communities wetumpka
Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachians along the Coosa River , Wetumpka is appropriately known as the “ City of Natural Beauty .” Thanks to the six-mile stretch of whitewater rapids , welldeveloped hiking and biking trails , and beautiful nearby Lakes Martin and Jordan , it is a haven for outdoor recreation lovers .
The city is also home to loads of gorgeous architecture that can be seen in its historic courthouse ( built in 1931 ), the distinctive Bibb Graves Bridge , and several pre-Civil War antebellum churches . Wetumpka ’ s bustling downtown district is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places . Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis shared , “ Downtown Wetumpka has a nice stock of buildings . The downtown business mix includes retail , dining , offices , and services that cater to the local and county market , visitors , downtown-area employees , and businesses revolving around the Elmore County Courthouse .”
Recently , Wetumpka was chosen out of the 2,600 cities to be on the HGTV “ Hometown Takeover ” series which premiered on May 2 , 2021 . The series consisted of six episodes that followed Ben and Erin Napier as they revitalized the entire town in four months . They took over the old downtown and brought new life to the historic homes , restaurants , stores , public spaces , and more .
WETUMPKA
City of Natural Beauty
On January 19 , 2019 , an EF-2 tornado significantly damaged areas of downtown Wetumpka . After the storm , citizens of Wetumpka and surrounding areas band together in an effort to repair the damage and get the city back on its feet — they labeled their project “ Wetumpka Strong .” Nearly 800 volunteers showed up the day after the tornado , ready to help in any way possible .
Operated by the Poarch Creek Band of Indians , Wind Creek Casino and Hotel draws in business from tourists and locals alike . In addition to over 2,500 gaming machines spread over 85,000 square feet , the property is home to several restaurants , as well as a 20-story hotel . Wind Creek Casino is currently the largest casino in Alabama and serves as one of the top employers in Elmore County .
When it comes to understanding what makes Wetumpka so special , Mayor Willis explained , “ Simply put , people love living in Wetumpka for the small town charm it offers and leisurely lifestyle . The abundance of walking trails and recreational biking and hiking trails is ideal for the outdoor enthusiast . Wetumpka ’ s rich history and preserved sites such as the Elmore County Historical Museum and the Black History Museum attract locals and foreigners . It ’ s easy to fall in love with Wetumpka because of its diverse events that feature fun for the entire family .”
The city ’ s archaeological significance is staggering — it is the site of the most cataclysmic geological event in the area ’ s history . Some 83.4 million years ago , a meteor slammed into the shallow sea that once covered this entire region . Today , its remains are showcased in the four-mile wide crater the meteor ’ s impact left behind , with the city ’ s downtown cradled in its basin .
Wetumpka ( an Indian term meaning “ rumbling waters ”) is abundant in lore and legend and rich with history . DeSoto ’ s expeditions traversed the area nearly 500 years ago and found a palisade village built around A . D . 1000 . In 1717 , the French established Fort Toulouse as a military outpost and trading center , which was the beginning of an important trade hub for the entire area and continues to the present .
DID YOU KNOW ?
Wetumpka has been a part of many filming productions over years , including Big Fish , The Rosa Parks Story , The Grass Harp and Sons of the South . Most recently , Wetumpka was chosen for HGTV ’ s Home Town Takeover which debuted in May 2021 .
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