Wetumpka in Elmore County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Lock 31
Elmore County
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 13, 2022
1. Lock 31 Marker
In 1889, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built,
a series of 31 locks and dams on the Coosa River.
Lock 31 is the last in that series. The project
was intended to assist steamboat travel through
a series of river rapids starting as far north as
Rome, Georgia, and ending with the treacherous
'Devil's Staircase" in Wetumpka. Due to the
emergence of trains, high costs of the project,
the impending Spanish-American War, and
continual setbacks, construction of the lock
ended in 1896. The lock was never completed or
put into use. In the late 20th century, Alabama
Power made the only addition to Lock 31 when
they installed a water level measuring gauge.Listed in the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on October 25, 2018
Erected by Main Street Wetumpka.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is October 25, 2018.
Location. 32° 32.29′ N, 86° 12.541′ W. Marker is in Wetumpka, Alabama, in Elmore County. Marker is on Dozier Street south of West Bridge Street, on the left when
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Baptist Church of Wetumpka (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Wetumpka Light Guard (about 800 feet away); Wetumpka's Bridges (approx. 0.2 miles away); High Water Mark (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Calaboose (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wetumpka Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Crommelin Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Elmore County Vietnam War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wetumpka.
Also see . . . Article about Lock 31 from Wetumpka Herald's Historic Elmore County Magazine 1996-97. (Submitted on May 13, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 13, 2022
2. Lock 31 Marker with Coosa River & Bibb Graves Bridge in background.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 13, 2022
3. Lock 31 along side the Coosa River and Boat Access area.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 174 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 13, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
