Filed under: AL, Architecture, Atlanta Life, Birmingham Alabama, Birmingham, AL, Cities, Freemasons, Magic City Flickr Group, Neon in B'ham, Photographs, Prince Hall Masonry, Random shots, art, history, neon signs, urban issues
Building somewhat on yesterday’s first post theme, this image is of a neon sign that hangs on the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. and A. M. of Alabama, Temple Building, located at 1630 4th Avenue North. The building housed the Birmingham office for Atlanta Life as well as the Order of the Eastern Star; Atlanta Life’s sign still hangs on the building as well and it was previously featured in this series. It was designated on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the 4th Avenue Historic District in 1982.
The lodge has served as the physical representation of several issues regarding recognition of Prince Hall Masonry as legitimate. This is a link to a speech given by Brother Alex Harris in 1999, shortly before a Grand Lodge vote to recognize Prince Hall Masonry in Alabama failed. I would have to agree with the webmaster’s comments located at the top of the page. Luckily, the state legislature is not of the same mindset as is shown by this resolution from July, 2005. This blog appears to have been started recently and provided some interesting information.
As always, click here to view the series homepage. The photo gallery is available by clicking here. The series available from the Magic City Flickr Group is available here. Comments and suggestions are always welcome. We’ll see you later.
Cheers.
Filed under: AL, Birmingham Alabama, Birmingham, AL, Cities, Civic Engagement, Commentary, Mass Transit, News Media (as source & subject), Sustainable Development, The Rambles, Transportation, other cities, transit, urban issues
An article in yesterday’s Birmingham News spoke of an engineering plan that will call for a four-lane elevated toll road over U.S. 280. The plan was approved by the Progress 280 group with the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce yesterday, with public hearings to take place at the end of the month. Here’s the links to yesterday’s and today’s stories:
- Engineer to show plan for raised 280, The Birmingham News, 8.17.2006
- Skylane toll plan offers `bridge relief’ for U.S. 280, The Birmingham News, 8.18.2006
A conversation with a long time resident this morning has me wondering why people would be more willing to pay to drive on a road than pay to have the ability to get additional work done during their commute. I was reminded of the benefits of a transit commute by a recent editorial written by John Saxon to the Birmingham News about his experiences in Budapest. Here’s a cached link to his letter courtesy of Google. Here’s a cached link to a response that the newspaper published. It goes back to the idea of civic pride, but there’s something to be said about always selling yourselves short. Nothing will ever result. This is also where I remind people that we have not always depended on cars in this city; it once boasted the nation’s second largest streetcar system. Read on…
