When Dr. Charles Newton Carraway came to the Birmingham Medical School, there was very little of a city here. Dr. Charles N. Carraway began his medical profession in the Birmingham district as a young doctor by associating himself with Dr. R. M. Cunningham in Ensley. Dr. Carraway’s first office was located upstairs, over a drug store, at First Avenue and Third Street in Pratt City. It had two rooms and an examination room. As the city grew, so did the need for more medical facilities. Therefore, in 1908, Carraway built his first hospital and named it Carraway Infirmary. It had 16 beds, and he and other doctors did everything from highly skilled surgery to the extraction of slivers from children’s fingers. All of the babies that were born there were attended to by these struggling young doctors. Carraway financed the new facility by getting Birmingham businesses to agree to pay $1 a month per employee, or $1.25 per family, for treatment. It was managed care before managed care even had a name. Dr. Carraway would even make house calls in his 1903 Cadillac. Few changes took place until George G. Crawford got the appropriation to build the large T.C.I. Hospital. From then on, there were no need for small hospitals like the one in Pratt City.
In 1917, Dr. Carraway purchased a lot on the corner of 16th Avenue and 25th Street and moved his practice to its present location renaming it Norwood Hospital. At the time of its opening, Norwood Hospital had 250 beds and was the third largest hospital in Jefferson County behind T.C.I. Hospital in Fairfield and the county-owned Hillman Hospital. Dr. Carraway started his hospital with the view of some day giving it to Methodism. When Dr. Carraway and Dr. M. E. Moreland founded Norwood Hospital, they planned to build it up to be a big medical clinic and present the institution to the Methodist Church. Inspired by Charles and William Mayo of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, Dr. Carraway brought in other doctors to practice under one medical group. In 1926, the group was incorporated as the Norwood Clinic and became Alabama’s first multi-specialty medical group practice.
While president of the Hospital Association in 1933, Dr. Carraway along with several others worked up a bill to create the Hospital Service Corporation, known today as Blue Cross Blue Shield. In 1936, all the stock in Norwood Hospital, valued at $100,000 was transferred to the First Methodist Church board of trustees. Dr. Carraway continued to operate the hospital as chief surgeon for the church board and made no changes in the staff. The transfer gave the church complete ownership of the hospital. Dr. Carraway wanted a hospital established for the church so that it could continue to operate for years to come.
In 1949, the Carraway Nurses’ Home was constructed with federal grant money. After Dr. Charles Carraway suffered a stroke in 1957, his son, Dr. Ben Carraway, was appointed chairman in his place. That same year, the Purcell Wing opened and was the first of many renovations to the hospital. Under Dr. Ben Carraway’s guidance, the hospital, then known as Carraway Methodist Hospital, grew from 256 beds to 617 beds. Now a Birmingham landmark, the notable blue star was placed on the roof of Carraway Hospital during Christmas in 1958. Sadly, Dr. Charles N. Carraway died in 1963 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery.
Like most of Birmingham during the 1960s, Carraway Hospital was segregated. The hospital came under scrutiny in 1961 after staff refused admittance to James Peck, a white Freedom Rider who was severely beaten by the Ku Klux Klan. The hospital was racially integrated by 1968. Although, accusations of racial discrimination against the hospital were made later in the 1970s.
Throughout its history, the hospital remained a leader in medical care. By the 1970s, Carraway Methodist Medical Center was the largest, privately-owned, nonprofit hospital in Alabama. In 1974, the $27 million Goodson Building was completed and named for W. Kenneth Goodson, former resident bishop of Birmingham, United Methodist Church. The new hospital addition was designed to hold 1,000 patients within 13 stories, and the foundation could accommodate six more, according to chairman Dr. Ben Carraway. The Goodson Building contains advanced equipment and facilities in several areas including X-ray, data processing, dietary, critical care unit, intensive care, and the obstetrics department. One of the most advanced pieces of equipment in the new building is the linear accelerator, a machine for treating cancer. According to Carraway, the linear accelerator can be used for all types of cancer which respond to radiotherapy and is used in conjunction with chemotherapy. A new chapel was built in the Goodson Building with four stained glass windows from churches around Birmingham which no longer exist. Carraway’s new lobby is also a small museum with glass enclosures full of items from the hospital’s history, such as official papers for the old Norwood Hospital, jars of old medicines, and Carraway’s 1903 Cadillac on display.
