Ever wondered what (decor) secrets live behind the beautiful front doors of the historic homes that line the streets of Hollywood in Homewood? From architectural styles like Spanish Colonial to English Tudor, they seem to promise interiors marked by a timeless character and a magazine-esque aesthetic. On Sunday, April 19 from 1–4 p.m., you can find out with the return of the beloved Historic Hollywood Home Tour. Rain or shine, you can give yourself a tour of a curated collection of four private residences, organized by the Hollywood Garden Club. This year’s tour is particularly special as it marks Hollywood’s 100th anniversary!
Come on in…
You are invited to step inside some of Hollywood’s most beautiful and historically significant homes and get a rare glimpse into the architectural charm, rich history, and timeless elegance that define Birmingham’s first “over the mountain” community. Linger as long as you like in each of the on this self-guided tour. Each house is sure to be a feast for the eyes with all kinds of inspiring design choices—start at whichever house you want and go from there.
“This tour is more than a glimpse inside beautiful homes,” says Amanda Timko, this year’s Tour Chair. “It’s a celebration of Hollywood’s history, the people who preserve it, and the community that values it. The tour is especially meaningful this year as Hollywood and Homewood celebrate 100 years of existence and we are grateful to be a small part of the rich history of this place we lovingly call home.”
The History of Hollywood
In 1924, real estate developer Clyde Nelson created the Hollywood Land Company so he could develop a 750-lot neighborhood of Spanish Colonial Revival style homes—in the area we now know as Hollywood. According to the Hollywood Garden Club’s website, Nelson eventually allowed lot owners to also build the popular Tudor Revival style homes, but he still insisted on strict design codes in keeping with his vision for what would be known as “Birmingham’s Master Subdivision.”
Just two years later, Hollywood became a township and got their own mayor and five councilmen. Sadly, it didn’t last long—in 1929, the town merged into the City of Homewood due to ever-growing expenses. In 2002, the Hollywood Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places, highlighting it as one of the earliest and best-executed planned communities in Alabama.
This Year’s Homes
If you want to scope them out in advance, here’s this year’s lineup of historic Hollywood homes that will be featured on the tour:
- 232 Poinciana Drive
- 323 La Prado Circle
- 206 Malaga Avenue
- 5 Pamona Avenue
Tickets
Tickets are $40. You can buy your tickets in advance here or you can purchase them on the day of the event at each home.
Supporting a Good Cause
When you visit these beautiful homes, you’re doing more than just admiring a pretty space: The Hollywood Home Tour also supports neighborhood beautification projects and the historic Shades Cahaba elementary school.
You can learn more about the Historic Hollywood Home Tour and the Hollywood Garden Club on hollywoodgardenclubbham.com.
