Tennessee River Railroad Bridge, Spanning Tennessee River at Alabama Highway 43, Florence

Source document Quoted word for word from HAER AL-204. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Spanning Tennessee River at abandoned section of Alabama Highway 43 Florence, Alabama (Lauderdale County) and Sheffield, Alabama (Colbert County)., 650 it. cast (upstream) of O'Neal Memorial Bridge. Concrete abutment - south end of bridge, Colbert County, AL. U.S.G.S., Florence, AL quadrangle, Universal Transvers Mercator coordinates: Dates of Construction: l\ltered Engineer: Not known. Builders: - Memphis and Charleston Railroad - Memphis and Charleston Railroad - Edgcmoor Bridge Company (supplier of turnspan) - (trusses supplied by Detroit Bridge and Iron Works) - Phoenix Bridge Company (suppliers of turning machinery and end bearings)

Source document Quoted word for word from HAER AL-204. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

One of the oldest combination vehicular and railroad bridges in Alabama, the Tennessee River Railroad Bridge played a significant role in the early agricultural and industrial development of the Tennessee Valley and specifically of the Quad- Ci ty area (Florence, Tuscumbia, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals). During the early part of the Civil War, it was of primary importance in transporting Confederate troops to the Battles of Shiloh and Corinth to various points strategic to the defense of Western Tennessee. After the bridge was rebuilt in its use was instrumental in recovery from Reconstruction. After the it contributed to the prosperity engendered by creation ol the Tennessee Valley Authority. J zecpo rt Prepared Mildred W.

Caudle, Professor ot History Box 24/ Athens SL Le College L Da t TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 2 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE AND SURROUNDING AREA The Tennessee is the largest river flowing through Alabama. It arises at the confluence of the French Broad and Holston Rivers east of Knoxville, Tennessee, flowing in a south westerly direction through North Alabama, then northward to juncture with the Ohio at Paducah, Kentucky} The navigational value of the Tennessee has long been recognized. The potential for marketing agricultural and industrial products has made water transportation a central issue in the development of the Tennessee Valley.

The prosperity and growth of the Quad-City area (Florence, Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals) has thus been intertwined with improvement of navigational and land resources. Although there is ample evidence of pre-historic Indian occupancy of the Tennessee Valley, the Cherokees, according to their own tradition, claimed to have been the original inhabitants. For some reason, they retired from the area around but retained claim to the area as hunting grounds. The Shawnees moved in to fill the vacuum. Resentful of this intrusion, the Cherokees went on the warpath against them. They fought for forty years.

After when the Cherokees enlisted the aid of the Chickasaws, the Shawnees were driven north toward the Ohio.2 Early maps indicate that as late as the mid-eighteenth century, the Tennessee Valley was unoccupied. About however, the great bend in the river south of present Huntsville, Alabama, attracted the Chickasaws. Seeing their hunting grounds threatened, the Cherokees attacked but were decisively defeated in a battle of The price of victory was so dear that the Chickasaws decided to leave but refused to relinquish claim to the territory. Henceforth both tribes claimed ownership and gradually drifted back into the area.3 Because of the potentially lucrative trade with the Indians, both French and English traders moved into the Tennessee Valley.

As early as a French fort existed at Muscle Shoals. White traders first came in contact with the Chickasaws, and English Americans established a fast and constant friendship with them~ One of these traders was James Logan Colbert, a young Scotsman who left the Carolinas with others moving west. He stopped at Muscle Shoals and married a Chickasaw. The union produced several sons, among whom was George Colbert for whom Colbert County is named. Three of the brothers, George, William, and James led 350 Chickasaws to join Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans? TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 3 Ironically and tragically, for the Indians, the American victory at New Orleans sounded the death knell of their dominance of the Tennessee Valley.

After the treaty of by which the Indians relinquished most of their land in Colbert County, the White man rushed in by the thousands buying the newly acquired lands from the government. 6 In President Andrew Jackson summoned the southern tribes to Tennessee. Only the Chickasaws responded. They were told that the President intended to remove them to the West where the government would provide new homes. After a difficult winter expedition to find suitable lands, leaders of the Chickasaws returned in the spring to say that they had failed to find an acceptable location. Nevertheless, after much negotiation and pressure from the government, the Indians accepted removal.

Not until were suitable sites found.7 In began the great trek that the Cherokees were to call the "Trail of Tears 11 By the time of Indian removal, development of Lauderdale and Colbert Counties was well underway. These counties lay astride major routes from eastern and central sites to New Orleans (see map showing the Natchez and Gaines Traces and the Military Road, Appendix no. ) . The latter was built after Andrew Jackson persuaded Congress of the utility of a road from Nashville to New Orleans. The route passed through Lawrenceburg in Tennessee, Florence in Alabama and Columbus in Mississippi? An copy of the original Cypress Land Company (see below) parchment map9 signed by Ferdinand Sannoner, the Italian engineer who surveyed and laid out Florence's town plan, shows the Military Road.

Today it is called Hermitage Drive and feeds into Court Street, the principal street of the city. Hermitage Drive passes in front of Pope's Tavern, the oldest structure in Florence. Pope's Tavern was built in seven years before Florence was founded. The building is said to have been constructed by LeRoy Pope, a government agent and Thomas Bibb, later governor of Alabama. Used as an inn and stage stop, it welcomed Andrew Jackson in as he rode toward New Orleans.ID Today it is preserved as a house museum. Even prior to Alabama statehooa,11 interest in the area prompted the Territorial legislature to create Lauderdale County in named for Colonel James Lauderdale who was killed at the Battle of New Orleans.Ll Lauderdale County lies west of Limestone County and north of the Tennessee River.

