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Fruithurst, Alabama

Fruithurst is a town in Cleburne County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 235.

Geography
Fruithurst is located at 33°43'51.971" North, 85°25'54.332" West (33.731103, −85.431759).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.0 sqmi, all land.

History
Fruithurst once had a reputation for being a notorious speed trap along US Highway 78. Abuse of policing reached such an extent that in 1975 Alabama Attorney General Bill Baxley set up an office in the town, personally pledging to provide criminal defense to any person arrested or cited in the town. Additionally Reason magazine reported in May 2022 that, "...one case involved a woman arrested for traveling 58 in a 55-mph zone. She was also charged with transporting untaxed liquor—a half-empty miniature bottle of liqueur in her purse..." stating this was, "...both an abuse of law enforcement powers and a mockery of the very idea of legitimate traffic safety enforcement."

Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 270 people in 107 households, including 74 families, in the city. The population density was 264.8 PD/sqmi. There were 111 housing units at an average density of 108.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.63% White and 0.37% Black or African American. 0.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 107 households 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 28.0% of households were one person and 13.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.93.

The age distribution was 20.4% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.

The median household income was $27,813 and the median family income was $31,667. Males had a median income of $22,188 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,130. About 17.0% of families and 17.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under the age of eighteen and 2.6% of those sixty five or over.

title: Fruithurst, Alabama


text:
Heflin, Alabama

Heflin is a city and the county seat of Cleburne County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 3,431. It is located approximately halfway between Birmingham and Atlanta along Interstate 20.

History
Heflin was first settled in 1882 as a station on the railroad line from Atlanta. The town quickly grew and was incorporated in 1886. Until 1905, the County Seat of Cleburne County had been located at Edwardsville. In 1905, an election was held to move the county seat from Edwardsville to Heflin. The election results favored Heflin and were appealed to and upheld by the Alabama Supreme Court on July 1, 1906.

Geography
Heflin is located at 33°38'37.514" North, 85°34'57.724" West (33.643754, −85.582701).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.0 sqmi, of which 11.8 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi (1.50%) is water.

The city is located in the east central part of the state approximately 15 mi west of the Alabama-Georgia state line. Interstate 20 runs west to east through the southern part of the city. Access to the city can be found from exits 199 and 205. Via I-20, Birmingham is 76 mi (122 km) west, and Atlanta is 72 mi (116 km) east. U.S. Route 78 also runs through the city, along with two state routes (Alabama State Route 9 and Alabama State Route 46).

2020
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,431 people, 1,340 households, and 677 families residing in the city.

2010
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,480 people in 1,384 households, including 925 families, in the city. The population density was 216.9 PD/sqmi. There were 1,531 housing units at an average density of 93.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 87.3% White, 9.4% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. 2.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 1,384 households 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 29.3% of households were one person and 14.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.94.

The age distribution was 22.6% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% 65 or older. The median age was 40.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.

The median household income was $29,821, and the median family income was $37,050. Males had a median income of $41,932 versus $25,714 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,909. About 15.6% of families and 22.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.5% of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.

2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,002 people in 1,218 households, including 824 families, in the city. The population density was 254.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,330 housing units at an average density of 112.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 85.88% White, 11.83% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.77% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 1,218 households 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 29.1% of households were one person and 15.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.94.

The age distribution was 22.4% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.

The median household income was $28,398 and the median family income was $38,600. Males had a median income of $29,545 versus $20,676 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,452. About 11.9% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.0% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.

Entertainment
Heflin is home to the Hollis Speedway.

Education
Public education is provided in Heflin by the Cleburne County Board of Education. Public schools in Heflin include:
 * Cleburne County High School (grades 8 through 12)
 * Cleburne County Career Technical School (grades 9 through 12)
 * Cleburne County Middle School (grades 5 through 7)
 * Cleburne County Elementary School (grades K through 6)
 * Pleasant Grove Elementary School (grades K through 6)

Media

 * Radio stations
 * WKNG-FM 89.1 FM (Southern Gospel / Worship Music)
 * WPIL 91.7 FM (Southern Gospel / Classic Country/Bluegrass)

 * Newspaper
 * Cleburne News (weekly)

 * Television

 * WSB (ABC affiliate) Atlanta
 * WAGA (FOX affiliate) Atlanta
 * WBRC (FOX affiliate) Birmingham
 * WCIQ (PBS affiliate) Mt. Cheaha State Park
 * WXIA (NBC affiliate) Atlanta
 * WVTM (NBC affiliate) Birmingham
 * WGWW-DT2 (ABC affiliate) Anniston
 * WIAT (CBS affiliate) Birmingham
 * WANF (CBS affiliate) Atlanta

Notable people

 * Paul D. Adams, a Commanding General of the Third United States Army
 * Charlie Brown, former NFL and CFL player
 * John Merrill, Secretary of State of Alabama
 * Will Payne, producer, writer and director
 * Tyrone Prothro, former wide receiver for the University of Alabama
 * Todd Bates, former defensive lineman for University of Alabama, current defensive line coach for Clemson University.
 * Robert Rigsby Sr., former mayor of the city, funded most of the city's Christmas decorations and founded the Outdoor Jamboree.
 * Chad Robertson, member of the Alabama House of Representatives, resident of Helfin. Helfin is part of his constituency.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Heflin, Alabama


text:
Ranburne, Alabama

Ranburne is a town in Cleburne County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 422.

Geography
Ranburne is located near the southeast corner of Cleburne County at 33.52537°N, -85.34326°W.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.1 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 459 people, 186 households, and 137 families residing in the town. The population density was 289.9 PD/sqmi. There were 211 housing units at an average density of 133.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 100.00% White. 0.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 186 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.1% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,979, and the median income for a family was $40,250. Males had a median income of $29,167 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,708. About 5.6% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Chase Whitley, MLB Free Agent pitcher
 * Ben Buchanan, Currently signed to WWE where he performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Brooks Jensen.

title: Ranburne, Alabama


text:
Elba, Alabama

Elba is a city in and the county seat of Coffee County, Alabama, United States. It is the official seat, although there are two county courthouses, with the other one being located in the city of Enterprise. At the time of the 2010 U.S. census, Elba's population was 3,940. Elba is part of the Enterprise micropolitan statistical area.

History
The town which eventually became Elba originated near a ferry across the Pea River in the early 1830s. Originally called Bridgeville, a U.S. post office was established in the town by 1841. In 1851, a lottery to determine a new name for the town was held. One citizen had been reading a biography of Napoleon Bonaparte, and his suggestion of "Elba" as its name was the winner when it was drawn from a hat before any of the other suggestions. Elba became the county seat of Coffee County in 1852.

A logging railroad first reached Elba on March 20, 1892, with the first permanent rail line arriving in October 1898. The "Dorsey Trailer Company" was constructed at the end of this railroad line, and this company manufactured the highway trailers that served on railroads and highways starting with the piggyback railroad or containerized cargo boom of the second half of the 20th century. The new railroad line ended in West Elba, where the "New Town" industrial section of the town was located. The Seaboard System Railroad ceased all railroad service to Elba, including freight service, on November 27, 1984.

The Pea River is an essential component of the history of Elba. The river was originally called the Talakatchee River by the Creek Indians. (In the Creek language, talak means "pea", and hatchee means "small river".) The Pea River frequently flooded, causing great damage to the town. The Lincoln flood of 1865, named for the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in the same year, was the first to destroy the town. Another devastating flood occurred in 1929 when the river crested at a depth of 43.5 ft early on March 15. Airplanes were used to drop supplies to the completely inundated town. There was only one death from the flood, an African-American man named "Phoe" Larkins. A child born at the Elba Hotel during this flood was named "Noah Tucker" after the biblical character Noah. Vivian Harper received the Theodore N. Vail Silver Medal for her heroic actions during the flood.

A levee was built around the town in 1930. Flood gates were erected and drainage systems improved. Floods continued, however, with especially severe inundations in 1938, 1959 and 1975. The worst flood ever recorded in Elba occurred in 1990, with a river crest of 48 ft. The levee broke and Whitewater Creek overflowed into the town. Elba was completely flooded for four days, and the town was nearly destroyed. More floods struck Elba in 1994 and 1998.

