Governor Robert Burns Lindsay and daughter Maud McKnight Lindsey Historic Markers

Maud Lindsey's home as it looks today

 Governor Robert Burns Lindsey July 4, 1824-Feb 13, 1902 

A native of Lochmaben, Scotland, Robert Burns Lindsey was Alabama's only foreign-born governor. He immigrated to North Carolina in 1844 and relocated to Tuscumboa in 1849, where he worked as a teacher and read law, obtaining admittance to the Alabama Bar in 1852. The following year, residents of Franklin County elected him to the Alabama House of Representatives. In 1854, Lindsay married Sarah Miller Winston, sister to John Anthony Winston, who served as governor from 1853 to 1857. the couple had nine children, four of whom survived to adulthood, among them educator and author Maud McKnight Lindsey (see other side). 

In 857, Lindsay won the election to the Alabama Senate. In 1861, he joined Colonel Philp D. Roddey's Fourth Alabama Cavalry, CSA. At war's end, voters returned him to the Alabama Senate. In 1870, Lindsey became the first Democrat elected governor of Alabama since the end of the Civil War. His turbulent two-year there in office amidst Reconstruction was beset by economic and political difficulties, compounded by the failure of a state-supported railroad venture. Declining to run for reelection in 1872, Lindsey returned to Tuscumbia, where he continued a limited law practice, hampered by ill health, until his death. 

Sponsored by the Maud Lindsay Study Club and The Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation Alabama Historical Association 2022.

Maud McKnight Lindsay
May 13, 1874-May 30, 1941

International educator and author Maud Lindsay was born at this home, then a frame structure in 1874. She was the daughter of Governor Robert B. Lindsay (see other side) and Sarah M. Winston Lindsey. 

In 1898, after working in a private kindergarten in Tuscumbia, "Mis Maud" crossed social barriers and established Alabama's first free kindergarten program in the working-class cotton mill district of East Florence. 

She remained the teacher and principal of the school for more than four decades. In 1900, Milton Bradley Company published Lindsay's first book. Mother Stories. She subsequently authored sixteen additional works, many of which reflected her childhood experiences in Alabama. Although she had no formal higher education, Lindsay became a sought-after speaker.

She lectured on the art of storytelling at New York University. Rebuffing many offers to teach elsewhere, including an invitation from renowned Italian educator Maria Montessori, Lindsey chose to remain in Alabama. Her childhood friend Helen Keller described her as "one of the truly progressive women of the southland and an example of Alabama's true wealth and greatness." Lindsay was inducted into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame in 1995. 

Maud Lindsey Kindergarten Florence, Alabama 

Maud McKnight Lindsey 
The Florence Free Kindergarten 

Singing River Sculpture in Florence

Singing River Sculpture 

Singing River Sculpture in Florence 

Dedicated to the world-renowned musicians, recording executives, writers, producers, and performers who made Florence and the Muscle Shoals area the “Hit Recording Capital of the World” in the 1960s and 1970s and to those who continue that legacy.

2020 

Legend of the Singing River 
The Yuchi and other early Native Americans who lived along the banks of the mighty Tennessee River long held the legend of a Spirit Woman who lived in the river, sang her song, and protected them. She sang to them loudly if the drive was angry, softly and sweetly when the river was peaceful, and sometimes in the calming hum of a lullaby. In her honor, they named it the Singing River.
Some say that all they heard was the high waters’ mighty rush and roar over the mussel shoals or the calm, low waters babbling through the river rocks. 
Others say she is real and over the waters, just as she did many years ago. So goes the legend of the Singing River. 

The World-Changing Music Shoals Music 
From the last half of the 20th century to the present, Muscle Shoals area artists, musicians, songwriters, and music industry professionals have helped shape the world’s expansive musical heritage. 

Few styles of music were untouched by Muscle Shoals music, and local contributions have been made in all the areas of the complex industry; producers, recording engineers, songwriting, music publishing, and music business interest.

Many of the world’s greatest performers began their assent to stardom in Muscle Shoals. Artists such as Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin, The Staple Singers, Bob Seger, and many others quickly created a legacy that earned the area the title “Hit Recording Capitol of the World.”

The warning in Arthur Alexander’s You Better Move On got the attention of the Rolling Stones. The Beatles heard Alexander’s song Anna, and each band acknowledged their respect for Alexander by recording their version of the songs on their first albums. 

