The City of Florence, Alabama was founded in 1818 on the banks of the beautiful Tennessee River in the scenic Northwest corner of Alabama. Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, and two counties, Lauderdale and Colbert, comprise the Shoals area. The history of Florence and the Shoals began over 10,000 years ago when Native Americans inhabited the area. Evidence of their existence can still be found at the ancient Florence Indian Mound.

In 1818, the Cypress Land Company was formed to develop a thriving river town. A young Italian surveyor laid out the town of Florence and named it for his favorite city in Italy — Florence. The area is rich in Civil War history. Although no major battles were fought here, there is ample evidence of skirmishes all over the area. Popes Tavern, located in Downtown Florence, served as a hospital for both Union and Confederate troops - depending on who controlled the area at the time. It now serves as a museum that highlights Florence's rich history.

Tuscumbia is the birthplace of "America’s First Lady of Courage," Helen Keller. The music legacy began with the birth of the "Father of the Blues," William Christopher Handy in Florence. Florence is also home to the state’s only Frank Lloyd Wright designed structure.

Florence and the Shoals has a population of over 140,000 and offers the experience of a small Southern town, including a generous helping of Southern hospitality, with all the amenities of a large city. Florence boasts a state-of-the-art conference center, a beautiful marina and harbor, a restored downtown area, a beautiful municipal golf course, a first-class university and a new library that cities many times the size of Florence would envy.

The Shoals is situated on the beautiful Tennessee River and is the closest metropolitan area to the mouth of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. The market boasts a convenient port facility where imports can be cleared locally by the U.S. Customs Service. Located just 40 miles from Interstate 65, the Shoals is also home to Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, a full service facility with commercial air service. In addition, the Shoals is located on the Norfolk Southern Rail line and the switching yard for most major southern rail companies is located in the market.

The climate of the Shoals is temperate with an average temperature of 60.7 degrees, an average rainfall of 51.58 inches and average snowfall of 4.6 inches.

FBI statistics released in October of 2000, listed the Shoals metro area 5th among the safest areas in the nation in which to live. Florence, and the entire Shoals area, is the perfect place to live, work, retire, and visit. Won’t you come and see for yourself?

(Courtesy of the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Department)