So, Since the posting of my DeKalb County, Georgia thread, And Mr. Prince's Huntsville thread, I figured "Why not have one for Birmingham?", And as a result, here it is:
The story begins in 1952 or 1953. Sometime between those two years, JeffCo purchased 5 Thunderbolts (Yes, the s00per raer jaylbhurs!11) and installed them "strategically" in Jefferson County. The locations I have been able to figure out are as listed:
Birmingham City Hall (Still there)
Lawson College (Still there)
A school I cannot remember the name of (Siren's gone, I have a sneaking suspicion this siren got moved to S. Shades Crest Rd in Bluff Park / Hoover)
Well, Aside from the gridfaced Thunderbolts, they got some in what I am assuming the 1960s or 1970s (I found a Thunderbolt in "The Boneyard" that has a tag that dated from approximately 1966) And sometime between there, they have gotten an STL-10 (still exists, on Dixieland Rd. in North birmingham next to a water tank), and some SD-10s (Most are gone, I think there is one left). They also got a lot of Model 5s, but those are all gone and now reside in the yard. Let us fast forward to 1982. Ronald Reagan is president, We're still in a standoff with the reds, and Birmingham is greatly expanding. In that year, the county got a whole horde of Thunderbolts, along with a few 2T22's, all of which still exist. A lot of these still exist, on poles and schools throughout the Birmingham area. However, some have been replaced as well, along with other minor changes, like blower swaps, and head unit swaps, and so on and so forth. In addition, in approximately 1987, the county got a few Thunderbeams, all of which are still in service. This is also the time I believe when a lot of sirens were moved around, like for example, the siren that is on South Shades Crest Road (A Thunderbolt). I believe that back in the 80's or 90's. Where the controls are, there is evidence of an RCM set being there at one time, yet now, it has modern controls. The story goes on further than just the 80's, but that entirely is another story for another time.
Now, are you guys ready for some pictures? Good. Keep in mind, this is not ALL of the sirens, just the ones I have seen in my travels. I do have pictures from the yard I mentioned above, but will only post them by request.
Let's get this show started with a Thunderbolt on Chapel Road in Bluff Park:
Up next, a Thunderbolt on Bluff Park Elementary School. I recorded this beast back in July, and it was L.O.U.D, with a capital L!
Then, there is this 'bolt over on South Shades Crest Road.
Then, we switch to whatever this direction is, to look at a 2t22 off of US-31 and I-65's intersection north of Hoover.
Here is a Thunderbolt off of Lorna Rd. in Hoover
You'll have to carefully look to see this one! It is the thunderbolt on Birmingham City Hall, which, to my understanding, is the first thunderbolt ever installed in the whole state of Alabama possibly.
Here is a Thunderbolt, that if i remember correctly, is in Irondale.
And then, there is this guy on Oporto Madrid Blvd.
Oh look a Thunderbeam! This is the siren at hoover Senor Center.
And lastly, another trashcan on a toothpick. This is behind Bluff Park Baptist Church:
Well, that's that, with lack of better words to put here...