Florence, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Florence is the county seat
of Lauderdale County
, Alabama
, United States
, in the northwestern corner of the state.
According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721.
Florence is the largest and principal city of the Metropolitan Statistical Area known as "The Shoals
" (which includes Muscle Shoals
, Sheffield
, and Tuscumbia
metropolitan areas in Colbert
and Lauderdale counties). Florence is considered the primary economic hub of northwestern Alabama.
Florence was surveyed for the Cypress Land Company in 1818 by Italian surveyor Ferdinand Sannoner, who named it after Florence
, the capital of the Tuscany
region of Italy
. Florence, Alabama was incorporated in 1826.
Florence is renowned for its annual tourism events, including W.C. Handy Music Festival in the summer, and the Renaissance Faire in the fall. Landmarks in Florence include the Rosenbaum House
, the only Frank Lloyd Wright
-designed home located in Alabama.
The type of municipal government is mayor-council.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau
, Florence has a total area of 25 square miles (64.7 km²), of which 24.9 square miles (64.5 km²) is land, and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) (0.40%) is water. Florence is located on Wilson Lake
and Pickwick Lake
, bodies of water on the Tennessee River
dammed by Wheeler
and Wilson Dams. Wheeler Lake
was created by the Tennessee Valley Authority
(TVA), one of several alphabet agencies
of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's
New Deal
. Wilson Dam, authorized by President Woodrow Wilson
in 1918, was the first dam constructed on the Tennessee River.
of 2000, there were 36,264 people, 15,820 households, and 9,555 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,454.6 people per square mile (561.6/km²). There were 17,707 housing units at an average density of 710.2 per square mile (274.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.39% White
, 19.20% Black
or African American
, 0.24% Native American
, 0.62% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 0.54% from other races
, and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.34% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 15,820 households, out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them: 43.6% were married couples
living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. Nearly 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20, and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city, the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 13.7% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,330, and the median income for a family was $40,577. Males had a median income of $34,398 versus $21,385 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $19,464. About 14.4% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
Situated in Florence, and founded in 1830 as LaGrange College, the University of North Alabama
, a public, co-educational, higher education institution, is Alabama's oldest state-certified university. The University is the largest in north Alabama, with an enrollment topping 7,000 for the first time in 2007. Culturally diverse, international students now comprise roughly 10% of the student population. The University is known for its beautifully landscaped, pedestrian-friendly campus that is situated on 130 acre (0.5260918 km²) and surrounded by historic neighborhoods. It is located just north of the downtown business district.
Florence City Schools
is the organization of the K-12 public school system. Florence High School (grades 10-12) is the main high school, with an enrollment of approximately 1,000 students. It was created by a merge between the previous two city high schools, Bradshaw High School and Coffee High School . It is located at the former site of Bradshaw High School. The merger also led to the creation of Florence Middle School (grades 7-8) and the Florence Freshman Center (grade 9), both located at the former Coffee High School campus.
There are five private schools in Florence: Riverhill School (non-parochial Pre K-9 http://www.riverhillschool.org, actually located just north of Florence in St. Florian
), St. Joseph Regional Catholic School (K-8), Mars Hill Bible School
, Shoals Christian School, and Florence Christian Academy. Those are multi-denominational, private K-12 schools.
As of 2007, The Florence Sportplex is currently under construction. It will be located at the corner of Alabama 20 and Gunwaleford Road, and completed in 2008. It will be the home of the majority of youth sports for the city, and include football, soccer, baseball, and softball fields, as well as possibly new tennis courts, walking trails, and picnic shelters.
Sam Phillips
, who discovered Elvis Presley
. T.S. Stribling, a 20th-century novelist who was a student in Florence as a young man, wrote a prose trilogy about the city consisting of The Forge, The Store
(which won the Pulitzer Prize
), and Unfinished Cathedral. Stribling also spent his final months in the city, dying in 1965. Florence is where the 2009 British Open winner Stewart Cink
was raised. Florence is the birthplace of one-half of The Midnight Express, "Loverboy" Dennis Condrey
. Dred Scott
also once resided in Florence, where, as a slave, he worked as a hostler
at the Peter Blow Inn on Tennessee Street. A plaque at the former site commemorates his time there. Bobby W. Miller
, who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
, in Selma, Alabama
in 1965, was credited later with ending segregated locker rooms at the Ford Motor Company
Die Cast Plant in Sheffield, Alabama
, where he was employed from 1962-1974. Miller was shot down twice in Vietnam
and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
and Air Medal. Tom York grew up in Florence, graduated from Florence State Teachers' College, now the University of North Alabama, and spent eight years in radio in Florence (WLAY). In 1957, he joined WBRC-TV in Birmingham, Alabama as their sports director. He also originated the Tom York Morning Show (one of America's longest running one-hour local talk shows) on the air for 32 years. He was awarded an Emmy by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
in 1995.
Florence is also home to the founders of the rap group / record label So Spicy Entertainment, Briaunna Savage (Braka Shaka Khan), Jasmine Green (J. Jucci), and Myaca Carter (Yo Cartii). The group is most known for their debut hit "Chicken Nuggets with My Barbeque," a song inspired by the imagination of fellow Florence Falcon Dee Smith. Unexpectedly the song sent the whole city and Shoals area into a frenzy over the new dance craze, and thus skyrocketed the group into stardom. Other charted songs include "Facebook Diss," "Girl You Stupid," and the ode to their alma mater, Florence High School
, "F.A.L.C.O.N.S." featuring Green's cousin, Jerissa Green. Also members of the FAB 4- a name given to them by their varsity basketball coach, Tonya Peoples- the longtime friends and teammates did not only conquer the music industry, but they went on to conquer academics, sports, social activity, and community involvement. However, it does not stop there. Beasts on the beats and also beasts in the school seats, these intelligent, multi-talented young ladies, continue to strive for excellence in every aspect of their professional and educational careers. They understand that with success comes major responsibility as role models; and this dynamic group of women continuously encourage their fans, old and young alike, to always push themselves past the point of exhaustion, an idea that was ingrained in their spirit by their Freshman basketball coach and mentor, Marc Johnson. Because of this state of mind, So Spicy Entertainment is one of the leading record labels in the United States and abroad.
