Rose Trail is a RV and campground located on Pickwick lake and reservoir. Pickwick Reservoir is a lake created by the Pickwick Dam in Tennessee. Construction began in 1934. The lake is under the jurisdiction of the TVA. It extends for 53 miles from Tennessee to the Alabama- Mississippi border. The dam, and resulting lake were completed in 1938. The dam is 113 feet high. It still produces hydroelectricity with six large generators within the dam. The mean elevation of the lake water is 408 feet. The dam also has two locks. The area's lake is a popular spot for many different activities. Fishing is a popular sport in the lake, particularly for bass and catfish. Boating and water skiing are allowed on the lake. There are piers and boat ramps in the park for campers, as well as bathrooms and showers. The park is only open from March-September.
Carrie Keener, University of North Alabama
Langley, John. 2015. 'RV Parks And Campgrounds'. Colbertcountytourism.Org. http://www.colbertcountytourism.org/index.php/2012-11-08-15-09-04/rv-parks-campgrounds.
Rock Spring; Colbert County; Hiking; Nature; Natchez Trace
Rock Spring Nature Trail goes from Colbert Creek to Rock Springs. It is about a 20 minute walk. The trail is off of the Natchez Trace Parkway. The trail is a popular birding destination in the area. Birders mainly look for hummingbirds who are attracted to the plant life. Occasionally a hellbender, a large species of salamander can be found along the trail. Another popular inhabitant to the area are beavers, as they often dam up the creek. The park is maintained by the National Park Service under the Natchez Trace. There are parking locations for the park. Admission is free for the park.
Alabama Birding Trails,. 2015. 'Rock Springs Nature Trail Alabama Birding Trails'. http://alabamabirdingtrails.com/sites/natchez-trace-parkway-rock-springs-nature-trail/. Natcheztracetravel.com,. 2015. 'Rock Spring - Natchez Trace | Natcheztracetravel.Com'. http://www.natcheztracetravel.com/natchez-trace-alabama/florence-tennessee-river/121-rock-spring.html.
Limestone County, Alabama; Athens, Alabama; Dub's Burgers; Food
Dub's Burgers was opened in 1961 by Dub Greenhaw and has been in the family for three generations. The current owner, Lanier Greenhaw, is the great-nephew of the founder. Located at 204 South Jefferson Street, the restaurant is low-keyed and unpretentious. It is not uncommon to be waited on by an employee who has worked at Dub's for over twenty years. Like Kreme Delite, which is around the corner and was once owned by the Lanier family, Dub's Burgers is an Athens landmark.
Pam Kingsbury, University of North Alabama
Lauderdale County, Alabama; Greenhill, Alabama; Jason Isbell; Alabama Musicians
(Michael) Jason Isbell, who was born on February 1st, 1979, in Greenhill, Alabama (two miles from the Alabama-Tennessee state line) is an Alabama musician and songwriter whose work very much embodies a distinctive sense of place. He grew up in rural Alabama, attended Rogers (a school that serves kindergarten through grade twelve), and the University of Memphis. Family members taught him to play musical instruments and he was playing professionally at the age of fourteen. Many local musicians, including David Hood, served as mentors to Isbell and he got a publishing deal with FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals when he was twenty-one years old. He joined the Drive-by Truckers at the age of twenty-two and worked on their next three albums -- "Decoration Day" (2003), "The Dirty South," (2004), and "Blessing and Curse" (2006). Isbell was fired by the Drive-by Truckers in 2007. (The band members have remained friendly.) Isbell formed a band, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. made up of musicians (for the most part) from the Muscle Shoals area in 2009. They recorded and released two albums -- "Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit" (2009) and "Here We Rest" (2011). "Southeastern," a solo album, was released in 2013 and was a critical success. Isbell won the 2014 Americana Music Awards for Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, and the song, "Cover Me," from the album was named song of the year. "Something More Than Free," released on July 17, 2015 debuted at number one on Billboard Magazine's rock, folk, and country record charts.
Doyle, Patrick, "Jason Isbell's New Morning," Rolling Stone, August 7, 2015. "Jason Isbell on Success after Excess," CBS "Sunday Morning," August 9th, 2015.
Hale County, Alabama; Perry County, Alabama; Marengo County, Alabama; Newbern, Alabama; Rural Arts Studio; Architecture
The Rural Arts Studio, based in Newbern, Alabama, is a design-build architecture studio run by Auburn University. The studio was founded in 1993 by architects Samuel Mockbee and D. K. Ruth, and Andrew Freear is the current director. The Rural Studio has built more than eighty houses or community projects in Hale, Perry and Marengo counties in Alabama's impoverished "Black Belt." Each year three thesis projects by groups of three to five students are built by the students. One of the goals of the project is to build decent and affordable housing for the individuals in Hale County who live in poverty. The Rural Arts Studio has been featured on National Public Radio, "Sixty Minutes," and other international and national publications.
Photograph courtesy of the Archives at the Ralph Brown Draughon Library at Auburn University.
Colbert County, Colbert Ferry; National Park Service; Bicycle; Campground
This campground and park is located on the site of where George Colbert once operated a ferry for crossing the Tennessee River. He also operated a small inn for the travelers on the Natchez Trace. George Colbert supposedly took Andrew Jackson's Tennessee Army across the river for $75,000 during the War of 1812. George Colbert helped the US negotiate with the areas Indians, as he was half Choctaw. This is a bicycle only campground. It provides picnic tables, grills, and fire rings for campers. There is only a small white building in the space of the campground. Bluffs are nearby for viewing the river. The campground can be difficult to find and is located at milepost 327.3.
