Bessemer, Alabama AL Hotels/Motels/Lodging

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Bessemer is an American city and suburb of Birmingham located in southwestern Jefferson County, Alabama. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 29,672. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 28,641.

Bessemer is home to a theme park, Alabama Adventure. The park was originally built as Visionland, and operated by a consortium of Jefferson County cities and the county itself. After a series of financial difficulties and finally Chapter 9 bankruptcy, the park was sold in 2002 to Southland Entertainment Group, which has since operated the park successfully; the company announced the name change and major expansion plans to begin the 2006 season.

The Bright Star, a restaurant and local institution located in downtown Bessemer, is billed as the state's oldest continuously-operated eating establishment. Founded in 1907 as a small café, the restaurant has expanded several times over the years, most recently in 1985.

The Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge is a small National Wildlife Refuge protecting the endangered watercress darter.

The Bessemer Hall of History, a museum dedicated to the history of Bessemer and Western Jefferson County. The musuem is housed in the former AGS depot which was constructed in 1916. The building is listed on the National Historic Registry.

The Downtown Bessemer National Historic District. Bessemer, Alabama's downtown is listed as a National Historic District.

Bessemer is located at 33.391343, -86.956569, about 18 m. S.W. of Birmingham, a little N. of the centre of the state.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 105.6 km² (40.8 mi²). 105.4 km² (40.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.17%) is water.

Bessemer is situated in the midst of the iron ore and limestone district of Alabama, in the southern part of Jones Valley (about 3 miles wide). Iron ore was mined on the hills on the city's southeast side, coal was (and still is) mined to the north and west, and limestone deposits were also nearby. All three ingredients were necessary for steelmaking, which led to the area becoming a major steel center from about 1890 through the 20th Century. Steel is no longer made within the city limits, but is still manufactured in nearby Fairfield.

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