Red Mountain Park, Birmingham, Alabama

At 1,500 acres, Red Mountain Park is the largest urban park in the United States. Red Mountain was the site of several mines that supplied iron ore to the blast furnaces of Birmingham and surrounding areas (there are remnants of furnaces in Brierfield and Tuscaloosa that are miles outside of the city). The crude iron mining operations contributed heavily to the city's growth and industry during the height of its use. The last ore mine closed in 1971.

Of all the places I've hiked around Alabama, RMP holds a special place inside my heart. I missed this place so badly after moving out of Alabama. I don't go back home to Alabama often, probably once a year at most. So, when I made the decision to go this time, I had to visit Red Mountain.

The Redding Shaft Mine.

My photos came out a little overexposed because of where I was standing in the sunlight.

In regard to the photo above on the right side, this was the image I was trying to capture but the sunlight ruined my shot.

This is Mine No. 10. It was the largest supplier of iron ore during operations and I believe the last mine that was closed. It was very early in the morning so, the sun wasn't behind me for a better shot.

This was a photo of Mine No. 10 I took back in 2020 (a year before I left Alabama).

Another photo of No. 10 from 2020.

An up close shot from 2020. As you can see, the mine has a gate to prevent entry. Due to the time of day, I wouldn't have been able to take a good shot with my Polaroid.

Mine No. 10 taken from a higher elevation.

(Left Photo) This machine is more than likely a Hoist (unsure there wasn't a plaque beside it).

(Right Photo) The machine and area shot from a distance.

The area/valley around Mine No. 10

They have these large Adirondack chairs around the area. These photos are both taken from the same side of the area just at different distances.

This is Mine No. 13 which is literally on the opposite end of the park from Mine No. 10. When I visited RMP the first time, Mine No. 13 was still sealed. I was stunned to see it's been open.

This is Mine No. 13 taken in 2020. As stated above, it was originally sealed.

Another shot of Mine No. 13 (I notified the family I was taken pictures before shooting lol).

Some remnants of structures from the mining era can still be seen around the park.

This is an iPhone picture of the right photo from above.

This structure used to be a bathhouse. I believe this particular one was the main/largest one. There were several around the mountain for the miners.

Another image of the bathhouse.

A better shot of the bathhouse in digital. I've stated this several times but Polaroid is hard to shoot with because of the frame limitation of the viewfinder. That's why I also take digital photos to juxtapose with the Polaroid shots so you have an accurate look of the scene/subject.

This was a shot standing on the bathhouse's foundation.

(Left photo) Unsure of what the building's original purpose was; there was no plaque and it was in an off limits area (oops).

(Right photo) An old railroad used to cart iron ore around the mountain.

The area around Mine No. 10. It was super early and the sun was in front of me rather than behind.

(Right photo) One the trail headed towards the shaft building, there were two stone structures on either side of the road. It reminded me on an entrance way. I didn't good a shot.

(Left photo) I'm unsure of what this structure was. There was no information plaque near it. It's near one of the parking lots.