"Colbert Ferry - Natchez Trace | NatchezTraceTravel.com." Colbert Ferry - Natchez Trace | NatchezTraceTravel.com. Accessed December 1, 2015. http://www.natcheztracetravel.com/natchez-trace-alabama/florence-tennessee-river/124-colbert-ferry.html. Nps.gov,. 2015. 'Colbert Ferry Bicycle-Only Campground - Natchez Trace Parkway (U.S. National Park Service)'. http://www.nps.gov/natr/colbert-ferry-bicycle-only-campground.htm.
Colbert County; Lake; Fishing; Boating; Camping; Pickwick Reservation
Pickwick Reservoir is a lake created by the Pickwick Dam in Tennessee. Construction of the dam began in 1934. The dam, and resulting lake, were completed in 1938. The reservoir falls under the jurisdiction of the TVA. It extends for 53 miles from Tennessee to the Alabama-Mississippi border. The dam is 113 feet high. It still produces hydroelectricity with six large generators within the dam. The mean elevation of the lake water is 408 feet. The dam also has two locks. The resevoir is a popular spot for many different activities. Fishing is a popular sport in the lake, particular for bass and catfish. Boating and water skiing are allowed on the lake. There is a campgound located below the dam. The campground includes 92 sites with water and electricity and five primitive campsites.
"Pickwick Reservoir." Outdoor Alabama. July 16, 2014. Accessed December 1, 2015. http://www.outdooralabama.com/pickwick-reservoir. "Pickwick." TVA. Accessed December 1, 2015. https://www.tva.gov/Energy/Our-Power-System/Hydroelectric/Pickwick-Reservoir.
Saddle Up for St. Jude; Charity Event; Fundraiser; Gardiner Farm; St. Jude; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Colbert County, Alabama; Concert; Horseback Riding; Horse; Horses; Festival
Horseback trail riding, auction and headliner concerts mark this two-day event. Event is held annually on the 3rd Friday and Saturday in July. This event is a fundraiser for St. Jude. Donations are welcome. $35 donation to ride. $15 donation, if you don’t ride. Event is located at Gardiner Farm in Tuscumbia, Alabama.
Thomas Hale, University of North Alabama
“Saddle Up for St. Jude”, Accessed on November 29, 2015, http://www.colbertcountytourism.org/index.php/2012-11-08-15-07-00/annual-events http://www.saddleup4kids.org/
A Plantation Christmas; Belle Mont Mansion; Christmas Celebration; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Colbert County, Alabama; Plantation; Festival
One of Alabama’s most distinguished mansions is opulently decorated for Christmas when “the Old South” is recreated with period music, dancing and refreshments. This is an opportunity to see festivities and decorations of the historical past. The festival is held annually on the 1st Sunday in December from 1-5pm. Belle Mont Mansion is located at 1569 Cook Lane, Tuscumbia, Alabama. Admission must be paid.
“A Plantation Christmas”, Accessed on November 29, 2015, http://www.colbertcountytourism.org/index.php/2012-11-08-15-07-00/annual-events
Coon Dog Labor Day Celebration; Labor Day; Coon Dog Cemetery; Cherokee, Alabama; Colbert County, Alabama; Festival
The Coon Dog Labor Day Celebration is held at the world’s only Coon Dog Cemetery. Enjoy “old time” bluegrass music, buck dancing, barbecue, and a liar’s contest. Held annually on Labor Day. Admission is free. The Coon Dog Cemetery is on Coondog Cemetery Rd., in Cherokee, Alabama.
“Labor Day Events”, Accessed on November 29, 2015, http://www.colbertcountytourism.org/index.php/2012-11-08-15-07-00/annual-events
Fourth of July Celebration (Cherokee, Alabama)
Independence Day Festival; Fourth of July; Cherokee, Alabama; Colbert County, Alabama; Festival
The town of Cherokee celebrates with an Independence Day Festival that includes children’s games, bingo, food, street dance, music and fireworks. This festival is held annually on the 4th of July.
“Fourth of July Celebrations”, Accessed on November 29, 2015, http://www.colbertcountytourism.org/index.php/2012-11-08-15-07-00/annual-events
Muscle Shoals; TVA; Tennessee River; Colbert County
The Big Muscle Shoals is a section of the Tennessee River in North Alabama. This is the main shoals that gives the surrounding area its name, there is also the Little Muscle Shoals. The section on the river totals 37 miles in length. This was once an impassable barrier along the river. It made navigation extremely difficult for people. The Shoals was named after either the mussles found along the banks or the muscles needed to canoe across the river there. Both are disputed explanations for the naming of the shoals. The area had shoals, reefs, gravel, sand bars, swift currents, and uncertain depths along the expansive of river. Until the canal was built in the early 1800s the area could only be navigated by small man-propelled crafts, such as canoes and rafts. The increasing problem of navigation through th area eventually gained the notice of Congress and they provided land for sale to generate funds to build a canal. This original canal was little help and was never intended to be used as a high traffic waterway. Coal barges could barely, if at all, fit down the canal. It was also a very slow option to navigate along the river, as it could take up to 11 hours to fully travel down over the shoals.
'FDR, TVA, And CCC Federal Influence In The Shoals: The Journal Of Muscle Shoals History Volume XIX'. 2015. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. Peyton, John Howe. 1916. 'America's Gibraltar Muscle Shoals'. Paper. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. Young, Ronald. 1976. 'History Of US Facilities At Muscle Shoals, Alabama, And Origins Of The TVA'. Paper. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives.
