James Lowery to give talk on Birmingham Mineral Railroad

The Friends of Shades Creek meeting Sept. 10 from 7 p.m.-8:45 p.m. at the Homewood Public Library will include a presentation on the Birmingham Mineral Railroad by James Lowery.

For a century, the BMRR carried minerals like limestone from coal mines to furnaces, and then transported pig iron from the furnaces to blast furnaces in Bessemer.

James Lowery had heard that his daily paths from his home near The Altamont School traced the railroad’s remnants through English Village and started to look for its route.

“Really, it was the crux of what made Birmingham able to be such a historic area for the iron industry,” Lowery said. “If it wasn’t for the Birmingham Mineral Railroad, Birmingham wouldn’t be what it is today.”

Lowery began efforts to identify highly visible locations along the rail lines to form an urban trail and to post signs marking its location.

Lowery’s presentation will include historical information about the BMRR and locations where the roadbed can be seen and where signs are placed.

For a full description of the program and a map to the library, visit shadescreek.org.