Sibyl Temple 2 edited Vestavia Hills is turning 75! Get history on the city + details on how to celebrate — Sybil Temple in Vestavia Hills (Matthew Niblett / Bham Now)

Nearly 75 years ago, Vestavia Hills was officially established as its own city. The city and its residents are celebrating the past few decades this week—keep reading for the city’s history and details on the 75th anniversary community gathering.

75 years of Vestavia Hills

When: Thursday, October 2, 2025 | 5-7:30 PM
Where: Vestavia Hills City Hall, <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/G1WpWXoMhXhexuAE8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1032 Montgomery Hwy, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216

According to Encyclopedia of Alabama, Edgar Jones Smyer built a road at the base of Shades Mountain in 1916. A few years later, the road was extended and people started building estates along it.

Then, in 1924, former Birmingham mayor George Battey Ward built a home that he named Vestavia, after the temple of Roman goddess Vesta, which inspired the name of what we know now

As far as the beautiful Sybil Temple that welcomes you into the city from downtown Birmingham, that was built in 1929 and modeled after the temple of the Roman goddess Sybil.

The city was officially formed on November 8, 1950.