Demolished buildings, abandoned communities, lost landmarks.
Notice in the above 1896 map of Colbert County, that there is a “South Florence” on the other side of the river near the current TVA Nature Loop/old Railroad Bridge. Also, this section from an even older 1863 map shows a “South Florence”…
Thousands of people in Florence cross Cypress Creek every day. Its name appears on road signs, maps, businesses and neighborhoods throughout the city. If you’re from Florence, you’ve heard of it, but more than two centuries ago, the creek was…
John A. Pruitt John A. Pruitt began a fascination with moving pictures during his time with the Woodmen of the World insurance fraternity. He bought the local Florence chapter a stereopticon, or what was often called a “magic lantern”. It…
Gravelly Springs, Alabama near Waterloo is the spot where the largest cavalry force in the Western Hemisphere was ever assembled! Major General James Harrison Wilson brought together 22,000 people and camped between this spot and Waterloo during the spring of…
The Commercial Hotel was a historic building located in Florence, Alabama just a block from the courthouse. It had a rich history of over four decades and was an important landmark in the city. Opening for the first time in…
The Silver Moon Hotel in Florence, Alabama was built in 1890 by Jere McCluskey. The building was located where the current entrance to the downtown parking deck is on Tennessee Street. Room rates at the time were just $2 per day, and…
The Lauderdale Hotel was located approximately two and a half miles East of downtown Florence, Alabama, on a high hill with a commanding view of the Tennessee Valley. The hotel was built in 1889 and was one of the most…
The Sweetwater Opera House was an iconic landmark in the city of Florence, Alabama. Built by Thomas Hollingsworth in the late 1800s, the opera house stands as a testament to his success and entrepreneurial spirit. However, there is a dark…
Let’s delve into the fascinating tale of G.W. Christy of Elm, PA and the construction of his iconic building that became a cornerstone of Sheffield’s history for many decades. The narrative unfolds on June 10, 1890, when Sam Keller sold…
Today, we delve into the fascinating, but ultimately tragic tale of the Jefferson Hotel, once a prominent landmark in Florence, Alabama. From City Hall to Grand Hotel (1903-1923) In 1903, the Florence City Council embarked on a unique venture. They…