Nature At Its Best
Whatever one's recretional pursuits, he is likely to find them in Elmore County, particularly the outdoors-man. Over three- fourths of the county is covered in woodland, making it abundant in wildlife.
Hiking along the Coosa or around Fort Toulouse/Jackson State Historic Site is an experience in beauty and wonder. Fishing is an excellent year around sport due to the mild winters. Bass, bream and catfish abound in the nearby lakes, rivers and many well stocked ponds. Lakes Jordan and Martin, and the Coosa, Tallapoosa and Alabama Rivers offer ideal locations for boating, canoeing, skiing, sailing and other water oriented activities.
Lake Martin, one of the world's largest man-made lakes with approximately 44, 000 acres of clear sparkling water, is located only 20 minutes from the City of Wetumpka. This recreational playground offers golf, sailing clubs, and marinas all within close proximity.
Lake Jordan, a 4,900 acre lake, located only 10 minutes from Wetumpka is a fisherman's paradise. Water skiing, jet skiing and other forms of water sports are also abundant.
Many annual activities take place on both lakes each year.
Experience The Coosa River
The Coosa River flows through the middle of the City, dividing the historic business district from its residential counterpart. The waters south of the Bibb Graves Bridge offer navigable access to the Gulf of Mexico. From the foot of Jordan Dam, to the north side of the bridge, the waters are more shallow and filled with rock formations.
This portion of the river is home to the infamous "Moccasin Gap", a series of rapids sure to challenge even the most experienced paddler. The rumbling waters are ideal for rafts, canoes, and kayaks.
Each year hundreds of adventurous sports-men from across the United States converge on the river for the Annual Coosa River Whitewater Festival. The event, sponsored by the Coosa River Paddling Club begins at the base of Jordan Dam and concludes in Wetumpka. Nationally sanctioned racing, surfing, and ender competitions are only a few of the many activities. From April until October, whitewater excursions are available through Southern Trails, Coosa Outdoor Center, and Coosa River Adventures. They provide transportation to the launch site and all necessary supplies.
Recently, Air Evac Lifeteam has located at the airport to provide emergency care and transportation for critical care. This location can be reached at (334) 285-2064.
The skies over Wetumpka offer yet another exciting sport venue. A light weight flying craft called an ultra- lite can often be seen fly ing through the skies of the Wetumpka area. Craft rentals are available through Fly-Lite Aviation at the Wetumpka Municipal Airport. For airport information call 334-285-5843.
The airport, originally known as Elmore Auxiliary No. 2 Airfield served as an auxiliary field to Maxwell Air Force Base during World War II. The airfield was deeded to the City of Wetumpka in 1948 and now offers service to both business and private aircraft. Some 40 city owned T-hangars are available for rent.
The Trail of Legends Association
A non- profit volunteer organization was created for the purpose of designing a master system of trails crisscrossing Elmore County. Working with the Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, the goal is to provide residents and visitors new venues for walking, running, biking, horseback riding, and canoeing.
Swayback Bridge Trail
Whether it is hiking or biking visitors have in mind, the Swayback Bridge Trail is a popular destination for trail enthusiasts. Officially opened in 1998, the Swayback Trail is a project of the county’s Trail of Legends Association (TOLA).
This 12 mile rugged hiking and biking trail is located on the bank of Lake Jordan. Markers are installed along the path so visitors will be able to know where they are on the trail, a map on the entrance board also helps to guide visitors. The trail site is just off Old U. S. Highway 231 near Camp Chandler. Signs and other amenities help first-time visitors to locate and utilize the trail more fully.
Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Walking Tour
Your tour begins at 110 East Bridge Street from the historic Bank of Wetumpka, built about 1905. Its elegant and sophisticated architecture sets it apart and makes it one of the anchor buildings of the designated east-side Historic Downtown Wetumpka. A white masonry building, it has strong vertical emphasis created by tall slender windows and bold neoclassical detailing. Purchased in 1995, it is the home of Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce.
Across Court Street stands the three-story Lancaster Hotel built in 1903. It served visitors as well as residents of the area for decades. Today, it houses several business establishments.
Elmore County Courthouse, Commerce Street, built at a cost of $250,000 in 1931, in the same approximate location as the previous courthouse. Haggerty Hall was there when Elmore County was established in 1866. It touts eight fluted, Greek Revival columns of Missouri marble which support the central loggia of the building. The two-story neoclassical design boasts an architrave embellished with large medallions and flowerettes. Offices of the Probate Judge, Records Room, Revenue Commissioner, Elmore County Commission, Board of Registrars, and others are located there.
Old Elmore County Jail, directly behind the Courthouse was constructed on the site of a previous jail in the mid-20th century to house local prisoners. The new Elmore County Jail and Judicial Complex on US Highway 231 was opened June 1995. The old building is now used for storage. This Office of Stephen P. McCulloch at 101 Commerce Street, recently restored to preserve its original brick architecture, was built after the 1902 fire. It served as Venable Feed and Seed for many years.