By the 1980s, Carraway Methodist Medical Center was the only Level 1 Trauma Center in Birmingham with 3 Lifesaver helicopters, a hyperbaric oxygen therapy department, a sleep center, and a wound care center. As part of Carraway Hospital, The Lifesaver helicopter program carried as many as 30,000 patients and was one of only 5% of emergency flight programs that placed physicians on every flight.
In the early 2000s, Carraway Hospital began facing financial difficulties and started looking for a buyer. During that time, the Chairman was the founder’s grandson, Dr. Robert Carraway. The Birmingham News blamed the declining Norwood neighborhood and decades of choosing patients over profits for the institution’s financial demise. Ultimately, in September 2006, Carraway Hospital filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with ownership being placed up for auction. A group of doctors bidding as Physicians Medical Center LLC submitted the highest bid of $26.5 million. After the buyout, the new owners changed the name in early 2007 to the Physicians Medical Center. The hospital was able to turn a profit for the first time in many years in June 2008. Sadly, the newly found success was short-lived. By October 2008, Carraway was unable to make payroll. The hospital officially closed on October 31, 2008, after 100 years in business. In 2009, a South Korean investment firm proposed to buy the vacant Carraway Hospital and reopen it as a training center for nurses, however, that plan never materialized.
Two years later, in 2011, The Lovelady Center, a nonprofit women’s rehab center, purchased the property for $6 million. The Lovelady Center planned to spend $15 million over the course of 3 years to convert the 52-acre campus into a multi-use development that would include a rehab center, a hotel, emergency room, pharmacy, and a long-term medical care center. The finished project would be called Metro Plaza. The nearby neighborhood committees opposed the Lovelady Center moving into Carraway. They believe a transitional housing center would be a step back for the Norwood community and not a beneficial use of the massive complex. Under the ownership of The Lovelady Center, the property was left unsecured and was a constant target for vandalism and copper theft.
In 2016, after being turned down by the local zoning board for not meeting regulations, The Lovelady Center announced they were selling the Carraway Hospital property. Two years later, Corporate Realty Development purchased the derelict hospital and announced plans for a mixed-use development called Northside Park. The purchase of Carraway Hospital was finalized in November 2020 and construction on a multi-use development with office, retail, entertainment, hotel, and residential space was set to begin in early 2021. The developers applied for rezoning and asked the City of Birmingham to consider providing as much as $17 million in tax abatement incentives. The Birmingham City Council approved a $13 million incentive package for the project.
In October 2021, Corporate Realty announced that the development will have a name paying tribute to its past and will be called The Star Uptown, with a logo featuring a blue star against a backdrop of the city skyline. Plans for the actual Carraway star include preserving and displaying it on-site in the new development. The project calls for a 5-year buildout which includes rehabilitation of the former medical center’s four existing parking decks. The demolition of Carraway Hospital began in July 2022.
Thank you for reading. Please share the blog with your friends. I appreciate the support.
You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. For more fascinating abandoned places from across Alabama, check out my books Abandoned Birmingham and Abandoned Alabama: Exploring the Heart of Dixie.
Abandoned Southeast 
That face shield is quite haunting.
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I was saved by doctors in 2001 So sad to see a life saving place go AWAY
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Here to see it all justg sitting there. The latest addition was really nice.
Sad. Too costly to tear down
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On Nov. 30, 1985, my brother was one of those helicopter flights. Unfortunately, he did not survive the accidental gun shot wound. Thankful for those who tried so hard to help him but too much blood loss. Tragic that such a place of great service did not receive the service it deserved.
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How do you go about getting access for photos?!?
Asking for a friend
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The best hospital and place to work ever. The knowledge I learned there is amazing. It made me the nurse I am tolday.
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I t is a shame the neighborhood thought the LoveLady plans were not what they needed. Have they looked around at their surroundings ? Must not have been profitable for some politicians, so they voted to let the building remain empty. WHAT kind of plan is that?
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You are right!! The neighborhood needs help. What a shame to let it go to waste.
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It’s a SHAME & DISGRACE it has been ALLOWED to be vandalized and ripped to pieces. That Community had a chance to be better and was denied by its own people. Shame on you. Do you see what you have now? An eyesore to the Community. When I passed not long ago it looked like the star had a big hole in it. It would have been an awesome rehabilitation center. Lord knows we need something like that. A part of Birmingham history is turning into a pile of rubble. Top Golf is a beautiful facility right up the road. Who ever did that, congratulations on your vision and making Birmingham beautiful again! We need more like you.
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I couldn’t agree more!! I live a few blocks from the Lovelady Center in East Lake. It is well kept (it’s just old and shows it). I’m proud to have them in my neighborhood and hope to volunteer there when I retire.
