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Birmingham, Alabama, circa 1906. "Hotel Hillman." And the Dairy Depot next door. 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size.
Guessing it was not only cold but windy, too. The awnings are mostly retracted and the top of the trash/cigarette butt can is lying a few feet away from the base. Even the horse's blankets have been upset by the breeze.
Funny what you don't see. No tire skid marks, no oil stains, no parked cars.
I haven't seen a date in Romans stretched out like that. Ordinarily 1901 would be MCMI.
When I look at the details on these old buildings it's a shame that they're torn down to make parking lots or even to build modern buildings. They have a lot of character and would be great apartments/lofts today - a way to revitalize downtown areas. I guess back then cities were always looking to the future, but not realizing the nostalgia for these human scale buildings modern life would bring.
I have a daily photoblog of Birmingham and have lived here most of my life. Never heard of this hotel but do know there was the old Hillman Hospital on southside. Thanks for this glimpse into Birmingham's history.
The Hotel Hillman was on the southwest corner of 19th Street and Fourth Avenue North. In 2010 this location is a vacant lot. Using my Sunrise, Sunset software and being in downtown Birmingham, I can determine the azimuth and inclination of the sun from the shadows and guess this picture was made in late November, about 10 a.m.
The guys in the alley have no money to go anywhere else, or maybe they're waiting for work in the hotel, and it's a cold morning in Birmingham.
The Hotel Hillman was only 5 years old in 1906!
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