For the last half of the 19th Century, the Florence Synodical Female College was one of the leading seminaries in the South. Situated in a town whose people are noted for culture, refinement and hospitality it was destined for success.…
Robert M. Patton, Alabama’s governor from 1865 to 1867, is often portrayed as a complex figure, caught between the remnants of the Confederacy and the emerging era of Reconstruction. However, a darker aspect of his legacy remains undeniable: his ownership…
In the early months of 1890, a valuable mineral spring was discovered in East Florence. These waters were analyzed and deemed so important that a stock company was quickly formed to take full advantage of them. Incorporated on May 23,…
In January 1890 construction began on a 7-acre campus located at the intersection of Seymore and Sherrod Streets in North Florence. Designed by local architect, F.L. Rousseau, in the Renaissance style of architecture, it had a roof topped by one…
Charles Morton Southall graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy with gold medals for the highest grade as well as “proficiency in chemistry.” Southall moved to Florence in 1891. He constructed this building (see construction photo at right) to house…
The Shoals area has been home to many saloons in the 1800s and over the course of the area’s history. Many of those were inside the hotels of the time. We won’t go into much detail on those hotel saloons,…
In the late 1800s, the city of Florence, Alabama was experiencing a period of growth and prosperity, driven by the Industrial Boom. And as the city grew, so did its need for clean, reliable water. That’s when a group of…
Since its incorporation in 1826 (although founded in 1818), the city of Florence, Alabama has had 38 mayors (some serving more than once), each of whom has left their mark on the community in different ways. In the list below,…
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…