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IMAGES
From
Nostalgiaville |
NOTE: A Click of your Mouse on most of the pictures will enlarge them for better viewing
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FLORENCE, ALABAMA |
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| HISTORY OF THE FLORENCE AREA |
| A mound on north bank of Tennessee River
shows an advanced civilization lived in area some 2,000 years ago.
Florence is county seat of Lauderdale County. Seven trustees of a newly organized Cypress Land Company issued a charter to establish a town The company had acquired 5,515.77 acres of land for about $ 15.45 per acre for the town A first land sale was held in 1818, and a second in 1823. One Hundred eighty people, including General Andrew Jackson purchased land during the sales Florence laid out by General John Coffee, hero of the War of 1812. Town named after Florence, Italy which was built around the River Arno. The Jackson Military Road was constructed through Florence between 1817 and 1822. Three hundred workmen improved earlier Indian roads which passed through downtown Florence The city was one of the first textile centers in this part of the country. A cotton factory was located on a nearby creek in 1818. Florence suffered greatly during Civil War. The town repeatedly changed hands, part of the city was burned, and almost all industry was destroyed. Population of the town jumped from 1,600 to 6,000 people from 1887 to 1890. Work began in 1831, on construction of a canal to bypass Muscle Shoals. The attempt failed. In 1875, an new effort to construct a canal was successful. On November 10, 1990, a steamboat passed through locks on way from St Louis to Chattanooga. Canal used until completion of Wilson Dam in 1925. La Grange College moved from Colbert County to Florence in 1885. La Grange College evolved to the University of North Alabama. Florence has provided four Alabama governors: Edward A O'Neal, Emmett O'Neal, Robert M Patton, and Hugh McVay W C Handy, the Father of the Blues was born at Florence in 1873. |
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JACKSON'S MILITARY ROAD |
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WHEELER RIFLES (Organized 1888) Prior to the repeal of the Militia Act in 1902, states maintained their own militia. One of the last militia in Florence and Lauderdale County was the Wheeler Rifles. Organized in 1888, under the command of Captain Julian Fields. It was named for U S Congressman Joseph Wheeler, a Confederate hero who later commanded the U S Cavalry in Cuba. The Wheeler Rifles, under the command of Captain William Martin, was the first militia company in Alabama to volunteer for service in the Spanish-American War, although the war ended while they were undergoing training in Florida. |
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DRED SCOTT (In Florence 1820 - 1830) Dred Scott, whose name is associated with the landmark U S Supreme Court Dred Scott Decision of 1857, was born in Virginia between 1795 - 1809. In 1818 he was in Madison County, Alabama. He came to Florence with the Peter Blow family in 1820. About 1827 the Peter Blow Inn was established at this site. Scott served as the hostler here until the Blows relocated to St Louis, Missouri, in 1830. Afterwards, Scott was sold to Dr John Emerson. It was under Emerson's service that Scott based his legal fight for freedom that resulted in the Dred Scott Decision. |
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PREHISTORIC NATIVE AMERICANS (Circa
8,000 BC - 1500 AD) This area near the mouth of Cypress Creek was inhabited by Archaic People as early as 8,000 BC. Their main food consisted of freshwater mollusks from the river. (These mussels were the origin of the name "Muscle Shoals.") The Woodland and Copena Cultures, associated with the nearby large Florence Mound, arrived around 2,000 BC and remained almost 3,000 years. About 800 AD the Mississippian Civilization established villages here and on adjoining islands. Many of the Indian mounds in the Tennessee Valley were built by them. |
| PREHISTORIC NATIVE AMERICANS (Circa
1,550 AD - 1816 AD) For almost 300 years this area was the home of people known as the Historic Indians. The first were the Euchees from the Great Lakes area. They were soon ousted by the Shawnees from the Ohio River. The Shawnees were evicted in 1715 AD by the Cherokees and Chickasaws. The Cherokees signed away their rights to this area in 1806. The Chickasaws held their claim until the Treaty of 1816. In the Summer of 1787, a skirmish occurred nearby between a party of Creeks and a company of militia from Nashville. The Creek Chief Bigfoot was killed. |
