There’s no denying that Alabama is well known for its great history. Part of that history includes the steel industry. Many decades ago, steel was heavily produced in Alabama. One of the places where this took place was Ensley Steel Works, which was demolished in recent years. To learn about Ensley Steel Works, and to view drone footage of it during its abandoned stage, take a look below.

Ensley Steel Works was the name of a steel plant that was located in Birmingham, Alabama. It was a major producer of pig iron and steel.
YouTube/Ken Heron
After it was first built in 1888 by the Tennessee Coal, Iron, and Railroad Company, it was one of the nation's largest open hearth steel plants.
YouTube/Ken Heron
During this time, most of the plant workers were prison laborers. This was common for finding coal mining labor.
YouTube/Ken Heron

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Many people wonder why Ensley Steel Works was such a success. Well, it's because the central part of Alabama is filled with massive deposits of coal, limestone, and iron ore. This is one of the few areas in the world where you'll find these materials so close to each other.
YouTube/Ken Heron
Sadly, this steel plant fell into debt and was forced to close its open hearths in 1975. In 1980, the workers were relocated to the Fairfield plant. And in 1984, Ensley Steel Works closed permanently.
YouTube/Ken Heron
For several decades, Ensley Steel Works was left abandoned, decayed, overgrown, and covered in graffiti.
YouTube/Ken Heron
And In 2019, what was left of the steel plant was demolished. Thankfully we have pictures (like the one pictured below) and videos to show us what it once was.
YouTube/Ken Heron

Take a look below to view drone footage of Ensley Steel Works before it was demolished.

Be sure to check out the Ken Heron YouTube channel for more great drone videos.

What do you think? Did you already know the history of Ensley Steel Works? Let us know in the comments below.

Another steel plant in Birmingham, Alabama is Sloss Furnaces. It’s believed to be haunted.

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