During the month of November, I will be blogging like crazy to bring you great tidbits on 30 neighborhoods in Birmingham. Check in daily to see if you learn anything new about where you live.

Did you know…

• The area was settled beginning 1815 and was first called Rockville?
• On September 18, 1883, the area’s name was changed from Wood’s Station to Woodlawn? (The community took the name “Wood” from the Wood family (headed by patriarch Obadiah Woods) who were originally from Greenville, South Carolina.)
• Before the close of the 19th century, Woodlawn residents could travel to Birmingham by train for 25 cents one way and 40 cents round trip?
• Woodlawn became a municipality in 1890?
• The electric streetcar line reached Woodlawn in 1895?
• Also in 1895 Woodlawn’s first city hall and jail were built?
• On January 1, 1910, the city was annexed to Birmingham, along with Avondale, East Lake, North Birmingham, North Haven, Elyton, West End, and Ensley?
• Woodlawn High School opened in 1922?
• The Woodlawn branch library, located at 5709 1st Avenue North, was dedicated October 29, 1950?

Postcard depicting Woodlawn High School in the 1920s

Coach Bear Bryant speaking at Woodlawn High School in 1975 – Property of Birmingham Public Library

Woodlawn’s Morgan Brothers and Ben Franklin stores – Property of Birmingham Public Library

1st Avenue North

Woodlawn Theatre in 1948 – Property of Birmingham Public Library

Notable Woodlawn residents: 

• Bobby Bowden – former college football coach

Bobby Bowden in 1952

• Lili Gentle – actress
• Paul Hemphill- author
• Tony Nathan (attended Woodlawn High School) – star high school and former professional football player

Tony Nathan

Source: “Woodlawn is 75 years old” Birmingham News (September 14, 1958)