Rogers Group Experts in Crushed Stone, Aggregates, Gravel, Asphalt Paving, Road Construction, Quarries for 100 Years

Robbins Development Breathes New Life Into Downtown Tuscumbia

Stepping through the doors of Palace Drug Store in downtown Tuscumbia is like stepping into the past. Children dangle their legs, twirl on stools, and dribble hot fudge on their chin at the old-fashioned soda fountain.

Palace Drug Store isn't just a place for nostalgia; it's a place of business. The pharmacy does a brisk business filling prescriptions, but employees are on a first-name basis with many of their customers. Thick as concrete, old-fashioned, chocolate milkshakes are the real attraction. The Palace sold almost 30,000 milkshakes this year. Each one represents one step closer to the goal of Harvey and Jo Anne Robbins.

In an unusual public-private alliance, Harvey and Jo Anne Robbins of Robbins Property Development, Inc. used much of their own money to renovate Palace Drug Store and overhaul Spring Park. They have plans for the other dozen downtown buildings in need of restoration that they have purchased. The Robbins' have also donated a 1,000 acres of land for the development of a new golf course in the community.

Spring Park and Palace Drug Store is the centerpiece of a comprehensive plan led by city officials to promote Tuscumbia as a tourist destination, tying in the birthplace of Helen Keller, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, the Tennessee Valley Art Center, and an old railroad depot that could become a railroad museum. Smaller, "niche" businesses are leasing shops in renovated buildings providing a much needed tax base for the county seat. By renovating downtown Tuscumbia the city aims to keep its business center viable while at the same time preserve its history.

Robbins' gift has magnified the efforts of citizens' groups in recent months to help the city rejuvenate and beautify northwest Alabama's oldest town.

"The mayor, the city council, and the county commission, have been very cooperative and deserve a great deal of the credit," said David Blazer, Vice-President of Robbins Development.

"An all volunteer streetscape program is under way. The city utilities department worked with citizens to install new lights downtown and plant flowers and trees."

"I think the reason people get excited about this kind of thing is because it represents what so many towns have lost, which is a downtown sense of community, a place for people to go spend time and do things," Robbins said.

"There are many wonderful things about Tuscumbia. I have a love for this little town. I grew up here, I have friends here. I wanted to give something back."

Spring Park features a 48-foot waterfall and dancing water show. A 100-foot geyser shoots water from an underground spring. Several petrified wood sculptures and a stone monument dot the park's picnic and recreation areas. The water show performs every weekend.

"It is good to see a businessman such as Harvey Robbins putting his time and money back into his home community. His efforts are very valuable to the community," said Jerald Smith, Account Manager.

Robbins Development purchases both stone and paving from Rogers Group.

"Downtown is as beautiful as it has ever been," said Blazer.

"I'm glad to have played a small role in such an important project. I have received excellent service from the Tuscumbia office. What I liked most about working with Chestine Wallace and Jerald Smith is they are honest. If it's going to be at least an hour, they tell me that -- not it'll be just a few minutes. They have also made sure drivers are notified of special traffic patterns for deliveries when it is needed."

4 million tons of water pass through the falls daily.

Spring park features water shows.

Refurbished log cabin at park.