The county was made somewhat smaller than originally through an act of the Alabama legislature of 27 November, 'l'he area "in the fork between the rivers Tl!nnessee and Elk" was attached to Limestone Countyl} Lauderdale County and the towns that sprang up therein pro a bevy of pronli nt: Four ov rnors wcr nativc's of TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 4 the county: Hugh McVay, Robert M. Patton, Edward O'Neal and Emmett O'Neal. Florence was the home of Handy, the ''Father of the Blues". An annual music festival is held in his honor, and his home is maintained as a museum)4 Among noteworthy early citizens was General John Coffee, Andrew Jackson's right-hand man and leader of the Tennessee Qavalry at the Battle of New Orleans.

He resided near Florence for several years and died there in His wife, who was a sister of Rachel Jackson, lived until the late or early Florence, the county seat of Lauderdale County, situated on the north side of the Tennessee River at an altitude of 522 feet~ was developed from a tract of land purchased in from the Federal government by the Cypress Land Company. The town was laid out by Ferdinand Sannoner (Sanoma), an Italian surveyor who named the town after the beautiful city of his native Tuscany. Lots were sold and yielded One lot was bought by Andrew Jackson, another by ex-President James Monroe. 17 The property of the Cypress Land Company was divided into 408 shares.

The costs of advertising, surveying, and registering was to be born by the trustees who were to receive five per cent of sales and land rentals. At the end of five years, all unsold land was to be auctioned. Trustees were LeRoy Pope, Thomas Bibb, James Jackson, John Childress, John Coffee, Darby Morris and John McKinley }8 The trustees had chosen well. Florence was strategically located to become an entrepot for the upper Tennessee basin. Roads, and probably canals, could connect with Tuscaloosa on the Black Warrior and Cotton Gin Port on the Tombigbee. The river turned north to carry cotton to Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio and bring back manufactured goods.~ The climate of the area was delightful, the scenery beautiful, and the soil yielded good quality iron ore and stone surface coal.

Numerous streams provided sites for mills and factories. Great expectations surrounded town planning. Squares were set aside for a college and a female seminary. Spaces were provided for a general market, a courthouse, a jail, a cemetery, and a "public walking ground"fO Anne Royall, a Virginian who spent several years traveling in the Old Southwest, described Florence, ca. Florence is the great emporium of the northern part of the state It has a great state to its back, another in front and a noble river on all sides, the steamships pouring every necessary and every luxury in its lap. Its citizens, bold, enterprising, and industrious--much mo ,.. co l-] l ' C.4 "') a ' r1y " - \ I- 11a 1 1- - A .A s n n i' 1 1 ct d- tE " 21 \ ... ' ' 'Ac. TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No.

AL-204 Page 5 Royall described the river itself as "upwards of five hundred yards wide" and reported that a large ferry worked by four horses could cross it in just a few minutes.'22 'I'he ferry mentioned was, no doubt, the one established in at the end of Court Street, near the mouth of Cypress Creek. The Cypress Land Company owned the ferry on the north side of the river.E Florence grew rapidly and was incorporated in By a handsome courthouse had been constructed. Several brick warehouses were built along the river and approximately 100 frame houses graced the town. A newspaper, the Florence Gazette was founded and was published for many years.~ The editor was William s.

Fulton, a protege of Andrew Jackson who emigrated to Arkansas on appointment by Jackson as the last territorial governdr. After Arkansas achieved statehood, he became one of the state's United States Senators.25 During the and the population of Lauderdale County expanded rapidly. In there were inhabitants.~ This figure included slaves Census figures of reveale'1sll,781.27By the number of inhabitants ha~ reached In the population of Florence was This period of rapid development was reflected in the establishment of several industries which included iron foundries and cotton and w~o~en mi~Js. Unfortunately, these were destroyed during the War.

It is believed that the first steamboat reached the shoals in In the following year, the Rocket made regular runs between Florence and the mouth of the Tennessee, there unloading goods to be transported to New Orleans and to towns on the Ohio )1 "Flush times" 32in the area and growing concern about the tendency of the steamboat companies to charge exorbitant rates led to interest in the development of railroads. Chartered in and completed by the Tuscumbia Railway was one of the first railroads in the United States. Just two miles long, it connected Tuscumbia and the site that later became Sheffield. As this line was completed, another was begun by the Tuscumbia, Courtland and Decatur Railroad Company.

This facility was approximately 46 miles long and was built with planter initiative for the purpose of granting access around Muscle Shoals to the port of New Orleans. The line was not a financial success and was sold in merged with the Tuscumbia Railroad, and renamed the Tennessee Valley Railroad. These properties were absorbed eventually by the Memphis and Charleston Railroad Company, the firm which constructed the Tennessee River Railroad Bridge. After the Civil War, these roads became a part of the Southern Ra i 1 way System }3 As Florence and the Shoals area grew, the need to interconnect their transportation systems became apparent. Consequently, in a bridge to replace the ferry was built across the Tennessee.

A tornado damaged it heavily in and TENNESSEE RlVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 6 the flood of completed its destruction. Memphis and Charleston built the first railroad bridge in only to have it destroyed in the Civil War. After the war the bridge was re bu i 1 t. 34 The opening of the bridge in was a momentous event. As it neared completion, Major James Deshler noted in his diary: The great work is now accomplished, and our favored Tennessee Valley is fairly unlocked so that we have free and speedy access to the South Atlantic seaports on the one hand and to the 11 Father of Waters" on the other. Who will say we are not blessed?35 The bridge benefitted not only the Shoals area but surrounding counties and states, especially Giles County, Tennessee.

Farmers there then had an outlet for surpluses of horses, cattle, hogs and grain; and they supplied Shoals merchants with jf1eaper goods than could be obtained in St. Louis or Louisville. Dynamic growth engendered interest in education. Beginning with the founding of LaGrange College in the first college in Alabama, the Shoals area continued to develop a superibr system of higher education. LaGrange was located some distance from the city of Florence. The people of that city offered to furni~h a large endowment and better buildings if the college would move there. The offer provoked a serious controversy among faculty, students and alumni. Nevertheless, in President Richard Rivers, most of the faculty, and a majority of the students moved to Florence.

