Adger, Alabama
| Adger | |
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| — Unincorporated town — | |
 Adger
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| Coordinates: 33°22′37″N 87°05′37″W / 33.37694°N 87.09361°WCoordinates: 33°22′37″N 87°05′37″W / 33.37694°N 87.09361°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Jefferson County |
| Elevation | 472 ft (144 m) |
| ZIP code | 35006 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1921723[1] |
Adger is a small unincorporated town located in Birmingham, Alabama, United States outside Bessemer. It is named for Andrew M. Adger, who was Secretary-Treasurer of the Bessemer Land & Improvement Company whose principal officer was Henry F. DeBardeleben, who himself is credit as the founder of Bessemer.[2] It is a rural community created and made popular, along with North Johns, when iron ore & coal mines in the area were operating at their peak in the early twentieth Century. Since then the community has seen growth and decline and is now experiencing an upswing in population and business.
It has a local post office; two local groceries; and numerous houses of worship. Several individuals also advertise and operate self-employed type businesses which cover several services needed in the area, such as construction, roofing, plumbing, hauling, heavy equipment operation.
This town is served by a local volunteer fire department as well as a Neighborhood Watch office, which doubles as a working office for Jefferson County Deputies who patrol the area. It is governed by the Jefferson County Commission and the various departments and facets of the County Government. The community hopes to one day have a fully operational Sheriff's Department Sub-station located there in the future.[citation needed]
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[edit] Geography
Its location is about 5.0 miles (8.0 km) northwest and about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) from Interstates 20/59 which merge in Northeast Jefferson County and run through Jefferson County into Tuscaloosa County and northward into Walker County. North from here is the former location of Oak Grove High School. An F5 tornado destroyed it on April 8, 1998. City-Data.com reports the area to be 131 square miles (340 km2) with a population density of 23 per square mile. The zip code is 35006.
[edit] Government
The governmental body which oversees here is the Jefferson County Commission. Representing Adger and a large portion of West Jefferson County is Commissioner Bobby Humphries. He is also the Commissioner of Roads and Transportation for the County.
There is a Courthouse (Annex) located in downtown Bessemer with a Probate Office and Courtrooms. The main courthouse and most of the county services & offices are located in downtown Birmingham, which is approximately 26 miles (42 km) to the North East.
Adger lies within the boundaries of the "Bessemer Cut-off Area" and Law enforcement is managed by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, under the command of County Sheriff Mike Hale.
[edit] Economy
Adger is situated in the midst of the iron ore and coal district of Alabama. Coal is still mined in and around Adger by means of underground and strip mining. Steel is manufactured in nearby cities as well. Local mines include, Jim Walter #3; Oak Grove Mine; and Shannon Mine.
[edit] Demographics
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the area (ZIP code 35006) had a population of 3,109 in the year 2000. The Median Age of its residents was 37.5 yrs with 92.3% White; 6.4% Black; 0.4% Hispanic; 0.9% Other. Updated figures for 2006 are not available from the Census Bureau.
[edit] Transportation
Several trucking companies are located within the area and the entire county is served by rail and air transportation. Bessemer Airport is just south of here and Birmingham International Airport is approximately 30 miles (48 km) to the Northeast, along I-20/59.
[edit] Education
There are no public schools located in Adger. The Oak Grove Schools which were located approximately ten miles north from here until an F5 tornado destroyed them on April 8, 1998. They reopened two years later. It is within easy driving distance of several private schools in this area and approximately 45 minutes from several universities including UAB, located downtown Birmingham, and University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa.
[edit] Media
Adger has numerous television and radio stations located in and around the cities of Birmingham and Bessemer. Newspapers for the area include the Birmingham News, The Western Star, and The Western Tribune.
[edit] Religion
Adger is home to several churches, including Adger Baptist, Adger Church of God, Adger Holiness, and Bible Comes to Life. Most facilities are new or updated and several of the churches combine each year for a Community Revival.
[edit] Points of interest
Adger is approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) from WaterMark Outlet Mall and Alabama Adventure (formerly VisionLand). Alabama Adventure has rides, shops, attractions, and a Water Park.
Adger is approximately 10 miles (16 km) from a new state of the art shopping facility located along I-459 between Bessemer and McCalla. The shopping center will host a multiplex theater and several top name retailers.
The Bessemer Civic Center, which hosts many concerts, homeshows, etc. is located at exit 108 along I20/59, and is approximately 7 miles (11 km) from the heart of Adger.
[edit] References
- ^ "Adger". Geographic Names Information System, U.S. Geological Survey. http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:1921723. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
- ^ The Birmingham District, An Industrial History and Guide (pub. 1981), Marjorie L. White