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INDIAN MOUND This is the highest domiciliary mound in the Tennessee Valley. It was probably built between 100 BC and 400 AD by prehistoric people of the ancient Woodland Culture Such mounds served as bases for ceremonial temples or chiefs' houses. |
| This one was originally encircled by an eastern wall and there were villages and cultivated fields nearby. It is 43 feet in height, its base measurements are 310 feet by 230 feet. Its flat top measures 145 feet by 94 feet. Evidence indicates that nearby there were two smaller mounds, villages and cultivated fields. |
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"MOUNTAIN" TOM CLARK Hanged September 4, 1872, this notorious outlaw gang leader who boasted that no one would ever run over Tom Clark lies buried near the center of Tennessee Street where now all who pass by do run over him. In 1872 Clark, who terrorized helpless citizens, during the Civil War, confessed to at least nineteen murders, including a child and was hanged with two companions. Although graves were already dug in a nearby field, outraged townspeople interred Clark beneath Tennessee Street thus bringing his boast to nought |
| FLORENCE CEMETERY (1818) When the city was surveyed this land described as "outside the city limits" was designed as the burying grounds for the new town. It contains the graves of early settlers, including a son and brother of Ferdinand Sannoner, Surveyor of Florence, and served as the principal cemetery for over 130 years. Two former Governors in the O'Neal family, as well as many prominent community leaders and families, are interred here. "Soldier's Rest", a Confederate Cemetery, is located near the south property line. |
| SWEETWATER Home of Major John Brahan, veteran of War of 1812, Major General, Alabama Militia, who owned 4,000 acres here. Built of brick made on this place, marble mantels imported from Italy, boxwood hedge from London. Named for spring nearby. Federal and Confederates quartered here during Civil War. Home of Brahan's son-in-law, Governor Robert M Patton 1865 - 1867. |
| SOLDIER'S REST (1862) This area is a military cemetery for Confederate Soldiers. after an 1862 skirmish in the streets of Florence, it was used to bury casualties until the end of the Civil War. Many unknown Confederates and a few unknown Union Soldiers rest here. After the war it was reserved for Confederate veterans and their families. In 1977 this historic plot was deeded by United Daughters of the Confederacy to insure its preservation and perpetual care. |
| EAST FLORENCE HISTORIC DISTRICT The East Florence business area began in the industrial boom of the 1880's and 1890's and continued its development through the 1920's. The small locally owned firms, some in the third generation of ownership, were established to serve the growing population employed in the industries of the area. The district contains twelve buildings of historical and architectural significance, including a home, drug store, grocery, bank, cafe, fire station, and railroad depot. |
| MAUD McKNIGHT LINDSAY Erected by the Maud Lindsay Kindergarten Club. Maud McKnight Lindsay (May 13, 1874 - May 30, 1941). Born in Tuscumbia. Lived in Sheffield. Daughter of Robert Burns Lindsay. governor of Alabama (1870 - 1872). Teacher of Alabama's first kindergarten (1898). Ranks as one of the greatest kindergarten teachers in the world. Author of 14 books for children. Maud Lindsay was close friend of Helen Keller. |
| FLORENCE WAGON WORKS Moved from Atlanta in 1889, this industry made Florence a household word throughout the South. It was the largest wagon factory in the South, reportedly second largest in U S, with 175 employees and annual production of 15,000 wagons. World War I army wagons were made here and sent all over U S and to France. The automobile caused bradual reduction in activity. The firm was liquidated in 1930's. |
| MUSCLE SHOALS CANAL Lock Six, headquarters of Muscle Shoals Canal, was located 1.3 miles south of here. An 1836 attempt to bypass the shoals proved unsuccessful. On November 10, 1890, the canal from Rogersville to Florence was successfully completed. The river fell 85 feet in 14.5 miles requiring nine locks. Canal was closed in 1918, and later covered by backwaters from Wilson and Wheeler Dams. Jesse James robbed the U S payroll near Lock Six in 1881. |
