Southside, Birmingham, Alabama
Encyclopedia
The Southside encompasses the southern half of Birmingham
's downtown area from the Railroad Reservation to the crest of Red Mountain and from Interstate 65
on the west to Elton B. Stephens Expressway (U.S. Highway 31
, or "Red Mountain Expressway") on the east near Green Springs Highway. It is considered to be the Midtown area of the city due its relationship to Downtown.
Southside contains many of the prominent points of interest of the Greater Birmingham area such as Railroad Park
and the University of Alabama at Birmingham
(UAB) and the adjacent medical center district. It also hosts Birmingham's liveliest entertainment district at Five Points South and a large number of notable homes and churches from the early twentieth century. Highland Avenue connects Southside to the Lakeview area, another center for nightlife.
It also is the most culturally diverse of all of the neighborhoods while the dense residential districts surrounding UAB and the medical center house a very diverse community of all classes, the Red Mountain neighborhoods are dominated by elegant mansions for affluent residents. Culturally, both groups enjoy the amenities of this urban community.
Five Points South in Southside is also the home to several historically and architecturally important churches and synagogues: St. Mary's on the Highlands, South Highland Presbyterian Church, Southside Baptist Church, Temple Beth-El
, Temple Emanu-El, and Highlands United Methodist Church.
For the purposes of Birmingham's citizen participation program, the Southside community comprises three neighborhood associations: Five Points South, Glen Iris, and Southside. Most residents would also include the Highland Park and Redmont Park neighborhoods in the broader definition of Southside.
Cycles of urban reorganization and gentrification have challenged the architecture of much of Five Points and the rest of Southside and Highland Park. Generally, the diverse, bohemian nature of the area is meshing with the young upper middle class creating an area of diversity.
Notable points of interest in the area include the Frank Fleming Storyteller Fountain anchoring the central business district. The thriving main area contains restaurants, shops, stores and sidewalks for the residents to enjoy. There are many venues for music, art and personal expression provided for residents.
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
's downtown area from the Railroad Reservation to the crest of Red Mountain and from Interstate 65
Interstate 65
Interstate 65 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States. The southern terminus is located at an intersection with Interstate 10 in Mobile, Alabama, and its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 , U.S. Route 12, and U.S...
on the west to Elton B. Stephens Expressway (U.S. Highway 31
U.S. Route 31
U.S. Route 31 is a long north–south highway connecting northern Michigan to southern Alabama, with its northern terminus at Interstate 75 near Mackinaw City, Michigan, and southern terminus at the combined U.S. Route 90 & U.S. Route 98 at Spanish Fort, Alabama...
, or "Red Mountain Expressway") on the east near Green Springs Highway. It is considered to be the Midtown area of the city due its relationship to Downtown.
Southside contains many of the prominent points of interest of the Greater Birmingham area such as Railroad Park
Railroad Park
Railroad Park is a 19-acre park in Birmingham, Alabama, that opened in the fall of 2010. It was designed by landscape architect Tom Leader and built by Birmingham-based Brasfield & Gorrie. The park lies immediately south of the Norfolk Southern and CSX rail lines through downtown Birmingham. It...
and the University of Alabama at Birmingham
University 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...
(UAB) and the adjacent medical center district. It also hosts Birmingham's liveliest entertainment district at Five Points South and a large number of notable homes and churches from the early twentieth century. Highland Avenue connects Southside to the Lakeview area, another center for nightlife.
It also is the most culturally diverse of all of the neighborhoods while the dense residential districts surrounding UAB and the medical center house a very diverse community of all classes, the Red Mountain neighborhoods are dominated by elegant mansions for affluent residents. Culturally, both groups enjoy the amenities of this urban community.
Five Points South in Southside is also the home to several historically and architecturally important churches and synagogues: St. Mary's on the Highlands, South Highland Presbyterian Church, Southside Baptist Church, Temple Beth-El
Temple Beth-El (Birmingham, Alabama)
Temple Beth-El is a synagogue located in Birmingham, Alabama. Founded in 1907, Temple Beth-El is a member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Temple Beth-El is the only Conservative-affiliated synagogue in Birmingham, and one of only four Conservative synagogues in Alabama.The current...
, Temple Emanu-El, and Highlands United Methodist Church.
For the purposes of Birmingham's citizen participation program, the Southside community comprises three neighborhood associations: Five Points South, Glen Iris, and Southside. Most residents would also include the Highland Park and Redmont Park neighborhoods in the broader definition of Southside.
Cycles of urban reorganization and gentrification have challenged the architecture of much of Five Points and the rest of Southside and Highland Park. Generally, the diverse, bohemian nature of the area is meshing with the young upper middle class creating an area of diversity.
Notable points of interest in the area include the Frank Fleming Storyteller Fountain anchoring the central business district. The thriving main area contains restaurants, shops, stores and sidewalks for the residents to enjoy. There are many venues for music, art and personal expression provided for residents.