Geography
Elba is located in western Coffee County at 31.41722°N, -86.0775°W (31.417263, -86.077442).

U.S. Route 84 runs from west to east as a northern bypass of the city, leading east 9 mi to New Brockton and southwest 16 mi to Opp. Many state highways run through the city as well, namely Alabama State Routes 87, 125, 189, and 203. AL-203 forms the western bypass of the city. AL-87 runs from south to north through the center of the city, leading north 30 mi to Troy and south 24 mi to Samson. AL-189 runs to the west of the city from south to north, leading northwest 16 mi to U.S. Route 331 near Brantley and southwest 17 mi to Kinston. AL-125 runs northeast from the city 13 mi to the community of Victoria.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.9 sqkm, of which 39.7 sqkm is land and 0.2 sqkm, or 0.52%, is water.

Elba is located beside the banks of the Pea River.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Elba has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,508 people, 1,427 households, and 917 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,940 people, 1,547 households, and 991 families residing in the city. The population density was 257 PD/sqmi. There were 1,772 housing units at an average density of 115 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 62.1% White, 34.3% Black or African American, 1.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. 1.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,547 households, out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.9% were married couples living together, 19.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,975, and the median income for a family was $32,065. Males had a median income of $31,652 versus $21,786 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,878. About 27.6% of families and 27.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.4% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public education is provided by the Elba City Public School District. There are two schools in the city:
 * Elba High School (grades 7 through 12)
 * Elba Elementary School (grades K through 6)

Media

 * Radio stations
 * WZTZ 101.1 FM (Sports)

Notable people

 * Robert D. Bullard, "Father of Environmental Justice"; Dean, School of Public Affairs, Texas Southern University
 * Alpheus Ellis, Florida Banker and Philanthropist
 * James E. "Big Jim" Folsom, only Coffee County native to become governor of Alabama
 * Troy King, Alabama Attorney General from 2004 to 2011
 * Ronald McKinnon, National Football League player
 * Cornelia Ellis Wallace, the second wife of Governor George C. Wallace, Jr., and the First Lady of Alabama from 1971 to 1978

title: Elba, Alabama


text:
Enterprise, Alabama

Enterprise is a city in the southeastern part of Coffee County and the southwestern part of Dale County in Southeastern Alabama, United States. Its population was 28,711 at the 2020 census. Enterprise is the primary city of the Enterprise micropolitan statistical area (with the portion of the city in Dale County part of the Ozark micropolitan statistical area). It was originally a part of Enterprise–Ozark micropolitan area before being split; for a longer while it was originally part of the Dothan-Enterprise-Ozark combined statistical area but is now its own separate primary statistical area in later censuses.

Enterprise is famous for the Boll Weevil Monument, a large monument of a woman holding a boll weevil, in the middle of Main Street. The city erected the statue because the destruction of the cotton crop by the boll weevil had led to agricultural diversity, starting with peanuts and more prosperity than had ever come from cotton alone. It is the only statue to an insect pest in the world. Enterprise is right outside the U.S. Army's Fort Novosel, the home of Army Aviation.

Enterprise is home to Enterprise State Community College.

Founding and the Boll Weevil Monument
The founder of Enterprise, John Henry Carmichael, first settled there in 1881. Carmichael opened a store, which attracted more settlers to the area, and by the next year, a post office was relocated from the settlement of Drake Eye to the north to Enterprise. In 1896, with 250 people having settled there, the city of Enterprise incorporated. Soon afterward, the Alabama Midland Railway came to Enterprise, bringing with it opportunities for commerce and growth. By 1906, its population had grown to 3,750.

Enterprise's way of life came under threat in 1915. An infestation of boll weevils found its way into the region's cotton crops, resulting in the destruction of most of the cotton in Coffee County. Facing economic ruin, the nearly bankrupt area farmers were forced to diversify, planting peanuts and other crops in an effort to lessen the damage and recoup some of their losses.

Two years later, Coffee County was the United States' leading producer of peanuts. Not only did Enterprise stave off disaster, but its economy was renewed by the thriving new crop base. In appreciation, the people of Enterprise erected a monument in the city center to what the monument calls their "herald of prosperity", the boll weevil. The Boll Weevil Monument was dedicated on December 11, 1919, as a reminder of how the city adjusted in the face of adversity. It is the only monument to an agricultural pest in the world.

March 2007 tornado
In the early afternoon of March 1, 2007, Enterprise was hit by a devastating tornado (rated EF4) during the February–March 2007 tornado outbreak. The tornado caused nine deaths, injured over 121 others, and left severe damage in the city estimated at nearly $307,000,000, the worst disaster in Enterprise history.

The worst damage occurred at Enterprise High School, where eight students died after a hallway was almost completely destroyed. The students were Michael Bowen (16), Andrew (AJ) Jackson (16), Ryan Mohler (16), Peter Dunn lll (16), Michael (Mikey) Tompkins (17), Jamie Vidensek (17), Michelle Wilson (16) and Kathryn Strunk (16); the remaining casualty was resident Edna Strickland. A quarter mile-wide swath through the downtown area was devastated, with at least 370 houses damaged or destroyed. The National Guard was called into the city; a dusk-to-dawn curfew was implemented immediately after the disaster. President Bush, who arrived the morning of March 3, declared the county a disaster area. An AmeriCorps team was sent to the city to help organize and participate in disaster relief.

The high school was to be relocated to the west end of Boll Weevil Circle. It was due to be rebuilt by the 2010–11 school year at a cost over $80,000,000. Until then, the students were required to go to school at the local community college, where trailers were used to add classrooms. The high school was rebuilt and reopened on August 23, 2010.

2020
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 28,711 people, 10,744 households, and 7,461 families residing in the city.

2010
As of the 2010 census, 26,562 people, 10,513 households, and 7,196 families resided in the city. The population density was 850 PD/sqmi. The 11,616 housing units averaged 371.1 per mi2 (143.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 69.4% White, 20.7% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 4.1% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 8.8% of the population.

Of the 10,513 households, 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were not families. About 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50, and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the age distribution was 25.4% under 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years or older. The median age was 34.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 99.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $48,042, and the median income for a family was $63,036. Males had a median income of $45,556 versus $31,588 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,185. About 13.9% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.7% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.

2000
As of the 2000 census, 21,178 people, 8,533 households, and 5,973 families were residing in the city. The population density was 684.2 PD/sqmi. The 9,641 housing units averaged 311.5 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 71.62% White, 22.95% African American, 0.48% Native American, 1.60% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 1.27% from other races, and 1.92% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3.88% of the population.

Of the 8,533 households, 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were not families. About 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city, the age distribution was 25.4% under 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,661, and for a family was $45,510. Males had a median income of $37,131 versus $20,560 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,493. About 10.4% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Enterprise is served by Enterprise City Schools. It is also home to Enterprise State Community College, formerly known as Enterprise State Junior College. A two-year college, the Enterprise campus is home to the Boll Weevils.

Point of interest
Murals were produced from 1934 to 1943 in the United States through the Section of Painting and Sculpture, later called the Section of Fine Arts, of the Treasury Department. Paul Theodore Arlt was an artist with the Section of Fine Arts and painted the post office mural, The Section, in the Enterprise post office in 1941. The post office was torn down in 1991, but Arlt's mural, Saturday in Enterprise was preserved and now hangs in the Enterprise Public Library.

Weevil Way is a community art project with a series of 30 boll weevil statues decorated or dressed to represent the local landmarks or businesses where they stand. One of these statues, specifically the statue named "Ronald McWeevil" located at a local McDonalds, ended up going viral online.

Media
A weekly newspaper, The Southeast Sun, had been published since 1982 but is no longer publishing. The Enterprise Ledger is published Tuesday–Friday and Sunday and has been in circulation since 1898.

Music
The song "Your Guardian Angel" by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is dedicated to the eight students who lost their lives when a tornado hit the high school. The twister claimed 9 lives and destroyed Enterprise High School. The song "Held In His Love" by The Springs (band) was written by Stewart Halcomb, a student inside Enterprise High School on March 1, 2007, and dedicated to the eight friends he lost that day.

