Birmingham looks strikingly similar to downtown Raleigh. I've never been to Birmingham before (only to Talladega, Montgomery, and Mobile), so it's great to see the downtown area. Loved the historic building facts and smooth jazz! Very well done!
@Freewayjim You don't realize how lucky you were to hit more than one green light. You usually have to drive either 3 mph or 80 mph to make all of the lights.
@RufusandDufus and the Civil Rights Institue and Kelly Ingram Park where the civil rights marches originated. There is a very interesting Civil Rights Trail through downtown that is self-guided.
Another great video of Birmingham's grid pattern! I live in Atlanta and we all know it is a great city. However, Birmingham’s downtown is very well planned from the old mill factory days as compared to ATL. Birmingham has so much potential but politics, and old thinking has kept it in a stagnant state.
I live near Birmingham and I drive past it nearly everyday. It's a great city :) Although there is bad parts (don't go there at night) overall I like it :)
Awesome video! Fascinating how it seems like the town has been frozen in time from say the 70s. Love the original looking buildings. In most places they have all been converted into lofts, condos or chic stores.
amazing video! I just watched yours of Augusta, Ga also. I moved to Augusta from Birmingham, Al in 2010 and just moved back to Birmingham, Al in Feb. Of course you can't get everything if you dont know the city.. people shut up. Great thanks for sharing! Both beautiful cities.
Cool stuff; one of the last major American cities that I haven't been to yet. You picked a nice, soothing tune for this; fitting for a quiet Sunday morning drive, without the hustle and bustle of folks walking around during the rest of the week. You mentioned early on about a specific video of 20th Street; is that the main strip thru downtown? That RR overpass at the end was pretty neat and unexpected, too.
@FreewayBrent Thanks! It was Saturday early afternoon :) The next video is 19th and 20th street, ( and more) 20th street is pretty neat and looks to be more important although it does not go the full length of downtown. Yes, that RR Underpass/Tunnel is neat, I'm surprised they made it wide enough fro 3 lanes back in 1907.
I see you drove over the Brad Bridge starting at around the 2:28 mark. It's known as that because there used to be a painting (back in the mid-late 1990's) on the side of one of the buildings that's by Sloss Furnace. The guy in the painting was known as "Brad". Hence, that bridge became known as the Brad Bridge.
That tunnel went under the Birmingham Terminal Station. It was torn down in 1969. Look it up. It was actually really beautiful. There also used to be a big sign on the west side of the tunnel stretching across the road, welcoming visitors to Birmingham, the Magic City.
@prfsnlwannabe Thanks, yes that was an old RR Underpass under what was once a good sized rail yard before they started to build the expressway there in the early 70's.
Great video. I'm new to this part of the country, a few weeks ago I took an early Sunday morning drive to B'Ham to explore and took some of the exact same routes. You do a public service with your vids so anyone with a problem has deeper issues I think...
At 1:39, I plumbed something in as well (building on left). I can’t remember. I think it was just office spacing though. I remember being sick while working there. If you turn left on that street, the ymca is right beside that building.
Great video. There is a chance I could be moving to Birmingham, so I am trying to get a feel for the place. I've been there, and I liked it when I was there, but it's been a very long time ago. I remember thinking it was a nice city though. btw, Great choice of music.
The building on the left at 3:25, is known as the amsouth harbor plaza. Had a mall that no one knew about in it back in the day. Has a bar on the top floor with a view that was c.a.f.
@BamaFandom Thank you, the link did not work (hard to post them here). I recorded this video (and the others with it) on a late Saturday Morning last spring. Yes Roll Tide, I have no use for LSU.
The underpass went under a wonderful train station that was destroyed to build a freeway entrance. So much for historical preservation. Also the Civil Right Institute, 16th Ave Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park were passed by twice without a mention.
@0marigolds I have mixed emotions on the stoplights, you are right they give you a chance to see things and synch the audio but I also like the flow of several greenies in a row (lights that is). Either way I can work with it.