Some remained, however, and in the school became a military academy. It gained a reputation as the "West Point of the South'', but the Civil War so depleted its ranks that it was forced to close its doors. In A:f?ril, Federal troops burned the buildings to the ground. Meanwhile the Florence school evolved into Florence Wesleyan University. The strictures of war closed this school also, but operations were resumed in In a "Class A" normal school was established on the foundations of Florence Wesleyan.

The act which chartered the school was made contingent upon the gift of buildings by the board of trustees of Wesleyan.~ Supported by the state of Alabama and small contributions from the Peabody Fund, it was successful from the start.39 In the school became a four-year, full,fO accredited institution as Florence State Teachers College. It has subsequently gone through three more name changes: Florence State College Florence State University and the University of North Alabama Enrollment in the fall of was Tuscumbia, the county seat of Colbert County, originally called Ococoposa, arose at the same time as Florence and experienced concomitant growth. The first settler came to the big sprin~ in In the Alabama legislature incorporated the town.

2After an early newspaper, The Tuscumbian, TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 7 recorded the socio-economic growth of the community. Advertising in the Tuscumbian often announced arrival of loads of goods from Philadelphia. Surprisingly, there were many books and other luxury items.43 Several nearby settlements, such as Bainbridge and South Port, enjoyed prosperity until the But when the railroad was built, practically everyone moved to Tuscumbia in expectation of its becoming the great metropolis of the Southwest. The boom was temporary, and with the exception of York Bluff, Tuscumbia was the only one of the original towns to survive.4q During the Tuscumbia provided academies for both male and female as well as schools for Indians on Bear and Caney Creeks.

The crowning jewel, located in the countryside, was LaGrange (see above) . When the Civil War came, the martial enthusiasm of the young men of the Shoals thrust them into the Confederate Army faster than they could be equipped. In August of they rendezvoused at Courtland; and many left there to become a part of the Sixteenth Alabama, ranked among the South's finest fighting menft5 Today a permanently organized reenactment group commemorates their valor. Tuscumbia was devastated during the war. She lost most of her buildings and her public records.46 During Reconstruction the city shared the tumult of her neighbors. Later she was to become famous as the home of Helen Keller.

Florence first experienced the Civil War through a Federal gunboat raid in early February, Henceforth until the end of the conflict in the town was occupied. 47 The Shoals area's river and railroad resources made it the target of Federal incursions. At the outset of the war, three railroads served the Tennessee Valley. The Memphis and Charleston, which served the Shoals, was considered the major railroad in the South. The M&C had been in regular operation since running through Chattanooga in Tennessee, Bridgeport, Stevenson, Scottsboro, Huntsville, Decatur, and Tuscumbia in Alabama, then through Corinth, Mississippi to Memphis.48 The Memphis and Charleston was an invaluable resource during the early years of the Civil War.

Troops were shuttled to the Battles of Shiloh and Corinth as well as to the general defense of Western Tennessee. When the line was captured by the union, then it became the duty of the Confederates to destroy the rails as fast as the Federals could replace them. Ironically some of the same individuals who had so avidly supported construction of the M&C found themselves tear i n9 up the rails .49 Despite Confederate efforts, however, the Union army, following its policy of cutting transportation links, burned many bridges and TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 8 trestles, the bridge at Florence among them.~ Lauderdale County suffered from terrorism and violence during the early years of Reconstruction.

The area was, no doubt, inflamed by the proximity of Federal troops and an active Ku Klux Klan. An alarmed Republican complained to Governor William Smith that, "Terrorism and anarchy reins [sic.] in this county." Smith refrained, nonetheless, from imposing martial law. By as Democrats regained political initiative and the citizenry demanded an end to violence, order was restored and economic recovery began.~ With the end of Reconstruction and Federal bridling of the local press, several newspapers appeared in the Shoals area. One of these was the North Alabamian edited by Arthur H. Keller, son of David Keller who was associated with the first railroad built in Alabama.

The former was the father of the yet to be world famous Helen Keller.2 The brought the resurrection of Southern railroads. The Louisville and Nashville was chartered in Tennessee and Kentucky in During the Civil War, its management attempted neutrality, but the location of its tracks led to heavy damage. By an agreement of L&N purchased a 2 1/2 mile track betw~en Sheffield and Tuscumbia (the Sheffield and Tuscumbia Railway). 3 Again the Shoals area attacked a pervasive navigational problem. A 36-mile long succession of reefs and shoals having a fall of 131 feet (Muscle Shoals) constituted the chief obstacle to navigation on the Tennessee. In Congress had granted acres of land to Alabama, the proceeds to be used for improvement of the Shoals.

Three canals were constructed, but the improved section was still so difficult and dangerous that it proved unfit for commercial use and soon fell into decay.54 In the plans were revived for reconstruction of the canals. Colonel George W. Goethals, builder of the Panama Canal, was prominently involved in the project which was completed in at a cost of Within the next fifteen years, the country entered the electric age, and focus toward development of the Shoals shifted frggi transportation to the production of hydro-electric power. Meanwhile a new city arose on the south side of the river opposite Florence. The first settlement on the present site of Sheffield was a French trading post.

In Generals Jackson and Coffee forded the river at Florence and camped on the bluffs of the south side.% Jackson is said to have been so impressed with the site that he envisioned it as the future site of the nation's capitaJ..57After fighting their Indian campaigns, they returned, bought the land and laid out a town called York Bluff. The town survived but failed to prosper.~ TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 9 In the fall of Alfred Moses, a banker from Montgomery, Alabama, came to York Bluff as a guest of Colonel Walter s. Gordon of Atlanta. Together with two citizens of Florence, Wood and George P. Keyes, they toured the land which had been optioned by Gordon and his brother.

The aftermath of this visit was the incorporation of the Sheffield Land, Coal and Iron Company (December, Capital was secured form Montgomery and Atlanta. The following spring a land sale proved highly successful. Sheffield was a reality.59 Horace Ware, founder of the Shelby Iron Works, was among those who foresaw the efficacy of Sheffield as a major site for iron production. He surmised that, while Birmingham was closer to raw materials, lower costs at Sheffield would make her competitive.60By there were five huge iron furnaces in Sheffield.filA map of shows the area along the river marked by furnaces with other business and residential lots laid out in a regular grid pattern. 62 Between and the early Sheffield shared in an Alabama industrial boom.

