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Temple B’Nai Israel
A significant Jewish community has existed in the Shoals area since the 1840s. One of the earliest references to the Jewish community in Florence, Alabama was in September 1882 (Rosh Hashanah) in the Florence Gazette reminding readers that “our…
Muscle Shoals Theatres
Louis Rosenbaum, who moved to Florence from Douglas, Wyoming (in 1918) during the building of Wilson Dam and the TVA government plants, opened the Princess Theatre on September 1, 1919. He lived and worked in Florence for over forty three years. At…
Lambert Transfer
Douglas and Virginia Lambert, owners of Lambert Transfer (which was founded in 1953), chose Wilson Dam as the backdrop for their advertising
Key Caves, Florence, Alabama
Several caves, located 1.5 miles apart, via Gunwaleford Road were included in archaeological digs in the late 1980s. It was believed that the artifacts of indigenous people had been stored in the area. At one time William Key owned the property,…
Downtown Jewish Businesses 1960s
During the 1960s many of the individually owned businesses in downtown Florence were owned by Jewish merchants. Most were incorporated with family members as officers of the corporations. The opening of Regency Square Mall (in 1978) was a reason for…
The Florence Shoe Company
The Florence Shoe Company, located at 122 North Court Street in Florence, was owned by Milburn Zeff (November 10, 1913 to April 2, 1989) and Morris Klibanoff (January 29, 1917 - December 13, 1996).
Milburn was married to Bertha…
Milburn was married to Bertha…
Sweetwater Creek
Sweetwater Creek, located between Huntsville Road and Florence Boulevard, was given its name by the indigenous people for the pure, clear water of the creek.
The Sweetwater Mansion takes its name from the creek as did Sweetwater Mills.
The…
The Sweetwater Mansion takes its name from the creek as did Sweetwater Mills.
The…
Anna Rosenbaum
Anna Block Rosenbaum, a native of Lithuania, was born on April 8, 1889, and was brought to the United States at the age of six months.
She married Louis Rosenbaum in 1910 and they had one son, Stanley. After living in Denver, Colorado, Casper,…
She married Louis Rosenbaum in 1910 and they had one son, Stanley. After living in Denver, Colorado, Casper,…
The Doublehead Company
The Doublehead Company was a development agency that leased thousands of acres of land in the area between Elk River and Cypress Creek to more than fifty white settlers.
The Company was founded by Chief Doublehead, his fellow Cherokee named…
The Company was founded by Chief Doublehead, his fellow Cherokee named…
Willingham Hall
The site of Willingham Hall, which is located on the University of North Alabama’s campus in Florence, Alabama, and Willingham Hall (One Harrison Plaza) itself have many stories to tell. Willingham Hall is located on the site of what was once private…
Trowbridge's
Trowbridge’s Ice Cream and Sandwich Shop (nee Bar), located at 316 North Court Street, is a truly a Florence, Alabama landmark. Opened in 1918, Trowbridge’s is the oldest business still operating in its original location in Florence. Still owned by…
The John McKinley Federal Building and the United States Post Office
The John McKinley Federal Building, which was built on the former site of the Florence Synodical Female College (which closed in 1893), occupies a city block. The main entrance to
the building is on 210 North Seminary Street, a second, smaller,…
the building is on 210 North Seminary Street, a second, smaller,…
Kreisman's
Kreisman's Women's Apparel, which was located at 103 N. Court Street, promoted itself as having "Nationally advertised Women's Clothing and Accessories."
Kreisman's Menswear, located at 101 North Court Street, was owned by Mrs. H.K. Levin and…
Kreisman's Menswear, located at 101 North Court Street, was owned by Mrs. H.K. Levin and…
Trail of Tears
During the forced removal of the indigenous people from the eastern United States to Oklahoma, Waterloo was a stop for the Cherokees who came by boat, from Tuscumbia, after having walked from the homelands in the Appalachians in the winter of…
Stanley Rosenbaum
Stanley Rosenbaum was born on October 1, 1910 in Denver, Colorado. His parents, Louis and Anna, moved to Florence, Alabama while Wilson Dam was under construction to open the Princess Movie Theatre.
He enrolled in Harvard at the age of…
He enrolled in Harvard at the age of…
The Rosenbaum House and Museum
601 Riverview, Florence, Alabama
The Rosenbaum House is the only Frank Lloyd Wright designed house in Alabama.