, as well as several Alabama Highways. Both U.S. Highway 43
and U.S. Highway 72
merge just east of the city limits in Killen
, and are co-signed their entire length through the city. Highway 43, running north and south, helps connect the city to Lawrenceburg
and Columbia
to the north in Tennessee
, as well as Tuscaloosa
and Mobile
to the south. Highway 72 helps connect the city to Huntsville
and Chattanooga, Tennessee
to the east and Memphis, Tennessee
to the west. Interstate 65
is accessible about forty-five minutes east on Highway 72. Both of these roads cross the Tenneessee River on O'Neal Bridge, connecting Florence to Sheffield.
Alabama state highways that serve the city include Alabama 13, Alabama 17, Alabama 20, Alabama 133, and Alabama 157. Alabama 133 connected Florence and Muscle Shoals via Wilson Dam until 2002, when the new six-lane "Patton Island Bridge" (the unofficial, but locally accepted name) finished construction. The bridge is part of a new corridor that will eventually see the widening of Wilson Dam Road in Muscle Shoals to Alabama 20, and the construction of a new road from the bridge to Florence Blvd. in Florence. Alabama 157 is also an important road to Florence and the Shoals area, serving as a four-lane link to Interstate 65 in Cullman
. After many years of political campaigning by local leaders to have the four-laning of the road completed, the project wrapped up in the summer of 2007. The road is known as the "University of North Alabama Highway".
Florence and the Shoals area does not have a direct link to an Interstate highway at the present time. One solution discussed over the years has been the "Memphis to Atlanta Highway", proposed to connect the two cities via a freeway through north Alabama. However, in recent years Mississippi has concentrated its funding on U.S. 78 (future Interstate 22
), also known as "Corridor X". Though U.S. 72 through Mississippi is four lanes, there are no plans to upgrade it to freeway status. Meanwhile, the state of Georgia has also not committed to the necessary work to connect the freeway from the Alabama state line to Atlanta. The highway remains in the planning stages with the Alabama Department of Transportation.
Another plan recently discussed is extending Interstate 565
west from its current terminus just outside of Decatur
, perhaps along Alabama 20/Alternate U.S. 72. The plan has received some support from Decatur officials, some of whom would like to see the Interstate eventually extend west of Decatur and at least into Lawrence County
.
For air transportation, Florence is served by the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport
in Muscle Shoals. The airport is mostly used for general aviation, but daily flights to Atlanta are also offered by Mesaba Airlines- a Delta Connection carrier. Huntsville International Airport
, offering service to eleven domestic destinations, is about an hours drive from Florence.
Local industry is also served by the Tennessee Southern Railroad
, which runs from Florence to Columbia, Tennessee, and the Port of Florence on Pickwick Lake.
is a daily newspaper published in Florence that serves the greater Florence area, and which is owned by the Tennessee Valley Printing Company, who purchased the newspaper and associated media from The New York Times Company
in March, 2009.
The Shoals Insider is a local news website. It is much like a newspaper, but doesn't print on paper. Local arrest records, foreclosures, divorces and other public documents are published daily, as well as news articles. http://www.shoalsinsider.com
The Courier-Journal is a locally-owned and distributed weekly publication serving the greater Florence area.
No'Ala is a locally-owned Shoals area lifestyle magazine published six times annually. http://noalamag.com
There are numerous radio, television and low-power FM radio stations and translators that serve Florence and the greater area, all which are in the greater Florence MSA.
Among them are:
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Lauderdale County
Lauderdale County, Alabama
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*86.4% White*10.0% Black*0.4% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.4% Two or more races*2.2% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, in the northwestern corner of the state.
According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721.
Florence is the largest and principal city of the Metropolitan Statistical Area known as "The Shoals
The Shoals
The Shoals is a metropolitan area in northwestern Alabama, officially known as the Florence-Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Area, including the cities of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, and Sheffield, and the counties of Lauderdale and Colbert...
" (which includes Muscle Shoals
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of the city to be 12,846. The city is included in The Shoals MSA. It is famous for its contributions to American popular music.-Geography:Muscle Shoals is located...
, Sheffield
Sheffield, Alabama
Sheffield is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States, and is included in The Shoals MSA. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 9,652. Sheffield is the birthplace of notable attorney, actor, former senator and presidential contender Fred Thompson...
, and Tuscumbia
Tuscumbia, Alabama
Tuscumbia is a city in and the county seat of Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,423 and is included in The Shoals MSA....
metropolitan areas in Colbert
Colbert County, Alabama
Colbert County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of brothers George and Levi Colbert, Chickasaw Indian chiefs. George Colbert operated a ferry across the Tennessee River in 1790 near present day Cherokee....
and Lauderdale counties). Florence is considered the primary economic hub of northwestern Alabama.
Florence was surveyed for the Cypress Land Company in 1818 by Italian surveyor Ferdinand Sannoner, who named it after Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, the capital of the Tuscany
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
region of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. Florence, Alabama was incorporated in 1826.
Florence is renowned for its annual tourism events, including W.C. Handy Music Festival in the summer, and the Renaissance Faire in the fall. Landmarks in Florence include the Rosenbaum House
Rosenbaum House
The Rosenbaum House is a single-family house, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and built for Stanley and Mildred Rosenbaum in Florence, Alabama. A noted example of his Usonian house concept, it is the only Wright building in Alabama, and is one of only 26 pre-World War II Usonian houses...
, the only Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures and completed 500 works. Wright believed in designing structures which were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture...
-designed home located in Alabama.
The type of municipal government is mayor-council.
Geography
Florence is located at 34.820287°N 87.662860°W.According to the U.S. Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, Florence has a total area of 25 square miles (64.7 km²), of which 24.9 square miles (64.5 km²) is land, and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) (0.40%) is water. Florence is located on Wilson Lake
Wilson Lake (Alabama)
Wilson Lake is the reservoir created by Wilson Dam as part of the Tennessee Valley Authority. The lake stretches from Wilson Dam to Wheeler Dam.-See also:*Dams and reservoirs of the Tennessee River*List of Alabama dams and reservoirs...
and Pickwick Lake
Pickwick Lake
Pickwick Lake is the reservoir created by Pickwick Landing Dam as part of the Tennessee Valley Authority. The lake stretches from Pickwick Landing Dam to Wilson Dam....
