FROM THE ELMORE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
MAY 21, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Wetumpka City Cemetery traces its beginning back to an anonymous article published on May 25, 1842 in the Wetumpka Argus. Signed by “HUMANITY,” the author expressed the sincere desire that city council “aided by private contributions for the purpose, purchase a suitable spot of ground, say two acres in extent…that persons who may be desirous of doing so, may have the privileged of purchasing a plot for a family burial place.” Since that time, it is estimated that over 3,000 burials have taken place in the Wetumpka City Cemetery, and burials continue to this day.
On Saturday, May 21, the Elmore County Historical Society will host a Cemetery Tour from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Visitors will learn about the life of some of Elmore County’s earliest and often colorful characters portrayed by local volunteers. Each year, the Society chooses new individuals to portray.
Highlights this year include Cornelus Saxon, an African American veteran of WWI who worked for the L&N Railroad, Charles Kincaid McMorris, a Confederate veteran and former sheriff of Elmore County, Cora Belle Hester, a devoted wife and mother whose life was cut short due to a pandemic, and Alexander Gordon Due, one of Wetumpka’s most enterprising merchants.
Tickets may be purchased in advance for $5 at the Elmore County History Museum or the Wetumpka Library. Tickets are also available the day of the event. Proceeds go to support local historic preservation efforts. For more information, please contact the Elmore County Museum at (334) 567-5097 or visit us at https://www.facebook.com/ElmoreCountyHistorical
