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

Mineral Railroad Trestle

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 17, 2013

1. Mineral Railroad Trestle Marker

Inscription. The railroad trestle support wall across the road is a remnant of L&N's 156-mile Mineral Railroad, the backbone of the local iron industry. This segment ran along the north edge of Vulcan Park on its route around the Birmingham District, linking mines and mills. The railroad not only transported raw materials locally; it also connected to the nationwide rail network to ship pig iron and finished iron and steel.

Erected by O'Neal Steel, Inc. and Compass Bank.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 33° 29.524′ N, 86° 47.709′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. It is in Five Points South. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Before Birmingham: Jones Valley (a few steps from this marker); Birmingham Mineral Railroad Point of Curve Marker (within shouting distance of this marker); Reading Red Mountain (within shouting distance of this marker); A New City

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Kiwanis and Vulcan (within shouting distance of this marker); Industry (within shouting distance of this marker); Vulcan Statue (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lone Pine Mine (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

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

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 17, 2013

2. Mineral Railroad Trestle Marker

From the park, the only visible remnant of the Mineral Railroad is the stone trestle support across the street. The trestle was build in 1889 to support the tracks as the crossed the road and passed along what is now the Vulcan Trail. The view of the train trestle may be blocked seasonal plant growth. Illustration by Paul R. Olson

Mineral Railroad image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 17, 2013

3. Mineral Railroad

The Mineral Railroad would wound its way along Red Mountain and through the Birmingham District. This ten-mile spur line, known as the Red Gap Branch, carried one mined from Red Mountain to furnaces in Jones Valley. Illustration by Paul R. Olson

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 17, 2013

4. Mineral Railroad Trestle Marker

The mineral railroad provided an efficient delivery system, sending mined minerals straight to local furnaces. This system helped give the local industry a competitive edge. Above, coal is being loaded into railroad carat the Risco Coal Mine, which was served by the system. Courtesy of Birmingham Public Library Archives, Catalog # 26.89

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 17, 2013

5. Mineral Railroad Trestle Marker

lower marker is Mineral Railroad next marker Before Birmingham: Jones Valley top marker: A new city

Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,186 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on May 29, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 5, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.