BamaJam
Enterprise was home to the BamaJam Music Festival featuring multiple acts performing on different stages in three days. Attendance has reached as high as 100,000 each night. In 2008, headliners included Hank Williams, Jr., ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Trace Adkins, and in 2009, headliners included Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Charlie Daniels, Alan Jackson, Brooks and Dunn, The Black Crowes, and Kid Rock.

BamaJam 2011 was canceled, but the show returned to BamaJam Farms in June 2012 with Eric Church, Tim McGraw, Ronnie Milsap, Alan Jackson, the Zac Brown Band, Sheryl Crow, and Kid Rock.

Notable people

 * Kendrick Adams, NFL outside linebacker
 * T. J. Barnes, NFL player
 * Katie Britt, United States Senator
 * Ethel Cain, American singer-songwriter
 * Curly Chalker, country and jazz pedal steel guitarist
 * Clint Crisher, R&B singer
 * Juli Crockett, retired professional boxer, playwright, and theater director
 * Brendan Donovan, Baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals
 * Jimmy DuBose, former NFL player
 * Terry Everett, former representative from Alabama's 2nd congressional district
 * Mark Fuller, federal judge for U. S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
 * Kenneth A. Gibson, former mayor of Newark, New Jersey
 * Stewart Halcomb of The Springs (band)
 * David Howard, former NFL linebacker
 * April Hunter, professional wrestler and model
 * Jamey Johnson, country music artist born in Enterprise
 * Marcus Jones, college football player for the Houston Cougars, 2021 Paul Hornung Award winner
 * Jimmy McClain, NFL player
 * Michael McDowell, screenwriter and author of several Southern Gothic novels
 * Ben Paschal, reserve outfielder for the 1927 Yankees
 * Thomas Virgil Pittman, former federal judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama
 * Cedric Smith, former NFL running back
 * Aud Tuten, former NHL player with the Chicago Black Hawks (1941–43)
 * Mark Wilkerson, lead singer of Course of Nature and husband of Melissa Joan Hart

Geography
Enterprise is located at 31° 19′ 39″ N, 85° 50′ 40″ W (31.3275 N, -85.844444 W).

Major highways that run through the city include U.S. Route 84 and Alabama State Routes 27, 134, and 167. US 84 runs through the northern part of the city along Boll Weevil Circle, leading northwest 16 mi to Elba, the Coffee County seat, and east 9 mi to Daleville. SR 167 runs north to south on the eastern side of the city on Boll Weevil Circle, leading north 26 mi to SR 87 south of Troy and southeast 18 mi to Hartford. SR 134 runs west 26 mi to Opp.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Enterprise has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The temperatures are moderated by its proximity to the Gulf Coast, and is part of the Wiregrass Region of Southern Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. The temperatures are usually not dissimilar from the Florida panhandle area.

It is located in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8B with an average minimum temperature of 15 to 20 (F). As a result of its mild to warm climate, palm trees such as Butia capitata, Sabal palmetto, Phoenix canariensis, Cycas revoluta, and Trachycarpus fortunei are widely grown throughout the city. Hurricanes and Tornadoes are common here as occasionally hurricanes can reach as far inland as Enterprise and tornadoes also can exist in Enterprise. Hurricane Eloise (1975) and Hurricane Opal (1995) caused extensive damage to the city.

title: Enterprise, Alabama


text:
Kinston, Alabama

Kinston is a town in Coffee County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 580. It is part of the Enterprise Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
On March 10, 2009, in the Alabama towns of Kinston, Samson and Geneva, Michael McLendon went on a shooting rampage, killing ten people and wounding six more before committing suicide.

Geography
Kinston is located in the southwest corner of Coffee County at 31.22056°N, -86.17083°W (31.220503, -86.170782).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 12.7 km2, of which 0.06 km2, or 0.49%, is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 602 people, 257 households, and 168 families residing in the town. The population density was 123.4 PD/sqmi. There were 309 housing units at an average density of 63.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 93.52% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 1.16% Native American, 0.17% Asian, and 4.98% from two or more races. 0.33% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 257 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $30,875, and the median income for a family was $36,250. Males had a median income of $24,750 versus $16,838 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,738. About 10.1% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 22.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Kinston is home to Kinston High School, whose mascot is the Bulldogs. In 1966 and 1968 the Bulldogs won the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class A state basketball tournament. They won the state title again in 1981.

Notable people

 * Dean Daughtry, keyboard player
 * The Dancing Ghost of Grancer Harrison, legendary spirit featured in the book 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey
 * Brandon Martin, Race Car Driver and Rights Activist

title: Kinston, Alabama


text:
New Brockton, Alabama

New Brockton is a town in Coffee County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 1,428. The community was named for Huey E. Brock, a settler who came to the region in 1871.

New Brockton is part of the Enterprise Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
New Brockton is located east of the center of Coffee County at 31.38111°N, -85.92444°W (31.381138, -85.924339). The city of Enterprise is directly to the southeast.

U.S. Route 84 passes through the southern part of the town as a bypass, leading southeast 7 mi to Enterprise and west 9 mi to Elba, the county seat of Coffee County. Alabama State Route 122 runs through the center of town, leading northeast 3 mi to Alabama State Route 51 north of Enterprise.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, New Brockton has a total area of 20.7 km2, of which 0.04 km2, or 0.17%, is water.

2010
At the 2010 census there were 1,146 people, 469 households, and 327 families living in the town. The population density was 143 PD/sqmi. There were 561 housing units at an average density of 70.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 70.1% White, 21.0% Black or African American, 5.5% Native American, 0.2% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. 2.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 469 households 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 27.7% of households were one person and 10.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% 65 or older. The median age was 38.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median household income was $33,125 and the median family income was $38,300. Males had a median income of $36,500 versus $18,594 for females.

2000
At the 2000 census there were 1,250 people, 465 households, and 336 families living in the town. The population density was 156.5 PD/sqmi. There were 555 housing units at an average density of 69.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 67.36% White, 26.64% Black or African American, 2.80% Native American, 0.24% from other races, and 2.96% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 465 households 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 26.0% of households were one person and 14.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.

The age distribution was 22.0% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.1 males.

The median household income was $24,032 and the median family income was $26,914. Males had a median income of $26,711 versus $20,417 for females.

Notable people

 * John W. Brock, United States Navy officer who received the Navy Cross posthumously for his actions in combat during World War II
 * Jan Crouch, co-founder of Trinity Broadcasting Network
 * Don Helms, pedal steel guitar player in Hank Williams' Drifting Cowboys
 * Chester Higgins, Jr., photographer for The New York Times
 * Wayne Mixson, 39th Governor of Florida
 * Abdul Salaam, former defensive tackle for the New York Jets

title: New Brockton, Alabama


text:
Cherokee, Alabama

Cherokee is a town in west Colbert County, Alabama, United States. Located near the Tennessee River, it is part of the Florence–Muscle Shoals metropolitan area, known as "The Shoals". As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 1,048.

History
Cherokee was incorporated December 7, 1871. While located along the Tennessee River, the town was started as a stop along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad during the late 1850s and early 1860s.

Geography
Cherokee is situated along U.S. Route 72 west of Muscle Shoals and a few miles east of the Alabama-Mississippi state line. The Tennessee River passes to the northeast. Via US-72, Tuscumbia, the county seat of Colbert County, is 18 mi (29 km) east, and Iuka, Mississippi is 14 mi (23 km) northwest.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Cherokee has a total area of 5.7 km2, all land.

Climate

 * Annual Precipitation 60.6 inches

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,237 people, 510 households, and 370 families residing in the town. The population density was 552.5 PD/sqmi. There were 557 housing units at an average density of 248.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 78.33% White, 20.21% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, and 1.13% from two or more races. 0.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 510 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $24,597, and the median income for a family was $28,839. Males had a median income of $26,667 versus $20,096 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,431. About 18.6% of families and 22.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.7% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,048 people, 452 households, and 315 families residing in the town. The population density was 473 PD/sqmi. There were 529 housing units at an average density of 240.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 77.6% White, 18.3% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, and 2.3% from two or more races. 1.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 452 households, out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.3% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $36,875, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $37,581 versus $23,421 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,038. About 20.5% of families and 20.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.1% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 970 people, 364 households, and 242 families residing in the town.

Education
Schools in Cherokee are part of the Colbert County School System and serve rural western Colbert County. Cherokee Elementary School and Cherokee High School are located on the northern side of town along North Pike. The land for this complex, including the football field, was donated by the Harris family of Cherokee.

