Florence Alabama Real Estate-Florence Homes for Sale

Article

Florence, Alabama, Shoals Area Real Estate

Muscle Shoals AL Area Guide

The Muscle Shoals area is known for being the birthplace of W.C. Handy (Father of the Blues), Helen Keller, and the home of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Muscle Shoals is famous for its music recording industry and being the home of the Wilson Dam. Muscle Shoals also has nationally recognized institutions such as the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Environmental Research Center, the Public Power Institute, and the International Fertilizer Development Center.

Muscle Shoals History

Muscle Shoals became an incorporated city in 1923 and is located in the eastern part of Colbert County. With a population of 11,924 the city is now the fastest growing city in northwest Alabama. Muscle Shoals (commonly known as “The Shoals”) covers 12 square miles and still has cotton fields located within the city limits. Native Americans occupied the area before the Europeans surfaced, but no one knows for sure where the name Muscle Shoals originated (although there are several theories). The original Muscle Shoals district included Florence, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia.

In the early 1900s, Muscle Shoals consisted of cotton fields and farm houses until the war began. In 1918 World War I prompted President Woodrow Wilson to approve the construction of two nitrate plants and the Wilson Dam to provide the ammunitions needed to fight the war (the dam was to provide electricity to power the two nitrate plants). During its busiest period there were over 18,000 workers constructing the dam, and the construction site consisted of 1,700 temporary buildings and 236 permanent buildings including mess halls, a school, a hospital, and barber shops. Unfortunately the two nitrate plants didn’t produce their first nitrates until November 1918, two weeks after the war ended.

In 1921, a wealthy Henry Ford and Thomas Edison announced their plan to transform Muscle Shoals into a bustling metropolis by hiring one million Shoals workers and building a 75-mile city. As the rumors ran rampant, real estate spectators from all over the country began buying parcels of land in the area during this time. Mr. Ford made an offer to buy the unfinished Wilson Dam for $5 million which was rejected by Congress (the initial cost construction costs were $46.5 million). Instead, Congress decided to create the Tennessee Valley Authority to oversee the dam and the river valley area. Although Mr. Ford’s plans did not make Muscle Shoals a huge metropolis, his continued efforts did lay the foundation of the city. On the day the votes were tallied to incorporate the Muscle Shoals area the city consisted of 727 residents. On May 28, 1923 George McBride was elected as the city’s first Mayor.

During the first 20 years after incorporation the city’s population grew slowly, but changes in land ownership in the 1950s made way for new growth and industrial development in Muscle Shoals. Several companies moved to Colbert County in the peaceful, post-war period including Reynolds Metals Company, Union Carbide Metals, Diamond Shamrock Company, Ford Motor Company and others. In the 1960s Rick Hall made the choice to move Fame Recording Studio to Muscle Shoals, making it “The Hit Recording Capital of the World.” It wasn’t until the 1990s that Muscle Shoals abandoned the commission form of government (it was the last state in Alabama to make the change). In October of 1992 Charles R. Mitchell was elected as the first full-time mayor of Shoals, and the city added a new post office, library, a weather warning siren, and newly paved streets. The Muscle Shoals area has been experiencing positive growth ever since.

Muscle Shoals Parks and Recreation

The residents of Muscle Shoals feel strongly about their community, and there are several recreation options to choose from when you’re ready to relax. From baseball to walking tracks, to activities for seniors, Muscle Shoals has a little something for everyone.

-Gattman Park
Gattman Park includes two gymnasiums with conference rooms, a kitchen, and an indoor running track with a special rubber floor for comfortable walking. There are also three pavilions, several picnic tables, baseball/softball fields and batting cages. In 2007 a new playground, an outdoor walking track, and an outdoor swimming pool was added to the park.

-Steenson Hollow Park
Steenson Hollow Park houses a small pavilion, playground equipment, a lighted field and one practice field.

-Sportsplex
The Sportsplex facility is where a majority of the sports tournaments are held; during the week children between the ages of five and eight practice here. The park consists of a playground area, small pavilions, and four 300-foot fields where soccer and flag-football are played during the autumn months.

-Webster Park
Webster Park opened in the spring of 2001 and consists of three softball fields and one large pavilion for gatherings. Girl’s softball teams practice here with members between the ages of seven and eleven. Webster Park is located right behind Webster Elementary School.

-Airport Complex
The Airport Complex is a newer facility that opened in 2007 adjacent to the Muscle Shoals Airport. Boy’s baseball teams practice here (between nine and fifteen years old) on the four baseball fields.

-Senior Center and Outreach Program
Here at the Senior Center and Outreach Program senior citizens can participate in activities like board games, pool, reading, ceramics, and pool. Exercise programs are also offered at the center in addition to a variety of education programs such as nutrition, depression, stress management, and safety. Every year the Master’s Games of Alabama are held here, which allows our senior citizens to demonstrate their abilities in a variety of competitive sports and games.

Muscle Shoals Attractions and Events

This area has a rich cultural heritage to share with the masses, and festivals and events are available throughout the year. From exploring the unique “Shoals sound” developed by Fame Studios to watching local artisans make traditional arts and crafts, you’ll never run out of new things to see.

Fame Recording Studio

The first successful professional recording studio in Alabama, Fame Recording Studio is responsible for creating the unique sounds of Southern Rock, Southern Soul, and Country Soul which became known collectively as “the Muscle Shoals Sound.” Many popular artists have passed through the halls of this studio including Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones, the Osmonds, Wilson Pickett, and many more. In the past 40+ years Fame Recording Studios has been involved in publishing over 300 million copies of records across the world. Tours will be given by appointment.

Wilson Lock and Dam

The Wilson Dam produces hydroelectric power for the entire Shoals area as well as many other Southern cities. Once used to power ammunitions plants during World War I the facility is now part of the Tennessee Valley Authority, and it is the only neoclassical-style dam that is part of the TVA system. The site also includes hiking and walking paths, camping, boating, and fishing in the Wilson Reservoir.

Jack-O-Lantern Farm

Jack-O-Lantern Farm is located at the greenhouses on the TVA Reservation in Shoals. There is also a farmer’s market that takes place every Thursday and Saturday that offers hydroponically grown and “Naturally Certified” fruits and vegetables. The market also sells food products from Shoals Culinary Center, homemade sourdough bread from Red Gingham Gourmet, and homemade jams from Carolyn’s Kitchen. The market is open on Thursdays from 3pm to 7pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm; admission to the market is free.

Pathways: Walk Through the History of Muscle Shoals

Located near the Fame Recording Studio, Pathways offers a convenient means to learning about the early history of the Wilson Lock and Dam and Muscle Shoals music through exhibits located inside the Muscle Shoals City Hall. Operating hours are from 8am to 4:30pm on weekdays and admission is free.

Please click here for the Muscle Shoals Events Calendar

For information on local links and contact information, please visit my Muscle Shoals Relocation Page
For information on local school information, please visit my Muscle Shoals School Page