Adamsville

Adamsville is located in central Jefferson County in the central part of Alabama. It lies to the northwest of Birmingham. War hero and Medal of Honor winner Henry “Red” Erwin was born and raised in Adamsville

History

Henry “Red” Erwin The area that now includes Adamsville was settled as early as 1862, but families did not arrive in significant numbers until after the Civil War. In 1889, resident William Adams donated land to the Kansas City, Memphis, and Birmingham Railroad for a right of way and the construction of a depot. The railroad made the town a stop on its route, and homes and businesses soon sprang up along the rail line. The community was named Adamsville to honor Adams and his donation of land.

Adamsville became something of a boom town in 1890 after a large coal seam was discovered nearby. Coal mining and coke ovens became driving forces in the local economy, and Adamsville quickly gained a reputation as a rough mining town. The town incorporated in 1901 and boasted a population of 600 at the time of the 1910 Census.

In 1915, the town voted to give up its incorporated status during a fight over liquor licenses and general concern over the town’s lawlessness and rough reputation. A fire destroyed much of the downtown area in 1918, including the original depot, which was quickly rebuilt. The city reincorporated in 1953 and built a new city hall and fire station that same year. In 1973, the 1918 railroad depot was demolished.

Demographics

According to 2020 Census estimates, Adamsville recorded a population of 4,266. Of that number, 47.7 percent of respondents identified themselves as African American, 47.5 percent as white, 3.1 percent as two or more races, 0.5 percent as Hispanic, 0.2 percent as Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and 1.0 percent as American Indian. The town’s median household income was $44,734, and the per capita income was $21,391.

Employment

According to 2020 Census estimates, the workforce in Adamsville was divided among the following industrial categories:

  • Educational services and health care and social assistance (25.0 percent)
  • Retail trade (16.5 percent)
  • Public administration (12.4 percent)
  • Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (11.2 percent)
  • Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (9.9 percent)
  • Construction (6.6 percent)
  • Other services, except public administration (6.2 percent)
  • Manufacturing (5.8 percent)
  • Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (3.0 percent)
  • Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (2.4 percent)
  • Wholesale trade (1.0 percent)

Education

Schools in Adamsville are part of the Jefferson County School District; the town has one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. The city lies within 15 miles of six colleges and universities, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Birmingham-Southern College.

Transportation

U.S. Highway 78/Interstate 22 runs northwest approximately two miles northeast of Adamsville, State Highway 5 runs north-south through the city, and County Road 110 runs west from the city. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport lies approximately 10 miles southeast of the city.

Events and Places of Interest

Adamsville holds an annual Christmas Parade in early December.

Further Reading

  • Jefferson County Heritage Book Committee. The Heritage of Jefferson County, Alabama. Clanton, Ala.: Heritage Publishing Consultants, Inc., 2002.
  • White, Marjorie Longenecker. The Birmingham District: An Industrial and Historic Guide. Birmingham, Ala.: Birmingham Historical Society, 1981.

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