The songwriting tradition continues as one of the strongest facets of Muscle Shoals music, with area songwriters penning songs such as When A Man Loves a Woman, I Swear, Blown Away, Before He Cheats, and hundreds of other hits over the decades. 
The area grew a music center by drawing together people of all races and religions. In the 1960s, despite the segregation of race enforced outside the studio, area soul classics were being created in the studios with musicians contributing their innate musical talents. The collaborations created some of the most widely loved music of the 20th Century, including When A Man Loves A Woman, Mustang Sally, Tell Mama, Patch, Respect Yourself, and many others. 

The heart and soul of Muscle Shoals music have always been the players and singers. Four members of the Muscle Shoals Sound Rhythm Section were immortalized in the Lynyrd Skynyrd song Sweet Home Alabama. The lyric, “Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers, and they’ve been known to pick a song or two, “ honors Barry-Beckett, Jimmy Johnson, David Hoot, and Roger Hawkins, owner of Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, and studio musicians who produced and played on hundreds of hit recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios from the late 60s until the mid-70s.


Florence’s Contribution to this Golden Era
Florence has long had a rich and varied music culture and heritage. Building on the foundation of Blues and Spiritual music laid by Florence native W.C. Handy, known as the Father of the Blues, composer of Beale Street Blues, St Louis Blues, and others, that legacy continues to the present day. 
The roots of what became known as the Muscle Shoals sound are found north of the Tennessee River in Florence, AL. They were planted by pioneers such as James Joiner, Tom Stafford, Rich Hall, and the many talented musicians and songwriters who recorded in Florence studios before 1960.
Other notable music personalities from Florence include Sam Phillips, Buddy Killen, Billy Sherrill, and Kelso Herston, all of whom found major success in Memphis and Nashville. 

In 1956, Joiner wrote and produced the area’s first regional hit, Bobby Denton’s A Fallen Star. He, Kelso Herston, and partners established “Tune Records and Publishing Company, the first of its kind in Alabama, and published the classic Country song Six Days on the Road, written by Earl Greene and Carl Montgomery. 


Stafford, Hall, and Billy Sherrill created Florence Alabama Music Enterprises (FAME) above the City Drug Store, owned by Stafford’s family. The studio attracted young talents such as David Briggs, Norbert Putman, Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham, Jerry Carrigan, Earl “Peanutt” Montgomery, Donnie Fritts, Arthur Alexander, Bobby Denton, and others who would go on to be legendary musicians and songwriters. 


In 1964, at the request of John Lennon, four members of the original Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Norbert Putman, David Briggs, Jerry Carrigan, and Terry Thompson, backed opening acts for the Righteous Brothers and Tommy Roe for the Beatles at their first US concert in Washington D.C. 

In 1976, Wishbone Studio owner and producer Terry Woodford cofounded the University of North Alabama Commercial Music Program, which prepared many for success in the music industry, including Randy Poe, President of Leiber & Stoller Music Publishing/music biographer; Walt Aldridge songwriter/producer, Nancy Lee, V.P. Music Industry Business, Manager Higham Management Ince.; Mark Narmore, Songwriter/singer/keyboardist; John Briggs, V.P. ASCAP (Retired), V.P. Entertainment and Pro Sports, Tower Community Band, and Kevin Lamb, V.P. Peer Music (Retired).

Photos: William Christopher (W.C)Handy
Photo courtesy of W.C. Handy Foundation Inc. 

Photo: James Joiner  and Kelson Herston (L) 
Photo editing courtesy of Glenn Bevis 


Joiner’s Bus Station 
Site of Joiner’s first recording studio 
Photo courtesy of Joiner Family 

Photo: Tom Stanford 
Enigmatic mentor to many young Muscle Shoals musicians 
Photo courtesy of David Briggs

Photo: The Original Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section 
Terry Thompson, Norbert Putman, Jerry Carrigan, and David Briggs 
Photo completion courtesy of Will C. Roberson and Trevor J. Joiner 

Photo: Terry Woodford 
With guest speaker Glenn Frey of the Eagles in UNA Commercial Music class 
Photo courtesy of Terry Woodford. 

The City of Florence, Alabama 
Mayor Steve Holt - Eric Nubbe, Sculpture 
A special thanks to former Mayor Mickey Haddock and former Mayor Bobby E. Irons for their early and unwavering support and encouragement.
Historical commentary by Dick Cooper, David Anderson, Bill Matthews, and Sandra Vetters.

