Precious Metal: Goldie 1971 – The Fallen Robot, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
When Birmingham, Alabama‘s Sloss blast furnaces closed for good in 1971, it brought to an end the area’s nine decades, as one of the South’s largest pig iron manufacturers.
In 2009, University of Alabama alumnus Joe McCreary, secured scrap iron from long abandoned furnaces. He used it to build Goldie 1971; a striking rust colored robot sculpture. This way, he payed tribute to the area’s iron industry.
Goldie 1971 was named after a signature that was welded into Sloss’ No.1 furnace, during a repair. Its face is resembling Frankenstein’s monster and weights three tons. The 23 foot long sculpture lies on its side, as though the having fallen, at the university’s Woods Quad sculpture garden.
Woods Quad is open year-round and visitors wishing to see the sculpture can expect to pay $5 for campus parking. It offers an irresistible photo opportunity for delighted passers-by.
However, it’s what this fallen giant represents that makes it so arresting: the decline of the American iron industry and an era gone by.
Address:
301 7th Ave
7th Ave & Capstone Drive
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35401
United States
Coordinates: 33.2130, -87.5456
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Goldie 1971 sculpture, northeast corner of Woods Quad Sculpture Garden in front of Woods Hall, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA.
- Coordinates
- 33.21301, -87.54556
- Access
- The University of Alabama identifies Goldie 1971 in front of Woods Hall at the northeast corner of Woods Quad, part of its public outdoor sculpture garden. The University lists the garden as having continual outdoor access. Follow campus signs and any temporary event restrictions; the OSM point identifies the sculpture area, not a parking deck.
- Admission
- Viewing the outdoor sculpture garden is free. Visitor parking is separate: University of Alabama Parking Services currently lists weekday deck rates of $1.50 for the first hour, $2.50 for each later hour and a $15 per-entry daily maximum from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; reduced evening/weekend rates are listed separately. Check signs and current campus rules before parking.
- Time needed
- The University publishes no visit duration for Goldie. Allow about 5–15 minutes to view this single outdoor sculpture; this is a planning estimate, not an official tour length.
- Best season
- The University gives no preferred season. Goldie is listed among the outdoor sculpture garden’s current works; weather, campus events and temporary restrictions may affect a visit.
- Opening hours
- The University lists the Woods Quad Sculpture Garden as having continual outdoor access. Temporary campus or event restrictions may apply; this is not a staffed indoor gallery schedule.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-13
- Facts checked
- 2026-11-02
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