Helena, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Helena is a city in Jefferson
and Shelby
Counties in the U.S. state
of Alabama
. Helena is considered a suburb of Birmingham and part of the Greater Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan area. It is also one of three cities, along with Alabaster and Pelham, that make up the area known as "North Shelby" or "North Shelby County". As of the 2000 census the population was 10,296. Helena is highly regarded as a place to live and raise children; Business Week named Helena 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).
During Reconstruction, railroads would be extended through Helena as part of the post-war development of central Alabama’s mineral resources. The Louisville & Nashville Railroad sent an engineer named Pete Boyle to survey a route south from Birmingham to Montgomery, Alabama
. The station established near the town of Hillsboro was named Helena after Boyle’s sweetheart, Helen Lee. After the area around the station developed and encompassed the town of Hillsboro, the community incorporated to become the City of Helena. The City's first mayor was M.H. Williams, a railroad agent.
The steel mill was subsequently reopened and the City flourished during the late 19th century and into the early 20th century with numerous industrial facilities such as steel mills, a cotton gin, a grist mill, coal mines, and a rail yard, along with residences, stores, and hotels. Fire swept through the city in 1895, destroying many structures in the downtown area and along Buck Creek.
Around 1920 the boom ended with the closing of the coal mines and the relocation of the steel mill. The population declined as residents moved in search of jobs. The Great Depression dealt Helena another blow, as did the devastating 1933 tornado which killed 14, injured 150, and destroyed 110 homes.
Helena remained a small town in the largely rural county until suburban growth from Birmingham reached Helena in the late 20th century. Numerous residential and commercial developments spurred improvements in City facilities and services. By the early 21st century, Helena was experiencing large population gains, and growing pains, as a result of its convenient location and high quality of life.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.1 square miles (44.3 km²), of which, 17.1 square miles (44.3 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.12%) is 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 which was used for recreation and 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, undeveloped areas are primarily mixed woodlands.
Hurricanes coming ashore on the northern Gulf coast occasionally reach Helena with tropical storm force winds.
of 2000, there were 10,296 people, 3,828 households, and 3,043 families residing in the city. The population density
was 603.0 people per square mile (232.9/km²). There were 3,983 housing units at an average density of 233.3 per square mile (90.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.25% White
, 5.00% Black
or African American
, 0.20% Native American
, 0.65% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.35% from other races
, and 0.52% from two or more races. 1.00% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 3,828 households out of which 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 non-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 spread out with 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 the median income 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.
construction aggregate
quarry and the Plantation Pipeline depot and tank farm. A developed industrial park includes a wide variety of manufacturers.
, 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 in the popular Fox
program American Idol
.
Picnic, concert and fireworks, Fall Carnival, Spring Fling, and the Christmas Parade.
attracts the most participants and spectators at all levels; golf, basketball, baseball/softball, and soccer are also popular among residents.
Numerous minor league sports franchises are located in the greater Birmingham area. The neighboring city of Hoover
is the home of the Birmingham Barons
, the area’s oldest professional sports franchise.
. These parks feature open green spaces, playground equipment, a fishing pond, and a baseball field complex often used for tournaments as well as recreational leagues. The most popular park in Helena is Joe Tucker 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 movie) 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.
The City operates the following departments: Administrative, Streets & Sanitation, Finance, Planning and Building, Public Safety, and 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 also includes volunteer firefighters in addition to the paid staff. The Helena Police Department includes a K-9 unit and sponsors a very successful Law Enforcement Explorer Post with Learning-for-Life, a division of Boy Scouts of America.
. In 2011, it was announced that Helena High School will be built in the city. Expected opening date of 2014.
. Its major local television stations are WBRC Fox 6
, WBIQ APT (PBS) 10, WVTM Alabama's (NBC) 13
, WTTO CW 21
, WCFT 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 WAPI-FM, a news/talk station licensed to Helena. The Birmingham News is Helena’s major daily newspaper. The News 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 City News is published monthly by the City of Helena as a public service and is mailed to all Helena residents. The Helena City News is a newsletter/news magazine style publication, typically runs approximately 30 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.