Singing River Sculpture 

2024 June 23-29 Trip to Niagara Falls, Canada Bus Trip with Club & Daimond (7 days)

Niagara Falls Canada 

DAY 1: June 23: Sunday: 

Travel to the en-route hotel(La Quinta Inn & Suites Florence, KY.,350 Meijer Drive Florence, KY stopping for restroom breaks and lunch (you are alone) the bus arrived at 7:30 AM. Travel from 8:00 AM to 8:15 PM Staying at the La Quinta Inn Florence, Kentucky, room 318 

We stopped at Jack's Restaurant for breakfast in Florence 

Gravy sausage and biscuits and tea. Hubby ordered the special breakfast, and we spent $12.22.

We arrived at the Club, loaded our luggage near the orange cones, and went inside for a meeting. 

We were loaded on the bus @8AM.

We stopped at Love's in Columbia, TN, for a restroom break. 

We stopped at the north side of Nashville at Zaxby’s White House, 800 hwy 76 White House, TN @ 12:08 P.M..

For lunch, we both ordered a shrimp meal and Spent $21.93.

We stopped for dinner at Cracker Barrel in Florence, Ky @6:4 P.M.

I ordered grilled chicken tenders and Fried apples with lemon water, and Hubby ordered breakfast. 

One of the women fell on her face and broke her jawbone, so Fran took her to the emergency room. 

Then we are going to the hotel for the night hotel, room 318 La Quinta Inn Florence, Ky.

William and another passenger took the woman (Joan)to Bowling Green, KY, to meet a friend to take the woman home.

They didn’t get back until after 6 A.M. this morning 

Tomorrow is another day of traveling.

Day 2: June 24: Monday: 

Travel- Continental Breakfast at the hotel, stopping for lunch, arrive at Niagara Falls hotel for 4 nights.

Dinner at Eat N Park, 7355 Peach St Erie, PA 16509. 

Cross the border and arrive at Days Inn & Suites, 5068 Centre Street Niagara. 

Falls, Ontario

For Breakfast, I ate a muffin with apple juice. 

We rode through Cincinnati on I-71, and we are headed to Erie, Pennsylvania. 

I met a woman this morning in the dining room 

She asked where we were from. I laughed and said, Florence, Al.

She said I looked into seeing a doctor there, but it was too far.

I told her we were headed to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. 

I saw her again after breakfast. 

She noticed my name tag. 

She said my name is Sandra, but my middle name is Gail

I said so is mine.

She told her friend to take our picture. 

I had her take a picture with my phone. 

I said we could look each other up on Facebook. 

We stopped at Der Dutchman Plain City, Ohio, for lunch

Hubby ordered a Dutchman Hamburger. 

I ordered strawberry poppyseed salad, and we spent around $ 40.00

I bought a sunflower-designed blanket and a bottle of Lavender body lotion and spent around $28.00,

The women who checked me out said they were going to Alaska. 

I was telling them about our trip to Alaska, and we had been just a couple of weeks before.

Back on the road at 1:45 P.M. 

We ate dinner at Eat n Park in Erie, Pennsylvania 

I ordered baked cod with steamed carrots and creamed potatoes with toast

We traveled through Buffalo, New York, and processed through immigration to enter Canada. 

We finally reached our destination. 

The bus was unloaded, and we were given our room keys to room 241 Days Inn & Suites Niagara Falls Centre Street. 

Took our luggage to our rooms, and I walked a couple of blocks to get a better view of the ferry wheel. 

Came back to our room, took a shower, and went to bed it was around midnight. 

Dutchman Plain City, Ohio

Day 3: June 25: Tuesday: 

Continental Breakfast at the hotel, 8-9

Depart at 9:20 and arrive at 10-12 Boat ride on Horn Blower (Niagara Cruise, Historic tour of Niagara-on-the-lake, View of Table Rock Point, Queen Victoria Park including famous Flora Clock and view of rapids. Lunch on our own. Dinner at Queen Victoria Place at 6345 Niagara Pkwy Niagara Falls, Ontario, and at 7 PM, depart for the casino.

Breakfast consisted of eggs, sausage, and a cookie 

At 9:45, we picked up our guide. 

We rode to the boat area, got our tickets, took a cable car down to the falls, loaded onto the boat, and headed to the falls, but first, we were all given blue ponchos. 

They said you will get wet.

What a great experience.

After a short trip, we were taken back to the port and disembarked Into a tunnel going up a hill.

We met a couple from South Carolina. 