Coal and iron operations were begun by Walter Moore and "Colonel" Ensley. Later these operations were taken over, eventually by the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company and by Sloss-Sheffiela.63 Transportation improvements were made also. In July, the firsc electric streetcar made its way to Florence across the railroad portion of the Tennessee River Bridge. Thereafter, hourly service was established. 64 No sooner had Sheffield been founded than Florence, which had lain comatose since the Civil war, began to rise from the ashes. Spurred by the example of Sheffield, businessmen in Florence established many new firms, among them blast furnaces. The furnaces attracted other industries, and recovery was underway .

65 At the onset of Word War I, the Muscle Shoals Hydro-Electric Power Company, a subsidiary of Alabama Power, was planning the development of vast power facilities at Muscle Shoals. But the war crisis and plans by the Federal government to build nitrate plants in the area prompted a shift in plans. After unsuccessful negotiations to agree upon a price from the government for pertinent properties, the company, in the interest of national security, donated sites for the plants. Then the government began construction of Wilson Dam to supply the necessary electricity for nitrate production. 6b Just as the nitrate plants were finished, the war ended leaving the facilities no longer needed. Henry Ford and Thomas A.

Edison, realizing the potential of the area for the production of hydro-electric power and fertilizers, visited the site.67 The result was a bid from Ford, entered in for the lease of government properties. A counterbid was made by Alabama Power Company. Comparisons of these offers were rife in the press~B TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 10 The Ford bid was debated for two years in the House of Representatives before being approved.69 When Ford's offer reached the Senate, it became the center of political and media controversy. In some instances Ford's motives were compared with those of the infamous Teapot Dorne scandal participants.

As a consequence, in he formally withdrew his offer.~Although a new town, Muscle Shoals, was incorporated on the strength of Ford's plans71 the area lay idle until In that year Nitrate Plant No. 2 was transferred to TVA and became the National Fertilizer Development Center which researches and produces cheap fertilizers. For some years Plant No. 1 lay abandoned.

Later it was utilized by Reynolds Metals company as an aluminum can factory.72 Soon after the passage of the Tennessee Valley Authority Act in the construction of Wheeler Darn began.TI The Alabama Power Company settled with TVA concerning transfer of title for this and other sites for a remuneration of per acre74The attractively low electric rates which resulted from this development and the equalization of freight rates placed the region in a competitive position.75Reflective of the economic dynamism of the area was the O'Neal Memorial Bridge, built for automobile traffic and opened in TVA improved the lot of much of the Tennessee Valley's population, but there was much to overcome.

Poor whites, particularly, had for decades eked out a subsistence as sharecroppers, miners, and textile workers, and durin977the Great Depression shared the poverty of the state and region. TVA provided the impetus after World War II for the building of new, expanding, and diversified industries. The Tennessee thus began to realize its full potential as a source of economic wealth. Largely unsubdued until the advent of TVA, it is now, of all the world's rivers, the "most deftly chained". 78 Florence became one of the fastest growing Alabama cities. In there were fifty industries in the city proper producing such items as metals, chemicals, stones, timber and rnillwork, meat products, medicines, wearing apparel, and fertilizers.

The surrounding area was a leader in cotton and mineral production79 This prosperity continued for several decades, spilling over into the other cities of the Shoals and itself attracting new, and sometimes, unusual industries. Sheffield and Muscle Shoals, e.g., support a recording industry specializing in country music. During the late and early economic factors beyond local control resulted in the loss of some jobs with the closing of some plants and the scaling down of work forces in others. The result was an unemployment rate more than twice the national average and visible evidence of recession. In reaction to this situation, in Vice-President of the University of TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No.

AL-204 Page 11 Alabama, Malcolm Portera, conducted a comprehensive study of the Shoals. He recommended that the six governing bodies of the counties and municipalities involved allocate over a five-year period. The product of this study was the c11'0rtering of the Shoals Industrial Development Authority in TVA supported this study by preparing, as a recruitment tool, a detailed analysis of those industrie~1 best suited for and most likely to be attracted to the Shoals. Partially as a result of the efforts of SIDA and TVA and partially because of its natural advantages, the Shoals seems positioned for future growth. With a combined population of census), the area is served by two airlines, two railroads, two bus lines, six motor freight lines and highways I-65, U.S.

72, and Alabama During a recent two-year period, development of small industries has created some new jobs~3 Positions created through expansion from October, through December, were estimated at Through an arrangement of the Federal government and Boeing/Aerojet, erection of NASA's Yellow Creek facility near Iuka, Mississippi for the manufacture of the Space Shuttle's solid rocket motors is scheduled to begin soon. This project is expected to contribute significantly to an economic boom for the Shoals area. TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 12 NOTES 1 Marie .

BanK h ead Owen, 1 The Story of Alabama, I (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 2 Nina Leftwich, Two Hundred Years at Muscle Shoals: Being an Authentic History ofColbert County, with Special Emphasis on the StirrTng Events of the Early Times--rTUscumbia, Alabama: By the author, 11. 3 Ib 10. .., 4 rbid., 12. 5 I ... d b1 , 19. 6 I b id., .. 27. 7 ID10. ' . ' 30. 1 8 George Moreland, "Historic City of Florence Unfolds Charm to Visitor", Commercial Appeal, 30 October, (section and page number not available). 9 map is l1ouse d 'in 1 l ~ t1e arc111ve of the Collier Library and Computer Center at the University of North Alabama in Florence.