Louis and Anna Rosenbaum's wedding gift to their son, Stanley, and his wife, Mildred (known as "Mimi") was a two acre lot with a…
The Rosenbaum House is the only Frank Lloyd Wright designed house in Alabama.
Louis and Anna Rosenbaum's wedding gift to their son, Stanley, and his wife, Mildred (known as "Mimi") was a two acre lot with a…
Mildred Rosenbaum
Mildred (“Mimi”) Bookholz Rosenbaum was born in New York City on June 30, 1917, the daughter of Isador and Gussie Bookholz. She attended the New York public schools, Hunter College, and Columbia Teachers College where she pursued degrees in music…
Louis Rosenbaum
Louis Rosenbaum was born in Lublin, Poland on May 12, 1887. He, and his brother had "to flee" eastern Poland in 1893. He married Anna Block in 1910, and their only child, Stanley, was born later that year. The family lived in Caspar, Wyoming, Little…
The Indian Mound
The Indian Mound is the largest platform mound in the Tennessee Valley. The size and the shape of the earthwork are designated as Mississippian. However, artifacts and radio carbon evidence suggest that the mound is from the Middle Woodland period,…
Florence-Lauderdale Public Library
Louis and Stanley Rosenbaum were instrumental in building and integrating the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library. In August of 1945, Louis Rosenbaum gave $25,000 toward the building of a new library. They also pledged, at the onset of the public…
The First United Methodist Church
The First United Methodist Church, located at 415 N. Seminary Street in Florence, Alabama, almost fell victim to the Great Depression. A devastating fire in 1920 caused the congregation to have to design, reconstruct, and refinance the church. The…
Chief Doublehead
1774 – 1807
Doublehead, who was also known as “Talo Tiske” (meaning two heads) and sometimes “Autowee,” was a member of a prominent Cherokee family. “Tassel” or “Old Tassel” was a beloved statesman and principal chief of the Cherokee Nation whose…
Doublehead, who was also known as “Talo Tiske” (meaning two heads) and sometimes “Autowee,” was a member of a prominent Cherokee family. “Tassel” or “Old Tassel” was a beloved statesman and principal chief of the Cherokee Nation whose…
Abroms' Clothing
Founded by Luke Abroms (December 1, 1897 - April 26, 1981), Abroms, located at 118 North Court, specialized in women's clothing. Luke and his wife Reba (February 28, 1901 - August 31, 1984) were members of Temple B'Nai Israel. Their son, Adolph, and…
The Hallejuah Trail; St. John's Episcopal Church of Tuscumbia, Alabama
The North Alabama Hallelujah Trail features thirty one churches that are at least 100 years old, still stand on their original sites, still hold services, and are accessible to the public.
The churches represent various architectural designs, use…
The churches represent various architectural designs, use…
Jacob and Isaac Friedman
Jacob and Isaac Friedman, brothers who moved to Tuscumbia from Cincinnati, Ohio in the 1840s, established a dry goods store on the main street of Tuscumbia.
WQLT Transmitter Site: Elvis the Generator
The generator for WQLT Radio station, which is owned by Big River Broadcasting - founded by Sam Phillips and now under the management of his sons and grandchildren -- is, whimsically perhaps, painted gold and named Elvis for Elvis Presley, who Sam…
Unpublished Manuscript -- Stanley Rosenbaum
Stanley Rosenbaum, who was a Florence, Alabama businessman, philanthropist, Civil Rights advocate, member of the University of North Alabama's English Department, and original owner of the Stanley Rosenbaum Frank Lloyd Wright House, was interested in…
Samuel J. Israel, Unpublished Autobiography
Samuel J. Israel, who moved to Sheffield, Alabama in 1909 from Lithuania, wrote his memoirs at his daughter's (Beatrice Muhlendorf) request. The manuscript -- which is over thirty pages long -- is titled "From Northern Lithuania to Northern Alabama."…
Sheffield Public Library -- Alfred Huger Moses Room
The Alfred Huger Moses Room, which is located in the annex of the Sheffield Public Library (on Montgomery Avenue ), was made possible, in part, by funding from the descendants of Alfred Huger Moses (founder and first mayor of Sheffield).
The room…
The room…
Florence-Lauderdale Public Library -- Local History Room
The Florence-Lauderdale Public Library's local history room has several large files devoted to the study of local places, organizations, and individuals. The Jewish History Collection offers a good cross-section of Jewish owned businesses, the…
Israel /Muhlendorf
Samuel J. Israel immigrated from Lithuania moving to Sheffield, Alabama in 1909. His first venture was a wholesale grocery. He eventually founded Paper and Chemical Supply of Sheffield.