, bodies of water on the Tennessee River
Tennessee River
The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...
dammed by Wheeler
Wheeler Dam
Wheeler Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Tennessee River between Lauderdale County and Lawrence County in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is one of nine dams on the river owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, which built the dam in the mid-1930s as part of a New Deal-era initiative...
and Wilson Dams. Wheeler Lake
Wheeler Lake
Wheeler Lake is located in the northern part of the United States state of Alabama, between Rogersville and Huntsville. Created by Wheeler Dam along the Tennessee River, it stretches 60 miles from Wheeler Dam to Guntersville Dam...
was created by the Tennessee Valley Authority
Tennessee Valley Authority
The Tennessee Valley Authority is a federally owned corporation in the United States created by congressional charter in May 1933 to provide navigation, flood control, electricity generation, fertilizer manufacturing, and economic development in the Tennessee Valley, a region particularly affected...
(TVA), one of several alphabet agencies
Alphabet agencies
In total, at least 100 offices were created during Roosevelt's terms of office as part of the New Deal, and "even the Comptroller-General of the United States, who audits the government's accounts, declared he had never heard of some of them." While previously all monetary appropriations had been...
of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
New Deal
New Deal
The New Deal was a series of economic programs implemented in the United States between 1933 and 1936. They were passed by the U.S. Congress during the first term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The programs were Roosevelt's responses to the Great Depression, and focused on what historians call...
. Wilson Dam, authorized by President Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
in 1918, was the first dam constructed on the Tennessee River.
Demographics
2010
Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:- 75.0% WhiteWhite AmericanWhite Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
- 19.4% BlackAfrican AmericanAfrican Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
- 0.4% Native AmericanNative Americans in the United StatesNative Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
- 1.4% AsianAsian AmericanAsian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
- 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific IslanderPacific Islander AmericanPacific Islander Americans, also known as Oceanian Americans, are residents of the United States with original ancestry from Oceania. They represent the smallest racial group counted in the United States census of 2000. They numbered 874,000 people or 0.3 percent of the United States population...
- 1.9% Two or more racesMultiracial AmericanMultiracial Americans, US residents who identify themselves as of "two or more races", were numbered at around 9 million, or 2.9% of the population, in the census of 2010. However there is considerable evidence that the real number is far higher. Prior to the mid-20th century many people hid their...
- 3.6% Hispanic or LatinoHispanic and Latino AmericansHispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
(of any race)
2000
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 36,264 people, 15,820 households, and 9,555 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,454.6 people per square mile (561.6/km²). There were 17,707 housing units at an average density of 710.2 per square mile (274.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.39% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 19.20% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.24% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.62% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.54% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.34% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 15,820 households, out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them: 43.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. Nearly 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20, and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city, the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 13.7% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,330, and the median income for a family was $40,577. Males had a median income of $34,398 versus $21,385 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $19,464. About 14.4% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
University of North Alabama
The University of North Alabama is a coeducational university located in Florence, Alabama, and the state's oldest four-year public university....
, a public, co-educational, higher education institution, is Alabama's oldest state-certified university. The University is the largest in north Alabama, with an enrollment topping 7,000 for the first time in 2007. Culturally diverse, international students now comprise roughly 10% of the student population. The University is known for its beautifully landscaped, pedestrian-friendly campus that is situated on 130 acre (0.5260918 km²) and surrounded by historic neighborhoods. It is located just north of the downtown business district.
Florence City Schools
Florence City Schools
Florence City Schools is the public school district of the city of Florence, Alabama. As of the 2004–2005 school year it has some 4,188 students and 235 full-time teachers.-Elementary schools:*Forest Hill Elementary School*Harlan Elementary School...
is the organization of the K-12 public school system. Florence High School (grades 10-12) is the main high school, with an enrollment of approximately 1,000 students. It was created by a merge between the previous two city high schools, Bradshaw High School and Coffee High School . It is located at the former site of Bradshaw High School. The merger also led to the creation of Florence Middle School (grades 7-8) and the Florence Freshman Center (grade 9), both located at the former Coffee High School campus.
There are five private schools in Florence: Riverhill School (non-parochial Pre K-9 http://www.riverhillschool.org, actually located just north of Florence in St. Florian
St. Florian, Alabama
St. Florian is a town in Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Florence - Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Statistical Area known as "The Shoals". As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 335.-Geography:...
), St. Joseph Regional Catholic School (K-8), Mars Hill Bible School
Mars Hill Bible School
Mars Hill Bible School is a nominally non-sectarian preparatory day school for boys and girls located in Florence, Alabama. The school begins at pre-kindergarten and continues through the twelfth grade.-History:...
, Shoals Christian School, and Florence Christian Academy. Those are multi-denominational, private K-12 schools.
Culture and Events
The city of Florence is home to several museums, historical sites, and numerous parks to serve the cultural and recreational needs of citizens and tourists. A variety of festivals also occur throughout the year.Museums
- The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts is the center for numerous cultural activities, exhibits, and events. The Center showcases artists from around the Southeast, and offers classes and workshops to people of all ages. It is listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, and provides administrative offices for Florence's six museums. - The Indian Mound and Museum is the largest of its type in the Tennessee Valley Region. The mound, which measures 310Hx230Wx42D (feet) and named "Wawmanona" was built circa 500 A.D. and is thought to be locale for tribal ceremony and ritual. The museum displays Native American artifacts from the Mound and the surrounding area, dating back 10,000 years.
- Pope's Tavern is a renowned historical stop and served as a hospital along the way of many skirmishing Civil War soldiers from both the Union and Confederate armies. It also served time as a stagecoach stop, a tavern, and an inn. The museum houses Civil War artifacts as well as antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries. It is one of Florence's oldest standing structures.