The population in western Colbert County has declined in recent years. Cherokee Middle School closed after the 2006 / 2007 year and was consolidated into Cherokee Elementary and Cherokee High Schools. The site was once home to one of the original Rosenwald Schools. The former middle school is now empty, while it is still owned by the Colbert County Board of Education.

U.S. Highway 72
US Highway 72 is the major corridor through Cherokee. This important highway followed the railroad and was once known as the Memphis Pike. U.S. Highway 72 is still part of the Lee Highway.

Natchez Trace Parkway
The Natchez Trace Parkway passes north and west of Cherokee and is part of the National Park Service. This highway provides a vital source of tourism for the area.

Rail
The Memphis and Charleston Railroad was vital to the founding of present-day Cherokee. Once a vital passenger carrier for the area, the railroad is an important artery for the Norfolk Southern Railway system, connecting Chattanooga and Memphis. The railroad has a spur to Cherokee Nitrogen to transport ammonia and ammonium nitrate manufactured by the facility.

River
The Tennessee River was a critical transportation corridor for the South during the American Civil War. The river provides recreation, continues to transport goods, and is an important factor in industrial activity in the area.

Air
Northwest Alabama Regional Airport is located 23 mi east of Cherokee. It is served by Delta Connection - Mesaba Airlines, providing public transportation to Atlanta.

Barton Riverfront Industrial Park
The Barton Riverfront Industrial Park is located in the Barton community east of Cherokee near the Tennessee River. The park was constructed to attract industry to western Colbert County and has become an important economical revitalization to the area. The first company to locate in the park was SCA Tissue North America which started operation in 2004.

Cherokee Nitrogen
Cherokee Nitrogen, owned by LSB Industries, is located on the north side of town. It was built in 1962 by Armour Agri-Chemicals and has been owned by USS Agri-Chemicals (a division of United States Steel) and LaRoche Industries before being bought by LSB Industries. Cherokee Nitrogen provides nitrogen products, ammonia, and ammonia nitrate.

Nelson Brothers is located adjacent to the facility. Nelson Brothers uses the ammonia nitrate in the production of dynamite.

Linde sells Carbon Dioxide produced as a byproduct of the process at Cherokee Nitrogen.

On the night of November 13, 2012, Cherokee Nitrogen was the scene of a devastating explosion heard 45 mi away that left at least one employee injured. It was felt all across the "Shoals".

SCA Tissue North America
SCA Tissue North America, a division of Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget, was the first tenant of the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park located east of town in the Barton community. As of 2010 it has undergone several expansions and is Cherokee's largest employer.

Vulcan Materials
Vulcan Materials' Cherokee Facility has been located on the east edge of town for many years. Crushed limestone from this quarry is used throughout Alabama and Mississippi.

UCM Magnesia
UCM Magnesia was an industry located in the Barton area. Originally Muscle Shoals ElectroChemical Corp, it was also owned by Glasrock and later Muscle Shoals Minerals. This facility was an important supplier of high quality magnesia powder. It closed in late 2012.

National Alabama
In July 2007 National Steel Car announced a decision to locate a new manufacturing facility in the industrial park, the largest new employer in Colbert County in the prior 40 years. The CEO, Gregory Aziz, was caught up in a legal case over securities fraud related to the facility and the facility was turned over to Retirement Systems of Alabama.

The facility has become an independent entity of its former parent and is now named National Alabama Corporation. Retirement Systems of Alabama is the primary shareholder.

National Alabama is designed to provide steel railcars and was expected to be the largest employer in the area. In 2010 the depressed economy was blamed for delayed full production at the facility and the company said it was looking for alternative products to produce.

Navistar and FreightCar America facilities are now unoccupied.

Navistar
As of 2022, the facility is no longer in operation and sits unoccupied.

As of 2011 Navistar is the primary lease holder at the National Alabama facility which is currently owned by the Retirement Systems of Alabama. Navistar fabricates parts for railcars produced by Freightcar America. Together the two companies are the largest employer in the area.

FreightCar America (FCA)
FreightCar America is the sub lease holder at the National Alabama Facility, which is currently owned by the Retirement Systems of Alabama. FreightCar America produces railcars. However, the facility is now unoccupied as the company moved production to Mexico.

Natchez Trace Parkway
The Natchez Trace Parkway is one of the most significant historical attractions in the area. The section of the Natchez Trace near Cherokee includes the Colbert Ferry site, the home of George Colbert and of Levi Colbert. The Colbert family were leaders of the Chickasaw Nation that resided in this area before they were forcibly relocated in the 19th century.

Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard
Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard is one of the world's most unusual cemeteries; it is dedicated to the burial of coon dogs. Each Labor Day a large celebration is held at the graveyard and is attended by many politicians seeking office.

Stanfield-Worley Bluff Shelter
Stanfield-Worley Bluff Shelter, located near Cherokee, is a significant find of early human life in North America.

Barton Hall
Barton Hall is located southwest of town and was a significant plantation prior to and during the Civil War. The residence is on the National Register of Historic Places but is privately owned and not open to the public.

Bear Creek Watershed
Buzzard Roost and Bear Creek, located west of Cherokee, provide excellent locations for fishing and water sports. One of the state's oldest wooden covered bridges once crossed Buzzard Roost but was burned in 1972.

Riverton Rose Trail
Riverton Rose Trail winds along Bear Creek from U.S. 72 to Riverton, Alabama. Before the Tennessee Valley Authority closed the gates on Pickwick Dam this town was an important transportation location on the Tennessee River as it marked the beginning of the treacherous shoals that hampered transportation in the Shoals Area until the opening of Riverton Lock in 1911. Today most of the town is flooded by the waters of Pickwick Lake on the Tennessee River.

Colbert Ferry
Colbert Ferry is located by the Tennessee River on the Natchez Trace Parkway. It was the home of George Colbert who ran a ferry to carry passengers traveling the Natchez Trace across the Tennessee River.

Notable people

 * Dominique Croom, NFL wide receiver
 * Bobby E. Denton, member of the Alabama Senate, representing the 1st District since 1978

title: Cherokee, Alabama


text:
Leighton, Alabama

Leighton is a town in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Florence - Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Statistical Area known as "The Shoals". At the 2020 census, the population was 665. Leighton has been hit by several tornadoes in the 2000s, including a damaging EF2 on May 8, 2008, that was caught on tape flipping over many cars and damaging buildings.

History
The first settlers in what is now Leighton arrived in the early 1810s. The community was initially known as "Crossroads" for its location at the intersection of two early stage coach roads. The name was later changed to "Leighton" for town's first postmaster, the Reverend William Leigh. The town developed as a cotton shipping center in the 1830s after the Tuscumbia, Courtland and Decatur Railroad constructed a railroad line through the area. Leighton incorporated in 1890.

Leighton originally straddled the county line of Franklin and Lawrence Counties. When Colbert County was carved off in 1867, the town still remained divided between the new county and Lawrence. On the 1880 U.S. Census, it reported having 196 residents on the Colbert County side and 83 on the Lawrence County side. After the 1890 Census, Colbert County's eastern border was expanded eastward several miles to Town Creek, placing Leighton wholly within Colbert.

In 1909, an African-American man named Sam Davenport was lynched by a mob of some two dozen men in Leighton. Davenport was suspected of burning a white man's barn.

