September 3rd, 2010
Next week we take one step closer to the future of the park by moving from our office downtown to an office located on Lyon Lane, which is right next to the park property.
As we move closer to building RMP, the Staff and Commission have found ourselves at the park more and more often–this move will prove convenient and time-saving. While moving is not at the top of my favorite hobbies(not even close!), we will hopefully survive and get settled in our new home by the end of next week.
Have a fantastic Labor Day weekend and tune in next week for pictures of what we hope is the easiest move in history!..
Posted in Dave's Blog, General |
August 26th, 2010
On Tuesday, Red Mountain Park Staff and Commission attended the City Council meeting in order to hear the Mayor’s proclamation for the men and women who worked and lived on Red Mountain–he declared August 24th, 2010 Red Mountain Park Miners’ Day. Enjoy the photographs Ranger McFerrin captured and read the proclamation from the Mayor below.
“Whereas, Red Mountain is the industrial foundation and soul of the city of Birmingham; and Whereas, During its history, Red Mountain had thousands of miners working in over 70 iron ore mines and living in local mining villages such as Redding, Smyth, Ishkooda, Wenonah, Muscoda, Sloss, Woodward and Raimund; and Whereas, For 108 years, Red Mountain miners produced over 10, 750 pounds of iron ore every minute in hundreds of miles of underground excavations; and Whereas, As the workers in the mines that supplied ‘The Arsenal of Democracy’, Red Mountain miners produced an average of 10 percent of our Nation’s iron ore, built our nation’s infrastructure, and won two world wars; and Whereas, As highly skilled laborers, Red Mountain miners of all races played a crucial role in the industrial growth, strength, and history of our city, our state, and our nation.”
If you know someone who worked on Red Mountain or lived in the surrounding mining communities, please let us know. We have had a great time getting to know all of the people who have such a strong personal tie to Red Mountain Park.
Posted in Dave's Blog, General, Park Events |
August 20th, 2010
Iron & Steel: A Guide to Birmingham Area Industrial Heritage Sites by James R. Bennett(Red Mountain Park Commissioner) and Karen R. Utz(Curator at Sloss) is a great way to spend your last few hours of summer reading. At only about a hundred pages long, it’s an easy and enjoyable read that will leave you wanting to get out and explore our city. Check out this fantastic quote from the introduction of the book:
“Closely associated deposits of iron ore, limestone, and coal enables foundry-grade iron ore to be made here more cheaply than anywhere else in the nation…From Tannehil, which began making iron in 1830, to the Sloss City Furnaces, which helped make Birmingham the ‘Pittsburgh of the South’, history buffs and tourists alike can walk the very pathways of the old iron workers.”
Pretty neat, stuff. Glad I’ve secured my copy. Have a great weekend!
Posted in Dave's Blog, General |
August 10th, 2010
This weekend, I headed out to the park with Adrian Kirksey and Louise Taylor, family members meeting for the very first time. Adrian, a native of Kentucky, began researching his family tree several months ago and learned that he had family who worked in the mines on Red Mountain. He then found Louise and Red Mountain Park and we all ended up atop the mountain on Saturday talking about his great uncle who died in the Songo mine, and his great grandfather with the incredible work ethic. Adrian gave us all chills when he talked about how moving it was to stand in the exact same place where many of the men in his family stood years ago. Wow.
Relatives Louise Taylor(L) and Adrian Kirksey(R) meet for the very first time and talk about their family's remarkable history on red mountain.
Posted in Dave's Blog, General, Oral History |
August 5th, 2010
Always in the back of my mind is the fact that underneath this park we’re building lies the remains of a workplace that was unlike anything around here today. Hundreds of feet below us, there were several jobs being executed with extreme caution and care each and every day. What exactly were those jobs and how were they done? Below is a short clip of one of our oral history interviews with Isaac(Ike) Maston, who begins to tell us of the different tasks men were doing undergound around the clock:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp9hK7gFnds
Posted in Dave's Blog, General, Oral History |