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 service is 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) approximately 25 miles to the northeast. Intercity rail service is available on the Amtrak Crescent
19 miles to the north.
, water, sewage and garbage pick-up by the City, and cable television by Charter Communications
.
medical schools. The closest hospital is Baptist Shelby in Alabaster, Alabama
.
's 2005 runner-up Bo Bice
and Olympic gold medalist Vonetta Flowers
, the first African-American to medal in the Winter Olympics. It is also the hometown of the Broadway star Rebecca Luker
, who has played some of the most prized roles on Broadway such as: Christine in The Phantom of The Opera, Maria in the Sound of Music, along with several others. Rebecca Luker has been nominated for a Tony award three times. Helena native Liz Cochran
is Miss Alabama
2009 and competed in the 2010 Miss America Pageant.
Jefferson County, Alabama
Jefferson County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Alabama, with its county seat being located in Birmingham.As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 658,466...
and Shelby
Shelby County, Alabama
Shelby County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama and a part of the Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area. It is named in honor of Isaac Shelby, Governor of Kentucky. The county seat of Shelby County is Columbiana. As of 2010 U.S. Census the population was 195,085. Shelby...
Counties in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. Helena is considered a suburb of Birmingham and part of the Greater Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan area. It is also one of three cities, along with Alabaster and Pelham, that make up the area known as "North Shelby" or "North Shelby County". As of the 2000 census the population was 10,296. Helena is highly regarded as a place to live and raise children; Business Week named Helena 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).
History
The community that would become Helena started in 1845 as the town of Cove. In 1856 the town changed its name to Hillsboro, at the same time as a rolling mill was built. This rolling mill would produce arms for the Confederacy and would later be destroyed by Union raiders at the end of the Civil War.During Reconstruction, railroads would be extended through Helena as part of the post-war development of central Alabama’s mineral resources. The Louisville & Nashville Railroad sent an engineer named Pete Boyle to survey a route south from Birmingham to Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
. The station established near the town of Hillsboro was named Helena after Boyle’s sweetheart, Helen Lee. After the area around the station developed and encompassed the town of Hillsboro, the community incorporated to become the City of Helena. The City's first mayor was M.H. Williams, a railroad agent.
The steel mill was subsequently reopened and the City flourished during the late 19th century and into the early 20th century with numerous industrial facilities such as steel mills, a cotton gin, a grist mill, coal mines, and a rail yard, along with residences, stores, and hotels. Fire swept through the city in 1895, destroying many structures in the downtown area and along Buck Creek.
Around 1920 the boom ended with the closing of the coal mines and the relocation of the steel mill. The population declined as residents moved in search of jobs. The Great Depression dealt Helena another blow, as did the devastating 1933 tornado which killed 14, injured 150, and destroyed 110 homes.
Helena remained a small town in the largely rural county until suburban growth from Birmingham reached Helena in the late 20th century. Numerous residential and commercial developments spurred improvements in City facilities and services. By the early 21st century, Helena was experiencing large population gains, and growing pains, as a result of its convenient location and high quality of life.
Geography
Helena is located at 33°16′47"N 86°51′22"W (33.279715, -86.856060).According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.1 square miles (44.3 km²), of which, 17.1 square miles (44.3 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.12%) is water. The Cahaba River
Cahaba River
The Cahaba River is the longest free-flowing river in Alabama and is among the most scenic and biologically diverse rivers in the United States. The Cahaba River is a major tributary of the Alabama River and part of the larger Mobile River Basin...
and its tributary Buck Creek
Buck Creek (Cahaba River tributary)
Buck Creek is a tributary of the Cahaba River that was used to supply water power for manufacturing and industry during the 19th century. Its current use is primarily recreational and as a discharge point for municipal water treatment facilities.-Route:...
run through Helena. Buck Creek is dammed upstream of Alabama State Route 261 in the Old Town area to form Lake Davidson which was used for recreation and 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
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains #Whether the stressed vowel is or ,#Whether the "ch" is pronounced as a fricative or an affricate , and#Whether the final vowel is the monophthong or the diphthong .), often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in eastern North America. The Appalachians...
as they descend into the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
coastal plain. The area is largely rolling hills with numerous small streams, undeveloped areas are primarily mixed woodlands.
