Florence

Florence is a town on the north bank of the Tennessee River in northwest Alabama, serving as the county seat of Lauderdale County. The settlement spreads across several gentle hills that slope down toward the river, providing access to docks and shallow shoreline areas.

The town was founded in January 1826 on land previously inhabited by Cherokee groups. The river port grew during the 19th century through trade in cotton and timber, until the Civil War interrupted the expansion.

Victorian homes line the streets of the old town center, standing alongside brick buildings from the turn of the last century. Small shops and cafés occupy these spaces today, serving as meeting points in daily life.

Access to the riverfront is available at several points where paths lead to docks and shallow shore zones. Visitors exploring the historic center on foot will find most older buildings and shops concentrated along a few streets.

Beneath some fields and hills on the outskirts lie layers containing shells and flint tools that indicate earlier settlement. These sites are mostly outside the current residential areas and accessible only during archaeological work.

Location: Lauderdale County

Inception: January 7, 1826

Elevation above the sea: 167 m

Website: https://florenceal.org

GPS coordinates: 34.82028,-87.66278

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:32