@railclaimore I shot 20th street from UAB to 5th ave coming in the next video (North South street tour). From what I understand Atlanta getting the big airport upgrade in 1962 pushed it ahead of Birmingham for good.
One thing I would like to find is an older map of downtown, showing the original US routes through downtown. Especially US 31 before it was put on the Red Mountain Expressway. Nice video by the way.
With all of your great videos, how do you afford the gas? P.S. Please come to the mid-west! Like, Des Moines! It just got nice over here (Averaging about high 60's per day)-and it won't stay that way for too long (maybe a month or so) before it hits the mid 80's, with humidity! Please, do a tour of Des Moines. I'm sure you'll find it exciting! I know I ask a lot of you, but I can't wait to see my old city again! By the way, love the Atlanta video (I live there now)
@ScrewdUPClickV2 It seemed that way, at least in this area, the next video shows a little more activity, but it was a saturday afternoon so I didn't expect to see much.
I drove through downtown Birmingham this year, love the city and saw many buildngs, strip malls and parking lots sitting on hills. Your video didn't show any steep hills(not counting the interstate bridges) .
Hmm, I suppose some folks are right about me avoiding Birmingham as you mentioned the "Rustbelt" since i"m from the Rustbelt. BBVA has offered work in the city, but I'm not actually attracted to it. Not knowing how long u visited. I would only assume the city is far less active and traffic isnt much of a problem. Just wary on the crime rate there. Nice video, as always.
By the way, I have not been to Des Moines since 2005 :( So it would sure help me out if you do a tour of it. Sorry i'm being annoying about this! Update me as soon as you can when you'll hitch a ride to Des Moines! Anyways, keep up the great videos!
@ScrewdUPClickV2 LOL, well there uis a college downtown (UAB) that you'll see in the next video so you never know. Really I was impressed, it was my first time off the freeway there and I thought downtown was pretty nice.
@raildance2 Can't please everyone, sorry. #1 I'm not from Birmingham so I don't know all those places and #2 I can only mention so much or I'll take the viewers eyes off the road completely. Feel free to go make a video and mention those things.
Birmingham has a lot of crime in certain areas. You want to stay away from west end, Ensley, Southside, lawnwood, gate city, tarrant, and parts of irondale.
+Dalton Hillman you've disappointed me . I was planning to immigrate to america and live in this beautiful green city . it looked calm on internet and Google earth
That building on the left at 1:06, was a s&l known as citizens federal back in the day. Owned by a black entrepreneur named A.G. Gaston. As kids, we would see him in the grocery store in overalls, and he would give us a fake coin with his image on it. He also owned a funeral home on the east side and a neighborhood was named after him there. A.G. Gaston Villa.
wow looks so much like downtown calgary alberta looks like your driving through calgary. By the way calgary is in canada just in case u didnt know. great vids tho bro
@Freewayjim Well, thanks for the honest answer! Keep up the videos, and maybe one day you'll tour Iowa. Trust me, it's more than a bumpy road to Chicago. :P
I think the alongside roads places scenics are so goods goods, so goods beautiful and so goods comfortable and so goods big, and so goods wides. I think the alongside roads places climates are so goods goods. I think the alongside roads places airs are so goods to fresh airs. I think the alongside roads places environment are so goods comfortable. I can able be to the awersomes for it. I am to glads for it. I think are so goods values the delights or wows and praises for it. I love to it. I think are most favorites for it. Thank you for sharing thank you so much that’s right all right ok no problems me too see you soon see you later good luck good job you are welcome.
Thanks for this video Jim & Son! It's a great resource for the many people who move to Birmingham to work downtown. Cheers!
You are welcome Brian, thank you for watching!
@@Freewayjim Your video of downtown that you made was created on April 2. April 2 is autism day.
Thank you so much to post those videos. Each time I saw a new one more happy I am to choose Birmingham as my new hometown !
Hello, Does Birmingham have issues with Safety and race ?