Park; Colbert County; Muscle Shoals, Alabama; recreation;
Gattman Park is maintained by the Muscle Shoals Parks and Recreation Department. The park has access to both indoor and outdoor activities. There are two gym facilities, one with a rubber floor walking track. The other gym also has meeting rooms available for renting out. Outside, the park has two large pavilions and one small one. This is the location of the areas' ball fields, as well. There is an outdoor walking track around the park, with playground equipment in various locations around the area. During the summer months the splash pad play area can also be rented out for parties. Gattman Park is a well maintained park and is popular with the area's families.
Alabama's Official Travel Guide,. 2015. 'Muscle Shoals Parks And Recreation Department - Muscle Shoals - Alabama.Travel'. http://alabama.travel/places-to-go/muscle-shoals-parks-and-recreation-department. Cityofmuscleshoals.com,. 2015. 'Muscle Shoals – Facilities'.
Freedom Hills; Shooting Range; Colbert County, Alabama; Cherokee, Alabama; Primitive Camping
Freedom Hills is a 34,500 acre wildlife area. It borders the Natchez Trace and Cherokee, Alabama. The main attraction to the area is the abundant hunting available in the area and the outside shooting range. The shooting range is open to the public and can also be used for archery. It has a distance of 100 yards. The shooting range is also wheelchair accessible. A valid hunting or fishing license must be had to use the shooting range. It is also only open during daylight. This wildlife area is also home to the famous Coon Dog Cemetery. The cemetery is a resting place for many hunting dogs. The area also has primitive camping.
Outdoor Alabama,. 2014. 'Freedom Hills WMA Shooting Range'. http://www.outdooralabama.com/freedom-hills-wma-shooting-range. Alabama's Official Travel Guide,. 2015. 'Freedom Hills Wildlife Management Area - Cherokee - Alabama.Travel'. http://alabama.travel/places-to-go/freedom-hills-wildlife-management-area.
Colbert County Alabama; Sheffield Alabama; P.B. Swoopes Dry Cleaners; African American History; Business; African American Business; P.B. Swoopes
P.B. Swoopes Dry Cleaners was a business run by P.B. Swoopes in Sheffield Alabama. Swoopes was a graduate of Sheffield school. He would go on to open his dry cleaning business in downtown Sheffield. Swoopes started his dry cleaning business in 1927. The building was later moved in 1942. The building is in a severe state of disrepair and the inside has growing plant life. His business sign can still be seen through the front window.
Arthur Graves interview by Sam Keiser. November 11, 2015 Frederick, Lorene. "Sheffield Businessman Endures 54 Years of Ups and Downs In Downtown District." Florence Times, April 26, 1981. 5
Colbert County, Alabama; African American History; Fairs; Colbert County Colored Fair
As far back as 1912 there is a record of a fair for African Americans taking place in Colbert County. The fair took place at a location called the Fair Grounds. The fair was popular, with a large turnout for the event. The event officially began on a Wednesday in October of 1912. The festival opened with a street parade that included a band and was followed by kids from the local schools. There were also several exhibits, talks, and displays during the course of the fair. The fair closed on Saturday night ending four days of fair activities. The fair, according to the newspaper the Alabama Dispatch was the only fair for African Americans to take place in the state. The paper also notes that by the end of the fair thousands of African Americans had attended this event. All signs point to this fair generating a large amount of interest in the African-American community.
"Colored Fair in Progress Large Crowds In Attendance And Great Interest Being Manifested." Alabama Dispatch, October 17, 1912.
Mess Hall; Colbert County; Muscle Shoals; Nitrate Plant; TVA; Mess hall
The Tennessee Valley is filled with minerals, including the materials needed to produce nitrates. Nitrates can be used for many things, most importantly for TVA to help add nutrients to fertilizer. This helped to increase crop production. Another use for a nitrate plant can be for producing nitric acid during times of war to create explosives. These two important factors helped lead the US government to initially start building the Wilson Dam in 1918 and susbequently in 1933 give the TVA control of one of the two nitrate plants in the area of the Shoals. During the early twentieth century, only a small amount of nitrate used in the US came from the country. Most was imported from South America. The top priority of the TVA was to improve soil and prevent erosion. By employing nitrogen from the plant, the TVA could improve farmland. Before the introduction of nitrogen back into the land by the TVA, farmers were exhausting the land and creating barren fallow fields of mud that eroded away into the river. With the plant came a village to house the many workers brought into the area by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This was called Village No. 2 and existed for 32 years. The plant was built by the American Cyanmid Company, with the overall goal of producing 40,000 tons of nitrogen. The plant and Wilson Dam, then referred to as Dam No. 2, were commissioned and built by the federal government, with the help of the state of Alabama. The plant was to produce ammonium nitrate by the cynamid process of nitrogen fixation. It cost about $12 million dollars to build. With the influx of workers, mainly from the CCC, mess halls were built in the villages to help feed all of the men. Village No. 2 housed one mess hall.
FDR, TVA, And CCC Federal Influence In The Shoals: The Journal Of Muscle Shoals History Volume XIX'. 2015. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. Gunther, John. 1953. 'The Story Of The TVA'. Book. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. 'Sheffield History And Recollections: Journal Of Muscle Shoals History Volume XVIII'. 2011. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Colleciton. UNA Special Archives. Carle, J.F. 'US Nitrate Plant No. 2, Muscle Shoals, Alabama'. Paper. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. Young, Ronald. 1976. 'History Of US Facilities At Muscle Shoals, Alabama, And Origins Of The TVA'. Paper. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives.
