In 1871, investors from the Elyton Land Company founded Birmingham and began selling lots near the planned crossing of South & North Alabama railroads and Alabama & Chattanooga. The investors wanted Birmingham to be a great city and a center for industry and decided to use the name Birmingham, one of England’s main industrial cities, to advertise their point. However, the growth of Birmingham was not smooth; outbreaks of cholera and the Wall Street crash in 1873 impeded the growth for a few years. As Birmingham continued to grow, it absorbed several towns around it, such as Elyton. At the beginning of the 20th century, Birmingham got the nickname “The Magic City” after the downtown area was developed from a low-rise commercial and residential district into a busy high-rise commercial area with numerous streetcar lines. The Great Depression of the 1930s affected the city’s growth, and many residents left searching for work in other cities. Birmingham returned to prosperity during wartime because of the increased demand for steel. The city played a big role in the civil rights movement for African Americans, and for some time, the city officials supported segregation. After many mass marches and sit-ins, the city’s public facilities were desegregated by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was imprisoned in Birmingham, where he wrote the famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”

After purchasing a house in Birmingham, you should visit some of the historical sites in the city. It is a good way to learn the history of your new home. One of the places you should visit is the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. You can learn about the African American civil rights history in the city and the state of Alabama. You should also take the Civil Right Tour, where you will be taken to various historical locations in the city to learn about the history of your history. Other places you should visit include the Birmingham Museum of Art, Oak Mountain State Park, Sloss Furnaces, and the Red Rock Train System.
If you have children, you can take the Birmingham Zoo. This Zoo features animal exhibits, animal encounters, restaurants, kids’ events, and gift shops. The kids will have a great time learning about animals, feeding them, and riding on the carousel. You can also visit the McWane Science Center, where you and your kids can learn about various science topics. The science center also has an IMAX dome theater and aquarium, among other amazing features.
Birmingham has great weather for outdoor activities, and while living there, you can engage in numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, jogging, camping, fishing, ziplining, and picnicking, among others. Some of the places you can visit with outdoor activities include Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Railroad Park Foundation, Red Mountain Park, Kelly Ingram Park, and Vulcan Park and Museum. After enjoying a nice day hiking or jogging, you can relax and enjoy a few cold beers with your family and friends at the Good People Brewing Company, one of the best breweries in the city.