Alabama State Penitentiary
National Register of Historic Places

Alabama State Penitentiary

Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama
Listed
May 7, 1973
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
73000342

About this property

The Wetumpka State Penitentiary (WSP), originally known as the Alabama State Penitentiary, was the first state prison established in Alabama, United States. Built on the east bank of the Coosa River in Wetumpka, it was nicknamed the "Walls of Alabama" or "Walls". For much of its operation, the prison housed both men and women, kept in separate sections of the prison. For a period beginning in the 1920s this prison was used exclusively for women. After a new women's prison was opened a mile away in 1942, the state housed fewer prisoners at the aging Wetumpka facility. It began to sell off parcels of land. The historic site was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 8, 1973. All buildings on the site have been demolished since the late 20th century.

Location

Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama
32.55179, -86.19192

Categories

SOCIAL HISTORY
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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The Civil War
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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Rivers & Rail
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Nearby Historic Sites

First United Methodist Church
Early Republic
1 mi
East Wetumpka Commercial Historic District
Listed
1.2 mi
First Presbyterian Church Of Wetumpka
Industrial
1.3 mi
East Wetumpka Commercial Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Civil War
1.3 mi
Wetumpka L & N Depot
Industrial
1.4 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Autossee (Creek War)
1813Early Republic
7.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Alabama State Penitentiary listed on the National Register?

Alabama State Penitentiary was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 7, 1973.

What type of historic resource is Alabama State Penitentiary?

Alabama State Penitentiary is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Alabama State Penitentiary?

The period of significance for Alabama State Penitentiary is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Alabama State Penitentiary?

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