Is it good place to live .
Birmingham looks strikingly similar to downtown Raleigh. I've never been to Birmingham before (only to Talladega, Montgomery, and Mobile), so it's great to see the downtown area. Loved the historic building facts and smooth jazz! Very well done!
I really enjoyed this video, the town seems very tidy.
Thanks for sharing!
This is really nice. The views are amazing, and the music really fits with the scenery, awesome work.
Always loved your choice in music. Haven't heard that song in years!
Thank you for making this amazing, detailed video!
Nice street tour! Relaxing music as well. Thanks for filming :-)
@Freewayjim You don't realize how lucky you were to hit more than one green light. You usually have to drive either 3 mph or 80 mph to make all of the lights.
@RufusandDufus and the Civil Rights Institue and Kelly Ingram Park where the civil rights marches originated. There is a very interesting Civil Rights Trail through downtown that is self-guided.
Thanks Ryan, glad you enjoyed them!
love this kind of city tour videos
@TripleXXX8700 A lot of these buildings are condos and lofts but they have not altered the outside architecture.
Another great video of Birmingham's grid pattern! I live in Atlanta and we all know it is a great city. However, Birmingham’s downtown is very well planned from the old mill factory days as compared to ATL. Birmingham has so much potential but politics, and old thinking has kept it in a stagnant state.
I live near Birmingham and I drive past it nearly everyday. It's a great city :) Although there is bad parts (don't go there at night) overall I like it :)
Awesome video! Fascinating how it seems like the town has been frozen in time from say the 70s. Love the original looking buildings. In most places they have all been converted into lofts, condos or chic stores.
amazing video! I just watched yours of Augusta, Ga also. I moved to Augusta from Birmingham, Al in 2010 and just moved back to Birmingham, Al in Feb. Of course you can't get everything if you dont know the city.. people shut up. Great thanks for sharing! Both beautiful cities.
Cool stuff; one of the last major American cities that I haven't been to yet. You picked a nice, soothing tune for this; fitting for a quiet Sunday morning drive, without the hustle and bustle of folks walking around during the rest of the week. You mentioned early on about a specific video of 20th Street; is that the main strip thru downtown? That RR overpass at the end was pretty neat and unexpected, too.
Beautiful Video And Beautiful City!
Wow !Thanks. That is one city that never comes to my mind often.
Another great video,Jim. I hope to move to Birmingham or Atlanta soon.
Great street tour, Jim!
@FreewayBrent Thanks! It was Saturday early afternoon :) The next video is 19th and 20th street, ( and more) 20th street is pretty neat and looks to be more important although it does not go the full length of downtown. Yes, that RR Underpass/Tunnel is neat, I'm surprised they made it wide enough fro 3 lanes back in 1907.
I see you drove over the Brad Bridge starting at around the 2:28 mark. It's known as that because there used to be a painting (back in the mid-late 1990's) on the side of one of the buildings that's by Sloss Furnace. The guy in the painting was known as "Brad". Hence, that bridge became known as the Brad Bridge.
That tunnel went under the Birmingham Terminal Station. It was torn down in 1969. Look it up. It was actually really beautiful. There also used to be a big sign on the west side of the tunnel stretching across the road, welcoming visitors to Birmingham, the Magic City.
Simply stated, Cool Video and Music. Great Job
Thank you for watching, glad you enjoyed it!
Wow I miss home so much It takes me back I'am going to visit again real soon.
lol
+Alonzo Copeland Birmingham is growing an it's different. the new Birmingham
2:23 used to be an old farmer’s market underneath that viaduct. The building on the left just before it was the old army navy store.
@prfsnlwannabe Thanks, yes that was an old RR Underpass under what was once a good sized rail yard before they started to build the expressway there in the early 70's.
Great video. I'm new to this part of the country, a few weeks ago I took an early Sunday morning drive to B'Ham to explore and took some of the exact same routes. You do a public service with your vids so anyone with a problem has deeper issues I think...
