the Roman god of fire and forge —overlooks the city from Red Mountain. Originally built to represent Birmingham at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, the 18-piece cast iron statue is the largest of its kind in the world. His head alone could fit a full-size elephant!
And yes, Vulcan has a love story — he’s said to be betrothed to Electra, the Divinity of Light who tops the Alabama Power Building.
5. Birmingham on the moon?
There’s a crater on the moon named “Birmingham” — in honor of Irish astronomer John Birmingham, who discovered it in 1866. The city also has ties to the classic jazz tune “The Stars Fell on Alabama,” sung by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, and even Jimmy Buffet — inspired by the 1833 Leonid meteor shower visible across the state.
Bonus star power: Birmingham is the hometown of Courtney Cox, Fannie Flagg, and Ruben Studdard!
6. The nation’s largest Veterans Day parade
Birmingham is the birthplace of the country’s oldest and largest Veterans Day celebration. Navy veteran and Birmingham native Raymond Weeks led the charge to expand Armistice Day into Veterans Day, hosting the first parade in 1947. His efforts led to the holiday’s official recognition in 1954 and expanded the celebration to honor all veterans, not just those who served in World War I.
7. Streetcar city, west coast style
Birmingham was once the second-largest streetcar system in the country, right after San Francisco. One of the original Magic City streetcars — called the Birmingham Electric — is still operating in San Francisco today! Keep an eye out downtown, and you might spot some of the original streetcar tracks peeking through the pavement.
8. Baseball history was made here.
Rickwood Field, the oldest professional baseball stadium in the U.S., is right here in Birmingham. It was home to the Birmingham Black Barons, a legendary team in the Negro Southern League. Baseball greats like Satchel Paige and Willie Mays once played on that field. You can also visit the Negro Southern League Museum to dive deeper into this powerful sports legacy at 120 16th Street South!
9. From Hitachi to the ‘Ham
Birmingham’s sister city is Hitachi, Japan! As a symbol of friendship, Birmingham sent Hitachi a 10-foot replica of Vulcan. In return, Hitachi gifted Birmingham beautiful stone lanterns, which now live at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
10. Red Mountain Park is bigger than Central Park.
At 1,200 acres, Red Mountain Park is about 40% larger than NYC’s Central Park. The land once housed active iron ore mines, which closed in 1962. After decades of being untouched, the park was developed and is now filled with trails, historical artifacts and outdoor adventure areas that highlight Birmingham’s mining history.
Whether you’re a local or just getting to know the Magic City, these surprising facts show that Birmingham is full of character, history and charm. Got a favorite Birmingham fact of your own? Share it — we love a good local legend.
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In town for the Magic City Classic? Here’s a guide to all the must-see spots!
Since so many folks will be traveling into the Magic City for the Classic, we figured we would put together a little guide on all the things to see while you’re here! There is so much to do, we know it can get overwhelming – so if you don’t know where to start just keep reading and we’ll guide you through our city. Here we go!