Geography
Leighton is located in eastern Colbert County at 34.69972°N, -87.53083°W (34.699642, -87.530699). The town is concentrated around the intersection of County Line Road (signed as Main Street within town limits) and County Road 22 ("Old Highway 20"), southeast of Muscle Shoals. U.S. Route 72 passes just to the south, and the Tennessee River lies a few miles to the north.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.6 km2, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 665 people, 368 households, and 200 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 849 people, 360 households, and 235 families residing in the town. The population density was 857.8 PD/sqmi. There were 414 housing units at an average density of 418.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 44.41% White, 55.12% Black or African American and 0.47% Native American. 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 360 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples living together, 23.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 75.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,500, and the median income for a family was $28,036. Males had a median income of $27,625 versus $18,393 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,680. About 22.7% of families and 26.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.5% of those under age 18 and 25.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Leighton is served by three schools in the Colbert County School System:
 * Hatton Elementary (K-6)
 * Leighton Elementary (K-6)
 * Colbert County High School (7-12)

Employment
According to 2010 Census estimates, the work force in Leighton was divided among the following industrial categories:

 * Arts, entertainment, recreation, and accommodation and food services (20.3 percent)
 * Retail trade (18.5 percent)
 * Manufacturing (15.8 percent)
 * Educational services, and health care and social assistance (15.3 percent)
 * Construction (13.5 percent)
 * Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and extractive (5.4 percent)
 * Other services, except public administration (5.0 percent)
 * Public administration (5.0 percent)
 * Professional, scientific, management, and administrative and waste management services (1.4 percent)

Notable people

 * Lefty Bates, Chicago Blues guitarist
 * Leon Douglas, former NBA player
 * Francine Hughes, domestic abuse survivor and subject of the book and film The Burning Bed
 * Jimmy Hughes, former rhythm and blues singer
 * Thomas Minott Peters, lawyer and botanist
 * Percy Sledge, soul musician

Gallery
Below are photographs taken in Leighton as part of the Historic American Buildings Survey:

title: Leighton, Alabama


text:
Littleville, Alabama

Littleville is a town located on the southern border of Colbert County, Alabama, United States, and extends into Franklin County. It is part of the Florence - Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Statistical Area known as "The Shoals". As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 1,011.

History
The town was named for Captain Little, who kept a store there.

Geography
Littleville is located in southern Colbert County at 34.59083°N, -87.67556°W (34.590933, -87.675599). a small portion of the town extends into Franklin County to the south.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 13.0 km2, of which 12.9 km2 is land and 0.1 km2, or 0.90%, is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,038 people, 364 households, and 287 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 978 people, 395 households, and 297 families residing in the town. The population density was 193.8 PD/sqmi. There were 432 housing units at an average density of 85.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.57% White, 0.51% Native American, and 0.92% from two or more races. 0.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 395 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.1% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,583, and the median income for a family was $35,913. Males had a median income of $31,852 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,372. About 11.1% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.2% of those under age 18 and 16.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Littleville, Alabama


text:
Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Muscle Shoals is the largest city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. It is located on the left bank of the Tennessee River in the northern part of the state and, as of the 2010 census, its population was 13,146. The estimated population in 2019 was 14,575.

Both the city and the Florence-Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Area (including four cities in Colbert and Lauderdale counties) are commonly called "The Shoals". Northwest Alabama Regional Airport serves the Shoals region, located in the northwest section of the state in Muscle Shoals.

Due to its strategic location along the Tennessee River, Muscle Shoals had long been territory of Native American tribes. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as Europeans entered the area in greater number, it became a center of historic land disputes. The new state of Georgia had ambitions to anchor its western claims (to the Mississippi River) by encouraging development here, but that project did not succeed.

Under President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration during the Great Depression, the Tennessee Valley Authority was established to create infrastructure and jobs, resulting in electrification of a large rural area along the river. The Ford Motor Company did build and operate a plant for many years in the Listerhill community, three miles east of Muscle Shoals; it closed in 1982 as part of industrial restructuring when jobs moved out of the country.

Since the 1960s, the city has been known for music. Local studios and artists developed the "Muscle Shoals Sound", including FAME Studios in the late 1950s and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in 1969.

Etymology
There are several explanations as to how the city got its name. One is that it was named for a former natural feature of the Tennessee River, a shallow zone where mussels were gathered, and settlers named as Muscle Shoals. When the area was first settled, the distinct spelling of "mussel" to refer to the shellfish had not yet been locally adopted. Cherokee people knew of this place as ᏓᎫᎾᏱ, "the place of clams or mussels".

History
Like other areas along waterways, this was important to indigenous peoples for The area of Muscle Shoals was a part of the historic Cherokee hunting grounds dating to at least the early eighteenth century, if not earlier. Many Cherokee fought against the rebels during the late American Revolutionary War, hoping to expel them from their territories.

After the Revolution, Cherokee attitudes toward the new U.S. republic were divided, as settlers increasingly encroached on their territory. An anti-American faction, dubbed the Chickamauga, separated from more conciliatory Cherokees, and moved into present-day south-central and southeastern Tennessee. Most of this band settled along the Chickamauga Creek, from which their name was derived. They claimed Muscle Shoals as part of their domain. When Anglo-Americans attempted to settle the region in the 1780s and 1790s, the Chickamaugas bitterly resisted them.

The Upper Creek, residing in what is now north and central Alabama, also resented any European or Euro-American presence in the region. A major incident occurred in 1790, when U.S. President George Washington sent an expedition under Major John Doughty in an attempt to establish a fort and trading post at Muscle Shoals. This expedition was nearly annihilated by a Chickamauga and Creek party sent to destroy it, and the administration abandoned the project. Meanwhile, Francisco Luis Hector de Carondelet, governor of the Spanish Louisiana, was in conversations with the Indian confederation to establish a fort in 1792.

Anglo-American settlers in Tennessee continued to agitate for control of this region. The site was particularly desirable, as it controlled access to fine cotton-producing land immediately to its south. In 1797, John Sevier, the first governor of Tennessee, complained to Andrew Jackson that "The prevention of a settlement at or near the Muscle Shoals is a manifest injury done the whole western country." At Sevier's behest, Jackson attempted to persuade Congress and President John Adams to fund a new expedition to take control of the site, but to no avail.

U.S. officials finally took control of the region in the wake of the U.S. invasion of Creek country during the War of 1812. Jackson and General John Coffee obtained cession of the land from both the Cherokee and Creek (who had continued to dispute possession) by treaty, without permission from the federal government. Secretary of War William H. Crawford refused to recognize the cession, and reconfirmed Cherokee ownership, leading to personal enmity between him and Jackson. The political struggle over the lands was eventually won by Jackson and his backers, who gained passage in Congress of the Indian Removal Act in 1830. When Jackson, as president, implemented the policy of Indian Removal, Muscle Shoals was used as a site from which to exile the Upper Creek to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma).

During World War I President Wilson authorized a dam on the Tennessee River just downstream of Muscle Shoals to help power nitrate plants for munitions. The first plant started producing nitrates two weeks after the armistice, but the dam was not completed until 1924.

Meanwhile, in 1922 Henry Ford tried to buy the nitrate works and the unfinished dam. The Michigan car manufacturer and industrialist proposed leasing the uncompleted hydro-electric dam at Muscle Shoals on the Tennessee River in Alabama. The US War Department had begun the project during World War I, and engineers estimated a cost of $40 million to complete. At this time, public projects were financed either through raising taxes—which, Congress was unwilling to do at the time- or by issuing bonds. For the Muscle Shoals project, the proposal was for 30-year bonds at 4% interest.

Ford and his friend and fellow inventor Thomas Edison balked at the idea that the US government should have to pay $48 million in interest on top of the $40 million they would have to pay back—all for a project that would benefit the public (the argument being that the hydro-electric dam and accompanying fertilizer plants would create jobs and revitalize the area). Responding to the bond issue, Edison remarked: "Any time we wish to add to the national wealth, we are compelled to add to the national debt." Edison and Ford hoped that a new monetary system could be created where dollar bills were issued directly to workers and manufacturer, with the money being backed by the goods they produced rather than the gold and silver held in bank vaults. Congress eventually rejected Ford's idea.

The project of area development based on hydroelectric power languished until the Great Depression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration created the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1933 to construct needed infrastructure and install an electrical system in the rural area, using newly generated electricity from the dam complex.

Music
Residents in Muscle Shoals created two studios that have recorded many hit songs since the 1960s. These are FAME Studios, founded by Rick Hall, where Arthur Alexander, Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding and numerous others recorded; and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, founded by the musicians known as The Swampers. They worked with Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Rod Stewart, the Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers, and others.

In addition to the city being home to country music band Shenandoah, it has been a destination of numerous artists to write and record. Both FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio are still in operation in the city. They recorded such recent hit songs such as "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood and "I Loved Her First" by Heartland, continuing the city's musical legacy. George Michael recorded an early, unreleased version of "Careless Whisper" with Jerry Wexler in Muscle Shoals in 1983. Bettye LaVette recorded her Grammy nominated album "Scene of the Crime" at FAME in 1972.

