A Helping Hand in Hard Times Unearthing the past reveals a time of hardship in Florence, but also a beacon of compassion: the Florence Benevolent Association. Founded in the early 1890s, and dedicated to aiding residents facing misfortune, this organization…
Zebulon Pike Morrison was a cornerstone of Florence, Alabama, for over half a century. From 1840 until his death in 1895, he left an indelible mark on the town through his various roles as a businessman, contractor, and public servant.…
Captain Andrew Brown was a prominent figure in Florence, Alabama, throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1839, he arrived in the United States and left his mark on the community through his business…
Florence, Alabama, boasts a rich history, and a significant part of that story is etched in stone. Literally. C.B. Eldred, a skilled craftsman who worked in Florence from 1874 to 1910, played a key role in shaping this legacy through…
The Charles M. Brandon School stands as a testament to the dedication of local citizens and the importance of education in Florence, Alabama. The story begins in 1898, when a local resident, Wiley F. Freeman, envisioned a new school “between…
From WPA Project to Community Hub The armory’s origin story goes back to 1935. The brainchild of W.H. Cromwell of the American Legion, the project secured President Roosevelt’s approval as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) initiative. The WPA, a cornerstone…
A tale of an Indian mound on the bank of the Tennessee river at Florence, Alabama. This mound is centuries old, and one of the largest and most impressive left by the North American Indians. Waumanona Waumanona, brave young chieftain,…
Tuscumbia Landing, a historic port site located near downtown Sheffield, Alabama, played a pivotal role in the nation’s history. Situated on the Tennessee River, this landing served as a vital transportation hub during the 19th century, connecting the region to…
In the late 19th century, as opium and alcohol addiction rates soared in America, a novel treatment emerged: the Keeley Gold Cure. This revolutionary approach, developed by Dr. Leslie E. Keeley promised to cure alcoholism and other addictions through the…
Keller’s Quarry, nestled in the heart of Sheffield, Alabama along the Tennessee River, played a key role in Tennessee River transportation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This historic site was a significant source of sandstone and limestone…