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Alabama continues to shut down mentle health facilities across the state so it’s a real shame that the Bryce mental health facility wasn’t able to move here. What a waste indeed.
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It’s ultimately the communities fault for the state of the property now. The building wasn’t vandalized until the community rejected lovelady’s plans and they had to abandon it.
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I thought the same thing reading this. The facility was to have a pharmacy and emergency room. That would be welcome in most any community.
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I was raised in Mt. Olive and my Mom and Dad used it all the time. My Fad passed away their in 2006. It is a shame to see it just sitting there not being used and to me something there would be better than nothing. It is ashamed that it is not being use.
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I was also raised in Mt Olive and used the hospital frequently. Sad to see it gone.
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My daughter and I just passed by was so shocked
To see this huge complex in this condition!
So I googled and glad I did has had quite a interesting History but a very Sad one.
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So sad…. I hope this isn’t the same fate destined for Baptist Montclair….
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I thought that was gone already honestly!
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This was a very sad day for me when they closed the doors to the hospital. It has such wonderful memories of both of my babies being born there. Dr Boulware delivered my oldest daughter and Dr Faucette was suppose to deliver my youngest daughter. What wonderful and caring doctors they were. It also has sad memories for me because I was diagnosed with breast cancer there. But because of my wonderful, caring surgeon, Dr Robert Carraway, the nurses and his caring office staff I have been cancer free since ‘85. This place and the people that made it the best hospital in Birmingham for so many years, will always hold a place in my heart. Thank you Dr. Robert Carraway for being such a wonderful doctor.
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Dr. Wm. Howell was my doctor for many years at the Clinic. He was a great physician and we always used Carraway Hospital. It was a great place . So sad to see it empty. Serviced so many people for so long. Convenient too. Now, it is St. Vincent’s So. Or East. I so wish it could be a great hospital again!
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I attended nursing school there and then went on to work there 16 years on the Ob-Gyn unit I loved working there . I worked with some great Drs and nurses. All three if my children were born there . So sad to see it now. It
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On December 26, 1978, I began my career as a registered nurse on 9 Goodson…a psychiatric unit at Carraway Methodist Medical Center. Wow…what I learned and how I made life long friends. How proud I was to be a part of a facility that became a Level 1 Trauma Center with Life Saver helicopters…who eventually flew to my Grandfather’s farm in Ball Play…outside of Hokes Bluff, AL and transported him as he had had a cardiac event; cured my father of adenocarcinoma and gave my mother some years of life following a diagnosis of lung cancer…all at the hands of caring, dedicated physicians . A fun memory I had was caring for Dr. Ben Carraway…he was my patient at the time on my medical unit, BUT…I had to delay my care because he put on a lab coat, left my unit and made rounds on HIS patients! It is sad and haunting to see such a once clean and pristine place deteriorate! Thank you, CMMC, for the memories.
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I grew up in Gardendale and Mt Olive. I never actually went to Carraway myself, but I remember when I was younger, hearing what a great hospital it was. I remember that seeing that big blue star was the coolest part of our drives through Birmingham. I remember seeing in in its prime; so busy and full of life. Then I remember when I realized that I was closed…. and even though I had never had a personal experience there, it still struck a chord with me that this once great thing, this one staple in my childhood is now gone.
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I was born at Carraway Hospital in July 1952..
Dr. McDonald was my baby doctor..
We used Carraway Hospital until it’s closing
After lifesaving heart surgery and kidney
Surgery my father in law passed away there in 1996 but he was given many more years of life because of the wonderful doctors and nurses
whose expertise in their fields was excellent.
When the doors closed at Carraway Methodist
it was a sad day for sure😔
My father in law passed away there in 1996
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I also was born at Carraway Hospital 1952 and Dr McDonald was my Doctor, I loved him so mush growing up that he also became my Daughter’s Doctor when she was young, this is so sad !!!
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Raised in the neighborhood Carraway was always a place of healing and help to me.
I delivered my last child there. I had several surgeries there.
All my regular doctor visits. Also had many lunches there just because of the great food.
In 1995 my family was carbon moximonoxide poisoned.
The hyperbaric chamber saved my life.
Really miss this place.
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I was born there as were my two sisters in 1948,1950 and 1951. All delivered by Dr Roundtree ( who also delivered my Mother)
Later, as an RN I worked there.
Was working there 9/11 and will never forget how we were instructed to discharge as many as we could that day thinking we might get some patients from the Trade Towers ( flown to Birmingham) later in the day.
