Discovered at Legion Field – Monument to city’s first black orphanage and old folks home
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Last week, while taking photos of Legion Field, in the midst of a vast asphalt parking lot on the north side of the stadium, stands a small green patch of planted, well kept, overlapping shade trees and vines, with two metal park benches and a monument in front.
Anticipating a plaque honoring football players or Paul Bear Bryant, we were surprised to see a monument recognizing the site as the first black orphanage and old folks home in Birmingham, established in 1912.
We searched the internet for stories about the home, but could only find it referenced in couple of books including:
Organizing Black America: An Encyclopedia of African American Organizations
Would love to learn more about this monument and place that predated historic Legion Field. Contact us at pat@bhamnow.com if you have details.