Once only a suburb of Birmingham city in the state of Alabama, Bessemer experienced rapid expansion in its early years that led to its being awarded the nickname ‘marvel city’. Today, Bessemer has a population of approximately 28,000 people and is a city in its own right located 18 miles southwest of Birmingham.
Bessemer’s prime location in the heart of a booming industrial area, a corridor between Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, means that it looks set to receive a revival of the rapid growth it experienced in its infancy. The city has a wealth of historical buildings and homes, and its proud history is well preserved and documented in a number of local institutes.
Downtown Bessemer is a National Historic District and a hub of commercial and social activity with many shops, restaurants and cafés. It is currently undergoing redevelopment to utilize its historic value for the promotion and expansion of local business.
Highlights
Alabama Adventure: is a fantastic little theme park perfect for a family day out. It actually consists of two parks: Beach Water Park, with large water slides, roller coasters and wave pools, and Magic Adventure Theme Park.
Golf: the city is home to a range of golf courses to suit all levels of skill. Bessemer’s idyllic weather is great for those who want to spend a day or two on the greens.
Hall of History: this museum is dedicated to preserving and documenting the city’s rich past. It is home to displays including historic photographs, Civil War memorabilia and Indian artifacts. It also hosts monthly exhibitions that can be quite interesting, especially to history buffs.
Tannehill Historical State Park: built around the ruins of the Tannehill iron works dating back to the pre-Civil War era, the park takes tourists a step back in time. It is home to a wide area of campsites and a church built at the turn of the century.