Historic Red Ore Express

Contextualizing Birmingham's industrial history with lost family stories

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

When industry in Bham first started, Black laborers were tasked with the hottest and most difficult manual jobs, and whites were given operator positions. To learn more, find our audio tours on the @TravelStorysGPS app.

Image courtesy of Sloss Furnace National Historic Landmark.

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

The economic opportunity attracted many migrant workers in Bham's early days. Find out what life was like for the families of industrial laborers on our walking/biking tour on the TravelStorys app!

Image of Sloss laborers courtesy of Sloss Furnace National Historic Landmark.

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

Far from a river, Birmingham utilized railroads as the main mode of material transportation. Materials arrived at furnaces and factories by train, as shown in this image.

Image courtesy of Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark.

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

As you walk along the Kiwanis Vulcan Trail in Vulcan Park, you are traveling just 1 of the 300 miles that connected Red Mountain mines to blast furnaces in the city. Listen to the Kiwanis Vulcan Trail story on the HROE walking/biking tour next time you're near the old mines!

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

Standing atop Red Mountain is Birmingham's most iconic figure: Vulcan. The Iron Man has been the largest cast iron statue in the world for over a century. Access our tour on the @TravelStorysGPS app!

Image courtesy of Bob Farley.

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

Birmingham's story began 420 million years ago as Red Mountain's characteristic iron deposits formed. Learn more on our audio tour, available now on the TravelStorys app!

Image courtesy of the Birmingham Alabama Public Library Department of Archives and Manuscripts.

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

"Philoxenia" - Friend to the stranger. As Birmingham-based filmmaker Jessica Chriesman illustrates in her 2021 short film, the Greek community in the Magic City has always been just that. Take a look for yourself!

https://t.co/wO8JALceSF

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

Let's revisit the "La Storia" exhibition that was featured by @VisitVulcan in 2015, where exhibit author Mary Jo Gagliano told the story of the Italian community in Birmingham. Check out this 2014 interview for more info!

https://t.co/ky0fjPUDV7

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

It may be April 1st, but we're serious about celebrating the melting pot of communities that makes Birmingham so wonderful! This month, join us as we celebrate the Italian and Greek communities in the Magic City. #industrialhistory

Image courtesy of @VisitVulcan

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

Fantastic book discussion featuring @dem8z and her book Leaving Pipe Shop. What a great way to spend a Friday night. https://t.co/kSmsWJTbCy

[Deborah E. McDowell @dem8z]

Thank you so much for the discussion his evening. I am thrilled that I could join you. Even more thrilled that so many signed in on a Friday night. To see the Acoff sisters brought tears to my eyes. “We were girls together” there in Pipe Shop, there in Bessemer. What a gift!!!

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

To celebrate our February 21st launch as well as Black History month, we will be hosting discussions about
@dem8z's book, Leaving Pipe Shop: Memories of Kin this Friday! Register for the free virtual event at this link:
https://t.co/RPTMcQjf32

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

Download the free TravelStorys app from the app store to access the HROE tour after our Feb 21 launch! Here's a link: https://t.co/5r3yEE8FEn

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

New year, new us! We changed our name to the Historic Red Ore Express to better reflect our purpose. Many thanks to our summer intern from the University of Virginia, Chad Whych, for the great name and the design of our new logo! #Birmingham #audio #Tours

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

Happy Thanksgiving from the BIHT! Stay safe out there this holiday season.

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

What did TCI say when asked who owned all of the ore extraction sites along the Big Seam on Red Mountain?

"They're all Mines!"

#BIHT #birmingham @bbyrdgiles

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

When in Birmingham, paranormal activity is never far. Do you know your local hauntings? Stay informed, take a look at the legend of "Slag" at Sloss Furnace. Stay spooky, Birmingham, and Happy Halloween!

#Birmingham #haunted #sloss #BIHT
@bbyrdgiles

https://t.co/43vevotX4i

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

In Roman mythology, Vulcan's forging skills were so legendary, he was credited with creating magical icons such as Mercury's winged helm and even the powerful Zeus' thunderbolts. Now that's shocking!

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

From 1905-6, Vulcan sat by the Birmingham Mineral Railroad in pieces. We're glad he didn't quit while he was a Head, or we might not be seeing him on Red Mountain nowadays!

Image of Vulcan in pieces via the Birmingham Alabama Public Library Department of Archives and Manuscripts

[Historic Red Ore Express @RedOreExpress]

Col. James Sloss created the Sloss Iron and Steel Company and the Sloss-Sheffield Steel and Iron Company in Birmingham. However, neither of these companies actually produced any steel. How Iron-ic! #Birmingham #BIHT #industry #steel #iron
@bbyrdgiles