06/30/2025
So let’s explore 🔎 Vestavia's history. Attorney Edgar Smyer started purchasing 💰land (500 acres) on Shades Mountain. In 1915, he built an access 🚧 road from Cahaba Road to the top of the mountain, eventually called Smyer Road, and built his country residence 🏠, Rockhurst. Not to be left out former Birmingham mayor George Ward purchased 20 acres to plan his classical-inspired estate. Ward loved all things Greek/Roman, so he built a replica of the Temple of Vesta 🤩. He called his crib Vestavia, from Vesta, meaning hearth, and via - by the roadside. His gardens 🌺 were beautiful with climbing roses 🌹which could be smelled 👃for miles. He threw lavish parties 🎉 with a toga-required dress code, and dancers and servers joining in the fun 😜.
