Source Collection
University of North Alabama Archives and Special Collections, William Lindsey McDonald Collection, Box 5: Speeches, Writings, Sermons, Folder 10.16: Articles - N, Collier Library.
Description
The article presents a brief history of the establishment of the city of Muscle Shoals, Alabama in the Tennessee River Valley. The text is organized by headings as follows:
- The Indians, pg. 1
- Keeping the Settlers Out, pg. 2
- The First Whites, pg. 2
- Trails That Blazed the Wilderness, pg. 3
- Giants in the Valley, pg. 4
- Organization and Development, pg. 6
- The Green Decades, pg. 7
- The Turning Wheels, pg. 8
- The War, pg. 8
- Cutthroats, pg. 9
- Hard Years, pg. 10
- Excitement and Prosperity, pg. 11
- On the Way to Tatham's Declaration, pg. 12
- Fulfilled at Last, pg. 13
Date Created
9-18-2026
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
William Lindsey McDonald, "Nature's Masterpiece of Power: A Historical Synopsis of Muscle Shoals, Alabama in the Tennessee Valley," University of North Alabama Archives and Special Collections, William Lindsey McDonald Collection, Box 5: Speeches, Writings, Sermons, Folder 10.16: Articles - N, Collier Library.
Rights
These materials are provided for educational and scholarly purposes, and reproduction of items beyond that allowed for fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. The nature of historical archival collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Whenever possible, information is provided about copyright owners and restrictions on materials; however, the responsibility for determining the appropriate use of an item ultimately resides with the patron. The staff is unaware of any copyrights in the digital collections; however, there is a possibility that items may have copyrights associated with them that we were unable to identify. If you are aware of such copyrights, please inform the staff.
Publication Title
"Nature's Masterpiece of Power: A Historical Synopsis of Muscle Shoals, Alabama in the Tennessee Valley"
First Page
1
Last Page
14
Comments
Note: The usage of collection identification terms, including titles and headings, retains the original phrasing used by William Lindsey McDonald, which may be seen as archaic, offensive, or paternalistic. However, the archives seek to use descriptive terminology that adheres to contemporary discourse.
The included additional file has similar information to the main file but was especially written for the 150-year anniversary of the city of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The article is also organized by headings, as follows:
Recommended Citation for Additional File:
William Lindsey McDonald, "Project 150 Years in the Great Muscle Shoals Area," University of North Alabama Archives and Special Collections, William Lindsey McDonald Collection, Box 5: Speeches, Writings, Sermons, Folder 10.18: Articles - P, Collier Library.