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 months The Helena area experiences two severe weather peaks, early Spring (March–April) and late Fall (November), with tornados being frequent hazards during both peaks.Hurricanes coming ashore on the northern Gulf coast occasionally reach Helena with tropical storm force winds.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 10,296 people, 3,828 households, and 3,043 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 603.0 people per square mile (232.9/km²). There were 3,983 housing units at an average density of 233.3 per square mile (90.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.25% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 5.00% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.20% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.65% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.35% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.52% from two or more races. 1.00% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 3,828 households out of which 43.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.5% were non-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 spread out with 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 the median income for a family was $66,250. Males had a median income of $45,291 versus $32,431 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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. There is no dominant employer 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 CompanyVulcan Materials Company
Vulcan Materials Company , based in Birmingham, Alabama is principally engaged in the production, distribution and sale of construction materials. Vulcan is the largest producer of construction materials, primarily gravel, crushed stone, and sand, and employs approximately 9,700 people at over 356...
construction aggregate
Construction Aggregate
Construction aggregate, or simply "aggregate", is a broad category of coarse particulate material used in construction, including sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag, recycled concrete and geosynthetic aggregates. Aggregates are the most mined material in the world...
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’s residents also benefits from the multitude of cultural benefits in the greater Birmingham area such as the Birmingham ZooBirmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo is a zoological park that opened in 1955 in Birmingham, Alabama . The zoo is home to almost 800 animals representing over 200 species, including many endangered species from six continents....
, Birmingham Museum of Art
Birmingham Museum of Art
Founded in 1951, the Birmingham Museum of Art in Birmingham, Alabama today has one of the finest collections in the Southeast US, with more than 24,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and decorative arts representing a numerous diverse cultures, including Asian, European, American,...
, McWane Center, and Vulcan statue
Vulcan statue
The Vulcan statue is the largest cast iron statue in the world, and is the city symbol of Birmingham, Alabama, reflecting its roots in the iron and steel industry. The tall statue depicts the Roman god Vulcan, god of the fire and forge. It was created as Birmingham's entry for the Louisiana...
and park. During 2005, Helena gained nationwide notice as the hometown of singer Bo Bice
Bo Bice
Harold Elwin "Bo" Bice, Jr. is an American singer and musician who placed second to Carrie Underwood in the fourth season of American Idol. He has recorded three studio albums, including one on RCA Records...
who was a finalist in the popular Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
program American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
.
Annual cultural events
Major annual community events largely reflect traditional small town American life and include the Easter Egg Hunt, Buck Creek Festival, 4th of JulyIndependence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
Picnic, concert and fireworks, Fall Carnival, Spring Fling, and the 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.Sports
Outdoor sports are popular in Helena. FootballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
attracts the most participants and spectators at all levels; golf, basketball, baseball/softball, and soccer are also popular among residents.
Numerous minor league sports franchises are located in the greater Birmingham area. The neighboring city of Hoover
Hoover, Alabama
Hoover is a city in Jefferson and Shelby Counties in north central Alabama, in the United States. The largest suburb of Birmingham, the population of the city was 62,742 as of the 2000 census and 81,619 in the 2010 census. Hoover is part of the Birmingham-Hoover, AL MSA and is also included in the...
is the home of the Birmingham Barons
Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
, the area’s oldest professional sports franchise.
