When Birmingham was a young city, many of her residents were here to search for new sources of ore to feed the massive blast furnaces turning out valuable iron and steel. Soon, underground tunnels crisscrossed the city, unbeknownst to many people walking above.

In 1880, nine years after Birmingham's incorporation, Redding Mine No. 10 opened on Red Mountain, according to Red Mountain Park historian Jeff Newman. "Four years before, in 1876, an experiment at the Oxmoor Furnace led to the opening of this mine," he said. "The experiment proved coke could be used for fuel iron ore furnaces, instead of charcoal, in order to make iron and this innovation allowed for a higher quality iron to be made."

Mine No. 10, initially owned by the Alice Furnace Co. and later sold to the Tennessee Coal Iron and Railroad Co., has been sealed by a massive door since it closed in 1956 but it was recently re-opened. Newman and Josh Box, a friend with whom he started the Facebook page Underground Birmingham, helped persuade Red Mountain Park officials to cut through the door to explore the mine.

See video of mine opening at the end of this story

"What Red Mountain Park is trying to do is to learn about, share and educate others about the industrial history of their city," Newman said. Newman and Box help with that mission by posting photos of Red Mountain and other mines of the Underground Birmingham page.

Visitors to the park will be able to see a small part of Mine No. 10 for themselves. "It had been sealed and covered with dirt, but it has now been uncovered and opened so the public can look into the darkness of this historic site," Newman said. Although it is not safe to let people wander through the tunnels, a safety gate with bars was installed and lighting will soon be added so people can see 500 feet into the entryway.

In addition to educating residents about what lies beneath their feet, the park's mission is to restore the mountain to its original state as much as possible.

"[Park officials] are really interested in restoring the natural setting of the mountain that for 100 years was ripped up and torn apart to get the red iron ore out of the ground to satisfy the unending needs of the areas blast furnaces in order to make iron and steel," Newman said.

Mine No. 10, renamed Wenonah No. 10 Mine by TCI, played a "major role in production for U.S. Steel Corporation and in the lives of hundreds of individuals and families. Mine No. 10 and its contributions were very much a part of the history that helped bring the magic to the city we call Birmingham," he added.

Newman said his interest in the mines goes back to his childhood. When he was 12, he discovered iron ore mines near his home on Green Springs Avenue.

"As I got older my interest increased and I started doing research in the history and archives sections of the main library downtown. With this new information and geological survey maps, I was able to search for and locate most all of the mines in the Birmingham area," he said. Since his early explorations, however, most mine owners have sealed their openings for safety reasons. Only three remain open and the explorers don't reveal their locations because of the potential danger.

Newman reminds people of the danger of such exploration and cautions people not to go alone. Exploring on private property requires permission from the owner.

Three years ago, Newman met Box, another explorer and photographer, and the two began their adventures together, chronicled on the Underground Birmingham page.

"Not only are we teaching history to a new generation, we are bringing back the memories of the many men who worked here year after year to provide a home and good life for their families," Newman said. "We love it when they contact us and share their personal stories with us."

He said helping open Mine No. 10 after 60 years "has been like having a dream come true, for myself and Underground Birmingham." He added: "I'm sure there will be some interesting finds as we once again shine a light into the darkness of this historic treasure."

Watch Mine No. 10 being opened