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

The Cascade

Cascade Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 17, 2013

1. Cascade Marker

Inscription. One popular element of the park’s original design was a water feature known as the cascade. Cascading fountains were important features in formal European gardens. Their terraced pools and waterfalls animated the landscape with the sounds and movement of water. Unfortunately, the cascade was removed in the 1969-71 park renovation. No remnants or original technical drawings of the fountain remain.

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WPA records tell us that the Singing Tower, built in 1928 at Historic Bok Sanctuary in central Florida, was an inspiration for Vulcan Park. Both sites feature a stone tower and a long axial water feature in a park setting. Courtesy of Bok Sanctuary The cascade’s strong lines led the eye up the hillside to the tower and statue - the central focal point of the park. Today, the terracing of the slope and the stairs leading up the hill have been returned.

Many people who visited Vulcan Park prior to the 1969-71 renovation fondly remember the cascade – and the fish that swam in the pools. B-25 Rear View of Vulcan showing waterfalls and Pools, Birmingham, Ala.

Erected by Mrs. Claire H. Fairley in memory of Mr. Albert L. Fairley Jr.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture

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• Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 33° 29.468′ N, 86° 47.73′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. Marker can be reached from Valley View Drive west of Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard South. Located in Vulcan Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1701 Valley View Drive, Birmingham AL 35209, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Designing Vulcan Park (within shouting distance of this marker); South View (within shouting distance of this marker); Building The Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Birmingham District Minerals (within shouting distance of this marker); The Works Progress Administration (within shouting distance of this marker); The Iron Man: Vulcan (within shouting distance of this marker); Vulcan Statue (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Lone Pine Mine (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

Also see . . . Vulcan Park and Museum. (Submitted on October 6, 2013.)

Additional keywords. landscape architecture

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 17, 2013

2. Cascade Marker

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 17, 2013

3. Cascade Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 710 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on May 29, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.