The original Muscle Shoals Sound Studios were located at 3614 Jackson Highway in Sheffield but that site was closed in 1979 when the studio relocated to 1000 Alabama Avenue in Sheffield. The studio in the Alabama Avenue building closed in 2005; it houses a movie production company, which also hosts tours and concerts at the venue.

Muscle Shoals encouraged the cross-pollination of musical styles: black artists from the area, such as Arthur Alexander and James Carr, used white country music styles in their work, and white artists from the Shoals frequently borrowed from the blues/gospel influences of their black contemporaries, creating a distinct sound.

Sam Phillips, founder of Sun Records, was born in and lived in the area. He stated that the Muscle Shoals radio station WLAY (AM), which played both "white" and "black" music, and where he worked as a disc jockey in the 1940s, influenced his merging of these sounds at Sun Records with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash.

Rolling Stone editor David Fricke wrote that if one wanted to play a single recording that would "epitomize and encapsulate the famed Muscle Shoals Sound", that record would be "I'll Take You There" by The Staple Singers in 1972. After hearing that song, American songwriter Paul Simon phoned his manager and asked him to arrange a recording session with the musicians who had performed it. Simon was surprised to learn that he would have to travel to Muscle Shoals to work with the artists. After arriving in the small town, he was introduced to the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section ("The Swampers") who had recorded this song with Mavis Staples. Expecting black musicians (the original Rhythm Section consisted only of white musicians), and assuming that he had been introduced to the office staff, Simon politely asked to "meet the band". Once things were sorted out, Simon recorded a number of tracks with the Muscle Shoals band, including "Kodachrome" and "Loves Me Like a Rock".

When Bob Dylan began to plan the recording of an album that would feature his new-found faith in Christ, he recruited veteran R&B producer Jerry Wexler and they agreed to use the Muscle Shoals studio. Wexler remembered: "Dylan came to me because he wanted the sonority he'd heard in Aretha and Otis as opposed to those out-of-time, see-you-down-the-line, thirteen-and-a-half-measure, out-of-time phrases." With Wexler, Dylan recorded two albums of contemporary gospel music, Slow Train Coming (1979) and Saved (1980).

In the early 21st century, Florence native Patterson Hood, son of "Swamper" David Hood, found fame as a member of the alternative rock group Drive-By Truckers. Siblings and Muscle Shoals natives Angela Hacker (winner) and Zac Hacker (second place) were the top two finishing finalists on the 2007 season of Nashville Star, a country-music singing competition. In 2008, State Line Mob, a Southern rock duo group formed by singer and songwriters Phillip Crunk (Florence native) and Dana Crunk (Rogersville native), released their first CD, Ruckus, and won two Muscle Shoals Music Awards for 2008 for (Best New Artist) and Best New Country Album) of the year. Band of Horses recorded a portion of their album Infinite Arms at Muscle Shoals. Artists signed to the FAME label in 2017 include Holli Mosley, Dylan LeBlanc, Jason Isbell, Angela Hacker, Gary Nichols, and James LeBlanc.

Although Muscle Shoals is no longer the "Hit Recording Capital of the World" (as it was in the 1960s and 1970s), the music continues. Groups and artists include Drive-By Truckers, The Civil Wars, Dylan LeBlanc, Gary Nichols, Jason Isbell, State Line Mob, Eric "Red Mouth" Gebhardt, Fiddleworms, and BoomBox.

A number of rock, R&B and country music celebrities have homes in the area surrounding Muscle Shoals (Tuscumbia), or riverside estates along the Tennessee River. They may be seen performing in area nightclubs, typically rehearsing new material.

Sister city Florence, Alabama, is frequently referred to as "the birthplace of the Blues". W. C. Handy was born in Florence and is generally regarded as the "Father of the Blues". Every year since 1982, the W. C. Handy Music Festival is held in the Florence/Sheffield/Muscle Shoals area, featuring blues, jazz, country, gospel, rock music and R&B. The roster of jazz musicians known as the "Festival All-Stars", or as the W. C. Handy Jazz All-Stars, includes musicians from all over the United States, such as guitarist Mundell Lowe, drummer Bill Goodwin, pianist/vocalist Johnny O'Neal, vibraphone player Chuck Redd, pianist/vocalist Ray Reach, and flutist Holly Hofmann.

On January 6, 2010, Muscle Shoals was added to the Mississippi Blues Trail.

After FAME studio founder Rick Hall died in early 2018, The New Yorker concluded its retrospective with this comment: "Muscle Shoals remains remarkable not just for the music made there but for its unlikeliness as an epicenter of anything; that a tiny town in a quiet corner of Alabama became a hotbed of progressive, integrated rhythm and blues still feels inexplicable. Whatever Hall conjured there—whatever he dreamt, and made real—is essential to any recounting of American ingenuity. It is a testament to a certain kind of hope." Al.com commented that Hall is survived by his family "and a Muscle Shoals music legacy like no other". An editorial in the Anniston Star concludes with this epitaph, "If the world wants to know about Alabama – a state seldom publicized for anything but college football and embarrassing politics – the late Rick Hall and his legacy are worthy models to uphold".

3614 Jackson Highway Studio
The original location of Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Sheffield has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since June 2006. From the early 2000s to 2013, it had been partly restored and open for tours. In 2013, the documentary Muscle Shoals raised public interest in a major restoration of the original studio. In the same year, the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation was formed to raise funds to purchase the building and to complete major renovations. In June 2013, the owner of the property since 1999 sold it without the historic recording equipment to the Foundation.

A grant from Beats Electronics, a manufacturer of headphones owned by Apple Inc., and founded by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, provided an essential $1 million. The state tourism director said in 2015 that the 2013 film Muscle Shoals had been a significant influence. "The financial support from Beats is a direct result of their film." Additional donations were made by other groups and individuals.

, tours were visiting the partly-restored studio on Jackson Highway. It was closed when major restoration work started in September 2015. Muscle Shoals Sound Studio reopened as a finished tourist attraction on January 9, 2017. Owned and operated by the foundation, the interior is reminiscent of the 1970s, with relevant recording equipment and paraphernalia. There are plans for future recording projects.

Even before the Jackson Highway studio reopened, The Alabama Tourism Department named Muscle Shoals Sound Studio as the state's top attraction in 2017.

The Swampers
The members of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section were Pete Carr (lead guitar), Jimmy Johnson (rhythm guitar), Roger Hawkins (drums), David Hood (bass guitar) and Barry Beckett (keyboards).

Affectionately called The Swampers, the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section was a local group of first-call studio musicians (initially working at FAME and then at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios) who were available for back-up. They were given the nickname The Swampers by music producer Denny Cordell during the Leon Russell sessions because of their "funky, soulful Southern 'swamp' sound".

A verse of the Lynyrd Skynyrd song "Sweet Home Alabama" contains references to the Swampers and their native town, Muscle Shoals: "Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers / And they've been known to pick a song or two."

Geography
Muscle Shoals is located on the south bank of the Tennessee River at.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 40.3 km2, of which 0.05 sqkm, or 0.13%, is water. The local hardiness zone is 7b. Interactive Map | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,275 people, 5,371 households, and 3,738 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 13,146 people, 5,321 households, and 3,769 families residing in the city. The population density was 845.4 PD/sqmi. There were 5,653 housing units at an average density of 363.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 80.6% White, 15.3% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.6% Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.7% of the population.

There were 5,321 households, out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $48,134, and the median income for a family was $60,875. Males had a median income of $41,061 versus $37,576 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,237. About 8.3% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.9% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,924 people, 4,710 households and 3,452 families residing in the city. The population density was 979.7 PD/sqmi. There were 5,010 housing units at an average density of 411.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 83.88% White, 14.16% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population.

There were 4,710 households, out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,210, and the median income for a family was $48,113. Males had a median income of $38,063 versus $21,933 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,113. About 5.4% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

Schools
The Muscle Shoals City School District is currently led by Superintendent Dr. Chad Holden. There are seven schools in the district:
 * Muscle Shoals High School
 * Muscle Shoals Career Academy
 * Muscle Shoals Middle School
 * McBride Elementary School
 * Highland Park Elementary School
 * Webster Elementary School
 * Howell Graves Preschool

Transportation
The city is served by Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, which is one mile east from the town and is served by one commercial airline.

The Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (NACOLG) provides demand-response transit services through NACOLG Transit within the Shoals Area.

Representation in other media

 * Muscle Shoals is where The Black Keys filmed their music video for the song "Lonely Boy" (2011). It was recorded outside a motel, and stars a local security guard from the city named Derrick T. Tuggle, who is dancing and lip-syncing the song.
 * Muscle Shoals (2013) is an American documentary film about FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in this city. Directed by Greg 'Freddy' Camalier, the film was released by Magnolia Pictures.

Notable people

 * Jason Allen, former University of Tennessee and former NFL player
 * Gary Baker, country music singer-songwriter
 * Boyd Bennett, rockabilly singer
 * Levi Colbert, Chickasaw Bench Chief
 * Rece Davis, ESPN commentator (QB for the Trojans' football squad)
 * Alecia Elliott, country music singer
 * Donna Godchaux, singer for the Grateful Dead from 1972 to 1979
 * Dennis Homan, Alabama All-America wide receiver and Dallas Cowboys' player
 * Patterson Hood, singer-songwriter, co-founder of the Drive-By Truckers
 * Ozzie Newsome, American football player, former general manager & executive VP for the Baltimore Ravens
 * Gary Nichols, country music singer
 * Michael "Nick" Nichols, photographer
 * Leigh Tiffin, American football placekicker
 * Chris Tompkins, songwriter
 * Steve Trash, magician
 * Kim Tribble, country music songwriter
 * Rachel Wammack, country music singer-songwriter
 * John Wyker, musician

title: Muscle Shoals, Alabama


text:
Sheffield, Alabama

Sheffield is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Florence-Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 9,403. Sheffield is the birthplace of "country-soul pioneer" and songwriter Arthur Alexander, French horn player Willie Ruff, notable attorney, actor, former senator and presidential contender Fred Thompson, Watergate committee U.S. Senator Howell Heflin and U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, whose father was working in nearby Athens when he was born. It sometimes is referred to as "the City of Senators" due to the births of Heflin, McConnell and Thompson within its borders. Col. Harland Sanders worked for Southern Railway in Sheffield in 1907. It is also home to the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio where many popular 20th century musicians recorded their work, including Alexander and Ruff. It is the site of historic Helen Keller Hospital, formerly known as Colbert County Hospital, originally constructed in 1921. It was changed to Helen Keller Hospital in 1979, and Keller's birthplace Ivy Green is located less than one mile southwest of the hospital in adjacent Tuscumbia.

Geography
Sheffield is located in eastern Colbert County at 34.75972°N, -87.69472°W (34.759721, -87.694592), on the south bank of the Tennessee River. Sheffield is bordered to the south by the city of Tuscumbia, to the southeast by Muscle Shoals, and to the north, across the river, by Florence.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.7 km2, of which 16.5 km2 is land and 0.2 km2, or 1.39%, is water.

Sheffield was one of the Colbert County sites of embarkation by riverboat and barge on the Tennessee River during the forced relocation of Eastern and Southern United States Indian tribes, known as the Trail of Tears. The embarkation site was at what is now the Spring Creek boat launch and park area.

Sheffield is also home to the oldest bridge site in the state of Alabama. What is today known as the "Old Railroad Bridge," is actually a bridge site that dates back to the early 1800s.

Economy
In 1940, the Reynolds Metals Company set up its first aluminum smelting facility in Sheffield, paving the way for wartime expansion of aircraft production in the country.

Sheffield was the home of Muscle Shoals Sound Studios at 3614 Jackson Highway and later at 1000 Alabama Avenue. Cher, The Rolling Stones, The Osmonds, Aretha Franklin, Bob Seger, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Simon & Garfunkel, The Staple Singers and many others recorded the biggest hits of their careers in this small studio, that remains well known and respected throughout the music industry.

1990 census
As of the census of 1990, there were 10,380 people living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 70.9% White or European American, 27.61% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. 2.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 9,652 people, 4,243 households, and 2,711 families living in the city. The population density was 1,471.4 PD/sqmi. There were 4,760 housing units at an average density of 725.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 71.21% White or European American, 26.21% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 1.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 4,243 households 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 32.5% of households were one person and 15.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.87.

The age distribution was 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.6 males.

The median household income was $26,673 and the median family income was $33,877. Males had a median income of $30,378 versus $18,033 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,022. About 16.5% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.5% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 9,039 people, 4,055 households, and 2,421 families living in the city. The population density was 1,419 PD/sqmi. There were 4,692 housing units at an average density of 733.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 69.7% White or European American, 26.8% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. 2.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 4,055 households 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.3% were non-families. 36.1% of households were one person and 15.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.89.

The age distribution was 21.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% 65 or older. The median age was 40.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

The median household income was $34,910 and the median family income was $42,718. Males had a median income of $39,692 versus $25,464 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,619. About 16.4% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.3% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 9,403 people, 4,046 households, and 2,240 families residing in the city.

Notable people

 * Arthur Alexander, country music songwriter and soul singer
 * Gary Baker, songwriter and famous for "I Swear"
 * Bo Carter, College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame member
 * Ben Cunningham, founder of the political advocacy group Tennessee Tax Revolt
 * Douglas A. Foster, historian and theologian
 * Donna Godchaux, musician
 * Wayne Greenhaw, writer and journalist
 * Howell Heflin, United States Senator from Alabama
 * David Hood, musician
 * Rick James, former pitcher for the Chicago Cubs
 * Jimmy Johnson, guitarist for the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section
 * John W. Keys, director of the United States Bureau of Reclamation from 2001 to 2006
 * Adam Lazzara, lead singer for Taking Back Sunday
 * Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader (2007-2015; 2021-), Senate Majority Leader (2015-2021), United States Senator from Kentucky (1985-)
 * Alfred Huger Moses, founder and first mayor
 * Anthony Piccione, poet
 * Willie Ruff, French horn and double bass player
 * Roger Dale Stafford, serial killer
 * Fred Thompson, actor and former U.S. senator from Tennessee
 * Kerry Underwood, member of the Alabama House of Representatives
 * William Willis, abstract art painter

title: Sheffield, Alabama


text:
Tuscumbia, Alabama

Tuscumbia is a city in, and the county seat of, Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,054. The city is part of The Shoals metropolitan area.

Tuscumbia was the hometown of Helen Keller, who lived at Ivy Green. Several sites in the city are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, especially in the Tuscumbia Historic District. The city is also the site of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

History
When the Michael Dixon family arrived about 1816, they were the first European Americans to settle here. It was traditional territory of the Chickasaw people. The settlers traded with Chief Tucumseh for the Tuscumbia Valley and built their home at the head of the big spring. Other settlers joined them and there developed a village known as the Big Spring Community. The men of the community requested that the state legislature incorporate them as a city. The town was incorporated in 1820 as Ococoposa, a Chickasaw word meaning 'dry watermelon'. It is one of Alabama's oldest towns. In 1821, its name was changed to Big Spring and on December 22, 1822, to Tuscumbia, after the Chief Rainmaker of the Chickasaw.

Although shoals on the nearby Tennessee River made the river nearly impassable, a federal road completed in 1820 provided the area with good access to markets. Tuscumbia soon became the center for agriculture in northern Alabama. A line to the town on the Tuscumbia, Courtland and Decatur Railroad was completed in 1832, and by 1850 Tuscumbia was a major railroad hub for train traffic throughout the South.

From 1826 to the 1860s, the Tuscumbia Female Academy operated in Tuscumbia. It was one of a number of private schools founded by planters and others wealthy enough to pay for the education of their sons and daughters. A public city school system was not established until 1855.

During the Civil War, the railroad hub made Tuscumbia a target of the Union Army, which destroyed the railroad shops and other parts of the town. The Civil War resulted in the permanent closure of the Tuscumbia Female Academy.

Tuscumbia was designated as the county seat for Colbert County in 1867.

A tornado, estimated at F4 intensity on the Fujita scale, struck Tuscumbia on November 22, 1874, damaging or destroying about a third of the town and killing 14 people.

