The Elmore County Historical Society and Museum
Presented
this Walking Tour of Wetumpka
in April
Wetumpka, Alabama
"City of Naural Beauty"
100 WEST BRIDGE STREET
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Founded 1836-Built 1854
This structure is a superb example of the very early Carpenter-Gothic style. The exterior has a classic treatment of the windows with fitted stationary green blinds. It was here that the Wetumpka Light guard left for duty in the Civil War in April 1861.
205 WEST BRIDGE STREET
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Founded 1821-Built 1852
Scattered settlers living along the river organized the Coosa River Baptist Church. In 1842, it transitioned to the city church of the First Baptist Church of Wetumpka. A devastating fire in 1843 ravaged the west side of Wetumpka. The only thing salvaged from the fire was the church bell.
600 WEST TUSKEENA STREET
A. Due 1849
Four generations of the Freeman family lived in the home until its purchase by the Heath’s in 2006. In 2007, this home was featured on HGTV’s “If Walls Could Talk”.
408 WEST TALLASSEE STREET
Judge Tate 1880-owner D. C. Spivey
As an original central passage cottage, this home was a two family dwelling. Mr. and Mrs. Spivey moved into the home in 1947, then purchased the home in 1964. They made it into a single family home in 1969 and filled it with heirloom antiques.
306 WEST TUSKEENA STREET
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
Founded 1836-Built 1854
The Rose Cottage across the street was used as the church until 1854 when the existing building was completed . One of the earliest existing churches, this building was made from bricks donated by Bernard Young from his plantation.
303 WEST TUSKEENA STREET
W.E. Lacy 1912-owner Reita Page
The front porch of this stately Greek Revival home welcomes visitors. Upon entering one admires the beautiful woodwork of years past. Ms. Page is known for the restoration of several homes in our historic area.
209 WEST COOSA STREET
W.B. Cooper 1840-owners Ed and Martha Dykes
Dubbed the social center of Wetumpka, this stately Anti-Bellum home was a frequent respite for Cornelia Wallace (2nd wife of Gov. George Wallace). Her hostess was Mrs. Mary Hogan Williams who adoringly owned the home from 1945 until 1995. At 104, she looks forward to greeting you on the front porch.
306 GOVERNMENT STREET
Dr.T. Mason 1848-owner Annie Crenshaw
This Victorian home features the original pocket doors separating the living and dining rooms. Two covered porches allowed viewing the tender care of generations of gardeners as the ladies would gather on the porches for a cool glass of tea.
204 WEST TALLASSEE STREET
E.Seman 1827-owner Howard and Mary Peck
This home is a combination of two homes joined together. The back part of the house was originally a small house which is thought to be the oldest occupied home in the city. Its walls are of solid home-burned bricks about 18 inches thick. Its timbers are hewn by hand and sturdy wooden pegs hold them together. This part of the home was joined to the Moore house.
400 NORTH BRIDGE STREET
S. P. McMORRIS 1904-Owners Bob and Jordan Fogal
The original hand-carved front door with Victorian hardware opens to a six fireplace home. A beautiful 1934 brass and copper radiant heater still warms the living room. The six foot windows throughout the house are original. The Fogals recently purchased and restored this beautiful home.
108 EAST TALLASSEE STREET
S. House 1850-owners Kathleen and Kathy Holt
Names of many prominent Wetumpka residents have been attached to this lovely home. Long time residents remember it as the Martin house where Wetumpka artist, the late Austin Martin, grew up. The yard and home are beautiful attractions to the historic area.
THE BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM
(near the Wetumpka City Cemetery)
The E.C. Training School was built in 1924, one of nine schools built in Elmore County under the Rosenwald Plan. This was the first school for African Americans in Elmore County. Rosenwald, then president of Sears and Roebuck, and Booker T. Washington, then president of Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), initiated the building program to provide facilities to educate Black children.
In 1986, former Mayor, Jeanette Barrett felt the Black Landmark could be an asset to the community. She recruited individuals from the Black community to help save the structure and created a museum. This museum houses history from all the Black communities in the Elmore County. It was opened in 1986 with many pictures and artifacts are exhibited courtesy of Elmore County residents.
112 SOUTH MAIN STREET
ELMORE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM
The Elmore County Museum was originally established in 1984 first on Company Street and later in the Alliance Warehouse, constructed in the 1820’s as an Indian Trading Post. This building was condemned in 2003, and the old Wetumpka Post Office was leased to the Society on February 15, 2008 to be used as a Museum.
Many artifacts are now preserved in the new Museum. Items that portray everyday life in early Alabama include: a barn loom, a spinning wheel, and bed coverlets, metal farm implements: paintings, photographs, documents, various community records and family history data sheets.
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