Birmingham Rouge - Quinlan Castle

Taken through the gate, Quinlan Castle

Quinlan Castle started its life on the B'ham scene in 1927 as an apartment complex. In the 1990's it fell in total disrepair and its future was sketchy.  Luckily Southern Research Institute bought it and it has been restored since the first time I posted it here.   Today I revisited with St. Louis blogger Bob Crowe and his lovely wife Carolyn, who flew in to spend the weekend with me in Birmingham.  Stay tuned, we  have a lot planned for the next two days.  We've already had some photo ops and a divine dinner at Little Savannah.

Nostalgic Sunset

* My friend Jean Reed continues as my guest photographer this week. I'm enjoying her photos as I prepost them so I know you are too.

During the 20’s Quinlan Castle was the swankiest place to live in Birmingham. My mother lived there while taking classes at Business School—around 70 years ago. During her recent hospital visit at St. Vincent’s last fall, the view from her window was this nostalgic sunset view of Quinlan Castle in the Birmingham skyline! The view to the south from her window was the Red Mountain Expressway that leads to the Over-the Mountain suburbs. Vulcan is along the mountain to the right side in the photo!

Jean Reed - Guest Photographer

Open Window, Closed Door

Quinlan Castle sits atop a hill on Birmingham's southside.  As a child, I was always fascinated by it.  Built in 1927,  the design is reported to have been fashioned from a French castle visited by two of the owners after World War I.  It originally housed 72 efficiency apartments.  Vacant since the 1990's , it has been vandalized through the years.  The good news is that it has recently been sold and hopefully the new owners will find a way to restore the exterior and preserve the character of this Birmingham Landmark.