In April 1894, three African Americans accused of planning to commit arson were taken from the Tuscumbia jail by a mob of 200 men and lynched, hanged from the bridge over the Tennessee River. The turn of the century period was the nadir of race relations in the South, with frequent violence by whites against African Americans to maintain white supremacy.

21st century
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic resulted in the temporary closure of two tourist destinations: The Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Ivy Green at the beginning of the month of April 2020 to reduce social contact and help curb the spread of COVID-19.

Geography
Tuscumbia is located northeast of the center of Colbert County at 34.73083°N, -87.70278°W (34.730839, -87.702854). It is bordered to the north by the city of Sheffield and to the northeast by the city of Muscle Shoals. The Tennessee River is 1 mi to the northwest.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.8 sqkm, of which 22.7 sqkm is land and 0.1 sqkm, or 0.50%, is water.

Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification, Tuscumbia has a humid subtropical climate (abbreviated Cfa).

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 9,054 people, 3,304 households, and 2,207 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 8,423 people, 3,704 households, and 2,279 families residing in the city. The population density was 1076.3 PD/sqmi. There were 4,120 housing units at an average density of 520.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 75.91% White, 21.16% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.48% from other races, and 1.70% from two or more races. 1.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,704 households, out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.64% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 30.15% from 25 to 44, 19.50% from 45 to 64, and 21.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,793, and the median income for a family was $39,831. Males had a median income of $32,159 versus $18,860 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,302. About 11.1% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.7% of those under age 18 and 19.92% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Tuscumbia City Schools and the Colbert County Board of Education provide public education for Tuscumbia. The following public schools are located in Tuscumbia:
 * Deshler Area Vocational Center (grades 9 through 12)
 * Deshler High School (grades 9 through 12)
 * Colbert Heights High School (grades 7 through 12)
 * Deshler Middle School (grades 6 through 8)
 * Colbert Heights Elementary School (grades K through 6)
 * New Bethel Elementary (grades K through 6)
 * R. E. Thompson Intermediate School (grades 3 through 5)
 * G. W. Trenholm Primary School (grades K through 2)

Private schools in Tuscumbia include Covenant Christian School (grades K through 12).

Media
Radio stations:
 * WVNA 1590 AM (News/Talk)
 * WZZA 1410 AM (Urban contemporary)

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 43.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 43
 * [[Image:US 72.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 72

Notable people

 * Cynthia Bailey, model, actress, entrepreneur, and cast member of The Real Housewives of Atlanta
 * Beverly Barton, novelist
 * Deion Belue, American football cornerback
 * Archibald Hill Carmichael, politician and U.S. Representative from 1933 to 1937
 * Mike Cooley, guitarist for the alt-country/rock band Drive-By Truckers
 * James Deshler, Confederate brigadier general during the American Civil War
 * Al Gamble, session musician
 * Howell Thomas Heflin, U.S. senator from Alabama (1979–97), Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice (1971–77)
 * Richard H. Jackson, former four-star admiral in the United States Navy
 * Helen Keller, deafblind author, activist, lecturer, and socialist
 * Robert B. Lindsay, 22nd Governor of Alabama
 * Frank Manush, former Major League Baseball third baseman for the Philadelphia Athletics
 * Heinie Manush, professional baseball player, elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
 * Jimmy Orr, former National Football League wide receiver
 * Margaret Pellegrini, played one of the Munchkins in the movie The Wizard of Oz
 * Billy Pettinger, songwriter, painter and author
 * Will Reynolds, mass murderer
 * William Henry Sawtelle, United States federal judge from 1931 to 1934
 * William H. Steele, member of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
 * Larry Stutts, State Senator whose patient's death inspired "Rose's Law"
 * Bubba Underwood, mayor of Tuscumbia and member of the Alabama House of Representatives
 * Wilson D. Watson, United States Marine Corps private who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on Iwo Jima during World War II

title: Tuscumbia, Alabama


text:
Castleberry, Alabama

Castleberry is a town in Conecuh County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 486. Castleberry is known as the "Strawberry Capital of Alabama" and is home to the annual Castleberry Strawberry Festival. Castleberry is also known for its "speed trap" with the confiscation of property happening on a regular basis. The town has five police officers. A lawsuit against former Police Chief Tracy Hawsey and the town of Castleberry is pending. According to one source, "Lawsuits allege that Brookside police officers made up charges to soak vehicle owners for thousands of dollars in fines."

Geography
Castleberry is located in southern Conecuh County at 31.29778°N, -87.025°W (31.297899, −87.025027).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.5 km2, of which 0.05 km2, or 1.09%, is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 590 people, 257 households, and 150 families residing in the town. The population density was 344.0 PD/sqmi. There were 331 housing units at an average density of 193.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 63.22% White, 35.59% Black or African American, 0.85% Pacific Islander, and 0.34% from two or more races.

There were 257 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.6% were non-families. 37.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $21,204, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $27,386 versus $17,143 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,154. About 21.8% of families and 26.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.0% of those under age 18 and 29.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

 * Conecuh County Junior High School

title: Castleberry, Alabama


text:
Evergreen, Conecuh County, Alabama

Evergreen is a city in Conecuh County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 3,944. The city is the county seat of Conecuh County.

History
Early settlers to the area came from Georgia and South Carolina beginning in 1818. Evergreen was founded officially in 1819 when Revolutionary War veteran James Cosey and several other men settled within the present limits of the city. The Reverend Alexander Travis first called the town by its present name of Evergreen for the abundance of surrounding green foliage, plants, and ferns.

The former county seat of Sparta was burned in a federal raid during the Civil War. In 1866, the county seat was moved to Evergreen as it was more centrally located in the county. Evergreen was incorporated as a city on March 28, 1873.

In 1882, a tornado hit the city, destroying every building except for the Episcopal church. On November 7, 1895, fire destroyed every business and house located on the east side of the railroad. Five days later, fire destroyed every business and house on the west side. The Conecuh County Courthouse burned in 1868, 1875, 1885, and 1895.

The first female pilot in the U. S. Navy, Barbara Allen Rainey, crashed and died in 1982 near Evergreen.

Geography
Evergreen is located near the center of Conecuh County at 31.435°N, -86.955°W (31.435025, -86.954905). Interstate 65 passes through the northwest side of the town, leading northeast 75 mi to Montgomery and southwest 90 mi to Mobile.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 40.9 sqkm, of which 40.4 sqkm is land and 0.5 sqkm, or 1.12%, is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 3,520 people, 1,441 households, and 862 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,944 people, 1,536 households, and 981 families residing in the city. The population density was 238.9 PD/sqmi. There were 1,912 housing units. According to the 2000 census the racial makeup of the city was 46.23% White, 52.78% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. 0.83% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,536 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.5% were married couples living together, 24.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.0% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 69.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $20,979, and the median income for a family was $29,258. Males had a median income of $25,357 versus $21,356 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,828. About 27.6% of families and 34.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 50.6% of those under age 18 and 28.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Evergreen's public schools include:
 * Hillcrest High School
 * Thurgood Marshall Middle School
 * Evergreen Elementary School

Private schools in Evergreen include:
 * Sparta Academy

Trade schools:
 * Reid State Technical College

Media

 * Radio stations
 * WPPG 101.1 FM, licensed to Repton, AL (Country music)
 * WNWF 1470 AM (Nostalgia)
 * Newspapers
 * The Monthly View Newspaper
 * The Evergreen Courant

Notable people

 * Herman Autrey, jazz trumpeter
 * Ken Clark (running back), former National Football League player
 * Kelvin Davis, professional basketball player who became the oldest rookie to play in the American Basketball Association
 * Wayne Frazier, former American Football League player, starter for Kansas City Chiefs in first Super Bowl
 * Warren Elliot Henry, physicist
 * Ben Rudolph, former National Football League player
 * James Adams Stallworth, member of the United States House of Representatives
 * William B. Travis, commander of Texan forces at the Battle of the Alamo

Collard Greens and Bigfoot
In 1973, Evergreen was labeled the "collard green capital of Alabama". The town hosts an annual Collard Green Festival to acknowledge the designation. The town was also named the "Bigfoot capital of Alabama" in 2017. The title was awarded by a city councilman during the annual Collard Green Festival. Evergreen is seeking official recognition of the title from the state of Alabama.

title: Evergreen, Conecuh County, Alabama