- The W.C. Handy Home and Museum is dedicated to one of Florence's most famous sons. Known as the "Father of the Blues", Handy was born in a log cabin at this site in 1873. The museum contains a collection Handy's personal papers, artifacts, and other items he donated before his death in 1958.
- The Rosenbaum HouseRosenbaum HouseThe Rosenbaum House is a single-family house, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and built for Stanley and Mildred Rosenbaum in Florence, Alabama. A noted example of his Usonian house concept, it is the only Wright building in Alabama, and is one of only 26 pre-World War II Usonian houses...
, on Riverview Drive, is the only building in the state designed by famous architect Frank Lloyd WrightFrank Lloyd WrightFrank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures and completed 500 works. Wright believed in designing structures which were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture...
. It was built in 1939. The house was the first in the city to have such novelties as a carport and under-floor heating. It is open for tours five days of the week. - The Children's Museum of the Shoals contains exhibits displaying the history, people, and events that make up the Shoals' history. The museum is designed to promote learning in a hands-on environment. The museum offers educational workshops year-round for children of all ages.
- The Forks of Cypress was a cotton plantation located in Florence. Its remains can still be seen in the form of 24 Greek columns, as well as the Jackson Family cemetery.
Festivals
- The Sam Phillips Music Celebration was born in January 2005 and has become an annual week long event that takes place the first week in January. The life of Sam Phillips is celebrated with events that include the Sam Phillips Birthday Party, "Conversations on Sam," Sam Jam Concert, Muscle Shoals to Music Row Live and a finale concert. Although Sam is credited for the birth of Rock n' Roll and the discovery of many acclaimed artists such as Elvis PresleyElvis Presley's Sun recordingsElvis Presley's Sun recordings were made by Elvis Presley at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.A. between 1953 and 1955. The recordings were produced by Sam Phillips. Memphis is a melting pot of many types of music: both black music and white music , the recordings reflect these influences...
, he also recorded Gospel, Rhythm & Blues, Country & Rockabilly. For more information, contact WQLT/Big River Broadcasting at 256-764-8121. - The George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival has been ongoing for nine years, and is named in honor of George LindseyGeorge LindseyGeorge Lindsey is an American character actor, best known for his role as "Goober Pyle" on The Andy Griffith Show, as well as for his tenure on Hee-Haw.-Early life and career :...
, an actor who is most famous for his character portrayal of "Goober Pyle" on The Andy Griffith ShowThe Andy Griffith ShowThe Andy Griffith Show is an American sitcom first televised by CBS between October 3, 1960, and April 1, 1968. Andy Griffith portrays a widowed sheriff in the fictional small community of Mayberry, North Carolina...
(television series). Mr. Lindsey is a UNA (then known as Florence State College) graduate. The event takes place in April. - Arts Alive, in May, was first started in 1986. Artists from around the Southeast gather in Wilson Park for two days to show off their work.
- The Spirit of Freedom Celebration is an annual Fourth of July tradition, presented by the Shoals Radio Group (WLAY-FMWLAY-FMWLAY-FM is a radio station licensed to serve Littleville, Alabama, USA. The station is owned by URBan Radio Broadcasting and is part of a six-station cluster operated by URBan in northwestern Alabama and southern central Tennessee....
, WVNA-FMWVNA-FMWVNA-FM is a radio station licensed to Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The format is Mainstream Rock. On air, the station refers to itself as Rock 105.5, The Big Dog. WVNA-FM serves the Florence-Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Area...
, WMSR-FMWMSR-FMWMSR-FM is a radio station licensed to Collinwood, Tennessee. It is part of the Florence/Muscle Shoals, Alabama, radio market and is owned and operated by URBan Radio Broadcasting. The station's format is Top 40 . WMSR's positioning statement is "The Shoals #1 Hit Music Station"...
, WMXVWMXVWMXV is a radio station licensed to St. Joseph, Tennessee. WMXV broadcasts as part of the Florence/Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Arbitron radio market...
, WVNAWVNA (AM)WVNA is licensed to Tuscumbia, Alabama. The format is News/Talk. The station features talk programming and extensive local/regional news coverage with a local news department on staff...
and WLAYWLAY (AM)The station celebrated the FM launch with a two-day marathon, broadcasting live from two of the city’s most celebrated recording studios. FAME Studios, where legendary recordings by Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, the Allman Brothers Band, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Solomon Burke, George...
). Thousands of people gather at McFarland Park starting in the morning, for a day spent listening to a variety of musical acts. The celebration concludes around 10:00 with a huge fireworks display over the Tennessee River. - The W.C. Handy Music Festival is perhaps Florence's most well-known event. Every year, for a week in late July or early August, musicians from around the country descend upon the Shoals. Area restaurants offer live music most nights, and artists often perform in Wilson Park or along streets downtown. Though the focus was originally on blues and jazz, the musical selection now includes rock, country, gospel and others. The festival, the largest in the Shoals area, also includes educational events, art shows, athletic competitions, great food, and more.
- Every September, Florence is the termination point for riders in the annual Trail of Tears Remembrance Motorcycle Ride , which terminates in nearby McFarland Park. The ride is in remembrance of a dark chapter in American history in which Native Americans were shipped off to Oklahoma and the mid-west by the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
- The Alabama Renaissance Fair is held in Wilson Park during the fourth weekend in October. The festival celebrates Florence's heritage as the "Renaissance City" by recreating the feel of a medieval fair. Activities include arts and crafts, magicians, reenactments and musical performances. Festival-goers are also invited to dress in period clothing.
- First Fridays in Florence is a growing arts and music event occurring every First Friday from April through December in Historic Downtown Florence. The nine months of art and music nights began in 2005. Florence, Alabama and its downtown development efforts (including First Fridays events) were featured as a "wise" community in the EPA Smart Growth publication This is Smart Growth.
Parks
The city has seven major parks, as well as two that are presently under construction.- Cox Creek Park is home to a children's playground, horsehoe pits, an indoor archery range, and twelve tennis courts. Recent additions have included the new Florence Skate Park, the only skateboard park in the city, and a new stadium for the University of North Alabama softball team. The Florence/Lauderdale Farmer's Market is also located at the park.