ill Pope's Tavern (Lambeth House): Florence's Oldest Structure, Built as a Stage ~top and Tavern in (Florence, Alabama: FlorenceHistorical Boar~n.d.), 11 Owen, Story of Alabama, I, UL.D. Miller, History of Alabama Adapted to the -Use of - -- Schools and for General ReadTng (Birmingham, Alabama: By the author, 13 Owen, Story of Alabama,. I, 4 54" 14 Nelle Bigbee, "Florence, Ruler of Huge Bustling Valley, She Boasts Rich Past and Bright Future," Birmingham News, 17 October, 25 (D) o 15 Willis Brewer, labama: Her History Resources, War_ R0:cord, and Public Men from 1540to 1872(Montgomery, Alabama Barrett a Brown, nt,Spar anburg, South Carolina The rint any, TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 13 160 t11er l- .

stat1st1cs - aftect1ng Florence: mean annua l temperature, 60 degrees F; average annual rainfall, 50 inches; area in square miles, 21. 7 (ca. 17 Owen, Story of Alabama, I, There is some confusion among sources regarding the identity of purchasers as well as the number of lots. While Owen mentions only ex-President Monroe, Moreland lists only ex-President James Madison as a buyer (Moreland, "Historic City of Florence", 30 October, Other sources imply that Jackson bought several lots--and cheaply--as it was generally understood that no one would bid against the man who had made the land available. In later years, he bequeathed his Florence property to the children of John Coffee (Jill Knight Garrett, A History of Lauderdale County, Alabama (Columbia, Tennessee~ River County Publications, 4.

18rbid., James Jackson built the Forks of Cypress, one of the outstanding examples of antebellum architecture in Alabama. Built on a site near Florence reputed to have been the home of the legendary Cherokee chief, Doublehead. Several years were required for its construction. It was destroyed by fire in Mitchell, "Historic Homes in Florence and Lauderdale County", The Journal of Muscle Shoals History, 11 19. 19 Albert Burton Moore, History of Alabama, (Tuscaloosa, Alabama: Alabama Bookstore, 84. 20rbic1.

21Anne Newport Royall, Letters from Alabama on Various Subjects: To Which is Added, an AppencfIX, ContainTng Remarks on Sundry Members of the and Congress, and Other High Characters 1 etc-:-; e c.~ the Seat of Govermnent (Washington: quotedln LuciITe Griffith, History of Alabama, as Recorded in Diaries, Letters and Papers of the Times (Northport'; l\labama: Colonial Press, 22 rbic1. TILeftwich, Two Hundred Years at Muscle Shoals, 79. 24 owE:'n, Story of Alabama, I, 25Moreland, "Historic City of Florence", 30 October 1 Alabama Census Returns, and an Abstract of Federal Census of Alabama in The Alabama Historical Quarterly (Fall rep int, Willa Publishinq 27 183 Ce sus-Alabama Blount, Franklin, Jackson, Je ferson L u d wr n M o ilm. Census-Alabama: Jackson and Lauderdale Microfilm.

TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 14 29.rhis figure represents free inhabitants only and is reprinted in charts incorporated into a statistical and genealogical history of Florence. See Jill K. Garrett, A History of Florence, Alabama (Columbia, Tennessee: By the author~ 30Miller, History of Alabama, 31 Leftwich, Two Hundred Years at Muscle Shoals, 66. 32 For a penetrating and entertaining account of this period, see Joseph Baldwin, Flush Times in Alabama and Mississippi: A Series of Sketches (Americus, Georgia: Americus Book Co. 33Moore, History~ Alabama, ~Owen, Story of Alabama, I, For a descriptive and chronological history of the bridge, see Appendix 35James Deshler, Diary (27 March quoted in Leftwich, Two Hundred Years of Muscle Shoals, 80, 81. 36 Ibid.

37Leftwich, Two Hundred Years of Muscle Shoals, 38owen, Story of Alabama, I, 39Moore, History of Alabama, 40 Owen, Story of Alabama, II, 4~his information was supplied by the staff of UNA. 42 Owen, Story of Alabama, I, 43Le f . h , Two Hunarea ' , Years o f Muse 1 e S h oa 1 s, 56 , 57 44 I bi a . , 4 2 , 43 45I b i a , I 171 46 Owen, Story~ Alabama, I, 47Miller, History of Alabama, 4\eroy McEntire, Jr. "The Development of Railroads in the Tennessee Valley of Alabama Since the Civil War 11 , Journal of Muscle Shoals History , 12 The other two lines were the Nashville and Chattanooga and the Nashville and Decatur. Ibid. 4 ~eftwich, Two Hundred Years ot Muscle Shoals, 99. TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No.

AL-204 Page 15 50 Miller, History of Alabama, For an engaging account of how these Union depredations and others affected Tuscumbia and environs, see Leftwich, Two Hundred Years of Muscle Shoals, 212 passim. This accouni:ls based upon, and quotes freely from, many local diaries and other sources of the time. 51 virginia Van der Veer Hamilton, Alabama: A Bicentennial History (New York: Norton, 46, 47. For a thorough account of the era, see Walter L. Fleming, Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama. (New York: Columbia University Press, reprint, Gloucester, Massachusetts: Peter Smith, 52 Leftwich, Two Hundred Years of Muscle Shoals, 53 McEntire, "The Development of Railroads 11 , A "Railroad and County map of Alabama" ca. (Geo. F.

Cram, Engravers and Publishers, Chicago) showing lines after the Civil War is housed in the archives at the University of Alabama. 54 Owen, Story of Alabama, I, 32, 33. 55 Leftwich, Two Hundred Years of Muscle Shoals, 56 Owen, Story of Alabama, I, 57 "History of Colbert County" (Florence, Alabama: Chamber of Commerce of the Shoals, Inc., 1. 58 Owen. Story of Alabama, I, 59 Harold Darnsgard, "Early Sheffield Personalities 11 , 1 December Copy in scrapbooks of Faye Axford; Athens, Alabama. 60 Ethel Armes, The Story of Coal and Iron in Alabama (Birmingham, Alabama-:--The Chamber--or-commerce, History of Colbert County", 1. 62 sheffield: City on the Bluff, (Sheffield, Alabama: Friends of Sheffield Public Library, 12. 63 Harn1'l ton, A1 abama, sheffield: City on the Bluff 11 , 49.

