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 • 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. Marker 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 sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. New Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Cahaba's "New" Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Footprint of a Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Anna Gayle Fry House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Cahawba - circa 1500 (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Prison Chimney? (approx. 0.4 miles away); Civil War Prison (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cahaba.

More about this marker. Reported removed by 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 the text is probably Anna M. Gayle Fry's, Memories of Old Cahaba. Nashville, Tenn., Publishing House of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1908.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 6, 2018

2. Perine Well Marker with well visible in center background.
— Submitted May 20, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.

Photographed By Tim Carr, August 15, 2009

3. Perine Well

View of Perine well with water still trickling into a small brook on right. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 6, 2018

4. View of Perine well with water still trickling into a small brook on right.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,073 times since then and 65 times this year. Last updated on May 20, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 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. submitted on January 6, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.