Proceeding north on to Hill Street, see this historic building, for long years a gas station, constructed in the 1920s. C. E. Turner established the Standard Oil dealership in 1933 and followed up with the Chevron dealership until 1995.
Company Street is home to numerous building locations constructed from the late 1840s to early 1900s. The only continuously operated business is Little Sam’s Café, serving up hundreds of meals and cups of coffee each day since 1909.
Turning west on Orline Street and looking to the right at Academy Events and Catering, one can enjoy meals by special arrangements on the patio overlooking the magnificent Coosa River.
To your left is the old First National Bank Building with its signature clock. Built in 1910 the building complex has housed numerous business locations. Early years saw a telephone company, meat market, millenary and dry goods store. Today it continues to be home to several businesses.
On the corner of Hill and East Bridge stands the old “Due Corner” built in the mid-1850s having survived the great flood of ’86 and three fires. After all early family members died, the building went to Elmore County for “the care of the poor and destitute,” a cause to which the rent still goes. This legacy came from the Tulane family whose son Paul Tulane gave $2 million toward establishing Tulane University. That corner served as the stop location for all bus traffic providing daily service to and from area towns into Montgomery and other locations until the 1950s. Now Thames Pharmacy.
On the north side of East Bridge stands a block of buildings constructed in the mid-1800s. The anchor building on this block and one that has recently been restored to preserve its architectural integrity is the building of Regina B. Edwards, Attorney at Law. Originally occupied in 1855, it is one of the five oldest continuously operated business locations in downtown Wetumpka. Second floor of the building was site of the City Council Chambers c. 1885-1903.
Fain Theater, now vacant, was one of the popular movie theaters of Wetumpka built in the late 1930s.
Just to the side of the theater stands The Old Calaboose, built in the early 1800s and located 100 feet from the Bridge, it rests on the banks of the Coosa River and served as Wetumpka’s first jail.
Bibb Graves Bridge, a focal point of the City was built in 1937. Designed by state bridge engineer Edward Houk and named after Governor Bibb Graves, it is reputed to be one of two bridges in Alabama to be suspended by reinforced concrete.
Proceeding across the Bridge to the largely residential west side, on West Bridge Street, on the right you observe the First Presbyterian Church organized in 1834. It was the site of the gathering of the Wetumpka Light Guard as they departed the company of their loved ones when they went to do battle in the Civil War on April 16, 1861.
There are a number of historic and beautiful homes to be viewed within a five block area mainly on Tuskeena Street (walk one block north on West Bridge and to the left down Tuskeena. Notably these are: (18-1) Macon House, 206 West Tuskeena Street, was originally a theater in east Wetumpka. Dismantled and moved across the River in 1840s and rebuilt as a two story house.
(18-2) Cantelou-Crowe House, 207 West Tuskeena Street, was built in the 1850s as a story and a half home. Cantelou family had possession of the home from 1869 until 1973. Birth place of Kelly Fitzpatrick, famed local artist born in 1888. (18-3) Rose Cottage, 301 West Tuskeena built 1843 as first meeting house of the Methodist Church on current church property. Moved 1850 to its present location. Moving north one block to corner of Tallassee and Government Streets (306 Government), see the finest Greek revival style mansion around, (18-4) Jackson Oaks built 1842 and occupied for a time by the nationally recognized composer and musician Florence Golson Bateman.
Another point of interest is the Wetumpka Junior High School (corner of Tallassee and Alabama Streets), originally constructed in 1939 as Wetumpka High School. Also home of the Wetumpka Performing Arts center (WPA), a 500+ seat auditorium with stage to accommodate pageants, theater productions, concerts, etc.
Walking two blocks back to Tuskeena, First United Methodist Church is located at 306 West Tuskeena Street. The building was completed 1854. In 1845, an historic session of the Alabama Conference delegates voted to become part of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and so it remained until 1939.
Directly behind the church is the L & N Depot. Established in 1906 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The station served as a passenger and freight depot until 1973. Used for several years as the first home of the Wetumpka Depot Players, it is currently used as a place of worship and for youth activities and is owned by First United Methodist Church.
Next door to the Methodist Church stands a house built by Benjamin Fitzpatrick, a local attorney and circuit solicitor and son of 9th Governor of Alabama, Benjamin Fitzpatrick. Built 1892.
Walking south to West Bridge Street and turning to your left, you will see on the south side the First Baptist Church organized circa 1821. The earliest currently existing building was dedicated in 1852. Additional buildings were added through the years with remodeling in 1909. Stained glass windows were installed at this time. The second sanctuary building was constructed in 1963.
