A Coosa River landmark was recently added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.
Main Street Wetumpka Executive Director Jenny Stubbs, who nominated Lock 31, said she was notified Nov. 1 that it was added by the Alabama Historical Commission.
“I’m thrilled that it’s happening, and I think we’re all surprised that this hasn’t been done before now,” Stubbs said. “I’m glad I can be a part of it.”
While the lock appears to be two large slabs of concrete in the river, Stubbs said it was nominated because of the historical significance it carries from the late 1800s.
“The lock, in particular, is very visible in the downtown area. Everyone looks at it, but they don’t really understand what it is,” Stubbs said.
Though construction of Lock 31 began as a $6 million project, Stubbs said it was never finished and never used.
According to Stubbs, the project was abandoned because of how quickly trains replaced steamboats as the most prominent method of transportation during that era.
“It was part of a series of locks, and it was the last lock of the series. These locks for steamboats had special doors that let the steamboat through, but the doors were never put on (Lock 31) because it was literally during the shift,” Stubbs said. “It just tells you how important it was when it began, but how quickly the trend changed.”
Throughout the years, Stubbs said Lock 31 has been cultivated into a boat ramp and has become part of Main Street Wetumpka’s annual Tulatoma Snail Trail tour.
“We have a steamboat mural (on the old Lancaster Hotel building) facing the lock, which is something” Stubbs said. “Now, we’re working with an Eagle Scout to cultivate a space at the lock, so that it’s a bona fide stop on the trail.”
While there are many buildings in Wetumpka that could be added to the registry, but have not due to the time and effort it takes to get a structure listed.
“I don’t think it’s because we don’t have historic buildings. I think it’s because it’s sometimes a lengthy process to submit to get things approved, and it takes time and effort,” Stubbs said. “You have to be very focused on your submission, because you have to research and be educated with a lot of information.”
Stubbs credited Main Street Wetumpka member Joe Champion, who she said was a pivotal part in getting Lock 31 nominated and approved for the registry.
“He would do things like get a copy of (the lock system map) from the probate office. He would find historic documents that legitimized the historic value of the space,” Stubbs said. “In the beginning, he knew that the lock was important, and he helped me understand why.”
Currently, Stubbs said is working to acquire a marker for Lock 31, and already has $1,200 in funds from Central Alabama Community Foundation’s Margaret and Auston Bridges Historic Preservation Grant.
“Markers are almost a couple thousand dollars, depending on how large you get it,” Stubbs said. “We’ll probably end up having to pay some overage costs, but we do have the bulk of the funds.”
