Shades Creek Flowing Through Time is rich in imagery and historical detail regarding Shades Creek and its surroundings.  Produced by the Alabama Historical Society, Flowing Through Time offers insight and perspective on recent conservation efforts, the creek’s historical significance to industrial development and its continuing importance to the modern community.  The book includes interesting details about the area’s biodiversity, its relatively recent history of human occupation, from 7000 B.C. through the present day, and an overview of Shades Creek through the expanse of geologic time.  

“This book is a first step toward understanding both the ecological and human history of Shades Creek, restoring what has been lost, and preventing unnecessary loss by employing techniques of preservation and intelligent design where development is inevitable.  It is a tool to educate and to help ensure that future generations have a clean, healthy and stable Shades Creek that enhances nature and communities in Shades Valley.” From the Foreword by Michelle Blackwood and Henry Hughes

“This book documents the changing uses of Shades Creek with photographs, historic and current maps, and words. Opening essays explore the creek’s geology (beginning 330 million years ago), known Nation American habitation, pioneer settlement, Civil War and industrial development, and the recommendations of early environmental planners Warren Manning and the Olmsted Brothers for use of the creek and its floodplains.”  From the Introduction by Marjorie L. White

This book is shelved in the Alabama Room and is for library use only.

Photos in this blog post are reproduced with the express consent of the Birmingham Historical Society.