An aerial view of Ensley. Once a thriving city that stood on its own, Ensley was annexed by Birmingham in the early 1900s during the industrial revolution.
The area on Birmingham’s westside known as Ensley is about as rich in history and heritage as the city of Birmingham. That’s because at one time, Ensley — which was its own city at one time — was part of the epicenter of steel-making and a social mecca for diverse cultures including Italians, Jews and African-Americans. Starting tomorrow in the Birmingham Post-Herald, reporter Aileene Torres examines life in Ensley, it’s history, it’s problems, it’s future… and talks with residents of the community who are watching it happen before their eyes. WBHM’s Steve Chiotakis spoke with Torres about the paper’s upcoming series on Ensley… and all the areas it encompasses.
