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Captain Andrew Brown: Watchmaker, Soldier, Community Figure

Watch made by Andrew Brown in Florence, Alabama

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…

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  • People

C.B. Eldred and the Craft of Remembrance in Florence

CB Eldred of florence alabama

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…

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  • Schools & Education

The History of Charles M. Brandon School

Brandon School in florence, alabama

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…

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  • Forgotten Places

Florence Alabama’s Fort Willingham Armory

Fort Willingham Armory in florence alabama

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…

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  • Native American History

Waumanona Indian Mound

waumanona florence alabama indian mound

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,…

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  • Forgotten Places

Tuscumbia Landing: A Gateway to the West during the Trail of Tears

what remains of the wharf at Tuscumbia Landing

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…

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  • Business & Industry

The Keeley Gold Cure

The Keeley Cure Florence Alabama

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…

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  • Forgotten Places

Keller’s Quarry: A Pillar of Sheffield’s Industrial Past

Keller Quarry

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…

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  • Forgotten Places

Havannah, Alabama: A Lauderdale County Town That Only Existed On Paper

Havana, AL in Lauderdale County near florence

In the quaint pages of an 1818 newspaper, a vision was cast upon the fertile lands of Lauderdale County, Alabama – the birth of a town named Havannah. Fast forward to the present day, and we find ourselves reflecting on…

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  • Historic Events, People

R.W. Drane & Murder Among Friends

RW Drane murder of george will young

R.W. Drane, a prominent local merchant and the proprietor of a cigar store and pool room, and Mr. George (Will) Young, a prominent furniture merchant, were thrust into a harrowing drama that played out in downtown Florence on East Tennessee…

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