Colbert County, Alabama; Native American History; Native American house
George Colbert’s House was built on the Natchez Trace along the Tennessee River near the ferry he owned and operated. This house was one of the first buildings in the area to have a clear record of its completion. Historians have placed the completion of the home between 1801 and 1806. The home was a different from many of the settler’s homes during this time period. Most homes that were constructed by settlers were built from log in a dogtrot style. Colbert’s home was instead a frame building. The house also had several chimneys along with two rooms. The house itself could be compared to the home of a wealthy, white southerner at the time.
Colbert County Heritage Book Committee (Colbert County, Ala.). 1999. The Heritage of Colbert County, Alabama. Clanton, AL: Heritage Pub. Consultants. 43
Colbert County, Alabama; Native American History; Ferry; George Colbert
Colbert’s Ferry was a ferry service and an inn run by George Colbert. In 1801, the United States government managed to secure the right to build roads on the Natchez Trace. However, Colbert managed to secure all ferry routes over the rivers for the Chickasaw nation. This meant that only the Chickasaw nation was allowed to operate any ferries on the Trace. The cost of using Colbert’s Ferry was only a dollar for both a man and his horse. However, Colbert was noted to have complained that many of his customers were too poor to afford the service.
Natchez Trace; Colbert County; Muscle Shoals; Tuscumbia; Sheffield; Parkway
The Nathchez Trace was once a path used by Native Americans in the region, including the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians. It was a popular path for pioneers and settlers to take as well. Once there was better navigation on the river, with the invention of steamboats, use of the Trace decreased. The Trace runs from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. It is a 444 mile parkway managed by the National Park Service now that crosses Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. A compact was formed in 1999 to create and maintain the Trace parkway. The primary object of this pact is to bring visitors to the Natchez Trace Parkway and to encourage people to explore the Trace. In the Shoals area the Trace goes through Tuscumbia, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals, and Florence.
'Explore The Natchez Trace'. Florence. Florence City. UNA Special Archives.
Colbert County, Alabama; Sheffield Alabama; African American Church; Church; African American History
First Baptist Missionary Church was originally founded in 1886. The first church consisted of two wooden buildings. These buildings would later be destroyed in a fire. The congregation was then forced to use the Masonic Hall as their new meeting place. Eventually, the City of Sheffield donated two lots for the use of the congregation. A new building for the congregation was planned. Taking note of the earlier fire, the congregation decided that the new building would be made of brick. The church building would last until 1965 when a new building was constructed for the congregation. The ground was officially broken two years later in 1967. The church can be found on 1103 Sterling Blvd, Sheffield, AL 35660
Colbert County Heritage Book Committee (Colbert County, Ala.). 1999. The Heritage of Colbert County, Alabama. Clanton, AL: Heritage Pub. Consultants. 70
Recreation; Railroad Bridge; Colbert County; Muscle Shoals; TVA
The Railroad Bridge is a part of the TVA Nature Loop. The TVA Nature Loop is a 2.5 mile loop trail on TVA protected land. Overall, there are roughly 11 miles of footpaths in the area. The loop is around a section of the TVA reservation. The path is well paved and taken care of. People with disabilities should be able to navigate along the path. The park is pet friendly. One of the most interesting features of the trail is the Railroad Bridge. The bridge once crossed the expanse of the river from Muscle Shoals to Florence. It originally had an upper and lower deck. People, carriages, and animals could travel along the bottom deck while trains crossed across the top. The pier itself dates back to 1832, and the rest of the structure dates to 1903. The original bridge opened in 1839 as a toll bridge.In 1939, the bottom part of the Old Railroad Bridge, which allowed traffic and pedestrians to get across, closed because O’Neal Bridge opened for traffic. The Old Railroad Bridge was only used for train crossing until it was closed in 1988. Now only a portion of the bridge still exists and has been renovated for the walking trail. The bridge is a popular spot for pictures in the area.
Carrie Keener, University of North Alabama Esau Ramos, University of North Alabama
KIng, Gail. 2010. 'Wilson Village No. 2 1918-1950'. Book. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. 'Explore The Shoals'. 2014. Florence. Florence City. UNA Special Archives. AllTrails.com,. 2015. 'TVA Nature Loop'. http://alltrails.com/trail/us/alabama/tva-nature-loop?ref=search.
Spring Park; Colbert County; Tuscumbia, Alabama; walking; spring
Spring Park is in downtown Tuscumbia. The main feature of the park is the spring and waterfall. The waterfall is made of natural limestone rocks. An fountain show is put on during certain times of the year. The area is often used for festivals and events in the area. The park is very family oriented with a playground, a mini roller coaster, and a unique little train that travels around the park. A statue is located in the park to pay tribute to the region's Native American heritage. The park includes pavilions and stages to host entertainment. There is year round trout fishing in the spring, however there is a fee to fish here. Restaurants are also located around the park.
Langley, John. 2015. 'Spring Park'. Springparkal.Com. http://www.springparkal.com/.
Colbert County, Alabama; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Churches; African American Church; African American History
The First Baptist Church of Tuscumbia was originally formed by a small group of African American worshipers. The church was established in 1866 shortly after the Civil War under the guidance of Elder W.E. Northcross. The church members did not have an official church building to meet at so they were forced to constantly relocate their meetings. The members of the church were able to eventually buy property on Eleventh and High Streets. The building the congregation built would also serve as the site of a school for African American youth. The building, which was made of brick, was completed in 1892. Membership in the church grew so rapidly that the First Baptist Church in Tuscumbia became the largest congregation of African Americans in Colbert County.
