Wedowee

History

Wedowee, which means "old water" in the Creek language, was named after a Muscogee Creek Indian chief. This area was historically occupied by the Muscogee Creek people. Following Indian Removal of the Creek in the 1830s to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River by the US government, this area was settled by European Americans. The town of Wedowee was designated as the county seat of Randolph County in 1835. The county was developed for the cultivation of cotton as a commodity crop, with labor primarily done by enslaved African Americans, many of whom had been sold to the Deep South from the Upper South in the domestic slave trade. Since the late 20th century, Lake Wedowee was created by the impoundment of the Tallapoosa River. This has enhanced the tourist drawing power of the town. Also known as the R. L. Harris Reservoir, the lake draws thousands of visitors to Wedowee every year.

Geography

Wedowee is located on the Piedmont plateau in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The city is located in the central part of Randolph County along U.S. Route 431, which is the main route through the city. U.S. 431 leads northwest 34 mi (55 km) to Oxford and southeast 13 mi (21 km) to Roanoke. Alabama State Route 48 also runs through the city, leading northeast 9 mi (14 km) to Woodland and west 16 mi (26 km) to Lineville. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and (0.85%) is water.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Randolph County High School
  High · Wedowee · 468 students · 22.3:1 ratio
• Woodland Elementary School
  Elementary · Woodland · 316 students · 17.6:1 ratio
• Woodland High School
  High · Woodland · 279 students · 18.6:1 ratio
• Wedowee Elementary School
  Elementary · Wedowee · 262 students · 14.6:1 ratio
• Wedowee Middle School
  Middle · Wedowee · 184 students · 16.7:1 ratio
• RandolphRoanoke Career Technology Center
  High · Wedowee
• RandolphRoanoke Career Technology Center
  High · Wedowee