Irondale, AL,  a suburb of Birmingham, is a city that boasts itself as the “Gateway to Hoover.” A leader in civic engagement and home of Oak Mountain State Park, the second-largest state park in Alabama, Irondale has been named one of the most livable cities in the United States by Forbes and awarded the All-American City Award by the National Civic League.

Irondale is home to Tannehill Historical Park, a Civil War site with numerous facilities including a mansion listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, an antebellum church designed in 1855 by Richard Upjohn that also appears on the list of historic sites,  and a Confederate memorial, which is Alabama’s only such memorial. 

The city has been the home of notable residents such as two-time Olympic gold medalist and world record-holder Jesse Owens, who grew up in an area called “the Quarters” and received his first pair of track shoes from future professional baseball player and Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, who was a childhood friend of Owens.

In 2014, Irondale received a grant to construct a dog park from the Alabama Office of Outdoor Recreation as part of a program to create green spaces in every county across the state. The Dog Park at Tannehill State Park is slated to be completed by late 2015 and will also provide parking, an off-leash area, and separate areas for large and small dogs.

To celebrate the city’s diversity, residents sponsor activities throughout the year that include a Heritage Festival in September to commemorate Hispanic culture with food, music, dance performances, children’s games, and exhibits on Latino history. 

Irondale, AL, Attractions:

Country Club of Birmingham

Country Club of Birmingham is a private country club of the metropolitan area of Birmingham, Alabama, United States. The Country Club is a part of a group of clubs known as the “Five Clubs” located in and around Birmingham. 

Oak Mountain State Park

Oak Mountain State Park is a public recreation area covering more than 2,000 acres located four miles south of Pelham, Alabama, on the western side of Oak Mountain. The state park is managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and includes a 54-hole golf course as well as facilities for camping, hiking, swimming, mountain biking, and tennis.

Tannehill Historical Park

Tannehill Historical Park is a Civil War site located five miles (8 km) north of Valley, Alabama on U.S. Route 278. It has more than six miles of trails for hiking and biking through the battlefields and along the banks of Tannehill Branch creek, which supplied water to the furnaces at Tannehill Ironworks.

Overall, Irondale is a charming municipality that is ideal for families, teenagers, and empty nesters. Home to two private golf clubs, a dog park under construction, one of the largest state parks in Alabama, and more than 20 annual festivals celebrating diversity, Irondale has something for everyone!