In 1892, T. T. Hillman sold his Songo property to Edwin Magruder Tutwiler.He opened the Songo Mine which used a steam powered hoist, compressors and pumps.He owned the 1887 Tutwiler Coal and Iron Company and in 1893 acquired the Vanderbuilt Furnace.In 1896 Tutwiler sold the Songo Mine to the Birmingham Coal and Iron Company. In 1912, the mine was again sold to the Woodward Iron Company.
In 1917, because of a dispute with TCI over rail haulage on the north side of Red Mountain, Woodward sunk the Redding Shaft down to the Songo workings on the south side of the mountain.The ore could then be transported on the L&N Birmingham Mineral Railroad South Branch.In 1917, the mine was temporarily closed.It was reopened in 1948 to recover the remaining ore and rob pillars.The mine permanently closed in 1956.
The trail passed an explosives storage building.
This overview shows the Redding Shaft hoist house (left) and the shaft location (right).
The Spanish-Revival style hoist house has survived since 1917.The unique architecture was influenced by CEO, A. H. “Rick” Woodward’s trips to Pasadena, CA.
The hoist drums are still visible through the rear door of the hoist house.
The foundations of the Redding Shaft headframe and ore bins are seen at the shaft site.
The concrete slab with the metal box covers the 384 foot deep, 10’ 4” x 7’ Redding Shaft which connected with the Songo Mine workings.
The Songo Mine incline portal is at the top of the hill above the Redding Shaft.
The MHAers could look down the incline through the protective gate.
Jeff holds a 1948 photo of the reopened Songo Mine.Ore was loaded onto trucks at the tipple for transport to the Woodward furnaces.
The 1948 corrugated steel hoist house is slowly going back to nature.
The massive foundations once held the more modern electric hoist.
Running short of time and with thunderstorms on the horizon, Jeff routed the MHAers down a less-used shortcut trail that required a little bushwhacking.
The shortcut led to a trail along another railroad grade which passed several interesting old mine openings.
Back on a main trail, the MHAers soon arrived at the Redding/No. 10 compressor house and the end of another excellent tour.Thanks, Jeff.
Photos courtesy of Fred Barnard and Mike Kaas
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE BIRMINGHAM MEETING PAGE
All contents copyright 2011. This is a ZStudios website.
