April 28th BGS Meeting – Central Park & A Bit Beyond – The Men Who Made Steel and The American Dream

The Birmingham Genealogical Society meets the fourth Saturday of each month (ex. Nov. & Dec.) in the Arrington Auditorium at the Downtown Birmingham Public Library. Guests are welcome!

Next meeting: Saturday, April 28th at 2 p.m.; Refreshments at 1:30 p.m.

Speaker: Patricia Crim Dietlein

Program Topic: Central Park & A Bit Beyond – The Men Who Made Steel and The American Dream

Details: www.birminghamgenealogy.org or BPL-Southern History Dept. at (205) 226-3665.

Pat co-authored the book, “Central Park and A Bit Beyond” with Alvin W. Hudson, now deceased. The “a bit beyond” of the title is, in fact, quite a lot beyond. Although the main focus of the book is the people and history of the Birmingham community of Central Park, with emphasis on the first 60 years of the 20^th Century, the detailed Table of Contents reveals sections as varied as Fairfield and the TCI steel industry, additional area schools including Charles A. Brown and Green Acres, West End and Ensley High Schools, hospitals, cemeteries, downtown shopping, restaurants and theaters, drive-in theaters, Lowe’s Skating Rink, Rickwood and Legion Fields, State Fairgrounds, and Kiddieland. Specific to Central Park are chapters covering each church, the school, park, community center, creek, and local businesses. Heavily illustrated with 450 photographs, many from the extensive collection of co-author Alvin W. Hudson, the book also contains 13 maps, 10 drawings, and 3 pages with old business advertisements. The text was researched over a three-year period and put together by co-author Patricia Crim Dietlein. Both Alvin and Patricia grew up in Central Park and the book was begun as a rather modest labor of love for the community and its people. Almost inevitably, the book and its contents “grew like Topsy” – thanks to the interest and input from others wanting to help preserve this history, and who generously shared facts, memories, and more photographs.

Pat will also bring a photo display with some rare historic photos of the general Birmingham area. Come join us for a nostalgic stroll down memory lane.