Colbert County Heritage Book Committee (Colbert County, Ala.). 1999. The Heritage of Colbert County, Alabama. Clanton, AL: Heritage Pub. Consultants. 35-37
Colbert County, Alabama; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Tuscumbia Landing; Native American History
During Indian Removal, Tuscumbia’s Landing served as the point of disembarkation for the water route used to move Native Americans west of the Mississippi. The train to Tuscumbia brought the Cherokee Nation to Spring Park, where they were held before being shipped on boats along the Tennessee River. Tuscumbia Landing still holds significance to the descendants of the Native Americans. Every year during the Oka Kapassa festival Native Americans make the two-mile journey from Spring Park to Tuscumbia Landing to signify the road their ancestors traveled during the Trail of Tears.
Gail King, Historic Document Research, Geophysical Survey, Mapping, and Archaeological Inventory at Tuscumbia Landing, A Trail of Tears National Historic Trail site in Colbert County, Alabama (Aug 2011) pg. 101-143
Colbert County, Alabama; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Railroad; Native American History; Trail of Tears.
The Tuscumbia-Courtland & Decatur railroad was established by a group of investors led by Benjamin Sherrod in 1841. Originally a two-train car, the railroad was established to allow ships to bypass the shoals of the Tennessee River. In 1843, the railroad line expanded to other towns including Courtland, Jonesboro, Leighton, and Decatur. After the completion of the railroad it would be eventually put to use during the Trail of Tears. The train played a prominent role during the forced relocation of the Native American tribes in Georgia. The train provided the means to transport a large number of Native Americans quickly to Tuscumbia Landing where they would then be shipped off to land allocated for their use west of the Mississippi. The primary tribe to be relocated on this train were the Cherokee Nation. The Creek Nation in Georgia had largely been moved out prior to the use of the train. The Cherokee Nation would travel to Decatur where they would board the train heading for Tuscumbia Landing.
Gail King, Historic Document Research, Geophysical Survey, Mapping, and Archaeological Inventory at Tuscumbia Landing, A Trail of Tears National Historic Trail site in Colbert County, Alabama (Aug 2011) pg. 109-143
Muscle Shoals, Alabama; Colbert County; Tennessee River
The Muscle Shoals is a section of the Tennessee River in North Alabama. This is the shoals that gives the surrounding area its name. The section on the river totals 37 miles in length. This was once an impassable barrier along the river. It made navigation extremely difficult for people. The Shoals was named after either the mussels found along the banks or the muscles needed to canoe across the river there. Both are disputed explanations for the naming of the shoals. Along this stretch the river had shoals, reefs, gravel, sand bars, swift currents, and uncertain depths. Until the canal was built in the early 1800s the area could only be navigated by small man-propelled crafts, such as canoes and rafts. The increasing problem of navigation through the area eventually gained the notice of Congress and they provided land for sale to generate funds to build a canal. This original canal was little help and was never intended to be used as a high traffic waterway. Coal barges could barely, if at all, fit down the canal. It was also a very slow option to naviagte along the river, as it could take up to 11 hours to fully travel down the river.
Young, Ronald. 1976. 'History Of US Facilities At Muscle Shoals, Alabama, And Origins Of The TVA'. Paper. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. Peyton, John Howe. 1916. 'America's Gibraltar Muscle Shoals'. Paper. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. 'FDR, TVA, And CCC Federal Influence In The Shoals: The Journal Of Muscle Shoals History Volume XIX'. 2015. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives.
Colbert County, Alabama; Cherokee, Alabama; LaGrange Rock Shelter; Paleo-Indian site; Native American History
The LaGrange Rock shelter is considered to be where the first natives lived in the southeastern United States. Archaeologists have put the earliest human activity in this area between 11,000 and 9,000 years ago. Researchers have found evidence of human activity such as flint chips and cutting tools. By carbon dating these materials researches were able to establish a time frame of when human activity first began. Because of the early period of use, the site is referred to as a Paleo-Indian site. Because of the significance of this site it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Colbert County Heritage Book Committee (Colbert County, Ala.). 1999. The Heritage of Colbert County, Alabama. Clanton, AL: Heritage Pub. Consultants. 55
Colbert County, Alabama; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Ricks Cemetery, Cemetery; African American Cemetery; African American History
The Ricks family cemetery is an African American cemetery located near the Church of Christ established by George Parson Ricks and the Oaks Plantation. The grave of George Parson Ricks, a former slave on the Oaks, can be found in this cemetery along with his sons and other descendants. The cemetery is still managed and maintained by Parsons descendants. The cemetery itself is located behind the Oaks Plantation.
Arthur Graves interview by Sam Keiser. November 11 2015.
Colbert County, Muscle Shoals, Birding, Hiking
The North Alabama Birding Trail consists of fifty birding sites across the northern part of the state. There are currently 397 species known to have been seen along the trail. The fifty sites were carefully selected by a group of biologists, bird enthusiasts, and conservationists. The criteria used to determine the sites were: probability of birds, ecological significance, site resiliency, physical and legal access, economic significance, maintenance support, and parking availability. The trial has a wide array of habitats, such as, wetlands, grasslands, and forests. It is suggested to dress for the season. There is a possibility of seeing birds from inside a vehicle. Binoculars are a useful tool to carry along on the trail.
