1916 Map of Muscle Shoals

About this map

Florence and Sheffield anchor this 1916 survey of the Tennessee River valley, captured just before massive industrial and hydroelectric projects forever altered the river's character. The complex geography of the Big Muscle Shoals dominates the southern portion of the map, revealing a series of navigational aids including the Muscle Shoals Canal and its series of Lock No 6, Lock No 7, Lock No 8, and Lock No 9. These features reflect the era's ongoing struggle to bypass the treacherous rapids that hampered river commerce.