A photograph showing a "summer 11 streetcar crossing the railroad bridge shows a car designed with open sides to defeat the summer heat. As there were no guard rails, passengers sitting in the end seats would have a thrilling ride across the river. Ibid., 48. 65 Armes, _C:::oal_ and _Iron, 66 Owen, Story of Alabama, I, TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 16 67 Leslie Wright, 11 Henry Ford and Muscle Shoals", From Civil War to Civil Rights: Alabama, An Anthology from the Alabama Review, ed. Sarah Woolfolk Wiggins (Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Press, A photograph of the two friends standing in the end of Ford's special train during this visit appears in Sheffield: City on the Bluff, 71.

68 wright, "Henry Ford and Muscle Shoals", 69 Richard Sher id an, "Thomas Alva Edi son's Visit to Muscle Shoals'', The Journal of Muscle Shoals History, 11 Ford and Edison-Were old friends, so it was only natural that Ford would seek Edison's opinion on the suitability of the nitrate plants for the manufacture of fertilizers. While on the visit he supported the idea enthusiastically; but when he testified before a Congressional committee on the subject, he was rather equivocal. His ambiguity may have contributed to the longevity of the debate. Ibid. 70 Wrigut, " ' t.- II Henry Forao an d Muse 1 e Sh oa 1 s l1 , 298 . 71 Owen, Story of Alabama, I, 72 sheridan, "Thomas A. Edison's Visit", 73 For a comprehensive . arc h aeo 1 ogica . 1 .history .

o f t h e area flooded by this dam, see William S. Webb, An Archaeological Survey of \>~heeler Basin on the Tennessee R1ver in North Alabama, Smithsonian Institution Bureau of American EthnOlogy, Bulletin 112 (Washington, United States Government Printing Office, 74 Owen, Story of Alabama, I I - 75 David E. Lilienthal, TVA. Democracy on the March (New York: Harper and Brothers, f 76 Owen, Story of Alabama, I , - 77 Wayne "Spindle, Mine and Mule: The Poor White Experience in Post-Civil War Alabama", in Wiggins, ed., From Civil War to Civil Rights: passim. for a detailed analys~of:these patterns of poverty. 78 . . Donald Davidson, The Tennessee: Vol. 1. The Old River: Fr on t i er to Sec es s i on ( New York : Ri n eh a r t and Co-.-,- I n c , 1 9 4 6 ) , 17. 79 .

Bigbee, 11 Florence, Ruler of Huge Bustling Valley", 17 October, 25 TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 17 80 11 Fu tu re Shoals: A Fi ve--Year Economic Development Plan" (Florence, Alabama: Shoals Industrial Development Authority, 2. 81 Analysis of Industries for Shoals Area: Comparative Advantage, prepared by the Economic Analysis and Assistance Branch (Knoxville, Tennessee: Tennessee Valley Authority, passim. 82 "Facts about the Shoals" (Florence, Alabama: Chamber of Commerce of the Shoals, Inc., 83 "Future Shoals", 2. 84 Expansions of Local Industries" (June 2. TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 18

Bibliography

Analysis of Industries for Shoals Area: Comparative Advantage: Prepared by the Economic Analysis and Assistance Branch, Knoxville, Tennessee, Tennessee Valley Authority, Armes, Ethel. The Story of Coal and Iron in Alabama. Bi rmi ngham-;-Alabama l9Tu-:-- Baldwin, Joseph G. The Flush times of Alabama and Mississippi: A Series of SketcheS. Americus, Georgia: Americus Book Company, Bigbee; Nelle, "Florence 1 Ruler of Huge, Bustling Valley, She Boasts Rich Past and Bright Future", Birmingham News, 17 October, 1 25 Brewer, Willis. Alabama: Her History Resources, War Record, and Public Men from Montgomery, Alabama: Barrett and Brown, reprint-:-s"Partanburg, South Carolina: The Reprint Company,, Buyers Guide and Helpful Facts About Florence, Alabama, Home of UNA.

Florence, Alabama, Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, ca. Damsgard, Harold. "Early Sheffield Personalities". l December, Copy in scrapbooks of Faye Axford; Athens, Alabama. Darby, Kethleen A. "Historical Sketches of Lauderdale County". The Journal of Muscle Shoals History. 11 Davidson Donald. The Tennessee: Vol. I, The Old River: Frontier to Secession_, New York: Rinehart and Co., Inc., Expansions of Local Industries", Newsletter (June "Facts about the Shoals". Florence Alabama: Chamber of Commerce of the Shoals, Inc., Fleming, Walter L. Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama. New York~ Columbia UniversityPrc;ss, reprint, Gloucester, Massachusetts; Peter Smith n . Spindle, Mine and Mule: The Poor White Experience Post-Civil \/.Jar Alabama".

In From Civil 'VJar to Civil An Anthol the l\labama Woo Tusca oo~;; , oL lUabama PL TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 19 "Future Shoals: A Five Year Economic Development Plan, Florence, Alabama: Shoals Industrial Development Authority ,. Garrett, Jill Knight. A History of Lauderdale County, Alabama, by the author. Columbia, Tennessee: river County Publications, Griffith Lucille. Histor of Alabama - as Recorded in Diaries, Letters, and Papers o - - - - - Northport, the Times. Alabama: Colonial Press, Hamilton, Virginia Van der Veer. Alabama: A Bicentennial History. New York: Norton, "History of Colbert County".

Florence:, Alabama Chamber of Commerce of the Shoals, Inc., "History of Lauderdale County, Alabama 11 Florence, Alabama: Cmaber of Commerce of the Shoals, Inc., Leftwich, Nina. Two Hundred Years at Muscle Shoals: Being an Authentic HistOry of Colbert County, with Special Emphasis on the Sturing Events of the Early Ti~ Tuscumbia-,-Alabama: by the autho~ Lilienthal, David E. TVA: Democracy on the March. New York: Harper and Brothers, McEntire, Leroy, Jr. 11 The Development of Railroads in the Tennessee Valley of Alabama Since the Civil War''. Tennessee Valley Journal of Muscle Shoals History, XII Miller, History of Alabama Adapted to the Use of Schools and for General Reading.

