Ensley High School in Birmingham, Alabama was founded in 1901 to serve the community of Ensley, which was centered around the booming steel industry. The school moved to a new building in 1908 and joined the Birmingham City School System several years later when Ensley was annexed by Birmingham.
For the first ten years, the graduating classes at Ensley were small. The first graduating class in 1903 only consisted of two students. Most of the classes consisted of less than a dozen students. In the 1920s, a major addition was added to the school which increased the capacity to over 2,000 students. Enrollment quickly ballooned as the nearby neighborhoods grew.
In 1936, over a 100 students contracted food poisoning; which was traced back to cream puffs from a local bakery. The Jefferson County Health Department, which had been unable to maintain their inspections during the Great Depression, inspected the bakery and discovered conditions to be filthy.
Previously an all-white school, Ensley High School was integrated in 1964 without incident. However, racial segregation in the Birmingham area was still prevalent, especially after the collapse of the nearby steel industry. By the 1970s, the student body was predominantly African-American.
The school’s three-story, 185,000 square foot building was designed by a local architect. The Ensley High campus occupies 8 acres, including the athletic fields and parking lots. A separate gym and weight room behind the school add another 20,000 square feet. Ensley High School closed after the 2005-2006 school year due to declining enrollment.
After closing, Ensley High School was used by the Birmingham Board of Education as a storage warehouse and garage space for the system’s transportation fleet. In the early morning of July 17, 2018, a passerby reported a fire inside Ensley High School. The heavy smoke could be seen from the interstate. By the time Birmingham Fire & Rescue made it to the scene, the school was fully engulfed in flames. Neighbors believe lightning may have hit the school and started the fire. Officials have deemed the fire as “suspicious” since the building did not have working utilities.
Abandoned Birmingham
Founded in 1871 after the Civil War, Birmingham rapidly grew as an industrial enterprise due to the abundance of the three raw materials used in making steel–iron ore, coal, and limestone. Birmingham’s rapid growth was due to the booming iron and steel industries giving it the nickname “Magic City” and “Pittsburgh of the South.” The city was named after Birmingham, England, as a nod to the major industrial powerhouse. The iron and steel industries began to dry up by the early 1970s, leaving behind dozens of abandoned structures that now dot the city’s landscape. In the last several years, Birmingham has begun to experience a rebirth. Money has been invested in reconstructing the historic downtown area into a pedestrian-friendly mixed-use district. In Abandoned Birmingham, photographer Leland Kent gives the reader an in-depth look at the forgotten buildings and factories throughout the city. $24.99 retail price. Signed and includes shipping.
$20.99
Hi there,
First of all, your photography is amazing. Do you know of any website or photographer who captures similar types of images within the state of Texas? I’m always looking for these hidden or forgotten places and the story behind them.
thanks, John
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Hey John, thanks for checking out my blog. Sorry, I do not know anyone in Texas that could help you out.
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Where was this school located in Birmingham’Alabama. I was born and raised there, graduated from Woodlawn High but i never heard of this school. Info appreciated.. Thanks
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Another disgusting example of tax payers’ money squandered yet again not to mention letting a historical beautiful building fall to ruins. Shame on the the Alabama Governor and Alabama State Educators.
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It has nothing to do with the Alabama Governor. It’s the ignorance of the feckless Birmingham, AL Board of Education. They have plunged the school system into complete disarray. It is so bad that the State of Alabama is stepping in to correct this mess.
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Not the governor’s fault, but the Board of Education of Birmingham!
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Peggy what year did you graduate from Woodlawn? Ensley and Woodlawn were sports competitors until they closed Ensley.
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Yes, it was in located in Birmingham, Al.
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Ensley High School was located near downtown Ensley a couple of blocks from Avenue I. If you have ever traveled 20/59 South toward Tuscaloosa there are two exits, one at 20th Street and the other at Avenue I, both exit in Ensley.
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PEGGY, where have you been. Ensley and Woodlawn were two of the original “Big Five” in Birmingham. Have you heard of the other three. In case you have not they are Phillips high school, West End high school and Ramsey high school. Perhaps Google next time instead of display your ignorance for the world to see. Ensley high school function for nearly 100 years, I guess you just missed it. Did you know your next-door neighbors? By the way, Woodlawn was Ensley’s biggest rival, especially in football. Ever hear of the, Crippled Children’s Clinic football game? I guess not.
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And when did you graduate from Woodlawn?
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Excellent photos!
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Thank you!
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I’m just seeing your book link of all days my beloved school is burned. Sad day. I remember those classrooms. I loved Ensley High!!!!
Class of 2002
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Thank you for the photo journal of Ensley High School. Even though it is sad to see this grand old high school in such a state of disrepair, it is good to see the pictures of my high school. I have many memories of my time there. Your work is awesome. Thanks, again. EHS Yellow Jackets! c/o ’77
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Love the picture of Ensley high School I graduated form there in 2003 loved the school hate they let it close
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Ensley High School is no more as it burned down yesterday morning under suspicious circumstances. Glad these pictures and story exist so thanks to the author. I graduated from Ensley in 1982 so I knew the school and area quite well.
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My beloved Alma Mater! So heart broken that is burned down a few days ago.coukd you go back to the school now and take some pics? Or, if you have the time, explore some of the pictures taken by former students on Facebook. “THE STING WILL NEVER DIE!”
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When were your photos taken? It’s hard for me to believe they left trophies in the school when they closed it and they didn’t find a new home for books. What a waste and complete disregard for history.
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February 2017
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Would like to know if the students can retrieve a brick from the ensley high school
Tracey Gwin would like to know
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I have no idea. I heard some alumni were stopping by and getting them. Maybe try contacting the school board.
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Is it possible to do a photo shoot in this school?
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It was destroyed by fire last week.
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Wow…so many memories…the legacy and the history… Dear Ol Ensley High..Her colors are black and gold💛💛
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Love your photos – so glad that you captured these at Ensley HS before it was destroyed. My uncle graduated from there in 1929.
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This is an incredible photo essay. Thank you very much
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Thank you Drew
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Thanks for sharing. Memories made that can not be erased 1980-1984. #highschoolsweetheart #colorguard #ROTC #friendsforever #c/o84 #teachers #principal
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