Lauderdale County is located in the northwestern corner of Alabama.  It was established in 1818 and named for Tennessean Lt. Col. James Lauderdale.  The county seat is Florence, which was named by the city's architect, Ferdinand Sannoner, for his home Florence, Italy.

Florence boasts a state-of-the-art conference center, a gorgeous marina and harbor, a restored downtown area, a municipal golf course and a technologically advanced library.  The cultural center for Florence, the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts is a gallery, an educational facility, a museum, and a center for the coordination and promotion of cultural activity throughout the Shoals.

Lauderdale County compromises a portion of The Shoals area.  The history of the Shoals area began over 1,000 years ago when Native Americans inhabited the area.  Evidence of their existence can still be found at the ancient Florence Indian Mound.

Music is a vibrant part of life in Lauderdale County.  The music legacy began with the birth of the "Father of the Blues," William Christopher Handy in Florence.  Born in a log cabin in 1873, W.C. Handy was an incredible composer as he combined the spirituals of the South and chant melodies from the Congo to tell the story of the blues honestly and sincerely.  The W.C. Handy Music Festival is held each year in Florence during the first week in August. 

Recreational opportunities abound in Lauderdale County.  Locals and tourists interested in fishing are blessed with one of the most scenic rivers in which to fish, the Tennessee River, and the climate allows fishing almost all year long.  The River is also makes for an amazing boating experience, including the exhilarating experience of locking through the Wilson Dam, one of the largest single-lift locks in the world.

There are many excellent post-secondary educational opportunities in Lauderdale County.  The many educational institutions include the University of North Alabama, Northwest-Shoals Community College, Faulkner University, and International Bible College.

To find out more about Lauderdale County, please browse the links listed below.



Area Attractions and Events:

Alabama Renaissance Fair 

Children's Museum of the Shoals 
Dismals Canyon
Fishing
Helen Keller Birthplace

Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts
Pettus Museum
Shoals Symphony
Trail of Tears Festival
Joe Wheeler State Park 
W.C. Handy Music Festival




Local Government and Associations Websites:

History of The Shoals