Discover the haunting old photos of children who worked in the factories, eateries, messaging and transportation industries of Birmingham, Alabama.
Avondale Mills, Birmingham AL
In 1910, Avondale Mills employed thirty children on the factory floor.
Everyone knew each child had to be over the age of 12 to be employed there, including the child workers who looked much, much younger.
The Avondale Mills school did not seem to offer much of an education, as children attended for just a few weeks a year, and many of them struggled with basic literacy.
The Messenger Boys
The job of the Messenger boys looks less onerous than the work experienced by the children at the Avondale Mills.
But it could still be a dangerous job with long hours, at a time when only some states were introducing driving tests for safer roads.
Theater Usher
Brown McDowell is barely able to see over the counter at the kiosk at the Princess Theatre. But he was working twelve hour days for his employer, and was barely able to read.
Delivery Boys
Ice Cream Parlour Servers
Ice cream parlours before WW1 were an elegant affair with table service. The smartly dressed table boys started their work at a fairly young age.
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Discover the haunting old photos of children who worked in the factories, eateries, messaging and transportation industries of Birmingham, Alabama. Avondale Mills, Birmingham AL In 1910, Avondale Mills employed thirty children on the factory floor. Everyone knew each child had to be over the age of 12 to be employed there, including the child workers… Read more: The Child Workers of Birmingham, Alabama - Old Images of Mobile, Alabama
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Glimpse history through old photos and vintage film of Birmingham, Alabama, in the United States of America.