Travelling back across the Bibb Graves Bridge, gaze into the Coosa River and view the upturned rock formations, visible signs of the crash of a meteorite producing winds in excess of 500 miles per hour. The impact crater covered a four-mile expanse of basin some 83 million years ago. Other vestiges of the crater can be seen along US Highway 231 travelling south out of Wetumpka along the by-pass. View the historic marker placed in front of the Elmore County Health Department.
Moving south on South Main Street, you will pass the former U.S. Post Office, dedicated in 1937 and now owned by the City of Wetumpka. Leased in 2008 to the Elmore County Historical Society as the Elmore County Museum.
Wetumpka City Hall, built in 1975 from revenue sharing funds houses the Wetumpka Public Library, Offices of Municipal Court, and City Council Chambers.
The Alliance Warehouse housed the Elmore County Museum from 1988 to 2003. The Alliance Warehouse is the oldest building in Wetumpka, constructed in the 1820s. At the south end of the warehouse, is the newly renovated Jeanette Barrett Civic Rooom which is available for rent to small groups. Rental from the City of Wetumpka. For more information, please call (334) 567-5147.
Next to the warehouse is the Ma Brown Log Cabin, also a part of the museum. Built in 1879 by Wm. and Martha Brown, it was moved from County Road #23 near Deatsville to its present location in 1992. This cabin is typical of the dog-trot type housing constructed in rural areas during the 1800s.
The Wetumpka Depot Theater which opened in 2000 is located next door to City Hall. The local group of amateur performers present several productions throughout each year with a special summer series for youth. End your tour with a leisurely stroll through the pathways and bridges in Gold Star Park, the location of many annual events which focus their activities around the Coosa River: Christmas on the Coosa, Riverfest, Brown Bag Concerts, Coosa River Challenge and other events. Enjoy the cool breeze from the water, picnic at the tables or cook out on the outdoor facilities in the park.
Riverwalk which begins on the south side of the beautiful Coosa River, crosses Bibb Graves Bridge and then meanders up behind City Hall in Gold Star Park and proceeds to the rear of the new Civic Center. The walkway is perfect for exercising or taking a leisurely stroll and it also offers a wondeful view of activities on the Coosa River. A complete playground facility has been added to the park. The playground features 40 different events, and can accomodate up to 120 children.
In September 2006, the City of Wetumpka unveiled its long awaited Civic Center to the delight of its citizens. It's a much needed facility that is aesthetically pleasing with a modern sound system and projector for computer presentations. This facility is being used for social engagements, conferences and business meetings and will allow local schools to host proms and graduation ceremonies instead of traveling to other cities. For rental information regarding the Wetumpka Civic Center or the Jeanette Barrett Civic Room, contact the City of Wetumpka, (334) 567-5147.
Age Level Activities and Sports
Serving as home to the Wetumpka Dixie League, the Wetumpka Municipal Park provides a venue for residents to experience the thrill of youthful competition. An estimated 900 youth and 200 adults spend countless hours rounding the bases.
The six lighted playing fields, located at 815 Kelly Fitzpatrick Drive, are also used by the nearby high school and other civic groups. A batting cage is available for practice sessions and a city operated concession stand offers spectators an array of refreshments.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center, located on Lancaster Street, offers volleyball, basketball, softball, and a variety of other youth activities. The facility includes two outdoor basketball courts and two lighted baseball fields.
Located on Cotton Street on the west side of the river, Wetumpka Memorial Park and Fain Community Center offer two lighted tennis courts, and a children's playground. The building designed to accommodate 270 people is used for Wii Bowling, Country Line Dance, Exercise Classes, Crafts for Hospice Patients, Bridge, Men's Coffee Club, Devotional, Bingo, Congregate Meals served M-F, Meals on Wheels 10 - 2.
Meadowbrook Park, located off Gunter Avenue, rounds out Wetumpka's park system. Meadowbrook Park provides nearby residents with a softball field and playground. Practice softball fields are also located on Airey, Tallassee, and Opothleohola Streets.
The Wetumpka YMCA, a branch of the Montgomery YMCA, features a full-sized basketball gymnasium adaptable for gymnastics competition. The "Y" conducts a variety of programs throughout the 
year. Goodtimes & CIT Day Camp offer activities such as arts and crafts, swim lessons, computer classes, movies, and weekly trips.
Adult programs such as fully equipped fitness room, aerobic classes, and a variety of men's and co-ed sports leagues are available.
During the summer months, swimming lessons are offered in a 4-lane, 25-yard pool to individuals ages 6 months through adulthood and the Morning Rec-League provides planned activities for ages 6-12. Ongoing programs include Karate, Tac Kwon Do and Baton lessons for ages 5-adult, and Gymnastics for children as young as 3 years of age. Two classrooms are available for instructional activities. For further details call 567-8282.
For rental information regarding Wetumpka Civic Center or the Old Post Office, contact the City at (334) 567-5147.
