4 minute read
Must-See Historic Attractions
STORY BY SHARON FOX
Parts of the Town of Spectre still stand in Millbrook today Beau Robbins traveled from Montana to participate in Alabama Frontier Days
IMPACT CRATER
About 83 million years ago, an asteroid estimated to have been about 1,250-feet struck what is now considered downtown Wetumpka. The only evidence of the impact crater is 5 miles of steep cliffs and rocky, rolling hills surrounding the town. Most of Wetumpka sits inside the crater. The impact was the greatest natural disaster in Alabama history, roughly 175,000 times greater than the nuclear explosion in Hiroshima in 1945. A map of how to see the crater is available at the Elmore County Museum.
The Wetumpka Impact Crater Commission is planning a Crater Tour and Lecture in November 2021.
FORT TOULOUSE-JACKSON PARK 2521 W. FORT TOULOUSE RD., WETUMPKA
Fort Toulouse served as an outpost of the French colony of Louisiana in 1717. You will find restored 1814 American Fort Jackson, walking trails, a 1,000-year-old Indian mound and the recreated 1751 Fort Toulouse and Creek Indian Houses. Stop by the welcome center for a guide to begin the tour.
Fort Toulouse holds monthly living history programs and one of the most significant living history events in the state, Alabama Frontier Days, in November.
THE BIG FISH HOUSE 401 E. BRIDGE ST., WETUMPKA
the entire downtown of Wetumpka. It is visible from almost anywhere in the downtown area. Located behind Grumpy Dog, the house is best known as the lovely Victorian home of the Bloom family in the movie Big Fish. The home is privately owned, and tours of the house are not available.
TALLASSEE FALLS MUSEUM 201 BARNETT BLVD, TALLASSEE
Opening in 2013, the museum sits at the edge of Benjamin Fitzpatrick Bridge. The museum is filled with Native American history, information on the only known Civil War armory still standing, the Tallassee Confederate Armory.
THE TOWN OF SPECTRE CYPRESS LANE, MILLBROOK
A part of the small, rundown town of Spectre on the movie set of Big Fish still stands in the town of Millbrook. The storefronts in the movie were lost in a fire a few years ago; however, some of the homes and the church can still be seen. If you are looking for Jenny’s house, you will only find the front columns. The line of shoes from the movie is still there. Visitors are encouraged to add their shoes to the line.
CHARTERS OF FREEDOM 100 E. COMMERCE ST., WETUMPKA
The impact crater that struck Wetumpka 83 million years ago left steep cliffs and rocky, rolling hillssurrounding the town The Charters of Freedom is a replica of the nation's founding documents
The Tallassee Falls Museum is filled with Native American History
The only exhibit of its kind in the State of Alabama, a replica of the nation’s founding documents, is displayed on the lawn of the Historic Elmore County Courthouse. The Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are on permanent display for visitors and the community alike to enjoy.
The only one of its kind in the world, the bridge, located in Tallassee, stands 143 feet above water level and curves the entire length of its 1,738 feet. Named after Alabama’s 11th governor, who served from 1840 to 1844, the bridge is the only way to cross the river from West Tallassee to East Tallassee.
MUSEUM OF BLACK HISTORY 202 LANCASTER ST., WETUMPKA
Housed in the first county training school for African Americans in Elmore County, the museum exhibits artifacts and historical documents about the community. In addition, you can find the Thread My Needle quilters at the museum every Tuesday morning. Visitors are invited to sit and quilt with them as they share stories.
BATTLES FOR THE ARMORY 19359 RIFLE RANGE RD., TALLASSEE
The last standing Civil War armory is located in Tallassee, Alabama. An annual living reenactment event takes place on Gibsons’s View Plantation in Tallassee each November. The event is three days long and includes a battle on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, period food, a working blacksmith shop, carriage rides over the plantation, and camping for visitors.
GOLD STAR PARK END OF READY STREET, WETUMPKA
Located at the end of Ready Street, just off S. Main Street behind the public library, Gold Star Park is filled with things to do for all ages. A riverwalk begins under the Bibb-Graves Bridge. Park visitors will find metal art, a children’s park, birdwatching trails, two resident roosters, along with a group of much loved but grouchy geese.
THE ELMORE COUNTY MUSEUM 112 S. MAIN ST., WETUMPKA
Housed in the old Wetumpka Post Office since 2006, the museum is filled with artifacts, photographs, maps, documents and an enthusiastic curator with plenty of stories to share. On display is a replica of Alabama’s infamous electric chair, nicknamed Yellow Mama.
The beautiful 1800s desk was owned by Alabama Governor and Elmore native, Benjamin Fitzpatrick, who served from 1840 to 1844. Also, see photographs of Wetumpka’s covered bridge, engineered and built by slave turned national bridge-builder Horace King, in 1844. The best part, admission is free.
