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Old Calaboose: Wetumpka's Silent Witness

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

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The Old Calaboose in Wetumpka, Alabama, is a historic jail built around 1820, shortly after Alabama's statehood. As one of the city's oldest structures, it stands as a reminder of Wetumpka's early days and its growth during the cotton boom.

A brief summary to Old Calaboose

  • Wetumpka, Alabama, 36092, US

Local tips

  • 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 daylight hours to fully appreciate the architectural details of the Old Calaboose.
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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. There is no cost associated with walking to the Calaboose.

  • 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. This is just an estimate, and prices may vary depending on demand and time of day.

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Discover more about Old Calaboose

The Old Calaboose, traditionally regarded as Wetumpka's first jail, is a tangible link to the city's vibrant past. Constructed circa 1820, shortly after Alabama joined the Union, the calaboose is one of Wetumpka's oldest surviving structures. Located on Orline Street, along the Coosa River, the small, one-story rectangular brick building sits on a fieldstone foundation. Its hipped roof, small barred windows, and heavy wooden entrance door on the eastern elevation evoke a sense of the past. 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. Despite devastating fires in 1845 and 1852, which destroyed much of the commercial district, the Old Calaboose survived, standing as a silent witness to Wetumpka's resilience. In 1992, the Old Calaboose was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure to the East Wetumpka Commercial Historic District. Today, it's a reminder of the city's rich history and a notable stop along the river trail.

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