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Florence, Alabama, Shoals Area Real Estate
Florence AL Area Guide
 The City of Florence is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, and is located in the northwestern corner of the state. As of 2005, Florence’s population was estimated at 37,000 people. Florence is considered the primary economic hub of northwestern Alabama, and is the largest city in the Metropolitan Statistical Area known as “The Shoals.” Florence enjoys four distinct seasons with moderate climates. The yearly median temperature is 62° F with a 43° average for January and 85° in July.
Florence is renowned for its annual tourism events, including W.C. Handy Music Festival in the summer and the Renaissance Faire in the fall. Florence is also home to many historical landmarks, including the Rosenbaum House, which is the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in the state.
As the fifth safest place to live in the nation, the Florence area is perfect for your new home, vacation or retirement. People love that it feels like the small town south but lives like a large city. Florence boasts a state-of-the-art conference center, a marina and harbor, a vibrant downtown, a technologically advanced public library, the beautiful Robert Trent Jones Golf Course, a four-star hotel, and the wonderfully restored Renaissance tower.
Florence History
The northwest Alabama area began to attract people in the 1800’s. The area was surveyed for the newly developed Cypress Land Company in 1818 by Italian surveyor Ferdinand Sannoner, who named it after Florence, the capital of Tuscany. Florence, Alabama was incorporated in 1826.
Florence has been home to many notorious people, including W.C. Handy, the “Father of the Blues,” as well as record producer Sam Philips, who discovered Elvis Presley. Dred Scott also resided in Florence, where as a slave, he worked as a hostler at the Peter Blow Inn.
Florence Parks and Recreation
 Florence is home to many recreational activities for their residents and visitors. Whether you’re looking for a day full of fishing, a game of tennis or golf, a walk along a scenic trail or an organized game of basketball or softball, Florence has got something for you!
Cox Creek Park
Cox Creek Park is home to a children’s playground, horseshoe pits, an indoor archery range, and twelve tennis courts. Recent additions have included the new Florence Skate Park, the only skateboard park in the city, and a new stadium for the University of North Alabama softball team. The Florence/Lauderdale Farmer’s Market is also located at the park.
Deibert Park
Deibert Park is the city’s newest park. A former horse farm belonging to the Deibert family, the park now includes a playground, picnic shelters, and three ponds. The network of walking trails is enjoyed by walkers, joggers, and bikers. The park is the site of the Children’s Museum of the Shoals.
Martin Park
Martin Park is the location for the city swimming facility, at the Royal Avenue Recreation Center. The park is also home to a playground, tennis courts, picnic shelters, and a three-quarter mile jogging trail.
McFarland Park
McFarland Park is also the location of the Florence Harbor and Marina. While serving as host to several events throughout the year, the park is also equipped with a playground, numerous picnic shelters, campgrounds, soccer fields, baseball fields, a golf driving range, and lighted walking trails. Situated along Pickwick Lake, the park is also used by fishermen, boaters, and swimmers.
Veterans Park
Veterans Park contains a memorial to the war veterans of Florence and Lauderdale County. Twenty-two campsites, six lighted tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, playgrounds, and picnic shelters are also found at the park. Veterans Park is also home to one of the oldest Disc Golf courses in the state. It was established in 1983.
Wildwood Park
Wildwood Park is located adjacent to the University of North Alabama along Cypress Creek. It is the most secluded and serene of the city parks. Picnic tables, nature trails, and bicycle trails can all be found here. The park is also used by swimmers, canoers, and fishermen.
 Wilson Park
Wilson Park is located in the heart of downtown, across from the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library. As the “Central Park” of Florence, its grounds are used for numerous festivals and events.
River Heritage Park
River Heritage Park is located at the base of the Renaissance Tower and adjacent to the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Conference Center. The park contains scenic overlooks of the Tennessee River and Wilson Dam. Also included are picnic shelters, a playground and an interactive fountain.
Singing Waters and Calling Woods
At Singing Waters Ride your mountain bike, take a scenic hike, laze away the day fishing and boating, toast marshmallows in your campfire. Stroll landscaped, paved walkways among the cypress, and soft elms, trees. Or head into the wilds where nature thrives untouched for centuries.
Shoals Creek Preserve
The Shoals Creek Preserve is three-hundred acres of woods, waterfalls, creeks, and bluffs just north of Florence. Challenge yourself over 4½ miles of rugged terrain and trails for horses, hiking and mountain bikes. This preserve’s natural beauty is unsurpassed.
Click here for the recreational sports & other activities in Florence
Florence Attractions
Florence is home to many great attractions for you and your family to enjoy! Come visit one of the area’s many museums of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Rosenbaum House. You definitely won’t want to miss out on these great attractions while visiting Florence!
 W.C. Handy Home, Museum and Library
W.C. Handy, the “Father of the Blues,” was born in a small log cabin in Florence on November 16, 1873. Handy became famous for his blues compositions such as “Memphis Blues” and “St. Louis Blues.” He was also a musician, band conductor, and author. The museum houses a collection of memorabilia, musical instruments, personal papers and original sheet music. Handy’s famous trumpet and his personal piano are just a few of the items on display.
Wilson Lock and Dam
Completed in the early 1920’s, Wilson Dam was once used as a power supply center for munitions plants in World War l. The completion of the dam allowed a once un-navigable stretch of the Tennessee River, “Muscle Shoals”, to become a major transportation resource for the Shoals Area. Later, Wilson Dam became the cornerstone of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Indian Mound and Museum
The Florence Indian Mound is the Tennessee Valley area’s largest domiciliary mound. It is typical workmanship of the Indians who lived in this area before the Cherokees, Chickasaws, and Creeks. Early settlers found steps on one side of the mound, and discovered that it had been enclosed by an earthen wall. The museum contains Native American artifacts dating back over 10,000 years arranged in chronological order.
Pope’s Tavern Museum
At one time a stagecoach stop, tavern, and inn, Pope’s Tavern is one of the oldest structures in Florence. It was used as a hospital for both Union and Confederate wounded during the Civil War. The museum houses artifacts and beautiful antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries, Civil War artifacts and items of local history.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House
This Rosenbaum House was designed and built in 1939, is the only structure in Alabama designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and is an example of his Usonian style.
The Children's Museum of the Shoals
The Children’s Museum of the Shoals, Inc. offers hands-on exhibits and programs geared specifically to the developmental stages and needs of children. The mission of the museum is to further classroom education and compliment existing cultural and educational resources.
Exhibits and activities encourage children to imagine, make choices and create. These exhibits enable children to discover different cultures, values and occupations, as well as to demystify science, technology and the arts.
Click here for the Florence AL event calendar
For information on local links and contact information, please visit my Florence Relocation Page
For information on local school information, please visit my Florence School Page
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