Birmingham-,-Alabama: By the author,, r'litchell, '"Historic Homes in Florence and Lauderdale County", The Journal of Muscle Shoals History. 11 Moore, Albert Burton. History of Alabama. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: Alabama bookstore, Moreland, George. "Historic Ci of Florence Unfolds Charm to Visitor's Commercial l". 30 October, (section and page number not available) Owen, Marie Bankhead. The Stor of Alabama l\ History of the - - -- St~te, 2 Vols. New Yor : Lewis H stor cal Publisnillg Co., I n . , TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No.

AL-204 Page 20 Pope's Tavern (Lambeth House): Florence's Oldest Structure, Built as a State Stop and Tavern in Florence, Alabama: Florence Historical Board, -0:-a-.~- Sheffield: City on the Bluff, Sheffield, Alabama: Friends of Sheffield ublic Library, Sheridan, Richard. "Thomas Alva Edison's Visit to Muscle Shoals!'. The, Journal oi Muscle Shoals History, 11 Webb, William s. An Archaelogical Survey of Wheeler Basin on the Tennessee River in Northern Alabama. Smithsonian Institution Bureau of American Ethnology, bulletin Washington, United States Government Printing Office, Wright, Leslie. "Henry Ford and Muscle Shoals". In From Civil War to Civil Rights: Alabama An AnthoIOgy from the Alabama Review, ed.

Sarah Woolfolk Wiggins, Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Press, TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 21 - - , ' / , f I - -- -- I I - .. - - ... - - - - - - .. - - ._ - - - - - - - - - - - - '\ __; / // 11.AP OF COLBERT COUNTY TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 22 Knoxville - December 19, M E M 0 R A N D U M Tennessee River Bridge, Florence, Alabama, 5.7 -MF History with respect to governmental actions and use of bridge by other than Southern Railway or predecessors: A ferry was in existence at this location in probably having been licensed by county authorities some time between and in accordance with an Alabama Act approved December 12, which gave county courts such authority.

Alabama Act approved January 12, covered the incorporation of the Florence Bridge Company and authorized a bridge to be built, without any description of its nature being given. Tolls were not to exceed ferry rates then current. The stock subscription was to be plus stock which was to be given the Ferry Company for the value of its investment in ferry landings and ferry equipment. Alabama Act approved December 23, amended the Act by allowing the Florence Bridge Company to sue stock subscribers who did not pay up. The Florence Bridge Company completed the first bridge in One source describes it as being of timber spans about 8 in number. In wind storm damage occurred and in damage again occurred to the extent that this bridge was no longer used.

Some sources say that the damage was from wind, others that it was from flood. About the Memphis and Charleston Railroad acquired the property and franchise of the Florence Bridge Company, including the piers, and proceeded with the construction of a combination railway and wagon bridge, with the railway deck on the upper level. The October 5, issue of the Florence Gazette reported the bridge open for wagons, and the issue of December 7, with the first regular train schedule being effective December 7, No description of this bridge is available but it probably was mostly of timber on stone piers. It was burned by Helm's Confederate Cavalry in for military reasons.

I I In the bridge was rebuilt by the using spans as described in M&C annual report of July 1, This bridge accommodated wagons on lower level as before and was completed in In the Nashville, Florence and Sheffield Railroad Company, predecessor of built into Florence from the north, and by agreement of August 17, acquired the right to use the bridge jointly with the A valuation of the property was agreed on but no record has been found of the details of it except as later partially quoted in the negotiations leading to a new agreement in payments were to be 50% of interest of 6% on investment and in ratio of car count applied to maintenance cost (less toil revenues). TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 23 Annual reports of the Chief of Engineers, U.S.

Army, show that the drawbridge construction came as a result of notices issued by the U.S. Army District Engineer, Chattanooga, to the on November 20. and to the M&C on January 11, (Volume 88, pp. Volume 89, p. Volume 90, p. Volume 91, p. The last reference is with respect to a notice to cut masonry back to clear the channel. The references given do not include the text of the notices. The construction included the drawspan and also the short span south of it. For some unknown reason this short span was replaced in at the same time that new machinery for the drawspan was installed. On October 18, a train fell through the north approach and an outside engineer, Mr. Edwin Thatcher, made an investigation and report.

His recommendations led to a new agreement of July 12, in which the paid for their use of the bridge by applying car count ratio to the railroad usage percent of interest on investment and maintenance cost, which percentage was set at percent. Mr.

Thatcher's recommendation also led to the replacement in to of all superstructure except the drawspan and the short span immediately south of it, these two spans having been built in A controversy with respect to toll rates led to an Alabama Act approved February 9, in which maximum toll rates were, in cents: Foot passenger 5 Each horse, mule or animal of like kind with rider 2 Foot passenger under 14, and school attendants 2 Each horse, mule or animal of like kind 5 1-horse vehicle and Each cow, steer or animal of driver 15 like kind 5 ii 2- " " 25 Each sheep, hog, goat or animal II I!

Ii 3- 30 of like kind 3 ii 4- II " 35 Each additional passenger 5 An Alabama Act approved February 10, repealed the Act and established the following maximum toll rates, in cents: Foot passenger 7 4-horse or ox wagon 60 Foot passenger under 12 6-horse or ox wagon 70 and over 5 of age (under 5 free) Special school tickets 3 Horses, mules, cattle in droves 1 ea. 7 l man and 1 horse 15 1-horse bug y, car o dra~i di'. 9e or bu9qy 30 2---hor se carriage TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 24 capacity 6 passengers 50 2-horse or ox wagon (A 2-horse wagon may include driver if loaded, or driver and 3 other persons if empty. No wagons containing less than 100 shall be considered loaded). 30 No information was found on previous or subsequent toll rates nor on income from tolls.

