Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Roebuck Spring

Photographed By Tim Carr, January 2, 2010

1. Roebuck Spring Marker

Inscription. In 1850 George James Roebuck and his wife Ann Hawkins Roebuck built a log cabin at the mouth of Roebuck Spring. His Influence and leadership led to the area around it to be known as Roebuck. In 1900 Alabama Boys Industrial School was located adjacent to the spring, and the spring water was used for the school until city water became available. In 1910 George Miller, a leading landscape architect and industrial town planner, developed the first planned golf course and club house close to the spring. Known as Roebuck Country Club, the name was changed in 1914 to the Roebuck Golf and Automobile Club, and the fame of the prestigious club was well known. Today the water from Roebuck Spring is an original source of water for man-made East Lake and for Village Creek, which flows across Birmingham into Black Warrior River.

Erected 1988 by Roebuck Neighborhood Association, City of Birmingham.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • Sports • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 33° 34.998′ N, 86° 42.618′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. Marker is on Roebuck Boulevard, on the left

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when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8933 Roebuck Boulevard, Birmingham AL 35206, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Roebuck Springs Historic District (approx. ¼ mile away); Wilson Chapel And Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Zion Memorial Gardens (approx. 0.9 miles away); East Lake Park (approx. 1.2 miles away); Ruhama Baptist Church (approx. 1½ miles away); Howard College (approx. 1.8 miles away); East Lake Community (approx. 1.8 miles away); CDR "Snuffy" Smith (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

Also see . . .
1. More About Roebuck-Hawkins Park and Spring. (Submitted on January 20, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)
2. What is the Watercress Darter?. (Submitted on January 20, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)

Photographed By Tim Carr

2. Roebuck Spring Marker

Roebuck Spring and Pumphouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Carr, January 2, 2010

3. Roebuck Spring and Pumphouse

The pond is one of four known habitats of the endangered watercress darter. The fence in the background belongs to The Alabama Department of Youth Services VACCA Campus, formerly the Alabama Industrial School for Boys founded in 1899 by Mrs. R. D. Johnston.

Photographed By Tim Carr, September 25, 1988

4. East Lake

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,821 times since then and 111 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 20, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.