- Deibert Park is the city's newest park. A former horse farm belonging to the Deibert family, the park now includes a playground, picnic shelters, and three ponds. The network of walking trails is enjoyed by walkers, joggers, and bikers. The park is the site of the Children's Museum of the Shoals.
- Martin Park is the location for the city swimming facility, at the Royal Avenue Recreation Center. The park is also home to a playground, tennis courts, picnic shelters, and a three-quarter mile jogging trail.
- McFarland Park is also the location of the Florence Harbor and Marina. While serving as host to several events throughout the year, the park is also equipped with a playground, numerous picnic shelters, campgrounds, soccer fields, baseball fields, a golf driving range, and lighted walking trails. Situated along Pickwick Lake, the park is also used by fishermen, boaters, and swimmers.
- Veterans Park contains a memorial to the war veterans of Florence and Lauderdale county. Twenty-two campsites, six lighted tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, playgrounds, and picnic shelters are also found at the park. Veterans Park is also home to one of the oldest Disc GolfDisc golfDisc golf is a disc game in which individual players throw a flying disc into a basket or at a target. According to the Professional Disc Golf Association, "The object of the game is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc." Of the more than 3000...
courses in the state. It was established in 1983. - Wildwood Park is located adjacent to the University of North Alabama along Cypress Creek. It is the most secluded and serene of the city parks. Picnic tables, nature trails, and bicycle trails can all be found here. The park is also used by swimmers, canoers, and fishermen.
- Wilson Park is located in the heart of downtown, across from the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library. As the "Central Park" of Florence, its grounds are used for numerous festivals and events.
- River Heritage Park is located at the base of the Renaissance Tower and adjacent to the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Conference Center. The park contains scenic overlooks of the Tennessee River and Wilson Dam. Also included are be picnic shelters, a playground, and an interactive fountain.
As of 2007, The Florence Sportplex is currently under construction. It will be located at the corner of Alabama 20 and Gunwaleford Road, and completed in 2008. It will be the home of the majority of youth sports for the city, and include football, soccer, baseball, and softball fields, as well as possibly new tennis courts, walking trails, and picnic shelters.
Other Attractions
- Braly Municipal StadiumBraly Municipal StadiumTom Braly Municipal Stadium is a stadium in Florence, Alabama. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the University of North Alabama Lions and the Florence High School Falcons...
, on the campus of Florence Middle School, is the home to both the University of North Alabama and Florence High School football teams. The stadium has one of the finest playing surfaces in the country, with the ability to withstand up to six inches (152 mm) of rainfall. Capacity is 14,125. Since 1986, the stadium has been home of the NCAA Division II Football Championship Game. The game is nationally televised and usually takes place the second or third weekend in December. - The Sweetwater Arts and Entertainment District is a proposed redevelopment for the East Florence business district. The plan has designated a mixture of zoning regulations for the area that will allow for the establishment of nightclubs and other entertainment venues. The city envisions a district similar to Beale Street in Memphis that will help draw in tourists and serve citiznes and the students at the University of North Alabama.
Notable people
Florence is the birthplace of W.C. Handy, the "Father of the Blues," as well as of pioneering record producerRecord producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Sam Phillips
Sam Phillips
Samuel Cornelius Phillips , better known as Sam Phillips, was an American businessman, record executive, record producer and DJ who played an important role in the emergence of rock and roll as the major form of popular music in the 1950s...
, who discovered Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. T.S. Stribling, a 20th-century novelist who was a student in Florence as a young man, wrote a prose trilogy about the city consisting of The Forge, The Store
The Store
The Store is a 1932 novel by Thomas Sigismund Stribling. It won the Pulitzer Prize for the Novel in 1933. It is the second book of the Vaidan trilogy, comprising The Forge, The Store, and Unfinished Cathedral.-Introduction:...
(which won the Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
), and Unfinished Cathedral. Stribling also spent his final months in the city, dying in 1965. Florence is where the 2009 British Open winner Stewart Cink
Stewart Cink
Stewart Ernest Cink is an American professional golfer who won the 2009 Open Championship. He has spent over 40 weeks in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings from 2004 to 2009.-Early years and education:...
was raised. Florence is the birthplace of one-half of The Midnight Express, "Loverboy" Dennis Condrey
Dennis Condrey
Dennis Condrey is an American professional wrestler, best known as being one half of the tag team Midnight Express....
. Dred Scott
Dred Scott
Dred Scott , was an African-American slave in the United States who unsuccessfully sued for his freedom and that of his wife and their two daughters in the Dred Scott v...
also once resided in Florence, where, as a slave, he worked as a hostler
Hostler
An hostler or ostler in the horse industry is a groom or stableman, who is employed in a stable to take care of horses...
at the Peter Blow Inn on Tennessee Street. A plaque at the former site commemorates his time there. Bobby W. Miller
Bobby W. Miller
Bobby W. Miller was born December 27, 1940, Florence, Alabama. He served as a medivac pilot in the Vietnam War in 1968 and 1969 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.Miller, who marched with Dr...
, who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
, in Selma, Alabama
Selma, Alabama
Selma is a city in and the county seat of Dallas County, Alabama, United States, located on the banks of the Alabama River. The population was 20,512 at the 2000 census....
in 1965, was credited later with ending segregated locker rooms at the Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
Die Cast Plant in Sheffield, Alabama
Sheffield, Alabama
Sheffield is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States, and is included in The Shoals MSA. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 9,652. Sheffield is the birthplace of notable attorney, actor, former senator and presidential contender Fred Thompson...
, where he was employed from 1962-1974. Miller was shot down twice in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
and Air Medal. Tom York grew up in Florence, graduated from Florence State Teachers' College, now the University of North Alabama, and spent eight years in radio in Florence (WLAY). In 1957, he joined WBRC-TV in Birmingham, Alabama as their sports director. He also originated the Tom York Morning Show (one of America's longest running one-hour local talk shows) on the air for 32 years. He was awarded an Emmy by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences or NATAS was created in 1955 to advance the arts and sciences of television. Headquartered in New York, NATAS's membership is national and the organization has local chapters around the country....
in 1995.