They had driven to Niagara. 

We talked to them through the tunnels and the elevator. 

When we reached the gift shop, we said goodbye. 

We stopped to use the restroom at the Best Overlook Restaurant. 

Our guide mentioned several local restaurants for lunch several in our group chose The Secret Garden Restaurant. Hubby and I split a Codfish, Cole slaw &  chips plate for $20.33.

We walked back to the bus loading area, which was parked near the Visitor Center. 

We took the bus back to the hotel and took a nap.

At 4:30, we rode to Victoria Place for dinner.  

We both ordered baked cod with cream potatoes and veggies 

For dessert, we had a blueberry crunch. 

After dinner, we rode back to the hotel. 

Hubby and I walked to the theme park area, where we bought tickets to ride the ferry wheel.

What fun!

You could see everything! 

A great view of the falls, the shops, and the people below. 

We stopped in a few shops but didn’t buy anything. 

Came back to the hotel, worked on my pictures, and went to bed. 

Another long day tomorrow. 

It rained and stormed, so we didn’t do the Historical tour of Niagara-on-the-lake, View of Table Rock Point, Queen Victoria Park, including the famous Flora Clock and view of rapids.

That will be tomorrow. 

Fireworks at the Falls 

The Floral Clock

Park at Niagara Falls, Canada 

Day 4: June 26: Wednesday: 

Continental Breakfast at the Hotel, Guided tour of Niagara Falls Area. We will stop at the Welland Canals Centre and pass through Wine Country, free time, and have dinner at Wrigley’s Best Western Hotel & Conference Center, 2 North Service Road, St Catharines, Ontario. 

Today, I went for a walk to the falls from our hotel room with Pam Black.

We left at 6:30 and were back by 7 A.M.

I worked on my pictures, and hubby and I had breakfast at 8 AM.

At 9:20 AM, we loaded onto the bus and headed for 

Welland Canal and Saint Catharines Museum is located at 1932 Welland Canals Pkwy St Catharines, Ontario.

We walked through the museum, learning the history of the Welland Canal. 

I walked outside, and I walked up several steps to see the Welland locks and canal below. 

Took pictures of several markers and flowers that were outside. 

Our next stop was The Chocolate Factory, located at 335 Four Mile Creek RD Niagara-on-the-lake Ontario.

Our guide talked about the process of making chocolate, 

Packaging the chocolate and the different types of chocolate. 

We were given samples. 

We also bought a bag of chocolate-covered cherries and a bag of Ginger covered in Chocolate. We bought 4 chocolate-covered caramel. 

Next, we went to the town of Niagara-on-the-lake, Ontario. 

We were dropped off at the visitor center, and we took a shuttle into town.

We got off the shuttle behind the Courthouse and were told that was where we would be picked up. 

We went through the apothecary, then walked through the park and down to Lake Ontario. 

Stopped for some Fruit Berry ice cream at one of the local shops. 

Hubby had to use the restroom, so we walked back to the shuttle pick-up area where the restroom was located.

We saw some people coming out of the basement of the courthouse and a sign that said Visitor information inside, So we headed that way.

We met a woman inside, and we talked to her for a while. 

I told her my grandmother was Canadian and that I had relatives living in several Provinces of Canada.

When I left, she said goodbye, fellow Canadian, Made me feel proud. 

We took the shuttle back to the Visitor Center, where the bus was parked.

The bus is leaving at 2:28 P.M.

We stopped at the Bella Terra Vineyard. 

We were all seated at several long tables and given 3 wines to sample. 

We tasted 3 white wines and one red wine. 

They were wines 1,2,3. 

Which are processed from frozen grapes while still on the vines.

Several people purchased several bottles of wine. 

It had been a wonderful day with so much to see, but it was getting close to dinner.

We stopped for dinner at Wrigley's 

Everyone was served a Salad, baked fish, veggies, and Potatoes. For dessert, we had chocolate moose and strawberry jello topped with whipped cream.

We rode back to the hotel, and I took a nap

At 9 P.M., we rode back to the falls to watch the fireworks show

Back to the hotel.

Tomorrow is another day of adventures. 

Day 5: June 27: Thursday: 

Continental Breakfast at the Hotel, a guided tour of the Niagara Falls area. Free time to stroll and visit the Butterfly Conservatory. Dinner at Ostin’s Restaurant 

327 Ontario Street St Catharines, Ontario 

Today, Pam black and I walked to the falls.