| KENNEDY GUN FACTORY (1823 - 1837) The famous Kennedy Long Rifle was introduced at Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War by Alexander Kennedy who fled to Moore County, NC, when the British invaded. About 1823 his son David moved the factory to Green Hill, Alabama, locating 400 yards east of the Tabernacle Cemetery. Green Hill became an early gun manufacturing center with the advent of other gunsmiths. McDonalds, Garners, Stutts, Keys, Higgins, Richardsons, Davidsons, and Myricks. Property willed to the City of Florence by Hiram Kennedy Douglass, a Kennedy descendant, became the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the arts. |
| LONE CEDAR CHURCH OF CHRIST (1898) Christians first met here in a log building which also served as a schoolhouse. In 1909 a frame building was constructed. Because of a single cedar tree in prominent view, it was given the name Lone Cedar by Wilbert M (Will) Behel, an early dedicated gospel preacher. In 1938 a more modern stone building was completed by these diligent Christians. A larger auditorium was added in 1977. The early Christian meeting place soon became a landmark and a vital part of the Greenhill Community. |
| CENTER STAR METHODIST CHURCH (1818) Earliest Methodist Church congregation in Lauderdale County, Alabama. Organized June, 1818 near the mouth of Bluewater Creek by circuit riders and became part of Richland Circuit of Giles County, Tennessee. Church later move to Center Star (Originally known as Masonville) and named Driskel's Chapel until circa 1893, then relocated one mile east and renamed Center Star Methodist. Six locations have been used by congregation since organized. |
| GABRIEL BUTLER CEMETERY (Circa 1809) Gabriel Butler was one of the earliest settlers in Lauderdale County (shown in 1809 Chief Doublehead's reserve tenant list). Born 1779 in South Carolina died 1856 and buried with 11 of his descendants within these walls hewn by slaves from nearby cliffs. Believed to be earliest cemetery in County. His pioneer home located on hill across from Cemetery |
| FRENCH - GLOVER FARM Revolutionary War Veteran Benjamin French (1764 - 1847), a native of Virginia, is buried at this site. Arriving in Limestone County, Alabama, about 1808, French acquired this farm in 1837. The nearby spring is site of prehistoric Indian village and Civil War encampments. The two story log house, originally located three miles southwest of this place, is believed to have been constructed as early as 1829. It was moved here by the Glover family prior to 1913. This road was part of the early Pulaski Pike, a major stage coach and supply route that connected the river at Florence with Pulaski, Tennessee. |
| GOVERNOR HUGH McVAY HOME SITE AND
CEMETERY McVay (1766 - 1851), South Carolina native, built a three room log house at head of Cox Creek about 1818. Community later called Mars Hill. He was member of Mississippi Territorial Legislature, delegate to convention of 1819 which framed Alabama's first constitution. For many years member of Alabama House and Senate. Briefly Governor in 1837. Buried near his home. |
| LARIMORE HOME (1870) Built by Theophilus Brown Larimore and his wife Ester Gresham Larimore, as a home and educational center. Near site of foundry and arsenal of War Between the states, it served as a school, 1871 - 1877, to train ministers and Christian workers of the Church of Christ. Used 1947 - 1968 for classes by Mars Hill School. Restored in 1971 by Associated Women Association. Added to the National register of Historic Places in 1974. |
| GENERAL JOHN COFFEE (Home Site and
Grave) Cavalry Commander under Andrew Jackson through War of 1812. (Creek War, Pensacola, New Orleans) Negotiated many treaties ceding Indians' lands to U S Made original survey of Tennessee Valley. (Alabama Historical Association 1953) |
| NEW HOPE CHURCH OF CHRIST (1875) Originally the Concordia Church of Christ, this congregation was established in 1875 as W B Young traveled from Bethel Berry to preach at the old Burcham Valley School House. Name later changed to New Hope Church of Christ. First building constructed in 1903 on land donated by William Brown Parrish and other early members. Building was rebuilt in 1913 following storm damage. Men and women who have made outstanding contributions to churches and communities throughout the world had their roots in this congregation. |
| ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH (1898) Florence Roman Catholics established their first church here in 1898 with Gammelbert Brunner, OSB, as pastor. They earlier met in private homes attended by visiting priests. Churches in Tuscumbia and St Florian served the Shoals at large. The ordinal wooden church and its school were the center of the surrounding Catholic Hill neighborhood for seventy-five years. A brick church replaced the wooden building in 1974. |
| CHURCH SPRING CHURCH AND SCHOOL
(Circa 1840 - 1895) About 1849, African-Americans began holding religious services in a brick cow shed overlooking the town spring near this site. It was purchased in 1857 by the local Methodists for this congregation, with Robin Lightfoot, a slave as its pastor. In 1879 it was organized as St Paul's African-American Methodist Episcopal Church. Children of slaves and free men were taught here in early years. In 1866, the Freedmen's Bureau established a school for the children of African-Americans, probably at this location. |
| WOOD AVENUE HISTORIC DISTRICT
EXPANSION (1850 - 1943) Joining the Wood Avenue Historic Distri9ct, this residential area is composed of 51 structures dating from 1850 to 1943. The architectural styles in this expansion area range from late-Victorian to bungalow, with an unusually fine collection of bungalows. Union General Don Carlos Buell occupied Florence in July 1862. His troops were camped on the grounds surrounding the home of Benjamin Foster, a local industrialist, once located between Hawthorne Street and North Wood Avenue. Nearby Civil War defense earthworks survived the war for a number of years. The Malone Home on Hawthorne Street was |
| THE GREATER MOUNT MORIAH PRIMITIVE
BAPTIST CHURCH The congregation first met in home of Mrs Betsy Key. Organized as "Fairgrounds Church" in 1896 at nearby site of early Florence. Racetrack and Fairgrounds, with Andy Sloss as pastor. Later, the church was moved to Irvine Avenue (formerly Fish-Trap Road.) Mrs Mary Ola Key was given honor of naming the church "Mount Moriah." The adjoining lot was purchased and church rebuilt in 1924, with C A Crump as pastor. In 1924, the building was remodeled and another addition erected under David Tolbert as pastor. The Family Life Center was completed in 1997 with Leroy Sawyer, pastor, and Wayne Stanley, Chairman. |
| COLLEGE PLACE HISTORIC DISTRICT The land on which this district rests was part of the 1818 sale by the Cypress Land Company which established the City of Florence. During the Civil War Confederate soldiers constructed breastworks here for the defense of Florence. House construction began in 1907 and thirty-three were built before 1929. This lovely neighborhood contains fine examples of Prairie, Mission, and English Tudor architecture but the Bungalow style dominates. A tour of the district reveals the excellent condition of the homes, the tree-lined streets, and the comfortable life available here. The neighborhood was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. |
| ANDREW LEE PHILLIPS Descended from early Lauderdale County pioneers, Andrew Lee Phillips established a general merchandise store here in 1888. Later, he operated a gin and grist mill and was a co-owner of the flour mill. In 1917, he was responsible for the city's first bank and served as its first president. A member of the County Board of Education, he gave the land, manufactured and donated the bricks, and provided one-fourth of funds to build the local school. He also donated the land for the Lexington United Methodist Church. |
| EDITH NEWMAN CULVER MUSEUM (1872 -
1995) The Newman House was restored in 1995 and presented to the citizens of Waterloo by Ezra Lee Culver. Built in 1872 by Hiriam L and Julia Ann Young Richardson, this house was purchased in 1918 by Joseph Newman, a native of Ohio and U S veteran of the Civil War. His son, Clark Lytle Newman with his wife, Eunice Lindsey Newman, became the next owners. Their daughter, Edith was reared here from her childhood until her marriage. The house remained in the Newman family until its dedication as a museum on October 14, 1995. |
| TOWN OF WATERLOO Settled in 1819, established in 1824, and incorporated in 1832. One of Alabama's oldest incorporated towns. Waterloo was an important river port during the steamboat era. Large boats from Louisville, Cincinnati, and other places would unload here, smaller crafts were used to transport goods and passengers up river to Florence during low water seasons. Following a disastrous flood in 1847, the town was relocated to its present site. It was shelled by Union gunboats in July 1862. On November 1, 1863. General William T Sherman crossed the river here and made his temporary headquarters in the home of Dr O B Sullivan. These markers were erected after the maps were completed. |