He was known throughout the community for his charitable…
He was known throughout the community for his charitable…
Falkville, Alabama
Louis M. Faulk, who was born in 1839 in Prussia, who died in 1871, and who is buried in Cincinnati, Ohio, established a store and named the town for himself.
Falk's brother, Alexander, is the only Jewish individual buried in the Florence,…
Falk's brother, Alexander, is the only Jewish individual buried in the Florence,…
2005.36.376: P.M.B Young to mother, 1860 March 1
Pierce is writing to his mother to express his happiness toward receiving letters from her and his brother Robert. Pierce discusses his sister's travel arrangements too. He also goes into details expressing his love of home and how it should remain…
2005.36.176: P.M.B. Young to Mother, 1858 October 31
A letter from P.M.B. Young to his Mother. Young discusses his health, and overcoming a recent illness. Additionally, Young outlines his views on marriage and graduation, as well as events at Fort Solomon.
2005.36.167: Letter from P.M.B. Young to Elizabeth Caroline Young, 1856 March 25
A short letter from Young to his mother discussing the death of a “brother cadet” at the Georgia Military Institute. Young comments on the cause of death, which was pneumonia, and how symptoms such as pleurisy induced a very painful death. Young also…
2005.36.182: P.M.B. Young to Caroline Elizabeth Jones, Date Unknown
P.M.B. Young writes a quick note to his mother about West Point, breakfast, and school. 2 handwritten pages.
2005.36.302: P.M.B. Young to Sister, 1860 July 8
P.M.B. Young writes to his sister, disapproving of her choice of Tom Jones as husband and urging her to think carefully about her decision. He mentions 4th of July celebrations at West Point and that he wants money to travel to New York soon. His…
2005.36.363: P.M.B. Young to Father, 1860 September 16
PMB Young writes to his father, asking him for comments on a piece about horses that he wrote that an instructor is using in class. He sends home seeds from a plum he enjoyed, describes the events of a cadet election, and promises to write his mother…
2005.36.145: P.M.B. Young to Mother, 1856 March 8
P.M.B. writes home to his mother, and he talks about cadet life, his classes, and what he has been doing with his little spare time. Meanwhile, he talks about a merit appointment that he believes he should have been recommended for. 3 handwritten…
2005.36.106: P.M.B. Young to Sister, 1859 June 12
P.M.B. Young writes home to his sister (specific one unknown) his recent examinations, banquets for soldiers returning to campus, and graduation of a class and the ceremony that went along with it. 2 handwritten pages
2005.36.157: P.M.B Young to Mother, 1857 June 23
Young is writing to his mother describing homesickness, his thoughts of resignation from the United States Military Academy, pertinent day-to-day activities for cadets, and his future. He expresses a desire to come home, but also the importance as a…
2005.36.156: P.M.B. Young to Father, Dr. R. M. Young,
Unknown July 15-16
Pierce M.B. Young writes a letter from West Point to his father, Dr. R.M. Young at the Young's family home in Georgia. In it, he details the tough life he is having at West Point, providing information on military drills and a recent sickness he has…
2005.36.167: P.M.B Young to Mother, 1854 March 25
A short letter from Young to his mother discussing the death of a “brother cadet” at the Georgia Military Institute. Young comments on the cause of death, which was pneumonia, and how symptoms such as pleurisy induced a very painful death. Young also…
2005.36.329: P.M.B. Young to Colonel W. J. Hardee, 1860 May 04
A report by P.M.B. Young to his commanding officer, Colonel W.J. Hardee, informing him that he “observed” no infractions while on guard duty. 1 handwritten page.
2005.36.629: P. Young to Sis (Louisa), 1857 May 28
A short letter about a "sort of mutiny" at the school, with 30 cadets dismissed. One handwritten page and one envelope
Newspaper Clipping, Kirk Newell's History of "War Eagle"
1944 Opelika-Auburn Newspaper Article on Kirk Newell's perspective of where and how "War Eagle" originated for Auburn University.
"The Deserted Village"
Poem by Oliver Goldsmith, where Auburn gets its name from
1942-11-08: In Our Opinion radio program: roundtable discussion of gasoline rationing in Detroit
This sound recording captures a radio discussion of gasoline rationing in the Detroit, Michigan area, and its effect on war workers and war production. The speakers heard are John R. Richards, Supervisor of Gas Rationing, Office of Price…