Parks and recreation
Numerous parks are provided within Helena by the city and Shelby CountyShelby County, Alabama
Shelby County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama and a part of the Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area. It is named in honor of Isaac Shelby, Governor of Kentucky. The county seat of Shelby County is Columbiana. As of 2010 U.S. Census the population was 195,085. Shelby...
. These parks feature open green spaces, playground equipment, a fishing pond, and a baseball field complex often used for tournaments as well as recreational leagues. The most popular park in Helena is Joe Tucker 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 movie) and 4th of July
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
celebration. The Cahaba River
Cahaba River
The Cahaba River is the longest free-flowing river in Alabama and is among the most scenic and biologically diverse rivers in the United States. The Cahaba River is a major tributary of the Alabama River and part of the larger Mobile River Basin...
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 of Helena is governed by a Mayor and City Council under a Mayor-Council form of government. The five member City Council and Mayor are each elected to four year terms on an at-large basis. The mayor for over 40 years is Charles "Sonny" Penhale.The City operates the following departments: Administrative, Streets & Sanitation, Finance, Planning and Building, Public Safety, and 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 also includes volunteer firefighters in addition to the paid staff. The Helena Police Department includes a K-9 unit and sponsors a very successful Law Enforcement Explorer Post with Learning-for-Life, a division of Boy Scouts of America.
Education
Kindergarten through 12th Grade public education is provided by the Shelby County School System. Helena Elementary School, Helena Intermediate and Helena Middle School (opened in 2008) lie within the city limits, high school students attend Pelham High School in the neighboring city of Pelham, AlabamaPelham, Alabama
Pelham is a city and suburb of Birmingham in Shelby County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 14,369, but has grown to 21,352 recorded by the 2010 census. It was named for famed Confederate American Civil War officer John Pelham...
. In 2011, it was announced that Helena High School will be built in the city. Expected opening date of 2014.
Media
Helena is within the Birmingham/Tuscaloosa/Anniston media marketMedia market
A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area , Television Market Area , or simply market is a region where the population can receive the same television and radio station offerings, and may also include other types of media including newspapers and Internet content...
. Its major local television stations are WBRC Fox 6
WBRC
WBRC, virtual channel 6, is the Fox-affiliated television station serving the Birmingham, Alabama designated market area. The station is owned by Raycom Media, and its transmitter is located atop Red Mountain in Birmingham...
, WBIQ APT (PBS) 10, WVTM Alabama's (NBC) 13
WVTM-TV
WVTM-TV, channel 13, is the NBC-affiliated television station in the Birmingham-Anniston-Tuscaloosa-Gadsden, Alabama television market. The station is owned by Media General...
, WTTO CW 21
WTTO
WTTO is a CW affiliate for the Birmingham/Anniston/Tuscaloosa, Alabama market. It broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 28, however through the use of PSIP technology, digital television receivers display WTTO's virtual channel as 21. It is licensed to Homewood, a Birmingham suburb...
, WCFT ABC 33/40, WIAT CBS 42
WIAT
WIAT, virtual channel 42, is the CBS-affiliated television station in the Birmingham/Tuscaloosa/Anniston/Gadsden, Alabama television market. Licensed to Birmingham, it broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 30, although through the use of PSIP, the station's virtual channel number is...
, WPXH ION 44
WPXH
WPXH-TV, digital channel 45, is the Ion Television network affiliate for the Birmingham/Gadsden/Anniston/Tuscaloosa market. The station's city of license is Gadsden. The station is owned by ION Media Networks...
, and WABM MyNetworkTV 68
WABM
WABM, channel 68, is the My Network TV affiliate for the Birmingham/Anniston/Gadsden/Tuscaloosa, Alabama television market. WABM is owned by Sinclair Broadcasting Group, which also owns the market's CW affiliate, WTTO. WABM broadcast in ATSC digital format on channel 36...