| TRAILS OF TEARS Located in the Town of Waterloo. Thousands of Cherokee Indians passed through Waterloo in the 1830's when they were forced by the U S Government to move west on the "Trail of Tears". Most came by boat from Tuscumbia and camped here to await transfer to larger steamboats. During the encampment, several births, deaths and escapes occurred. One party of 1070 Cherokees traveled over land from Ross' Landing in Tennessee due to low water in the upper river. Following the general route of U S Highway 72 to Florence, they arrived here on July 10, 1838, in miserable condition after a 33 day journey. About 17,000 Cherokees were driven from their homeland in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Most traveled by land through Tennessee and on to Oklahoma. Great suffering and about 4000 deaths occurred along the trail, especially during the Winter of 1838 - 1839. |
| WILSON'S HEADQUARTERS AND CAMP
(Winter 1865) Major General James Harrison Wilson, U S Army, assembled the largest cavalry force ever amassed in the Western Hemisphere at this site from mid-January to March 22, 1865. Wilson's headquarters was at the Houston Plantation about 200 yards south of here. Five divisions totaling 22,000 men were camped from Gravely Springs to Waterloo. After intensive training Wilson's Cavalry crossed the river on March 22, 1865, to invade South Alabama and Georgia. This operation included the burning of the University of Alabama and the capture of President Jefferson Davis at Irwinville, Georgia on May 10, 1865. |
| MACEDONIA CHURCH OF CHRIST Located near County Road 5 and near the intersection of Natchez Trace Parkway and Alabama Highway 20. Tracing its roots to the early 1800's, the Macedonia Baptist Church originally met in homes with Joseph Fanning, visiting evangelist. In 1834, J W Smith supervised a building on this site. In 1880, T B Larimore, an evangelist among Churches of Christ, was asked to preach. The group then changed its name to Macedonia Church of Christ. This Church has made a powerful local and world-wide impact. Its adjoining cemetery is the resting place for many of the county's beloved sons and daughters. |
| WESLEY CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
AND CEMETERY Located 1064 Highway 15 in Central Community. Church organized in 1819, First Cemetery Burial in 1819. One of earliest Methodist Congregations in area, this Church was organized by local preacher, Reverend Alexander Faires, in a log school built in 1816. Land donated in 1818 for Church and Cemetery by Henry Kirkpatrick. Additional lands donated in 1841 by Hiram and Eva Rhodes, and in 1911 and 1914 by John Amanda Wesson and L D Simmons. First and second log structures were destroyed by fires. A frame building was erected in 1885. First service in present sanctuary was February 6, 1966, Cemetery listed on Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. |
| JOHN McKINLEY John McKinley (1780 - 1852), native of Virginia, prominent attorney, member of Cypress Land Company, built a large three story mansion near this site in 1820's which later burned. McKinley served in Alabama legislature, U S Senate (1829 - 1831), U S House (1833 - 1839) was appointed Associate Justice United States Supreme Court by President Van Buren. Served 1839 - 1852. Died in Louisville, Kentucky. |
| DR HICKS BOULEVARD This boulevard was named in honor of Dr Leonard Jerry Hicks by the City of Florence in 1981. Dr Hicks was a prominent black leader of the community and was recognized for his skills as a leader of the community and was recognized for his skills as a physician across the State of Alabama. He was born September 20, 1899, at Plant City, Florida, and died September 27, 1973, at Florence. Dr Hicks' medical office was located near this site. |
| LAUDERDALE COUNTY A county older than the state. Lauderdale County created February 6, 1818 by Alabama Territorial Legislature (Alabama became a state in 1819). Named for Colonel James Lauderdale, cavalry man under General John Coffee and Andrew Jackson, War of 1812, killed in Battle of New Orleans, Coffee planned Florence, the county seat. Jackson, President Madison owned lots. |
| SAINT PAUL AFRICAN
