The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
TUSCUMB|A 4 CITY
 OF GREAT PROMISE
NestIeS in Richest Section of
 Great Tennessee Valley
MANY MEANS OF SUPPORT
Is One of the Oldest Towns in Ala bama and About it centers Much Historical Interest - Was
 Incorporated in 1919.

Tuscumbia, November 22-(Special)- The Tennessee valley has an average width through this (ColberD county cS more than ten miles On the southern side of the valley and in full view from Tuscumba are the Little mountains, real ly the foot hills of the Cumberland range. These rise to an elevation of from three hundred to twelve hundred feet The surface of this land slopes from the mountains northward toward the Ten nessee river, and the natural picture pre- sented is one of magnificent splendor. Not only Is the valley land rich but the soil on the hillsides is of clay and pro- duces we'll For stock raising no section of the south is better suited. Fruit grows to perfection here
 Farm Products.
 Tuscumbia is the market for a rich and prosperous farming section, and by farming not only cotton culture is re- ferred to as it is in many sections of the south, but diversified farming and truck growing. Cotton, corn, oats, barley l wheat clover, sweet potatoes, Irish pota- eSCSs rye. etc., grow to perfection around Tus- cumba. The writer is informed that these lands yield readily from 25 to 50 bushels of corn per acre and in some in- stances as much as 75 bushels per acre has been raised. Wheat averages from 12 to 20 bushels per acre.
 Reference has already been made to the mineral wealth of this county in the Shelf field letters. Iron. ochre, fire clay and kaolin abound near Tuscumbia, and there are quarries which furnish fine quantities of sandstone limestone and gray marble. Tuscumba.
 All Alabamians know of Tuseumbia It is one of the oldest towns in the state. and about the place centers much his toric interest, There are many homes in and around Tuscumbia, which bear the marks of time, and which mutely tell the story of anti-bellum wealth. It was in 1915 when the first white settlers were attracted to this place. They came from Tennessee, and were soon followed by quite a number of families from the same state. The town was incorporated in Oc- | tober, 1919, at the first meeting of the leg islature of Alabama, which was held at | Huntsville, and the name given it was Occocoposo, an Indian word, meaning cold water This name was chosen be- cause of the immense spring which has 1 always been an attractive feature of the town. It is thought by some to be an | underground branch of the Tennessee river, coming at this point from beneath massive ledge of limestone and forming large pool, from which flows a creek of rare possibilities, so great is it's volume | of water. Soon after the incorporation of the town its name was changed to Big Spring, and later to Tuscumbia. for well known chief of the Chickasaws. Like Huntsville Tuscumbia bosts of her 'big spring" In the very heart of the town from which flows 1750O gallons of water per minute.
 Transportation Facilities.
 Colbert county, as heretofore stated, has splendid system of macadamized roads leading out from this, it's county site. They were built by the county at heavy cost, and are absolutely free to the public.
 In 1S31-S2 railroad was built from Tuscumbia to the Tennessee river, which was the first to be constructed west of the Alleghenies. This road soon became | part of the Tuscumbia and Decatur | railroad, and for twenty-five years an | important trade was carried on with New | Orleans, handsome steamers coming up | the Tennessee to the point where the railroad reached the river.
 Before the construction of the Mem | phis and Charleston railroad-now the | Southern-the Tuscumbia post office was a distributing one, probably the most inn | portant between Nashville and New Or leans. The town was also the converg- l ing point for several stage lines, which
 were owned by such old stagers as | Chichester Ficklin, Patrick and others. | There were large warehouses at the Tuscumbia landing, constructed of brick, and stone, but they were destroyed in | 1862 by Turchn's brigade of Mitchells division of federal troops.
 Besides the Tennessee river affording l Tuscumbia a waterway of more than 20,- 1 900 miles to the great inland cities of the l country and to the gulf ports, and seek | ing at all times to lower freight rates | and furnish a great market for these I road facilities. Tbe Memphis and Charles 1 ton railroad crosses the county from east | to west and has a branch lire extending | to Florence The Birmingham Sheffield and Tennessee River railroad (now the | Northern Alabama railway runs from l Sheffield south across the county and has | branch extending from Riverton to the Memphis and Charleston railroad in the western part of the county. The Flor | ence Nashville and Sheffield Ca branch | of the Louisville and Nashvile) railroad | enters the county at South Florence and | extends to Tuscumbia.
 A New Era.
 Tuscumbia, though as old as the state of Alabama is just entering upon a new era Her people claim a population of 45OO today, and now a steady growth. The work of uniting the city with Sheffield and Florence by a splendid electric rail- way system is now we'll under way by the Sheffield company. and the road will be in operation early in January Shef- field and Tuscumbia are also to be served by the snme water and electric light plants, and thus there Is to be perfect unity This will give the three cities immense advantage and a commanding position The 20,0O0 people are thus to become one community with common interest. It means blending of the old and the new and a great big city here in this highly favored section of North Alabama.
 Schools and Churches.
 Tuscumbia has always been a seat of culture and refinement. It was so before +ba ,,or and Is mt Iaae eo tndo.. IT..