Sloss Furnaces
Sloss
Furnaces
Sloss
Furnaces
Birmingham,
Alabama
James Withers Sloss opened the City Furnaces in 1882. The imposing structure with its dual
furnces would go on to become an icon on Birmingham's skyline.
The conditions for the workers were deplorable. They faced dangerous and daunting tasks for
no pay, only vouchers that could be used in the company store.
There was a night foreman, Richard Jowers, who ruled his third shift crew with an iron fist.
His heavy boots could be heard slamming against the steel grate of the catwalk as he watched
his workers slave from above.
Many workers died under his harsh form of care. Then, one night, on an unusual trip to the
top of the furnace, Jowers lost footing and fell to a fiery death. Some say he was pushed,
although no one would bear witness to the event.
Some say that Jower's reign has never ended. In one instance, a former worker returned to
the Sloss just before it was shut down. The man was found bloody and bruised, claiming that
he was beaten by a half human-half demon. To his death, he never again returned to Sloss.
Another man was working in the blower room when a protruding piece of a turbine caught his
sleeve, snatching him from his place on the floor. On the following revolutions of the
wheel, less and less of the man could be seen.
Since then, this place is known as one of the most active at the facility. Many people have
reported an uneasy feeling in this area- just outside the building where he died.
This door was slightly ajar when I walked up to it. I opened it to be greeted by a rush of
extremely cold air.
This part of the museum is yet to be restored, and this lends a purity to the facility. The
rusting catwalks and stairwells created an eerie feeling all their own.
The trellis tunnel is the sloss's most terrifying place. They say Jowers is here, his foot-
steps a testament to that. The damp concrete tunnel was bathed in total darkness while I
pondered entering alone. I decided against it, but on retreating, a chorus of bangs and
scrapes followed me. Perhaps it was Jowers himself.
The beauty alone of the structure is reason enough for a trip to the Sloss. But be warned,
you just might see more than you expect...
the sloss furnaces
the unseen sloss
the blower room catwalk
the number two furnace
the demon of sloss
the blower room
the cold spot
the blower room door
number two trellis tunnel
number one trellis tunnel
the legends of sloss