. Helena is also served by all the Birmingham radio stations, including 100.5 WAPI-FM, a news/talk station licensed to Helena. The Birmingham News is Helena’s major daily newspaper. The News 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 City News is published monthly by the City of Helena as a public service and is mailed to all Helena residents. The Helena City News is a newsletter/news magazine style publication, typically runs approximately 30 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 conveniently located to two major interstates. I-459 is located 9 miles to the north which joins major east-west interstates I-20 and I-59; north-south oriented I-65 is 3 miles to the east of Old Town Helena. CSX TransportationCSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
provides rail service on two separate lines, the S&NA South subdivision between Birmingham and Montgomery
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
, and the Lineville subdivision between Birmingham and Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. General aviation and private jet service is available at the nearby Bessemer Airport
Bessemer Airport
Bessemer Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located three nautical miles southeast of the central business district of Bessemer, a city in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States...
(EKY) about 8 miles north of Old Town. Extensive commercial flights are available at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) approximately 25 miles to the northeast. Intercity rail service is available on the Amtrak Crescent
Crescent (Amtrak)
The Crescent is a passenger train operated by Amtrak in the eastern part of the United States. It runs daily from Pennsylvania Station in New York City to New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans, Louisiana as train 19 and returns, on the same route, as train 20. Most of the route of...
19 miles to the north.
Utilities
Electric service is provided by Alabama Power CompanyAlabama Power Company
Alabama Power Company, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is a company in the southern United States that provides electricity service to 1.3 million homes, businesses, and industries in the southern two-thirds of Alabama. It is one of four U.S...
, water, sewage and garbage pick-up by the City, and cable television by Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Charter Communications is an American company providing cable television, high-speed Internet, and telephone services to more than 4.7 million customers in 25 states. By revenues, it is the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States, behind Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Cox Communications...
.
Healthcare
Numerous medical professionals practice in Helena. The city also benefits from its proximity to Birmingham’s extensive medical community including several major hospitals and University of Alabama at BirminghamUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public university in Birmingham in the U.S. state of Alabama. Developing from an extension center established in 1936, the institution became an autonomous institution in 1969 and is today one of three institutions in the University of Alabama System...
medical schools. The closest hospital is Baptist Shelby in Alabaster, Alabama
Alabaster, Alabama
Alabaster is a city and southern suburb of Birmingham in Shelby County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 22,619. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 27,517. At the 2010 census the population was 30,352. Alabaster is still a growing...
.
Notable natives and residents
Helena is the hometown of American IdolAmerican Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
's 2005 runner-up Bo Bice
Bo Bice
Harold Elwin "Bo" Bice, Jr. is an American singer and musician who placed second to Carrie Underwood in the fourth season of American Idol. He has recorded three studio albums, including one on RCA Records...
and Olympic gold medalist Vonetta Flowers
Vonetta Flowers
Vonetta Flowers is an American bobsledder and athlete. Flowers was a star sprinter and long jumper at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and originally aspired to make the U.S. Summer Olympic Team...
, the first African-American to medal in the Winter Olympics. It is also the hometown of the Broadway star Rebecca Luker
Rebecca Luker
Rebecca Luker is an American musical theatre actress and soprano who has appeared in several prominent Broadway productions.-Life and career:...
, who has played some of the most prized roles on Broadway such as: Christine in The Phantom of The Opera, Maria in the Sound of Music, along with several others. Rebecca Luker has been nominated for a Tony award three times. Helena native Liz Cochran
Liz Cochran
-Biography:Liz Cochran is a native of Helena, Alabama and graduate of Pelham High School. She attends Birmingham-Southern College, majoring in dance and Pre-Medicine and is a member of First Baptist Church of Pelham-Competitions:...
is Miss Alabama
Miss Alabama
The Miss Alabama competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the U.S. state of Alabama in the Miss America pageant.Miss Alabamas have performed strongly at the Miss America pageant, particularly in the early 21st century, when the state produced their third Miss America, a first...
2009 and competed in the 2010 Miss America Pageant.
External links
- http://www.cityofhelena.org/ City of Helena, Alabama