TUSCUMBIA-Citizens of Tuscumbia are invited to join together at the steps of City Hall, 116 East Sixth Street, on Thursday, December 14, at 5:30 p.m., when a celebration is planned to recognize an important milestone for the city. History tells us that there was a settlement at Big Spring by 1817, when it was reported that several businesses had been established and residences had been built. This pioneer village very quickly developed into the town of Tuscumbia and soon became an agricultural and economic center in Northwest Alabama. The date selected for the event, December 14th, is “Alabama Day.”
William Johnson, Chairman of the newly reorganized Tuscumbia Historic Preservation 
Commission, said that the board recognizes that during “Alabama 200”, the State’s Bicentennial Celebration (2017-2019), Tuscumbia has its own bicentennial to acknowledge. The THCP will host the celebration, along with Tuscumbia Mayor Kerry Underwood. Deshler Band members and the Choral Ensemble from DHS will be on hand to perform patriotic music and school children (and children of any age who are present) are invited onto the steps of City Hall to sing “Happy Birthday” to Tuscumbia. Following a brief program, that will include a history of the town, everyone will be invited to share a huge community birthday cake. In case of inclement weather the program will be moved indoors to the council auditorium.
Banners have been created to recognize the event, incorporating the Alabama Bicentennial logo with Tuscumbia and the date 1817. These banners are prominently displayed in downtown Tuscumbia and on the pioneer log cabin that reputedly served as a stagecoach stop for the young town. A banner will be in place on City Hall for the birthday party. These banners will then be appropriately displayed throughout the ensuing years of the State celebration. A City-wide Bicentennial Committee has been appointed, which will be responsible for planning additional events during 2018-2019. If anyone would be interested in serving on this committee they should notify Mayor Underwood or Bill Johnson.
For more information:
Regarding Tuscumbia History: Ronald Hudson (who will give this part of the program), ualawman72@gmail.com
Regarding the Event or concerning the new Tuscumbia Historic Preservation Commission: William (Bill) Johnson, Chairman THPC, wjohnson1@bellsouth.net
Regarding the City and its involvement: Mayor Kerry (Bubba) Underwood, mayorunderwood@comcast.net