At 1:39, I plumbed something in as well (building on left). I can’t remember. I think it was just office spacing though. I remember being sick while working there. If you turn left on that street, the ymca is right beside that building.
@CAMINOANDALUZ Thanks! glad you enjoyed it.
Great video. There is a chance I could be moving to Birmingham, so I am trying to get a feel for the place. I've been there, and I liked it when I was there, but it's been a very long time ago. I remember thinking it was a nice city though. btw, Great choice of music.
The building on the left at 3:25, is known as the amsouth harbor plaza. Had a mall that no one knew about in it back in the day. Has a bar on the top floor with a view that was c.a.f.
excellent video and music bro
@blaknoizee Thanks, was only there a few hours but considering how antiquated I-65 and I-20/59 are through town traffic could be an issue.
@CosmoPhotography Thanks, the North-South tour should be just as good!
that tunnel at the end did go under tracks - look up birmingham terminal station!
Thanks for the video. Birmingham looks like a well-kept but abandoned city.
@BamaFandom Thank you, the link did not work (hard to post them here). I recorded this video (and the others with it) on a late Saturday Morning last spring. Yes Roll Tide, I have no use for LSU.
Thank you very much!
@FreewayAndrew Thanks, I was pleasantly surprised when driving through there.
Thank you for watching :)
The underpass went under a wonderful train station that was destroyed to build a freeway entrance. So much for historical preservation.
Also the Civil Right Institute, 16th Ave Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park were passed by twice without a mention.
Great Video! When are you coming to Des Moines, Iowa?
@Bluetailvappy Thanks! had I had such a map I would have added a scan in to the video.
@0marigolds I have mixed emotions on the stoplights, you are right they give you a chance to see things and synch the audio but I also like the flow of several greenies in a row (lights that is). Either way I can work with it.
@railclaimore I shot 20th street from UAB to 5th ave coming in the next video (North South street tour). From what I understand Atlanta getting the big airport upgrade in 1962 pushed it ahead of Birmingham for good.
One thing I would like to find is an older map of downtown, showing the original US routes through downtown. Especially US 31 before it was put on the Red Mountain Expressway.
Nice video by the way.
With all of your great videos, how do you afford the gas?
P.S.
Please come to the mid-west! Like, Des Moines! It just got nice over here (Averaging about high 60's per day)-and it won't stay that way for too long (maybe a month or so) before it hits the mid 80's, with humidity! Please, do a tour of Des Moines. I'm sure you'll find it exciting! I know I ask a lot of you, but I can't wait to see my old city again! By the way, love the Atlanta video (I live there now)
Thanks!
Thanks Jim.
@ScrewdUPClickV2 It seemed that way, at least in this area, the next video shows a little more activity, but it was a saturday afternoon so I didn't expect to see much.
@railclaimore I did not know that part of the back story, interesting! thanks.
@prfsnlwannabe sure thing, I did a little research about that underpass and that's what I found. I filmed Little Rock last summer.
Thanks and I agree ....and I live in ATL too :)
@Bryant5493 Thanks Bryant, that was my first time off the interstate downtown.
Nice video !
@raildance2 Thanks, I appreciate that.
@1867Phoenix I use Final Cut Express 4 on a macBook Pro.
What editing program do you use for your videos?
@acidnaught74 Thanks for watching!
@FreewayTitan Thank you, I agree!
So much more on the south side, uab area
@Freewayjim
Have you ever been to Des Moines before? And, it is cool. Maybe when you go through Chicago, you'll think about Des Moines!
Thanks, I have no idea when I'll come to Des Moines, not high on my list of places to go and film, sorry.
I drove through downtown Birmingham this year, love the city and saw many buildngs, strip malls and parking lots sitting on hills. Your video didn't show any steep hills(not counting the interstate bridges) .
@BabyBang17datruth I live in ATL, I don't see any resemblance other than the asphalt.
@okocha555 Thanks for watching.
@aswchris Thank you!