"North Alabama Birding Trail - Frequently Asked Questions." North Alabama Birding Trail - Frequently Asked Questions. Accessed December 1, 2015. http://www.northalabamabirdingtrail.com/about_the_trail/faq.aspx. 'Explore The Shoals'. 2014. Florence. Florence City. UNA Special Archives.
Colbert County, Alabama; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Battle of Ococoposa; Native American History,
The battle of Ococoposa was fought between the United States and Native American tribes in the Shoals. The battle took place in June of 1787. Local Native American tribes had been conducting raids on settlements for a period of seven years. In response to this, Colonel James Robertson led an expedition of a hundred and thirty men from Nashville, Tennessee to Ococoposa. The actual battle took place at the mouth of Spring Creek, which was an area that local Native American tribes called home. The battle ended in a victory for Colonel Robertson. His men then took over and raided an unnamed village near Spring Creek.
Colbert County Heritage Book Committee (Colbert County, Ala.). 1999. The Heritage of Colbert County, Alabama. Clanton, AL: Heritage Pub. Consultants. 42
Colbert County, Alabama; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Mt Carmel Baptist Church; African American Church; African American History
Mount Carmel Baptist Church was conceived of and organized in 1929. The original incarnation of the church consisted of a group of men meeting in the home of Mingo White, Sr. The group eventually planned to rent a store for use as a church. The group would continue to use the store as a meeting place for worship services and made several additions over the years. Over time the church would be known as the Mount Carmel Baptist Church. In 1960, the walls of the church were restored and official services could begin again. The Church can still be found at its original location today on 606 S Mulberry St, Tuscumbia, Alabama 35674
McWilliams, John L. Tuscumbia. Charleston, S.C., South Carolina: Arcadia Pub. 2012. 38-39
Colbert County, Alabama; Muscle Shoals, Alabama; Hiking; Pet Friendly
The TVA Nature Loop is a 2.5 mile loop trail on TVA protected land. Overall, there are roughly 11 miles of footpaths in the area. The loop is around a section of the TVA reservation. The path is well paved and taken care of. People with disabilities should be able to navigate along the path. The park is pet friendly. One of the most interesting features of the trail is the old railroad bridge. The bridge once crossed the expanse of the river from Muscle Shoals to Florence. The bridge originally had an upper and lower deck. People, carriages, and animals could travel along the bottom deck while trains crossed across the top. Now only a portion of the bridge still exists and has been renovated for the walking trail. The bridge is a popular spot for pictures in the area.
Americantrails.org,. 2015. 'Trail Details: National Recreation Trail Database'. http://www.americantrails.org/NRTDatabase/trailDetail.php?recordID=3. Gunther, John. 1953. 'The Story Of The TVA'. Book. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. AllTrails.com,. 2015. 'TVA Nature Loop'. http://alltrails.com/trail/us/alabama/tva-nature-loop?ref=search.
Colbert County, Alabama; Muscle Shoals, Alabama; Rockpile; Hiking; Fishing
The Rockpile TVA trail is a 2.7 mile in and out hiking trail that follows the Tennessee River. It is possible for the hike to reach 6 miles by exploring the area. This is an easily followed trail and is well marked along the paths. There is a large diversity of fowl along the trail. such as, song birds, migatory species, pelicans, and even eagles. The main highlight of the trail is at the turn-around point at the top of the dam. This point has a small cave system to explore and a waterfall cascading into the river. The trail is pet friendly. It allows camping, fishing, and hiking.
"TVA Reservation Rock Pile." AllTrails.com. 2015. Accessed December 1, 2015. http://alltrails.com/trail/us/alabama/tva-reservation-rock-pile.
Colbert County, Alabama; Sheffield, Alabama; Fire Department
The Tennessee Valley is filled with minerals, including the materials needed to produce nitrates. Nitrates can be used for many things, most importantly for TVA to help add nutrients to fertilizer. This helped to increase crop production. Another use for a nitrate plant can be for producing nitric acid during times of war to create explosives. These two important factors helped lead the US government to initially start building the Wilson Dam in 1918 and susbequently in 1933 give the TVA control of one of the two nitrate plants in the area of the Shoals. During the early twentieth century, only a small amount of nitrate used in the US came from the country. Most was imported from South America. The top priority of the TVA was to improve soil and prevent erosion. By employing nitrogen from the plant, the TVA could improve farmland. Before the introduction of nitrogen back into the land by the TVA, farmers were exhausting the land and creating barren fallow fields of mud that eroded away into the river. With the plant came a village to house the many workers brought into the area by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This was called Village No. 2 and existed for 32 years. The plant was built by the American Cyanmid Company, with the overall goal of producing 40,000 tons of nitrogen. The plant and Wilson Dam, then referred to as Dam No. 2, were commissioned and built by the federal government, with the help of the state of Alabama. The plant was to produce ammonium nitrate by the cynamid process of nitrogen fixation. It cost about $12 million dollars to build. The village was constructed around the same time as the dam. The village itself housed many of the workers and their families. The village housed a local school for younger ages, a fire department, and even book mobiles to allow greater access to books. The houses came in prefabricated styles, ranging from three to seven rooms. Every house had complete sewer, water, and electrical connections, a rare thing at the time. There were 42 permanent houses, 1 mess hall, three office buildings, a post office, and even an ice plant that produced 6 tons of ice a day.
'Sheffield History And Recollections: Journal Of Muscle Shoals History Volume XVIII'. 2011. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Colleciton. UNA Special Archives. Woodhouse, Henry. 1926. 'Muscle Shoals Industrial Possibilities And Actualities'. Newspaper. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives.
