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MUSCLE SHOALS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA
UNA Box 5231
Florence, AL 35632-0001
Phone: (256) 765-5028
Email: jsizemore@una.edu
www
The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area stories define the history and culture that evolved around distinctive geological features on one of the Tennessee River. The unique river bed created a hospitable environment for waterfowl, fish and game for Native Americans; however, it also presented an often impassable waterway. A series of canals were constructed to allow all-season boat travel around the shoals and eventually a sophisticated system of locks and Wilson Dam was built to generate hydropower. This area is also known as the birthplace of W.C. Handy, Father of the Blues and Helen Keller, First Lady of Courage.