I could go into incredible detail as to why this relatively new hospital is being demolished… slowly… but I’ll spare you the whole story.

Its roots date back to 1916, founded by Dr. Charles Carraway, and no doubt seeing many of the terrible injuries from the steel mills and mines.

It closed in 2008, and has been the subject of redevelopment efforts.

But for the time being, it is under slow demolition.

We looked at some of the houses nearby on our way to our next destination.

Generally speaking, the oldest parts of Birmingham are down in the valley and are platted as a square grid, while the newer and more affluent parts are on winding, irregular blocks up in the hills.