Florence is also home to the founders of the rap group / record label So Spicy Entertainment, Briaunna Savage (Braka Shaka Khan), Jasmine Green (J. Jucci), and Myaca Carter (Yo Cartii). The group is most known for their debut hit "Chicken Nuggets with My Barbeque," a song inspired by the imagination of fellow Florence Falcon Dee Smith. Unexpectedly the song sent the whole city and Shoals area into a frenzy over the new dance craze, and thus skyrocketed the group into stardom. Other charted songs include "Facebook Diss," "Girl You Stupid," and the ode to their alma mater, Florence High School
Florence High School
Florence High School may refer to:*Florence High School — Florence, Alabama*Florence High School — Florence, Arizona*Florence High School — Florence, Colorado...
, "F.A.L.C.O.N.S." featuring Green's cousin, Jerissa Green. Also members of the FAB 4- a name given to them by their varsity basketball coach, Tonya Peoples- the longtime friends and teammates did not only conquer the music industry, but they went on to conquer academics, sports, social activity, and community involvement. However, it does not stop there. Beasts on the beats and also beasts in the school seats, these intelligent, multi-talented young ladies, continue to strive for excellence in every aspect of their professional and educational careers. They understand that with success comes major responsibility as role models; and this dynamic group of women continuously encourage their fans, old and young alike, to always push themselves past the point of exhaustion, an idea that was ingrained in their spirit by their Freshman basketball coach and mentor, Marc Johnson. Because of this state of mind, So Spicy Entertainment is one of the leading record labels in the United States and abroad.
- W.C. Handy, Father of the Blues
- Stewart CinkStewart CinkStewart Ernest Cink is an American professional golfer who won the 2009 Open Championship. He has spent over 40 weeks in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings from 2004 to 2009.-Early years and education:...
, PGA golfer - Sam PhillipsSam PhillipsSamuel Cornelius Phillips , better known as Sam Phillips, was an American businessman, record executive, record producer and DJ who played an important role in the emergence of rock and roll as the major form of popular music in the 1950s...
, discovered Elvis PresleyElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".... - Donna Jean Godchaux, singer, The Grateful Dead
- George W. Goethals, chief engineer on the Panama CanalPanama CanalThe Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
- Kelvin HollyKelvin HollyKelvin Lee Holly is an American guitarist and musician.-Background:Kelvin's musical career began in 1972 after graduating high school in Montgomery, Alabama....
, musician, guitarist for Little Richard, The Amazing Rhythm Aces - Patterson Hood, guitarist, singer and songwriter for Drive-By TruckersDrive-By TruckersDrive-By Truckers are an alternative country/Southern rock band based in Athens, Georgia, though three out of six members are originally from The Shoals region of Northern Alabama, and the band strongly identifies with Alabama. Their music uses three guitars as well as bass, drums, and now...
- Charles MooreCharles MooreCharles Moore may refer to:*Charles Moore , America Olympic hurdler*Charles Moore , director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney...
, civil rightsCivil rightsCivil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
photographer - Billy ReidBilly Reid (fashion designer)Billy Reid is an American fashion designer. His clothing is known for its classic styles in high quality fabrics, but with unusual accents - "low-fi Southern-bred luxury" according to Reid's site.-Origins:...
, fashion designer - Dred ScottDred ScottDred Scott , was an African-American slave in the United States who unsuccessfully sued for his freedom and that of his wife and their two daughters in the Dred Scott v...
, of the Dred Scott vs. Sanford case - Whitney BoddieWhitney BoddieWhitney Boddie is a professional basketball player most recently playing for the Sacramento Monarchs.Graduated in 2005 from Florence High School of Florence, Alabama, Boddie was named 2005 Alabama Miss Basketball....
, basketball player - Josh WillinghamJosh WillinghamJoshua David Willingham is an American Major League Baseball left fielder. He has played for the Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals and Oakland Athletics.-Early years:...
, major league baseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player, Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum.... - John CoffeeJohn CoffeeJohn Coffee was an American planter and military leader. He was considered the most even-tempered and least selfish of Andrew Jackson's lifelong friends...
, General during the War of 1812War of 1812The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant... - Howard Broadfoot, WSOP Final Table 2001, 2004
- Betty Waller, Yodeling Sweetheart of the South
- Ricky Tucker, 2 time All-SEC defensive back at the University of Alabama, member of two National Championship football teams.
- Briaunna Savage, rap artist / singer "Braka Shaka Khan"- Co-CEO of So Spicy Entertainment
- Jasmine Green, rap artist "J. Jucci"- Co-CEO of So Spicy Entertainment
- Myaca Carter, rap artist "Yo Cartii"- First artist signed to So Spicy Entertainment
Transportation
Florence is the merger point for two major U.S. HighwaysUnited States Numbered Highways
The system of United States Numbered Highways is an integrated system of roads and highways in the United States numbered within a nationwide grid...
, as well as several Alabama Highways. Both U.S. Highway 43
U.S. Route 43
U.S. Route 43 is a north–south United States highway that runs for 410 miles from central Tennessee to Mobile, Alabama. The highway's southern terminus is in Mobile, Alabama, at U.S. Route 45. Its northern terminus is Columbia, Tennessee, at U.S. Route 31.-Alabama:Between Mobile and Fayette...
and U.S. Highway 72
U.S. Route 72
U.S. Route 72 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 337 miles from southeast Tennessee through northern Alabama and northern Mississippi to southwest Tennessee. The highway's eastern terminus is Chattanooga, Tennessee. Its western terminus is Memphis, Tennessee...
merge just east of the city limits in Killen
Killen, Alabama
Killen is a town in Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Florence - Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Statistical Area known as "The Shoals". As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 1,190.-Geography:...
