Birmingham, fondly called “The Magic City” is magical for several reasons. It first got its nickname because within five miles, coal, iron ore, and limestone—all the ingredients to make steel–could be found. Birmingham’s location is at the intersection of the North-South railroad and the East-West railroad in an area that used to be called Jones’ Junction. After the Civil War, Northern officer realized the importance of all of this coming together and encouraged iron and steel companies to invest. A town of about 100 people grew up from cornfields to become a town of 200,000 in about 15 years.