We walked through Queen Victoria Park and took pictures along the way.

We saw a rose garden, a lily pond, a statue of George IV, Zimmerman Fountain Pond, and a historic marker of Sir Casimir S. Gqowski.

We came back to the hotel and ate breakfast, same as usual. 

We are leaving for the Butterfly Conservatory at 9:45 A.M.

We walked through the Butterfly Conservatory and saw several different species, but the place was too crowded to get many pictures.

William and I walked through the botanical gardens, which was so much more relaxing there, we saw the beautiful rose gardens. 

Our next stop was the Floral Clock. 

The intricate designs on the face of the Floral Clock are created with thousands of carpet-bedding plants and are changed twice each year. The planted face of the Floral Clock is maintained by Niagara Park’s horticulture staff, while the mechanism inside is kept in working order by Ontario Power Generation. The tower at the back of the clock houses Westminster chimes that greet each quarter hour.

Several people got off the bus near Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls, and so did we. 

 

Hubby and I walked to the Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls.

We walked through the bird Kingdom, where we saw several different species of birds, lizards, turtles, and frogs.

We began our journey back up Clifton Hill, which is a steep hill back to the hotel. 

We rested for a few minutes before heading to the Whirlpool Rapids to ride the Aero Car at 3:30 PM on the Niagara River. Cost $20 each. 

We loaded onto the Aero Car for an unforgettable ride over Niagara River's vibrant, teal-colored waters. Below, we saw the swirling Niagara Whirlpool and the river class 6 rapids as we soared 3,500 feet across the Niagara Gorge. 

At 5:30, we rode to St Catharine’s at Ostin's for dinner 

I ate baked chicken, potato wedges, spinach dip, a roll, and raspberry custard pie.

We returned to the hotel. 

Packed for tomorrow, we are leaving. 

Day 6: June 28: Friday: 

Continental Breakfast, leave for Cleveland, OH, stopping at Cleveland Museum of Natural History, stays en route hotel (La Quinta Inn & Suites Florence, Kentucky. 

Finish packing and set our luggage outside the room. 

Started the day at 6:30 with a walk down to the falls with Pam Black. 

It took us about 25 minutes. 

Came back to the hotel, collected our carry-on bags, walked downstairs, and ate breakfast.

I ate Eggs, sausage, cookies, and orange slices. 

Loaded onto the bus and began our journey. 

We made a stop at the duty’s free customs shops.

It took over an hour to get through customs. 

We stopped at the Welcome Center in Western Pennsylvania. 

We stopped downtown Cleveland Mall for lunch and ate at Charley's Philly Steaks.

Hubby and I shared a medium Philly sandwich and fries. 

We stopped at the history museum, where we saw a few fossils, a couple of dinosaurs, and a historical marker outside. 

The Visitor Hall showcases Haplocanthosarus (Happy) Blato, Dunkleosteus (Dunk) Lucy, the moon rock, and more. 

Then we stopped at Steak  N Shake Grove City, Ohio, for dinner.

Hubby and shared a strawberry milkshake with whipped cream and cherries and an order of onion rings. 

It was late when we arrived at La Quinta INN room 404, Florence, Kentucky. 

Welcome to Pennsylvania 

Day 7: June 29: Saturday: 

Continental Breakfast, then leave for home. Should arrive sometime around 5 PM. 

Hubby and I walked across the street to Meijer, a suppercent, where we bought a Diet Mountain Dew, One banana, one ham and cheese sandwich, and one chicken salad sandwich, which cost $12.58.

Now waiting in the lobby, we are leaving at 8:30 A.M.

We stopped at Pilot to refuel the bus and for a restroom break.

We played bingo for a couple of hours on the bus.  

We ate a late lunch at Friday Opry Mills in Nashville, TN

Hubby and I shared a rib and shrimp plate with macaroni, cheese, and Cole slaw. Cost about $30

Told stories, and some sang Christian songs on the bus.

We arrived at the Club around 5 P.M.

We drove straight to North Florence, where Hazel was celebrating her third birthday with a birthday party. 

The kids were all outside in the inflatable swimming pool.

I told Hazel Happy Birthday, and Hayne said they had already sung Happy Birthday. They had pizza and birthday cake, but we had already eaten and were not hungry.

Hayne and Scott both got stung by a yellow jacket.

We stayed until about 6 P.M.

Hubby wasn’t feeling well.

We rode home, unloaded the car, and went to bed.

Cleveland History Museum