, and are co-signed their entire length through the city. Highway 43, running north and south, helps connect the city to Lawrenceburg
Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
Lawrenceburg is a city in Lawrence County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 10,796 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lawrence County...
and Columbia
Columbia, Tennessee
Columbia is a city in Maury County, Tennessee, United States. The 2008 population was 34,402 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. It is the county seat of Maury County....
to the north in Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, as well as Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in west central Alabama . Located on the Black Warrior River, it is the fifth-largest city in Alabama, with a population of 90,468 in 2010...
and Mobile
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
to the south. Highway 72 helps connect the city to Huntsville
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
and Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
to the east and Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
to the west. Interstate 65
Interstate 65
Interstate 65 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States. The southern terminus is located at an intersection with Interstate 10 in Mobile, Alabama, and its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 , U.S. Route 12, and U.S...
is accessible about forty-five minutes east on Highway 72. Both of these roads cross the Tenneessee River on O'Neal Bridge, connecting Florence to Sheffield.
Alabama state highways that serve the city include Alabama 13, Alabama 17, Alabama 20, Alabama 133, and Alabama 157. Alabama 133 connected Florence and Muscle Shoals via Wilson Dam until 2002, when the new six-lane "Patton Island Bridge" (the unofficial, but locally accepted name) finished construction. The bridge is part of a new corridor that will eventually see the widening of Wilson Dam Road in Muscle Shoals to Alabama 20, and the construction of a new road from the bridge to Florence Blvd. in Florence. Alabama 157 is also an important road to Florence and the Shoals area, serving as a four-lane link to Interstate 65 in Cullman
Cullman, Alabama
Cullman is a city in Cullman County, State of Alabama. Cullman is located along Interstate 65, about north of Birmingham, and about south of Huntsville. According to the U.S...
. After many years of political campaigning by local leaders to have the four-laning of the road completed, the project wrapped up in the summer of 2007. The road is known as the "University of North Alabama Highway".
Florence and the Shoals area does not have a direct link to an Interstate highway at the present time. One solution discussed over the years has been the "Memphis to Atlanta Highway", proposed to connect the two cities via a freeway through north Alabama. However, in recent years Mississippi has concentrated its funding on U.S. 78 (future Interstate 22
Interstate 22
Interstate 22 , when it is completed, will follow the U.S. Highway 78 corridor along a 213-mile-long route from Memphis, Tennessee, to Birmingham, Alabama, as an Interstate Highway. Interstate 22 will connect Interstate 240 and Interstate 40 in the northwest with Interstate 65 and Interstate...
), also known as "Corridor X". Though U.S. 72 through Mississippi is four lanes, there are no plans to upgrade it to freeway status. Meanwhile, the state of Georgia has also not committed to the necessary work to connect the freeway from the Alabama state line to Atlanta. The highway remains in the planning stages with the Alabama Department of Transportation.
Another plan recently discussed is extending Interstate 565
Interstate 565
-External links:***...
west from its current terminus just outside of Decatur
Decatur, Alabama
Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...
, perhaps along Alabama 20/Alternate U.S. 72. The plan has received some support from Decatur officials, some of whom would like to see the Interstate eventually extend west of Decatur and at least into Lawrence County
Lawrence County, Alabama
Lawrence County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. It was named after James Lawrence, a captain in the United States Navy from New Jersey. As of the 2010 census, the population was...
.
For air transportation, Florence is served by the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport
Northwest Alabama Regional Airport
Northwest Alabama Regional Airport is a public-use airport in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. It located one nautical mile east of the central business district of Muscle Shoals. The airport is operated by the counties of Colbert and Lauderdale. It is mostly used for general aviation, but...
in Muscle Shoals. The airport is mostly used for general aviation, but daily flights to Atlanta are also offered by Mesaba Airlines- a Delta Connection carrier. Huntsville International Airport
Huntsville International Airport
Huntsville International Airport , also known as Carl T. Jones Field, is an airport located 9 miles southwest of the central business district of Huntsville, a city in Madison County, Alabama, United States...
, offering service to eleven domestic destinations, is about an hours drive from Florence.
Local industry is also served by the Tennessee Southern Railroad
Tennessee Southern Railroad
The Tennessee Southern Railroad began operations in 1988 and currently operates in middle Tennessee and northwestern Alabama. The main line consists of and the total track has . TSRR is owned by Patriot Rail Corporation...
, which runs from Florence to Columbia, Tennessee, and the Port of Florence on Pickwick Lake.
Media
The TimesDailyTimesDaily
The TimesDaily is the daily newspaper for Florence, Alabama. The TimesDaily covers a four-county region in Alabama including Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, and Lawrence counties, as well as portions of southern Tennessee and northeast Mississippi...
is a daily newspaper published in Florence that serves the greater Florence area, and which is owned by the Tennessee Valley Printing Company, who purchased the newspaper and associated media from The New York Times Company
The New York Times Company
The New York Times Company is an American media company best known as the publisher of its namesake, The New York Times. Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. has served as Chairman of the Board since 1997. It is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, New York City....
in March, 2009.
The Shoals Insider is a local news website. It is much like a newspaper, but doesn't print on paper. Local arrest records, foreclosures, divorces and other public documents are published daily, as well as news articles. http://www.shoalsinsider.com
The Courier-Journal is a locally-owned and distributed weekly publication serving the greater Florence area.
No'Ala is a locally-owned Shoals area lifestyle magazine published six times annually. http://noalamag.com
There are numerous radio, television and low-power FM radio stations and translators that serve Florence and the greater area, all which are in the greater Florence MSA.
Among them are:
AM Radio
- WSBMWSBM-External links:...
(1340 AM; 1 kW; Florence, AL; Owner: Big River Broadcasting Corporation) - WVNAWVNA (AM)WVNA is licensed to Tuscumbia, Alabama. The format is News/Talk. The station features talk programming and extensive local/regional news coverage with a local news department on staff...
(1590 AM; 5 kW; Tuscumbia, AL; Owner: Clear Channel Broadcasting Licenses, INC.) - WBTGWBTG (AM)WBTG is a radio station licensed to serve Sheffield, Alabama. The station is owned by Slatton & Associates Broadcasters, Inc. It airs an Adult Standards format positioned as "Memory Music"....