Sadly, there were no Flights to Birmingham for medical care that day.
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After finishing nursing school my mom worked in carraway for many years.
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My Granfather gave a great part of his life to the success of this facility as an Administrator. My Dad, Mom, Aunt, Uncle and myself all were employed by the Carraway System. It’s heartbreaking to know that thing that was talked about over so many dinners has just been cast aside. I remember Dr Ben as a sweet bow-tie wearing little old man ,although I know he was much more than that . Wish someone could make use of it. Will III
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I really enjoy how well-researched these are. There are a lot of stories behind these places, and it’s cool to see that someone is unearthing some more obscure bits of history.
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Thanks for reading. I appreciate it
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I’m not sure if you got permission to go in there, but if so who do you contact for that? I would like to do this for my photography class final, so I figured I should at least try going through the legal channels. Either way, thanks for all the information! I had a hard time finding anything for places like this in my area of the country before I found your page.
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It was wide open. Sometimes forgiveness is easier to ask for than permission.
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That’s kind of what I figured lol. Thanks again for the info, your photos have me very excited to get in there!
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How do I get permission to go in and take photos ? and maybe a documentary video because I was born in this hospital and I was premature and died 3 times after I was born.
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Enter at your own risk.
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I went to nursing school at cmmc from 1969 to 1971. I never saw a thing resembling racial prejudice during the time I went to school there or the two years I worked there afterward. We were always taught treat everyone the same regardless. While I was there I met a radiologic tech student named Gary Hunter whom I will always love even though he is gone now.
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Thank you for the memories,good and bad.
I would like to know who was the Director of Nurses in 1965. Just for a good memory.
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By there today. The area it’s in is terrible and the locals there have absolutely destroyed the building not many windows are left to knock out and wiring I’m sure has been stolen . It’s a shame they wanna destroy the area they live in .
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It is sad how bad the building has been allowed to deteriorate.
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Hello , I am reminiscing on time spent at caraway with my Brother. He was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer at the age of 18 months in 1968. Fast forward to the middle 90’s he spent 9 months here , with a doctor I only remember by the last name of Laws, this place was and is massive , especially for a small town teenager from the southeast corner of Alabama. Needless to say the doctors and nurses put my Brother back together all the way from 8 major surgeries to open heart surgery. We came to this place via referral from our hometown hospital when all that could be did there was done for him. I really hate to see this powerful place that it used to be die as did my brother several years later after our stay at caraway.
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In early 1990s, I worked at Norwood Clinic along with the most amazing office crew. I lost my twins at 26 weeks. The doctors at caraway hospital never gave me an answer as to why I lost my twins. A day after the miscarriage, rushed to have surgery because the doctors could not remove the placenta. During surgery I remember waking up and seen bright lights and heard a nurse call out,” give her more blood”. I was pronounced dead but was eventually revived and was in ICU for a few days. I woke up and was so swollen that my family did not recognize me and I could not walk. The doctor said he could not release me until I used the bathroom. I couldn’t walk due to swollen feet so I crawled to the bathroom. The nurse that kept flirting with my husband had him only sign to cremate my twins after they were delivered. I was against the cremation. I had bad experience not only with losing my twins, the doctors and nurse. That place was a nightmare!
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So sad to read this article about Carraway. My brother was airlifted there in 1992. The wonderful and caring doctors and trauma team nurses were a blessing to me for my brothers care. He was involved in a horrible accident leaving him a quadriplegic the rest of his life. I lived at that hospital for over 2 months until he was ready to be transported to rehabilitation for his care. He passed away in 2001 due to complications of his being paralyzed. Has been many years and I often think of all the staff and patients that I saw being admitted for the worst injuries. Now I am so sad to see the hospital being demolished. Memories are all that some have and mine are blessed with a sense of well being knowing that so many patients were saved and given life even if for a few years.
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We were in Birmingham today and I missed my turn to get onto I-65North and ended up driving right past this complex. We were all so surprised to see it. It looked creepy and it was so sad to see such a giant hospital in such a derelict state. As soon as I got home I searched for abandoned hospitals on 16th street in Birmingham and found this page. Thanks for sharing the story and the pictures. Looking forward to checking out your other posts.
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I have zero ties to this place, but what a sad post. This looks to have been an icon for Birmingham, only to be left to rot away. Multiple air ambulances, 500+ patient capacity and a level one trauma center are pillars of reliable medical care. We have a huge hospital that serves the city I live in. I never could imagine it suffering a similar fate. I am sure those In Birmingham could have not imagined the same for this place 30 years ago.
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