Sheffield

History

Sheffield is the site of historic Helen Keller Hospital, formerly known as Colbert County Hospital, originally constructed in 1921. It was changed to Helen Keller Hospital in 1979, and Keller's birthplace Ivy Green is located less than one mile southwest of the hospital in adjacent Tuscumbia. Sheffield is the birthplace of "country-soul pioneer" and songwriter Arthur Alexander, French horn player Willie Ruff, notable attorney, actor, former senator and presidential contender Fred Thompson, Watergate committee U.S. Senator Howell Heflin and U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, whose father was working in nearby Athens when he was born. It sometimes is referred to as "the City of Senators" due to the births of Heflin, McConnell and Thompson within its borders. Col. Harland Sanders worked for Southern Railway in Sheffield in 1907. It is also home to the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio where many popular 20th century musicians recorded their work, including Alexander and Ruff.

Geography

Sheffield is located in eastern Colbert County at (34.7570187, -87.6977027).

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Muscle Shoals High School
  High · Muscle Shoals · 853 students · 19.8:1 ratio
• Muscle Shoals Middle School
  Middle · Muscle Shoals · 648 students · 17.1:1 ratio
• McBride Elementary School
  Elementary · Muscle Shoals · 614 students
• Colbert Heights High School
  High · Tuscumbia · 484 students · 15.6:1 ratio
• Colbert Heights Elementary School
  Elementary · Tuscumbia · 473 students · 15.8:1 ratio
• Deshler High School
  High · Tuscumbia · 434 students · 14:1 ratio
• G W Trenholm Primary School
  Elementary · Tuscumbia · 420 students · 19.1:1 ratio
• Deshler Middle School
  Middle · Tuscumbia · 349 students · 16.6:1 ratio