METHODIST CHURCH Organized 1879 from earlier 1840 Congregation. In early 1840's about 14 African-American members from First Methodist formed own congregation "Church Springs" near South Court Street. In 1857, a nearby brick cow shed was converted for its use under Reverend Robin Lightfoot who became a martyr during the Civil War. Site of American Missionary School after Emancipation. Organized as St Paul AME in 1879. relocated to Court and Alabama Streets in 1895. Charles B Handy was early pastor and William W Handy was early leader (father and grandfather to W C Handy.) St Paul relocated again in 1968 to present site. |
| CITY OF FLORENCE Florence was surveyed for the Cypress Land Company in 1818 by Ferdinand Sannoner and named for the famous capital of Tuscany. The county seat of Lauderdale County, it was first incorporated in 1826. Located at the foot of Muscle Shoals, it became a thriving agriculture and commercial center with light industry and significant religious, educational and medical institutions. During the Civil War, Florence was occupied by both armies at various times. The Tennessee Valley Authority with Wilson and Wheeler Dams contributed to further economic development |
| SOUTHALL DRUGS Charles Morton Southall (1864 - 1952) constructed this Commercial Italianate building in 1900 of the finest materials for his wholesale retail drug business. The elegant interior by Charles Hester, New York City, contained the area's first rubber tile floor. In addition to health wares, window glass, paints, seeds, musical instruments and other sundries were dispensed. The building remained a pharmacy until 1979. In 1982 it was renovated by the Southall family and Byron Bower for combined commercial residential use with John Mott, AIA, Fort Smith Arkansas, architect. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. |
| TRINITY EPISCOPAL
CHURCH (1894) Trinity was organized in 1836 by the Reverend Thomas Armstrong Cook at southwest corner of College and Cedar Streets. Church was consecrated February 23, 1845 by the Right Reverend Nicholas Hamner Cobbs. After fire damage in 1893, Trinity was relocated to present site in 1894. First worship service held at this place was on Easter 1895. Church was consecrated June 12, 1898 by the Right Reverend Richard Hooker Wilmer. The bell is from the original church. Parish House added in 1929. Mullen Hall, and Educational Building erected in1967. |
| HOUSE OF THE FATHER-SON
GOVERNORS Built in 1840's, acquired 1857 by Edward Ashbury O'Neal. Occupied various times during Civil War by Federals and Confederates. Edward O'Neal (1818 - 1890) attended LaGrange College; lawyer, Colonel of the 26th Alabama Regiment CSA; appointed brigadier general, Governor 1882 - 1915, lived in nearby Courtview. |
| SANNONER HISTORIC
DISTRICT (Medical Arts Building) Built in 1926 in the Spanish Revival Architectural style, this is the first structure in Florence erected with a steel skeleton supporting the floors, walls, and roof. The framework is strong enough to support two more stories than were actually built. The building was individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. |
| EARLY DAYS IN FLORENCE |
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| A 1933 visit to Florence by President Franklin D Roosevelt | Downtown Florence, 1889 | This scene from 1922 shows the old trolley car on Court Street |
| One of the first interurban electric lines in the south connected Florence with Sheffield, Tuscumbia and the U S Nitrate Plant Number 3. The line was built in 1922 and operated about 30 years. |
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| Old plant of the Florence Milling Company | The Old Florence Opera House. M J Dillard was manager | Florence Wagon Works |
| BRIDGING THE GAP TO FLORENCE |
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| Bridge over the Tennessee River at Florence | 1917 and 1918 was one of the coldest winters on record when the Tennessee River froze "from bank to bank". The picture was made in January 1918 by G W Landrum at Lock 9. | Confederate General John Bell Hood crosses the Tennessee River at Florence. |
| SIGNS OF THE TIMES IN FLORENCE |
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| HOUSE OF HAIR | VOTE 'EM ALL OUT | BIG DADDY'S | MURAL ON BUILDING | SELF PORTRAIT |
| DOWNTOWN FLORENCE |
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FIRST COURTHOUSE Lauderdale's First Courthouse (1822 - 1899) |
SECOND COURTHOUSE Completed in 1901 |
| The second photo made in 1903. It shows the dedication of the Confederate monument. The monument was contributed by the United Daughters of The Confederacy. To the right in the picture stands the old Jefferson Hotel. To the left is the three story Commercial Hotel. |
