Florence

Florence, city, seat of Lauderdale county, northwestern Alabama, U.S. It lies on the Tennessee River about 65 miles (105 km) west of Huntsville, forming with Sheffield, Tuscumbia, and Muscle Shoals a four-city metropolitan area in the Muscle Shoals region. Settlers first arrived and established a trading post there about 1779. The area was later purchased by a land company whose stockholders included James Madison and Andrew Jackson. Founded in 1818, the city was named for Florence, Italy, by its Italian surveyor, Ferdinand Sannoner. Construction of Wilson Dam (1925) across the river and the subsequent creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority (1933) stimulated industrial development.

Agriculture (especially cotton), timber, and mineral resources are important to the economy; manufacturing (including textiles, furniture, and flooring) and food processing are also major factors. The University of North Alabama (1830) is in Florence. Indian Mound and Museum, within the city, has the largest mound in the Tennessee valley, with a height of 42 feet (13 metres) and a base diameter of 310 feet (94 metres); artifacts dating to 10,000 years ago are in the museum. Joe Wheeler State Park is about 20 miles (32 km) to the east, and Natchez Trace Parkway passes about 10 miles (16 km) to the northwest; Wilson and Pickwick Lakes provide additional recreational opportunities. W.C. Handy was a native of Florence; his birthplace is preserved along with a museum and library, and the W.C. Handy Music Festival is held annually in August. Inc. 1826. Pop. (2000) 36,264; Florence–Muscle Shoals Metro Area, 142,950; (2010) 39,319; Florence–Muscle Shoals Metro Area,147,137.