Wetumpka State Penitentiary, formerly Alabama State Penitentiary
Wetumpka State Penitentiary is a historic prison building in Alabama built in 1842 and located near the Coosa River in the town of Wetumpka. The structure features massive stone walls over 25 feet high and originally held about 200 inmates at a time.
The prison was founded in 1842 and was the first building in Alabama built specifically to hold inmates. From the 1920s it became a facility for women only until a new women's prison opened nearby in 1942.
The prison served as a central institution in Alabama's criminal justice system for over a century and shaped local history significantly. Its conversion to a women's facility in the 1920s reflected the evolving role it played within the state's prison network.
The site is located in the town of Wetumpka and can be found near the Coosa River. Since most of the original buildings no longer stand, visitors should be prepared to appreciate the historical significance of the place rather than expecting to see intact structures.
The building was sometimes known as the 'Walls of Alabama', a name referring to its distinctive tall stone walls. A major fire in 1931 severely damaged parts of the facility but was fully repaired in less than two months.
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