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Heaviest Corner On Earth: Birmingham's Architectural Legacy

Discover Birmingham's 'Heaviest Corner on Earth,' a landmark showcasing early 20th-century architectural ambition and industrial might.

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The Heaviest Corner on Earth, located at the intersection of 1st Avenue North and 20th Street in Birmingham, Alabama, showcases a collection of early 20th-century skyscrapers. These buildings symbolized Birmingham's industrial boom and architectural ambition, earning the corner its unique moniker.

A brief summary to Heaviest Corner On Earth

  • The Woodward Building, 20th St N, Birmingham, Central City, Alabama, 35203, US
  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 9 am-5 pm
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Explore the architectural details of each building, noting the distinct styles and materials used.
  • Visit the nearby Birmingham Historical Society for more information on the history of the buildings.
  • Take photos from different angles to capture the grandeur and scale of the 'Heaviest Corner on Earth.'
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Birmingham Museum of Art, head south on 20th Street North for approximately 0.3 miles. The Heaviest Corner on Earth will be at the intersection of 20th Street North and 1st Avenue North. There are no costs associated with walking to this location.

  • Public Transport

    From the Central Station MAX station, take the Red or Green Line towards the city center. Get off at the 20th Street North station, which is directly adjacent to the Heaviest Corner on Earth. A one-way fare is typically $1.25.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    From the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, a taxi or ride-share to the Heaviest Corner on Earth will typically cost between $15 and $25, depending on traffic and surge pricing. The journey is approximately 6 miles and should take 10-15 minutes.

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Discover more about Heaviest Corner On Earth

At the heart of downtown Birmingham stands the 'Heaviest Corner on Earth,' a testament to the city's rapid growth and architectural prowess in the early 1900s. The intersection of 1st Avenue North and 20th Street is home to four significant skyscrapers built between 1902 and 1912, which, at the time, were some of the tallest buildings in the South. The name 'Heaviest Corner on Earth' emerged following a 1911 article in Jemison Magazine, which proclaimed Birmingham to have the 'Heaviest Corner in the South'. This boast was based on the combined mass and height of the Woodward Building (1902), the Brown Marx Building (1906), the Empire Building (1909), and the John A. Hand Building (1912). The Woodward Building, the first of these skyscrapers, was erected in 1902 and was Birmingham's first steel-frame skyscraper, with a Chicago-style design. The Brown Marx Building followed in 1906, becoming a popular building as the South's largest office building. The Empire Building, completed in 1909, briefly held the title of Alabama's tallest building. Finally, the John A. Hand Building was completed in 1912. Today, the Heaviest Corner on Earth represents a significant collection of early skyscrapers and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

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