Tuscumbia was established around 1816 when the Dixon family settled in the area and engaged in land negotiations with Chief Tucumseh. From the initial homes, a community emerged, later referred to as Big Spring. In 1822, the name was altered to Tuscumbia, in honor of a local Chickasaw chief. During the mid-1800s, Tuscumbia evolved into a significant railway hub, a factor that made the city a prime target for the Union army during the Civil War. Today, Tuscumbia is part of “The Shoals,” which encompasses the cities of Tuscumbia, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Florence, collectively hosting renowned recording studios, museums, ancient sites, and Ivy Green, the birthplace of Helen Keller.