@aijunk2 Thanks, sorry, don't see myself getting to Des Moines anytime soon, like years soon.
On the left at 1:32 is Watts towers (I think). It’s condos with a bank in the basement. I plumbed several of the condos.
@prfsnlwannabe No problem, they are always there.
Hmm, I suppose some folks are right about me avoiding Birmingham as you mentioned the "Rustbelt" since i"m from the Rustbelt. BBVA has offered work in the city, but I'm not actually attracted to it. Not knowing how long u visited. I would only assume the city is far less active and traffic isnt much of a problem. Just wary on the crime rate there. Nice video, as always.
@georgiaroadgeek Thanks Steve.
By the way, I have not been to Des Moines since 2005 :( So it would sure help me out if you do a tour of it. Sorry i'm being annoying about this! Update me as soon as you can when you'll hitch a ride to Des Moines! Anyways, keep up the great videos!
Nice, Both of my Parents were born in Birmingham.
Awesome shot at 1:50 of the man on the walker speeding up. lol
@Bbgunn325 Thank you!
@Derham43 Thank you!
@ScrewdUPClickV2 LOL, well there uis a college downtown (UAB) that you'll see in the next video so you never know. Really I was impressed, it was my first time off the freeway there and I thought downtown was pretty nice.
There's Jim Burke! I work there! Haha. Great video!
@raildance2 Can't please everyone, sorry. #1 I'm not from Birmingham so I don't know all those places and #2 I can only mention so much or I'll take the viewers eyes off the road completely. Feel free to go make a video and mention those things.
haha, so true. it's always so barren downtown on weekends
Is there alot of crime in Birmingham? #great detailed video btw
Thanks...you could probably google that and find answers.
The main part of downtown doesn't have much crime. If you get into the rougher neighborhoods, there is alot
You don't hear of much violence
Birmingham has a lot of crime in certain areas. You want to stay away from west end, Ensley, Southside, lawnwood, gate city, tarrant, and parts of irondale.
+Dalton Hillman you've disappointed me . I was planning to immigrate to america and live in this beautiful green city . it looked calm on internet and Google earth
1:50 on the the right is magic city grille
While I'm from the area I was just wondering if you have your gloc on the seat or your lap?
LOL, no.
That building on the left at 1:06, was a s&l known as citizens federal back in the day. Owned by a black entrepreneur named A.G. Gaston. As kids, we would see him in the grocery store in overalls, and he would give us a fake coin with his image on it. He also owned a funeral home on the east side and a neighborhood was named after him there. A.G. Gaston Villa.
That's because there are no steep hills in the downtown area., go south of the city and you'll find plenty.
wow looks so much like downtown calgary alberta looks like your driving through calgary. By the way calgary is in canada just in case u didnt know. great vids tho bro
@TripleXXX8700 Thanks!
@Freewayjim
Well, thanks for the honest answer! Keep up the videos, and maybe one day you'll tour Iowa. Trust me, it's more than a bumpy road to Chicago. :P
You failed to acknowledge the Civil Rights Museum while passing Alabama Power. I guess it's freewill and choice, nice video though!
I think the alongside roads places scenics are so goods goods, so goods beautiful and so goods comfortable and so goods big, and so goods wides. I think the alongside roads places climates are so goods goods. I think the alongside roads places airs are so goods to fresh airs. I think the alongside roads places environment are so goods comfortable. I can able be to the awersomes for it. I am to glads for it. I think are so goods values the delights or wows and praises for it. I love to it. I think are most favorites for it. Thank you for sharing thank you so much that’s right all right ok no problems me too see you soon see you later good luck good job you are welcome.
I will say this I live in Birmingham Alabama, if you you get into the heart of Downtown, where the "Supposedly 32 high Skyscrapers" are you be amazed!
@BrollikIsMrNikon And the traffic on the freeways move in NYC, unlike ATL.
Nice
@aijunk2 I'll get there someday I'm sure.
Thanks, can't get everything.