Tuscaloosa in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Burns’ Shoals
Photographed By Tim Carr, November 17, 2008
1. Burns’ Shoals Marker
Inscription.
Burns’ Shoals. . The remains of Burns' Shoals now lie nearly 40 feet underwater. This rock outcropping was the first of the shoals known as the "Falls of Tuscaloosa" and represents the "Fall Line" or contact point of the Coastal Plain and the Appalachian Plateau, which extends nearly 2000 miles to Canada. From here upstream the riverbed is primarily rock while downstream is is sand, silt and gravel. It was head of navigation on the river and thus a primary reason for the founding of Tuscaloosa. It was used as an early ford and bathing site, and later provided a solid foundation for a succession of bridges. During construction of Old Locks One, Two and Three (1888-1895), it was channelized to allow the passage of river traffic.
The remains of Burns' Shoals now lie nearly 40 feet underwater. This rock outcropping was the first of the shoals known as the "Falls of Tuscaloosa" and represents the "Fall Line" or contact point of the Coastal Plain and the Appalachian Plateau, which extends nearly 2000 miles to Canada. From here upstream the riverbed is primarily rock while downstream is is sand, silt and gravel. It was head of navigation on the river and thus a primary reason for the founding of Tuscaloosa. It was used as an early ford and bathing site, and later provided a solid foundation for a succession of bridges. During construction of Old Locks One, Two and Three (1888-1895), it was channelized to allow the passage of river traffic.
Location. 33° 12.842′ N, 87° 34.298′ W. Marker is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in Tuscaloosa County. Marker can be reached from Greensboro Avenue north of 2nd Street (Jack Warner Parkway). Marker
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is located by the Bama Belle Riverboat dock at the Black Warrior Riverwalk Park east or upriver of the Lurleen B. Wallace Blvd Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tuscaloosa AL 35401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,661 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 21, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.