The operation of street cars over the upper deck of the bridge probably started in in accordance with an agreement with the Sheffield Company dated February 14, which had a term of 30 years, and which required the Sheffield Company to pay the Sou. Ry. 20% of fares collected and not less than 2 cents per passenger, except by mutual consent. A supplement agreement of August 23, has to do with interlocking expense, mail handling, etc. A supplemental agreement of December 28, reduced the 2 cent figure quoted in the original agreement to 1 cent. By release of May 12, the Sheffield Company surrendered its mail and passenger handling privileges to the Director-General of Railroads and in this arrangement was cancelled and operations as they were prior to May 12, were resumed.

by memorandum agreement of May 31, the Alabama Power Company took over the operations and responsibilities of the Sheffield Company. The date of termination of street car operation was not found, but a statement made in said ''electric car service was abandoned some years ago''. No record was found of income from street car operations. Southern Bell telephone lines over the bridge were covered by agreement of April 18, superseded by agreement of October 2, the later agreement being cancelled May 1, Alabama Power Company power lines over the bridge were covered by agreement of September 1, which agreement was cancelled as of June 7, The Sou. Ty.

acquired the power lines by quit-claim deed of June 7, An agreement of May 3, with the City of Florence makes reference to an agreement of October 5, between the Director- General of railroads and the City of Florence whereby the Director- General leased the highway portion of the bridge to the City for per annum with the City to maintain the highway portion. The agreement says federal control stopped on February 29, and that the rental between March 1, and February 28, would be compromised at taking into account railway expenditures during this period and other factors. The railway company agreed to pay the city up to for repair of floor and widening of roadway, after which the City was to maintain the highway portion at its expense.

The yearly rental specified in the agreement was Affidavit of December 14, shows the Ci spent for the repair and widening mentioned above, of which had been contributed e the railway company. I may be implied from information in the agr n that t Ci took over th ollc' tion of tolls on or about :Jf TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 25 By agreement of February 18, the highway portion was leased to Colbert County and Lauderdale County for a 3-year term at per annum, with the counties to maintain at their expense. Some years later a newspaper article says the bridge was made a free bridge in This change may have been coincident with the February 18, agreement.

By agreement of March 25, the Alabama Highway Department leased the highway portion for a five year term at per annum, with maintenance at their expense. Upon completion of a new highway bridge immediately downstream, highway traffic was transferred to it on October 26, and the timber portion of highway deck on the railroad bridge was removed by the state highway department immediately thereafter. In the L&N and Sou. agreed by exchange of letters that the percent fixed in the agreement would be changed to effective during which year federal control terminated, and after which the highway expenses and income were to others.

Current joint use of this bridge by L&N is covered by agreement of November 5, which has a 25 year term and is based on L&N participation in interest on investment and in maintenance by ration of car count. A new valuation was negotiated for this agreemeRt. The and agreements with L&N or predecessor all have provision for adjustment of valuation from investment changes. Newspaper references were found to train accidents of and the references having been written years later. No support was found as to the incident but former L&N Supervisor Haynes advises there was an accident about involving an engine falling off or through the span into the river near the south end of the bridge, Locomotive engineer Clem getting out alive.

No evidence of repair of this span is found at the site, possibly due to replacement of any damaged parts, if any, strictly in kind. Location of reference material: Item Place of Person Having Copy Acts of Alabama Legislature State Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, AL Newspapers prior Hig s, Boats and Bridges Brannon " r ements affecti g use of bri e Correspondenc file, 1934-19CiD Lr plan l TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD. BRIDGE HAER No.

AL-204 Page 26 The Formative Period in Alabama by Library, Florence, AL Thomas Perkins Abernathy Ii H History of Alabama and her People, by Albert Burton Moore II H Memorial Record of Alabama, published by Brant and Fuller Alabama, by Owen ii " Northern Alabama,, by Smith ti II and Deland II II Official Souvenir of the Centenial Celebration, Florence, Ala., Aug. prepared by Mr. Robert Dyas History of Alabama by Pickett Library, Tuscumbia, AL II II Early Settlers of Alabama by Saunders II Alabama - by Brewer ti Annual Reports of M&C Echols Annual Reports of Chief of Engineers Office of Chief Engineer, U.S. Army U.S. Army, Gravelly Point, Washington, Legal History of Lines of Railroad Midkiff of Southern Railway Company Two Hundred Years of Muscle Shoals David Messman by Leftwich David v.

Messman TENNESSEE RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE HAER No. AL-204 Page 27 GENERAL HISTORY OF THE FLORENCE BRIDGE FROM TO DATE The T.V.A. was ordered by the Federal Court at Florence. Alabama to improve navigation clearance through the horizontal turn span and the bridge was closed to rail traffic in The turn span and adjacent fixed span were removed and a 406 1 vertical lift span with flanking tower spans were installed. The work was completed in During construction, rail traffic was rerouted via other L&N connections to and from Florence. Upon completion. Southern Railway Company paid T.V.A. as its apportionment of the total cost of Prior to a drawtender was continuously on duty and the bridge was closed to river traffic. being opened by.the drawtender on signals sounded by river traffic.

Due to a general decline in rail traffic on both the Southern Railway and L&N Railroad. the bridgetender was assigned to one shift from A.M. to with rail traffic confined to these hours. The bridge was left unattended in a raised position throughout the rest of the day. Rail traffic over the bridge continued to decline and on April 10. the L&N cancelled the operating agreement with Southern Railway and discontinued their operations over the bridge. On July 11. Southern Railway sold 1.4 miles of track in Florence to the Tennessee Southern Railroad Company, who now operates a short line serving the rail customers in Florence via their L&N connection. On August 3.

Southern Railway petitioned the ICC to abandon 2.7 miles of the remaining Florence branch which included the bridge over the Tennessee River. On September 6. the ICC granted the abandonment subject to maintaining t he structural integrity of the approach spans until completion of the process under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.