Hidden Spaces

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Hidden Spaces explores the lesser known stories of northwest Alabama.

09/07/2026

Here’s to all of the hard working folks of North Alabama, union or not! Grateful to so many who make this a growing and thriving region. Happy Labor Day, hope many of you are getting the day off to rest and enjoy.

08/24/2026

Did you know that the Hidden Spaces project has a website? Most of the stories we highlight are archived on our website, so if you ever want to learn more, or search for other interesting spaces and people in our region, visit any time: https://hiddenspaces.org

08/20/2026

Swamp, Koger Island.

Just to the south of where the Natchez Trace bridge crosses the Tennessee River sits Koger Island. The island’s name is attributed to William and Martha Koger who owned a large plantation just north of the island. Long before the Koger’s arrived, the island was inhabited by two different indigenous peoples. The first group were assigned the name “Shell Mound People” by archaeologists. The second group, an advanced civilization, arrived on the island around 1,000 years ago during what is known as the Mississippian Period.

Photo: Abraham Rowe Photography

08/14/2026

Franklin County Watermelon Festival is this weekend! Don’t miss out on the seed spitting contest, streets full of vendors, great music, and of course, all you can eat watermelon!

08/11/2026

Watermelon Festival is coming up this weekend in Russellville! While watermelon is always star of the show, the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association Ribeye Sandwich is an essential get!

08/04/2026

Who’s ready for a new school year to start? One of the most interesting buildings in NW Alabama is The Village School in Sheffield. While it is no longer used as a school, the building still stands and is being restored as a community space by The Village School Foundation.

Village No. 1 was constructed during wartime in 1918 to supply housing and education for families involved in the construction of the Nitrate facility in Colbert County, Alabama. Mann’s; MacNeille Architects, along with Harold A. Caparn and local planners, designed this neighborhood and school complex. The long curves of the main road took the shape of a giant “liberty bell” with the schoolhouse at the bottom of the bell’s clapper.

08/01/2026

The Shoals has been home to dozens of notable recording studios over the years; have you heard of Widget Studio?

Widget was opened in 1968 by Ron Ballew as a music studio, publishing firm and production facility. It is best known today for the 1972 hit “Motorcycle Mama” by Sailcat. The Decatur-based band, led by singer-songwriters Johnny Wyker and Court Pickett, were supported by a who’s-who of Muscle Shoals musicians during the recording of the single and album of the same name, including Pete Carr, Chuck Leavell, Bob Wray, Scott Boyer, Charles Chalmers, and Wishbone’s Terry Woodford and Clayton Ivey.

By the early 1980s, the studio was specializing in gospel music, while continuing to produce rock ‘n roll, country, and R&B. Ballew remained a beloved figure on the local music scene until his death on July 19, 2016. Widget was located on Jackson Highway just a few doors down from the now legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. The building still stands today.

07/16/2026

W.C. Handy Music festival is here! Be sure to get out and see some incredible events over the next few weeks! Catch the Street Strut and Parade at 10am on Saturday, July 25th, always one of our favorite events!

Photos: Abraham Rowe Photography from Handy Festival 2022 courtesy of Muscle Shoals NHA

Address

Spruce Pine, AL
35585

Website

https://hiddenspaces.org/

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