Wetumpka Impact Crater > The Commission > 
Crater Commission Timeline
Wetumpka Coastal Impact Crater Project Development History
  • Early State Geologic Survey discovered anomaly that was later thought to be Impact Crater
  • Dr. David King of Auburn University proved Wetumpka's Official Coastal Impact Crater in 1998
  • First Wetumpka Impact Crater Tour sponsored by Auburn Astronomical Society in 1998
  • Wetumpka Impact Crater Commission® (WICC)  created by City & County Resolutions in 2003
  • The City & WICC obtained the 25 acre exibition site on US 231 in 2004
  • WICC and Auburn University initated annual Lecture and Tour series in 2005
  • WICC & ECEDA developed grant for Master Plan development in 2006
  • Gresham Smith and Associates Finished the site Master Plan in 2008
  • Wetumpka / ECEDA hired AUM to complete a Resource Map in 2010
  • Wetumpka / ECEDA set-up Auburn Architectual Design Competition in 2011
  • WICC initiated several projects in 2011 including: 
    Alabama Tourism grant for Brochures, Web-page and Site Signage
    Appalachian Regional grant to develop Tourist Assett Plan & Project Governance
    Developed and adopted WICC Bylaws
  • The Gateway Corporation, a non-profit 501 (c)3 organization, was established to plan, develop,
    build, operate and maintain the Alabama Impact Crater Interpretive Center on the U.S. Highway 231
    property.

Notes relating to WICC  Development

May/June 2002: The Elmore County Commission and the Wetumpka City Council passed resolutions establishing a Wetumpka Impact Crater Study Commission that will comprise of four members from the county and four from the city, with the city and county naming a chaIrperson. At least one member, but not more than two, appointed by each body will live on land within the crater.

September 26, 2002: The group considered the idea of appointing a chairperson but decided to wait until the need arose. Hazel Jones was nominated, and unanimously elected, to serve as the Crater Commission’s Coordinator (from minutes).

June 2003: The Elmore County Commission and the Wetumpka City Council approved ordinances making the Wetumpka Impact Crater Study Commission a permanent Impact Crater Commission. Two additional members, one from the city and one from the county would be added. There is no mention of how a chairperson will be named.

August 5, 2003: Hazel Jones agreed to be chairperson and Rebecca Hall agreed to take notes (from minutes). There is no mention of how this came up.