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Goldie 1971 - The Fallen Robot

A striking sculpture in Woods Quad at the University of Alabama, commemorating Birmingham's iron industry and offering a unique photo opportunity.

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Goldie 1971 is a striking, rust-colored robot sculpture located in the Woods Quad Sculpture Garden at the University of Alabama. Created by alumnus Joe McCreary, the 23-foot long, three-ton sculpture commemorates the decline of Birmingham's iron industry, specifically the Sloss Furnaces.

A brief summary to Goldie 1971 - The Fallen Robot

  • Woods Quad, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35401, US

Local tips

  • Take some time to explore the other sculptures in Woods Quad, including Flourish and the Fibonacci Spiral.
  • Consider visiting the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark in Birmingham to learn more about the iron industry that inspired Goldie 1971.
  • Check the University of Alabama's campus map for parking information and to locate Woods Quad.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Ferguson Center (the main student center), walk north along the paved pathways towards the heart of campus. Pass the Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library on your left. Continue straight, and you'll see Woods Quad, a green space surrounded by historic buildings. Goldie 1971 is located in the northeast corner of the quad, near Woods Hall.

  • Public Transport

    Several CrimsonRide bus routes serve the University of Alabama campus. Check the CrimsonRide website or app for the most up-to-date route information and schedules. Get off at a stop near the Ferguson Center or the main Quad area and follow the walking directions to Woods Quad. Bus transport is free for students and visitors.

  • Driving

    From downtown Tuscaloosa, take University Boulevard east towards the University of Alabama campus. Turn onto Hackberry Lane and follow it to Capstone Drive. Turn left onto Capstone Drive. Woods Quad will be on your left, surrounded by Manly, Woods, Garland, and Clark Halls. Parking is available in designated lots on campus. From 7 AM to 6 PM parking costs $5.

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Discover more about Goldie 1971 - The Fallen Robot

Resting on its side in the northeast corner of Woods Quad at the University of Alabama, Goldie 1971 is a thought-provoking sculpture with a powerful message. Created in 2009 by UA alumnus Joe McCreary, the 23-foot long, three-ton robot is constructed from scrap iron sourced from abandoned furnaces. Goldie 1971 serves as a memorial to Birmingham's fallen iron industry, which declined after the Sloss blast furnaces closed in 1971. The sculpture's name is derived from a signature welded into Sloss' No. 1 furnace during a repair. With a face resembling Frankenstein's monster, Goldie offers an irresistible photo opportunity while prompting reflection on the region's industrial past. Woods Quad, also known as the "Old Quadrangle," is a historic green space surrounded by the first four buildings at the University of Alabama. Rebuilt after the Civil War, the Quad now features a sculpture garden with works by faculty and students, officially dedicated in August 2014. Other sculptures in the garden include Flourish, Homage to Brancusi, Riverstone, and Fibonacci Spiral.

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