Colbert County: Between Music History and Wilson Reservoir

The name “Muscle Shoals” is associated with the stretch of the Tennessee River in Colbert County. It is said to refer to the river’s strength in this area and to several species of mussels. Activities on the water take center stage at Wilson Reservoir, while studios, museums, and historic sites in Tuscumbia and Sheffield offer a glimpse into other chapters of Alabama’s history.

Wilson Reservoir: Shoreline and recreation

Wilson Reservoir offers 166 miles of shoreline and a water surface of 15,500 acres. Fishing, boating, and camping are among the recreational activities available there. If you’re planning to spend most of your trip by the water, you’ll find a range of ways to shape your stay. The Wilson Reservoir Visitor Center is located off Reservation Road in Muscle Shoals. Staffing and access may change; check conditions before your visit.

Music history in Tuscumbia and Sheffield

The Alabama Music Hall of Fame is dedicated to preserving and honoring Alabama’s musicians and the state’s musical heritage. Its history dates back to a legislative decision: in 1980, the legislature established the state’s Alabama Music Hall of Fame Board. Its purpose was to honor significant musicians and create a facility where their achievements could be showcased. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame is located at 617 Highway 72 West in Tuscumbia.

A different musical legacy is rooted at FAME: The recording studio is still operating and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. FAME offers tours of about an hour through historic Studios A and B. Tour times and prices may change, so check these details before your visit. Muscle Shoals Sound Studio opened in early 1969. Its original location on Jackson Highway is in Sheffield—a distinct stop in the local studio history.

Railroad history also has a tangible home in Tuscumbia. The Tuscumbia Railway was Alabama’s first railroad and the first railroad west of the Allegheny Mountains. The Tuscumbia Railway Museum is housed in the restored Tuscumbia Depot and adjoining engine house.

Architecture and historic sites

Belle Mont was completed in 1828 and is an important example of Jeffersonian-Palladian architecture. Tours are offered Wednesday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; tour times may change, so check before your visit. At Nitrate Village One, the buildings were constructed in the Craftsman bungalow style. Historic District Nitrate Village No. 1 was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The Village School Foundation offers tours of the Village School Building for visitors and local residents; check the arrangements in advance.

Other glimpses into the past can be found at places where history is tied to specific activities. LaGrange College opened on January 11, 1830, enrolling 70 students. It was the first college in Alabama to receive a state charter and has been listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage since 1976. At the LaGrange Country Store, visitors can browse and buy goods from days gone by. At the LaGrange Blacksmith Shop, blacksmithing is demonstrated at school events and annual events. The Plantation Log Kitchen was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976; cooking demonstrations are occasionally held there.

Colbert County’s Courthouse Square Historic District is also notable for its variety of architectural styles. Together with Belle Mont and Nitrate Village, it offers a look at different forms of architecture, from Jeffersonian-Palladian to Craftsman bungalow. For tours at Belle Mont and the Village School Building, it’s a good idea to check the arrangements in advance.

Festival and summer performance

The Oka Kapassa Festival is held annually on the second full weekend in September at Spring Park in Tuscumbia; the exact dates vary from year to year. It celebrates the culture and traditions of Native Americans who once lived in North Alabama. The program includes performances of various traditional dances. Vendors also offer Indigenous-inspired foods to sample.

At Ivy Green, a theater troupe reenacts the story of Helen, Annie, and the miracle that happened there every summer. Performance dates vary. Ivy Green is designated a National Historic Landmark. A stay can therefore include both recurring annual events and historic sites with stories of their own.

These varied themes offer different starting points for planning a stay in Colbert County.

Discover more destinations: Tuscumbia, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Russell, St. Clair County, Conecuh County, Blount County, Marshall County.

Return to the main travel overview: Alabama.