Old Calaboose: Wetumpka's Silent Witness

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Explore Wetumpka's oldest jail, a relic of the early 1800s, reflecting the city's enduring spirit on the banks of the Coosa River.

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Old Calaboose

The Old Calaboose, Wetumpka's first jail, stands as a tangible link to the city's vibrant past. Constructed around 1820, shortly after Alabama joined the Union, it is one of Wetumpka's oldest surviving structures. Located on Orline Street along the Coosa River, this historical landmark offers a glimpse into the early 19th century.

A brief summary to Old Calaboose

Wetumpka, Alabama, 36092, US

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Old Calaboose.

Combine your visit to the Old Calaboose with a walk across the Bibb Graves Bridge for scenic views of the Coosa River and downtown Wetumpka.
Explore the nearby Elmore County Museum to learn more about Wetumpka's history, including artifacts from the 1800s.
Visit during the fall to capture stunning photos of the Bibb Graves Bridge with the changing leaves.

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Getting There

Walking

From the Bibb Graves Bridge, walk along the riverfront path towards downtown Wetumpka. The Old Calaboose is located on Orline Street, in a parking area behind the buildings on Bridge Street, near the Coosa River. It's easily accessible as part of a walking tour of the historic downtown area.
Taxi/Ride-Share

Request a taxi or ride-share (Uber, etc.) to downtown Wetumpka. Specify the intersection of Bridge Street and Orline Street as your destination. From there, the Old Calaboose is a short walk. A short trip from Wind Creek Wetumpka to the Old Calaboose will cost approximately $14. Expect to pay between $8 and $15 for a short ride within Wetumpka. Uber is available in Wetumpka.

Discover more about Old Calaboose

The Old Calaboose, traditionally regarded as Wetumpka's first jail, is a simple, yet evocative structure that whispers tales of the city's formative years. Estimated to have been built circa 1820, shortly after Alabama joined the Union, it is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Wetumpka. This one-story rectangular brick building, resting on a fieldstone foundation, is located on Orline Street, along the Coosa River, in a parking area behind the buildings along Bridge Street. Its architecture is unassuming: small, barred windows punctuate three sides, and a heavy wooden door marks the eastern elevation.Wetumpka flourished in the early 19th century due to the booming cotton industry. Harper's Weekly even declared Wetumpka and Chicago as the two most promising cities of the West. The city served as a commercial hub with banks, stores, and hotels lining the eastern bank of the Coosa River. However, a devastating fire in 1845 destroyed much of the commercial district, thwarting Wetumpka's aspirations. The Old Calaboose, remarkably, survived, along with the Farmer's Alliance Warehouse (now the Elmore County Museum). Despite another major fire in 1852, Wetumpka rebuilt, but the capital moved to Montgomery. The Old Calaboose remained, a silent observer of the city's fortunes.Today, it stands as a poignant reminder of Wetumpka's resilience and its rich history. Visitors can view the Calaboose as part of a walking tour of downtown Wetumpka, easily accessible from the Bibb Graves Bridge. It's a chance to connect with the past and imagine life in a bustling 19th-century river town. The calaboose was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992 as a contributing structure to the East Wetumpka Commercial Historic District.