Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Major General George Washington Goethals' Home
1888~1907
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. Marker 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.
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 (about 500 feet away); T.S. Stribling Literary Landmark (about 500 feet away); T.S. Stribling 1903 (about 500 feet away); Florence State Teachers College (about 600 feet away); Wesleyan Hall 1855 (about 600 feet away); Wesleyan Bell (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.
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.)
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 2,092 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on June 2, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 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.