Jan
Business and economic development continued in all sections of Florence and Lauderdale County. Factors included active participation by the citizens to attract business and industry. One early event included Factory Day, with a parade led by bands and featuring mayors, judges, county and city officials, railroad officials, visiting newspapermen, Merchants association floats, and citizens in […]
Jan
There were numerous venues where music and entertainment was presented. The East Florence Opera House, The Florence Opera House, and The Academy of Music, which presented not only traveling shows, but productions by local citizens. Traveling shows and entertainers brought the popular artists, actors, lectures, musicians and events to Florence. Selected references include: East Florence […]
Jan
Circuses and Parades were a big part of the entertainment enjoyed by the citizens. The Barnum & Company’s Gigantic Circus and Menagerie was led into the ring by the American Brass Band as early as 1859 and appeared at the Circus Grounds in East Florence in the large field between Sweetwater Avenue and the railroad […]
Jan
The Employees Improvement Association (E.I.A.), which was established for the employees of the Florence Wagon Works in East Florence, was formed in early February, 1894 and soon became a fixture in the community. Employees had been discussing the idea of forming a brass band, and thirty dollars was placed in the treasury to be used […]
Jan
At the turn of the century another element was added to the proposed blueprint for the area’s economic success. Hydroelectric power emerged as a productive use of the nation’s waterways, not only to propel industrial growth but to supplement navigation. In 1898 U.S. Representative Joseph Wheeler introduced the first congressional proposal to build a dam […]
Jan
The industrial boom of 1887-1890 was reflected in a population increase of 500%, from 1,600-6,000 people, and the availability of reliable transportation services. Reliable transportation systems were crucial to the agricultural and business economy since goods had to be moved from the fields, to the plant, then to the consumers. The Tennessee River offered water […]
Jan
In the early 1850s, there were 15 saw mills and 25 grist mills in Lauderdale County. In addition there were immense tan yards, wagon shops, blacksmith shops which were producing war materials. Between 1850 and 1860 plantations in Lauderdale County included seven kinds of livestock according to the census. These included horses, asses and […]
Jan
By 1850 the Cypress Mill, built by Martin and Weakley, produced 80,000 yards of cloth weekly. Miller and Kenney’s Woolen Factory and Globe Cotton Factory were major producers. By the 1860s production was diversified in order to meet not only the needs of the local population, economy and business development, but as a factor in […]
Jan
Music has been a part of the cultural fabric of Florence since its establishment. “Circuit or ‘tent’ Chautauqua had its beginning in the lyceum movement, which had started in Massachusetts as early as 1826, and in the assemblies held at Lake Chautauqua, New York, beginning in 1874. The purpose of the lyceum movement was self-improvement […]
Jan
As early as 1824 the Federal government promoted improvements along the shoals through the transfer to the State of Alabama 400,000 acres of federally owned land to be sold to private citizens for the construction of a system of canals on the Tennessee River at the Muscle Shoals. Although construction began in 1831 and was […]
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Northwest RC&D Council.
The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Research led by Nancy Gonce; research assistance and additional photography by Amy Privette.