“The greatest football game ever played in Birmingham. . .”

First Alabama-Auburn football game, February 22, 1893
Photo: Auburn University Digital Library

by Ellen Griffin Shade, Avondale Regional Branch Library

When Alabama and Auburn face off November 25 in the 2017 Iron Bowl, they will be continuing a tradition considered one of the most important football rivalries in the annals of American sports. That tradition began nearly 125 years ago in a field not far from the Avondale Library.

The very first Alabama-Auburn football game was played February 22, 1893, in what was then Lakeview Park. The game was played before an estimated crowd of 5,000 and was won 32-22 by Auburn (then named the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama). The victory cup presented that day by a Birmingham Belle is on display at Auburn University.

Historic marker located at Clairmont Ave. and 32nd St. South

On Thursdays I like to share tidbits of local history like this on Avondale Library’s Facebook page. If you’d like to find out more, check out Avondale Library’s Throwback Thursday posts and BPL’s Digital Collections.