(1290 AM; 1 kW; Sheffield, AL) - WBCF (1240 AM; 1 kW; Florence, AL; Owner: Benny Carle Broadcasting, INC.)
- WLAYWLAY (AM)The station celebrated the FM launch with a two-day marathon, broadcasting live from two of the city’s most celebrated recording studios. FAME Studios, where legendary recordings by Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, the Allman Brothers Band, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Solomon Burke, George...
(1450 AM; 1 kW; Muscle Shoals, AL; Owner: Clear Channel Broadcasting Licenses, INC.) - WJHXWJHXWJHX is a radio station licensed to the community of Lexington, Alabama, USA. The station is owned by Bar Broadcasting, Inc...
(620 AM; 5 kW; Lexington, AL; Owner: Manual Huerta) - WZZAWZZAWZZA is a radio station licensed to serve Tuscumbia, Alabama. The station is owned by Muscle Shoals Broadcasting, Inc. It airs an Urban contemporary music format....
(1410 AM; 1 kW; Tuscumbia, AL; Owner: Muscle Shoals Broadcasting, INC.)
FM Radio
- WLAY-FMWLAY-FMWLAY-FM is a radio station licensed to serve Littleville, Alabama, USA. The station is owned by URBan Radio Broadcasting and is part of a six-station cluster operated by URBan in northwestern Alabama and southern central Tennessee....
(100.3 FM; Tuscumbia, AL; Owner: Clear Channel Broadcasting Licenses, INC.) - W274AA (102.7 FM; Muscle Shoals, AL; Owner: WILLIAM P. ROGERS)
- W280DA (103.9 FM; Florence, AL; Owner: BIBLE BROADCASTING NETWORK, INC.)
- WAKDWAKDWAKD is a radio station licensed to the community of Sheffield, Alabama, USA, and serves the Florence-Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Area. The station is owned by the American Family Association. It airs a Religious radio format....
(89.9 FM; Sheffield, AL; Owner: AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION) - WQLT-FMWQLT-FMWQLT-FM is a radio station licensed to serve Florence, Alabama, USA. The station is owned by Big River Broadcasting Corporation...
(107.3 FM; Florence, AL; Owner: Big River Broadcasting Corporation) - W258AE (99.5 FM; Florence, AL; Owner: WAY-FM MEDIA GROUP, INC.)
- WFIXWFIXWFIX is a radio station licensed to serve Florence, Alabama, USA. The station is owned by Tri-State Inspirational Broadcasting and serves the greater Florence-Muscle Shoals area. It airs a Contemporary Christian music format....
(91.3 FM; Florence, AL; Owner: TRI-STATE INSPIRATIONAL B/C CORP.) - W254AA (98.7 FM; Colbert Heights, AL; Owner: WILLIAM P. ROGERS)
- WXFLWXFLWXFL is a country music formatted radio station based in Florence, Alabama, and owned by Big River Broadcasting. WXFL serves Florence and the Tennessee River Valley with and ERP of 20,500 watts....
(96.1 FM; Florence, AL; Owner: Big River Broadcasting Corporation) - WVNA-FMWVNA-FMWVNA-FM is a radio station licensed to Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The format is Mainstream Rock. On air, the station refers to itself as Rock 105.5, The Big Dog. WVNA-FM serves the Florence-Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Area...
(105.5 FM; Muscle Shoals, AL; Owner: Clear Channel Broadcasting Licenses, INC.) - WBTG-FMWBTG-FMWBTG-FM is a radio station licensed to serve Sheffield, Alabama. The station was founded by Paul Slatton and is owned by Slatton & Associates Broadcasters, Inc...
(106.3 FM; Sheffield, AL; Owner: SLATTON & ASSOCS. BROADCASTERS, INC.) - W202BY (88.3 FM; Killen, AL; Owner: WAY-FM MEDIA GROUP, INC.)
- W253AH (98.5 FM; Florence, AL; Owner: Big River Broadcasting Corporation)
- W276AM (103.1 FM; Florence, ETC., AL; Owner: J AND J BROADCASTING)
- W225AB (92.9 FM; Florence, AL; Owner: WILLIAM P. ROGERS)
- WYTKWYTKWYTK is a radio station broadcasting a Sports format. Licensed to Rogersville, Alabama, USA, the station serves the Florence-Muscle Shoals. The station is owned by Shoals Broadcasting Corporation and features programming from ESPN Radio and CBS Radio.The station is an affiliate of the Atlanta...
(93.9 FM; Rogersville, AL; Owner: SHOALS BROADCASTING CORPORATION) - WQPRWQPRWQPR is a radio station licensed to Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The station is owned by the University of Alabama, and is an affiliate of Alabama Public Radio, airing the network's programming consisting of news and talk programming, classical music, folk music, jazz, adult album alternative and...
(88.7 FM; Muscle Shoals, AL; Owner: THE BD OF TRUSTEES UNIV. OF ALABAMA) - WPMR (95.7 FM; Russellville, Al: Owner: Provision Ministries (Wanda Keele.)
Television and Low-Power Television
- WXFL-LP (Channel 5; Florence, ETC., AL; Owner: Benny Carle Broadcasting, INC.)
- WBCF-LP (Channel 3; Florence, AL; Owner: Benny Carle Broadcasting, INC.)
- WHDFWHDFWHDF is The CW affiliate in northern Alabama, airing on channel 15. WHDF is under the ownership of Lockwood Broadcasting.WHDF's studios are located in Florence, and the station maintains a Huntsville sales office on Andrew Jackson Way, in the Five Points neighborhood...
(Channel 15; Florence, AL; Owner: VALLEY TELEVISION, LLC) - W57BV (Channel 57; Florence, AL; Owner: TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK)
- WFIQ (Channel 36; Florence, AL; Owner: ALABAMA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION COMMISSION)
- W46CF (Channel 45; Tuscumbia, AL; Owner: WMTY Incorporated (William Pete Nichols)
Past Television Stations
- WYLE (Channel 26; Florence, AL; Owner: ETC COMMUNICATIONS INC.)
- WOWL (Channel 15; Florence, AL)