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PRESENT LAUDERDALE COUNTY COURTHOUSE |
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SCULPTURE RELIEF BOOKS AND LEARNING
(1921) This sculpture relief was created by James W Stoves and placed above the entrance to Gilbert elementary School in 1921. In 1980, following the demolition of Gilbert School, it was moved to Hibbett Middle School. Because of its theme which relates to the teaching of children, it is now part of the Florence/Lauderdale Public Library. Stoves left the Birmingham, Alabama coal mines to become a stoneworker and sculptor. He moved to Florence in 1913 and purchased the Florence Marble Works. Many of the monuments in the Florence Cemetery were sculptured by Stokes. |
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FLORENCE - LAUDERDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY |
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James Jackson, an Irishman who
loved horses, built the "Forks of Cypress" in 1820 Jackson who was married to Sally Moore McCullough, came to Lauderdale County from Nashville. He was one of the founders of Florence. Jackson, General John Coffee and Judge John McKinley organized the Cypress Land Company. |
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purchased the original site of Florence. Jackson's greatest interest was in breeding and racing fine horses. In 1845, five years after his death, one of Jackson's horses won over $62,000 at an intersectional match at Long Island Jackson served in both houses of the state General Assembly. His widow lived in the mansion until she died at the age of 89. The house was built on a rolling farm of over 3000 acres. It was built in a Greek Temple design with a supporting colonnade of twenty-four columns that completely encircled the building. The columns were made of brick covered with a stucco of sand, molasses, horsehair and charcoal. Jackson died in 1840 following a brief illness. The Jackson's graveyard is located on a hillside across the road from where the house stood. On June 1966, a bolt of lightning struck the end of the long metal roof and ignited the timbers in a matter of seconds. The house was owned by R B Dowdy of Birmingham who had opened it as a tourist attraction when it was destroyed. |
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AMSOUTH AmSouth Bank's main office in Florence, completed in 1983, is an accurate replica of the local historical mansion known as The Forks of Cypress. The original mansion, completed in 1822 by James and Sarah Jackson on a knoll five miles from Florence, was struck by lightning and burned in 1966. |
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AMSOUTH AND FORKS OF CYPRESS |
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| FLORENCE LODGE #14 F&AM (Building erected 1952) |
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THE AMERICAN LEGION (1919) The American Legion, an organization of U S War Veterans was founded in Paris, France, March 15 - 17, 1919, by delegates from combat and service units of the American Expeditionary Force assembled in response to a call by a committee headed by Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. A national charter was granted by Congress on September 16, 1919. The charter has been amended over the years to admit veterans of all American Wars to its membership. Non-sectarian and non-political, the American Legion membership requirement is an honorable service and an honorable discharge. |
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AMERICAN LEGION POST #11 |
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This tablet marks the site of the Confederate Hospital (1861 - 1865). Erected by the Florence Chapter UDC April, 1938. |
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POPE'S TAVERN & MUSEUM |
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W C HANDY'S HOME |
| PARKS IN FLORENCE |
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McFARLAND PARK |
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C HANDY "Father of the Blues". 1873 - 1958. Born in Florence, Alabama |
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WILSON PARK |
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Pictured to the left is the first automobile to cross Wilson Dam roadway after completion of the structure in 1925. |
| Waterfall below the Dam |
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WILSON DAM |
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FLORENCE CONFERENCE CENTER |
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