Colbert County Alabama; Tuscumbia Alabama; African American history; African American home
Dr. A.W. Davis and his wife had a home built called Shady Dell in 1920. The home is located across from where his former office stood. Dr. Davis was the first black physician in northwest Alabama. He arrived in Tuscumbia in 1903. He practiced medicine from 1914 until 1942. While his office is gone there is a sign where it once stood. The house is located on 606 East 8th Street in Tuscumbia. The house is a two story building in the style of a Dutch Colonial Revivalist Craftsman home.
Application for the historic rehabilitation tax credit program
Colbert County, Alabama; Sheffield, Alabama; Nitrate; Village
'FDR, TVA, And CCC Federal Influence In The Shoals: The Journal Of Muscle Shoals History Volume XIX'. 2015. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. KIng, Gail. 2010. 'Wilson Village No. 2 1918-1950'. Book. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives.
Colbert County, Alabama; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Funeral home; African American History; African American Funeral Home
The Thompson and Son Funeral home was originally built in 1912 for a doctor and his family. The Thompson family along with Tim Ricks converted the house into a funeral home. Ricks left the business in 1922. The house was then renamed Thompson’s funeral home until the 1930s. During the 1930’s Thompson’s son would join the business, which would then be known as the Thompson and Son funeral home. Colonel Arthur D. Graves bought the business in 1968. The funeral home still retains the original interior from when it was constructed. The business is also still in operation to this very day.
Arthur Graves interview by Sam Keiser. November 11, 2015.
Colbert County, Alabama; Muscle Shoals, Alabama; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Sheffield, Alabama; Nitrate
The Tennessee Valley is filled with minerals, including the materials needed to produce nitrates. Nitrates can be used for many things, most importantly for TVA to help add nutrients to fertilizer. This helped to increase crop production. Another use for a nitrate plant can be for producing nitric acid during times of war to create explosives. These two important factors helped lead the US government to initially start building the Wilson Dam in 1918 and susbequently in 1933 give the TVA control of one of the two nitrate plants in the area of the Shoals. During the early twentieth century, only a small amount of nitrate used in the US came from the country. Most was imported from South America. The top priority of the TVA was to improve soil and prevent erosion. By employing nitrogen from the plant, the TVA could improve farmland. Before the introduction of nitrogen back into the land by the TVA, farmers were exhausting the land and creating barren fallow fields of mud that eroded away into the river. With the plant came a village to house the many workers brought into the area by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This was called Village No. 2 and existed for 32 years. The plant was built by the American Cyanmid Company, with the overall goal of producing 40,000 tons of nitrogen. The plant and Wilson Dam, then referred to as Dam No. 2, were commissioned and built by the federal government, with the help of the state of Alabama. The plant was to produce ammonium nitrate by the cynamid process of nitrogen fixation. It cost about $12 million dollars to build.
'FDR, TVA, And CCC Federal Influence In The Shoals: The Journal Of Muscle Shoals History Volume XIX'. 2015. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. Gunther, John. 1953. 'The Story Of The TVA'. Book. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. 'Sheffield History And Recollections: Journal Of Muscle Shoals History Volume XVIII'. 2011. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Colleciton. UNA Special Archives. Carle, J.F. 'US Nitrate Plant No. 2, Muscle Shoals, Alabama'. Paper. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. Young, Ronald. 1976. 'History Of US Facilities At Muscle Shoals, Alabama, And Origins Of The TVA'. Paper. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives.
Colbert County, Alabama; Tuscumbia, Alabama; St. Paul African Methodist Church; African American History; African American church
St. Paul African Methodist Church was established in the early 1840s. A group of African Americans from a congregation called First Methodist left to form what is now known as the St. Paul African American Methodist Church. The original name of the group was Church Springs. The first iteration of the church was located in an old cowshed located near South Street. A pastor named Robin Lightfoot, who would later die during the Civil War, led this church. The church was later established as the St. Paul African Church in 1879. The congregation would later be relocated to in 1895 before relocating again in 1968 to Court and Alabama Streets.
Curott, David. Colbert & Lauderdale County History Written on Signs of the Past. Bluewater Publishing, 2011. 158
The first canal built in the Muscle Shoals was built by the state of Alabama, assisted by the United States government, between 1831-1836. To fund the canal the US Congress gave the state 400,000 acres of public land to sell. The proceeds were used to fund the building of the canal. At the time, there was a need for four canals along the Tenneessee River in North Alabama, at Big Muscle Shoals, Elk River Shoals, Nancy Reef, and Little Muscle Shoals. Only at Big Muscle Shoals was a dam built. The need for the canals was due to the turbulent waters and widely varying depth of the river along the Shoals. Even with the addition of the canal to the river it barely made an impact on naviagtion. The canal was 14.5 miles long. Large barrages could not fit through the narrow canal and it took nearly eleven hours to travel fully making it impossible for much traffic to travel along the canal. The canal contained 17 locks, each 120 feet long by 32 feet, with a lift of five feet each. The way the canal was made also limited traffic to only come from up the river, not both ways. Today, the lower locks, 3-9, are submerged underwater due to the construction of the Wilson Dam.
'Muscle Shoals: Souvenir Of Inspection Trip By Officials And Citizens Of The Tri Cities'. 1919. Florence. Willism Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. Peyton, John Howe. 1916. 'America's Gibraltar Muscle Shoals'. Paper. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. 'FDR, TVA, And CCC Federal Influence In The Shoals: The Journal Of Muscle Shoals History Volume XIX'. 2015. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives.
