Perine Well

Photographed by Tim Carr, August 15, 2009

1. Perine Well Marker

Inscription. This artesian well was drilled to serve a factory which did not materialize. It was then used to water the grounds, a garden and pastures. In addition, by forcing water through pipes into his $50,000 home, E. M. Perine, a merchant prince, had the first air conditioning in Alabama. Fry's history relates that when drilled, this was the deepest known well in the world. Flow is now estimated at 1250 gallons per minute from a depth of 700-900 feet.

Erected by Cahaba Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1250.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 32° 18.684′ N, 87° 5.964′ W. Marker was in Cahaba, Alabama, in Dallas County. It was on 6th South Street. The marker was located at the end of 6th South Street. Go south on Oak Street, 6th South Street is the second dirt road on the left from Capitol Avenue. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Orrville AL 36767, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

Globally, it was in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Castle Perine (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Working and Living in a "Dead Town" (approx. ¼ mile away); New Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Cahaba's "New" Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Double Duty: Burial Society & School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Footprint of a Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Anna Gayle Fry House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cahaba.

Another marker is no longer nearby. St. Luke's Episcopal Church (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. Reported removed according to the "Old Cahawba Archaeological Park" supervisor & also the Cultural Resources Assistant.

Also see . . .
1. Old Cahawba, "Alabama's most famous Ghost Town". (Submitted on October 14, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)
2. Photo of the Perine Mansion. (Submitted on October 14, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)
3. Another Photo of the Perine Mansion. (Submitted on October 14, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)

Additional commentary.
1. Fry's History
Fry's History mentioned in

Perine Well Marker with well visible in center background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 6, 2018

2. Perine Well Marker with well visible in center background.

the text is probably Anna M. Gayle Fry's, Memories of Old Cahaba. Nashville, Tenn., Publishing House of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1908.

— Submitted May 20, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.

Photographed by Tim Carr, August 15, 2009

3. Perine Well

Perine Well head located at Visitor Center. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton

4. Perine Well head located at Visitor Center.

Perine Well with clear water. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 1, 2025

5. Perine Well with clear water.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,454 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on May 20, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on October 14, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 2. submitted on January 6, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on October 14, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 4, 5. submitted on June 4, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.