Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Major General George Washington Goethals' Home
1888~1907
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, July 25, 2009
1. Major General George Washington Goethals' Home Marker
The great engineering genius of the Panama Canal lived at this site from 1888 until 1907.
As a young lieutenant, Gothals was sent to Florence to speed up the work on the Muscle Shoals Canal Project which effectively by~passed the serious river impediment known as the Muscle Shoals. His successful accomplishments here were considered as an apprenticeship that led to his renowned work in the building of the Panama Canal (1908~1914). Goethals later remarked that his work on the Muscle Shoals Canal loomed far larger in his memory than the canal in Panama.
Erected by Florence Historical Board.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.
Location. 34° 48.478′ N, 87° 40.645′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It is on North Wood Avenue north of East Irvine Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at the street in front of the house. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 629 North Wood Avenue, Florence AL 35630, 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 walking distance of this marker: George H. Carroll Lion Habitat (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); A More Inclusive Era (about 400 feet away); Locust Dell Academy
this page online
Also see . . . George Washington Goethals. American Society of Civil Engineers website entry (Submitted on March 8, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, June 6, 2009
2. Major General George Washington Goethals' Home
via ASME, unknown
3. George Washington Goethals
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 27, 2020
4. Major General George Washington Goethals' Home Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 2,776 times since then and 64 times this year. Last updated on June 2, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 21, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on March 8, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on September 28, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
