Muscle Shoals in Colbert County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

History of Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 10, 2022

1. History of Muscle Shoals, Alabama Marker

Inscription. The city of Muscle Shoals began with the construction of U.S. Nitrate Plant No.2 and Wilson Dam for defense purposes in 1918. The name came from the great stretch of rapids in the Tennessee River that contained rocky shoals and an abundance of mussels. (Muscle is an archaic spelling of mussel.) In 1921, automobile manufacturer Henry Ford became interested in buying the idle nitrate plant and the unfinished dam. He offered the government $5 million for the properties and promised to "build a city 75 miles long and employ one million people." His offer was eventually rejected by the Congress. Ford's involvement led to a tremendous real estate boom. A.L. Howell and C.T. Graves and other developers bought nearby cotton fields and laid out subdivisions, complete with streets, sidewalks, fireplugs and street lights.

On April 24, 1923, Muscle Shoals City was incorporated with a population of 727. George McBride became the first mayor. The Howell and Graves Junior High School opened in 1927.

After a visit to Muscle Shoals by President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt, the U.S. Congress passed the Tennessee Valley Authority Act.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

On May 22, 1933, President Roosevelt signed legislation providing for the development of the entire valley, as proposed by Senator George Norris of Nebraska. The hydro-electric power generated by Wilson Dam induced Reynolds Metals, Union Carbine, Diamond Shamrock, Ford Motor and other companies to locate here. These industries and the relocation of U.S. Highways 43 and 72 led to rapid growth in the 1950s. In the 1960s, music legend Rick Hall brought FAME Recording studio to Muscle Shoals from Florence. Famous bands and singers (Clarence Carter, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Liza Minnelli, the Osmonds, Mac Davis, Duane Allman and many others come to record. Muscle Shoals soon became known as "The Hit Recording Capitol of the World."

Erected 2010 by the Alabama Tourism Department and the City of Muscle Shoals.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Tourism Department, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #32 Franklin D. Roosevelt series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1817.

Location. 34° 44.63′ N,

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 10, 2022

2. History of Muscle Shoals, Alabama Marker

87° 38.56′ W. Marker is in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, in Colbert County. It is on Avalon Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2010 Avalon Ave, Muscle Shoals AL 35661, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama

and in the Shoals.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Singing River Sculpture (approx. 0.2 miles away); Howell & Graves School (approx. 0.8 miles away); First Southern Baptist Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Birth of VFW Post #8640 (approx. 2.4 miles away); Forest Elders (approx. 2.6 miles away); 101 Memorial (approx. 2.6 miles away); Old Railroad Bed

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 10, 2022

3. History of Muscle Shoals, Alabama Marker

(approx. 2.8 miles away); E.L. Newman Lustron House (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Muscle Shoals.

Also see . . . Muscle Shoals. Encyclopedia of Alabama entry (Submitted on December 19, 2012, by Laura Hill of Auburn, Alabama.)

FAME Recording Studios Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, November 16, 2009

4. FAME Recording Studios Plaque

FAME Recording Studios Home of the Shoals Sound. Can be seen inside City Hall.

Street light of the beginning of Muscle Shoals and Memorabilia of the Shoals image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, November 16, 2009

5. Street light of the beginning of Muscle Shoals and Memorabilia of the Shoals

All can be seen inside City Hall

New City--Muscle Shoals image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, November 16, 2009

6. New City--Muscle Shoals

Can be seen inside City Hall.

A Few of the Artist That Have Recorded in Muscle Shoals image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 27, 2008

7. A Few of the Artist That Have Recorded in Muscle Shoals

Can be seen at Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia, Al

History of Muscle Shoals, Alabama image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 27, 2008

8. History of Muscle Shoals, Alabama

This Studio is Playing Music Recording in Muscle Shoals. Can be seen at Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia, Al

Just a few of many entertainers that have recorded in Muscle Shoals image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 27, 2008

9. Just a few of many entertainers that have recorded in Muscle Shoals

Can be seen at Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia, Al. Worth the visit.

Music Hall of Fame Tuscumbia, Al image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, April 7, 2010

10. Music Hall of Fame Tuscumbia, Al

Museum about the entertainers from Alabama and others that have recorded in the Shoals Area.

Wilson Dam Locks in 1997 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, January 27, 1997

11. Wilson Dam Locks in 1997

Fame Studios Muscle Shoals Al image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, December 19, 2011

12. Fame Studios Muscle Shoals Al

Rick Hall ~Top Row far right~ image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 27, 2008

13. Rick Hall ~Top Row far right~

1985 Hank Williams, Nat King Cole, Buddy Killen, Rick Hall, Tom Sawyer, Vern Gosden, Norbert Putman, Arthur Alexander Can be seen at Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia, Al. Worth the visit.

<i>Muscle Shoals in Tennessee River, as Seen from Below Wilson Dam, Muscle Shoals, Ala.</i> image. Click for full size.

Postcard photo by Benj. West and published by Frank E. Cooper, circa 1923

14. Muscle Shoals in Tennessee River, as Seen from Below Wilson Dam, Muscle Shoals, Ala.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 3,852 times since then and 168 times this year. Last updated on May 18, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on July 10, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 2, 3. submitted on July 11, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on December 18, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 12, 13. submitted on December 19, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 14. submitted on February 11, 2015. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.