Colbert County, Alabama; Cherokee, Alabama; Chickasaw Indian Agency; Native American history
The Chickasaw Indian Agency oversaw the removal of Native Americans during the forced relocation known as the Trail of Tears. The agency specifically dealt with the removal of the Chickasaw Nation in both Alabama and Mississippi. This agency was originally located in Mississippi. In 1825, a man named Benjamin Smith moved the agency from Mississippi to Cherokee, Alabama. Benjamin Reynolds would later take over for Benjamin Smith and run the agency. Reynolds was responsible for negotiating the removal of the Native American tribes from their lands during the Trail of Tears.
Curott, David. Colbert & Lauderdale County History Written on Signs of the Past. Bluewater Publishing, 2011. 20
Colbert County, Alabama; Tuscumbia, Alabama; African American history; African American Church; African American History
The church is located near Lagrange College and the home of Abraham Ricks. The church no longer holds regular services. A former slave, Parson George Ricks, established the church. After gaining his freedom, Parson Ricks took work as a cotton picker. He worked this job until he could afford land. After reaching this goal he built his church on 300 acres of land. The building only has one room and served as a school as well.
McWilliams, John L. Tuscumbia. Charleston, S.C., South Carolina: Arcadia Pub. 2012. 66-67
Colbert County Alabama; Tuscumbia Alabama; Native American History
Ococoposa, also known as Cold Water, was the site of a French trading post and was the home of Chickasaws and the Cherokees. The Chickasaw’s lived at the top of a hill near the Ocacapoosa spring. The Cherokees lived in the western portion of the area. The area would later be known for a battle that took place between the Native Americans and the United States military.
Colbert County Heritage Book Committee (Colbert County, Ala.). 1999. The Heritage of Colbert County, Alabama. Clanton, AL: Heritage Pub. Consultants.
Colbert County, Alabama; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Festival; Native American History; Oka Kapassa; Spring Park Tuscumbia
Oka Kapassa festival is a festival held every year to remember the Native American presence in Tuscumbia. The festival is allows visitors to learn about Native American culture both past and present during. The festival is free to the public on both days. However, the first day is primarily geared towards schoolchildren. The festival has a myriad of booths that explore both the story of the Native Americans in Tuscumbia as well as their culture. Examples of Native American culture that is on display at this festival includes: music, artistry, craftsmanship, food, language, and many other cultural aspects of their heritage. The festival is located in Spring Park in the city of Tuscumbia.
Oka Kapassa. Accessed December 1, 2015. http://okakapassa.org/.
Colbert, County; Muscle Shoals, Alabama; Wilson Dam; Wilson Lake; TVA
The powerhouse controls Wilson Dam. The building is connected parallel to the dam on the south side. It houses the generating machinery for producing electricity from the dammed water. It also controls the overflow water flowing out of Wilson lake. The powerhouse contains the penstocks to conduct water towards the turbines. The top level is the main generator room. The building is built of reinforced concrete columns and girders supporting a slab roof by steel trusses.
'FDR, TVA, And CCC Federal Influence In The Shoals: The Journal Of Muscle Shoals History Volume XIX'. 2015. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives. Peyton, John Howe. 1916. 'America's Gibraltar Muscle Shoals'. Paper. Florence. William Lindsey McDonald Collection. UNA Special Archives.
Helen Keller Festival; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Colbert County, Alabama; Helen Keller; Spring Park; Festival
This popular festival pays tribute to America’s “First Lady of Courage” with four days of activities: parade, fine art & craft show, art exhibits, Keller Kids, staged musical entertainment, history programs and tours, two performances of “The Miracle Worker Play.” STS* Top 20 and ABA* Top 100 event. 4th weekend in June (Thurs-Sun). Most events are free. Festival is held in Downtown Tuscumbia and Spring Park.
“Helen Keller Festival”, Accessed on November 29, 2015, http://www.colbertcountytourism.org/index.php/2012-11-08-15-07-00/annual-events
African Heritage Festival; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Colbert County, Alabama; African Heritage; Heritage Festival; Festival
The African Heritage Festival provides an opportunity to explore African culture – art, fashion, craft, music, dance, food. It is held annually on the 1st Saturday in June. Admission is free. The event is held at the Willie Green Center at 609 S. East St., Tuscumbia, Alabama.
“African Heritage Festival”, Accessed on November 29, 2015, http://www.colbertcountytourism.org/index.php/2012-11-08-15-07-00/annual-events
Muscle Shoals Street Rod Festival; Street Rod Festival; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Colbert County, Alabama; Cars; Car Festival; Festival
The Muscle Shoals Street Rod Festival is held every year in Spring Park, Tuscumbia, Alabama. It is a show of over 200 gleaming street rods and classics dating from 1972 and older. The festival is held on the 1st Sat. in June. Admission is free.
“Muscle Shoals Street Rod Festival”, Accessed on November 29, 2015, http://www.colbertcountytourism.org/index.php/2012-11-08-15-07-00/annual-events
Colbert County, Alabama; Tuscumbia, Alabama; African American Church; Lesley Temple CME Church; African American History
Lesley Temple CME church is a Methodist church first formed in 1880 under Pastor Lesley. The church was first located at a site called Gin Hill on what used to be Highway 43. The church was rebuilt in 1927. Because building paper which was placed on the outside of the building the church garnered the nickname “Black Paper Church.” The church is now located on High Street in Tuscumbia, Alabama. As of 2015, the church will be celebrating its 135th anniversary.
McWilliams, John L. Tuscumbia. Charleston, S.C., South Carolina: Arcadia Pub. 2012. 39