Vestavia, Liberty Park, and Cahaba Heights make up Vestavia Hills, a neighborhood in Birmingham. Its population increased from 34,033 in 2010 to 39,102 as of the 2020 census. In Jefferson County, it rose from being the fifth-largest city in 2000 to being the third-largest in 2010, after only Birmingham and Hoover.

The 20-acre (8.1 hectare) estate of the former mayor of Birmingham, George B. Ward, bears the name of Vestavia Hills. On what is currently the northern fringe of the city, it was perched on Shades Mountain. As soon as it was finished in 1925, Ward’s mansion at the Vestavia estate became a landmark in the neighborhood. The circular Temple of Vesta in Rome served as the inspiration for the two-plus-story home, which had walls made of dark pink sandstone and was surrounded by 20 enormous white Doric columns. A smaller domed gazebo inspired by the Temple of Sibyl in Tivoli was encircled by expansive grounds with peacocks and statues.

The home, which was formerly a popular tourist destination close to the highway connecting Birmingham and Montgomery, was utilized as a tearoom and a reception hall after Ward passed away until being bought by Vestavia Hills Baptist Church. Before a piece of the building was torn down in 1971 to make room for a larger building, the church convened in the temple-like structure for a number of years. The original building’s center still stands. The gazebo was relocated by the neighborhood garden club to a noticeable protrusion near the highway so it could act as a conspicuous entranceway into the neighborhood.

A large town like Vestavia Hills provides its residents with a variety of green places where they may spend the day together, play sports, and participate in civic activities. The variety of club sports available in Vestavia is constantly expanding. Youth baseball, softball, girls’ and boys’ basketball, wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, football, flag football, cheerleading, tennis, and swimming are currently supported by the city of Vestavia. Many of the city’s parks and amenities are utilized by these clubs.