“HAIL THE RAIL – TUSCUMBIA RAILROAD DAY” A BICENTENNIAL EVENT
TUSCUMBIA-Tuscumbia On July 13, the City of Tuscumbia will celebrate a special day designed to bring attention to the important railroad history of the town. “Hail the Rail – Tuscumbia Railroad Day”, will bring a full day of music, entertainment, tours, history programs and food to the Tuscumbia Railway Depot and The Roundhouse, 204 W. Fifth St. The celebration is part of the Alabama Bicentennial and is a Tuscumbia Bicentennial event.
The Lawmen (of Norfolk Southern) will headline a special performance at 4:00 in the Roundhouse. The band performs annually for Norfolk Southern at some 200 company and public events. They play a little bit of everything including mountain, beach, pop, rock, and bluegrass and they have made appearances on national television on stage at the Grand Ole Opry. www.nscorp.com.
The Tuscumbia Bicentennial Commission is seeking the names and contact information for all families who have ties throughout local railroad history, primarily in early Tuscumbia, but reaching to today’s active railroad families. Railroad families will receive special recognition during the event and family stories and photographs will be included in a souvenir program book to be published. To receive more information about how you and your railroad family may be included, send an email tuscumbiadepot@comcast.net or call 256-389-1357 or 256-710-9081.
The Tuscumbia Railway was chartered in 1830. When first constructed, it ran two miles from downtown Tuscumbia to the city’s river port at Tuscumbia Landing. Horse-drawn rail cars were utilized to transport passengers, cotton and other goods. The Tuscumbia Railway was the first in Alabama and the first railroad west of the Appalachian Mountains. In 1832 the railroad was extended to Courtland and then to Decatur, providing a means of transportation around the Muscle Shoals on the Tennessee River. Tuscumbia visionaries led the way in Alabama’s land and resource development through the establishment of the Tuscumbia, Courtland and Decatur Railway.
Railroad Day coincides with the July 13 “Second Saturday” in Tuscumbia. A Street Dance, with live musical entertainment, sponsored by merchants of the town, will take place in the evening. Mark your calendars for a full day of history and fun!
