Party Life on The Coosa River

In the early 1880's companies operating steamboats built the first telephone line in the Coosa River Valley . It connected the principle landings with Rome as far as Centre. Steamer continued to carry mail to points along the river a few years after completion of the railroad from Rome to Attalla.

Coosa River steamboats were not only a large factor in the building of Rome and Gadsden, but they also added much to the enrichment of the lives of both the young and the old. During the summer and early autumn months a steamer was often chartered for four or five days at a time, and the elite of Rome's society would sail to Greensport, dancing and feasting all the way.

At Gadsden they disembarked for a dance at one of the hotels. On the return trip another stop was made and another dance, this time at Noccalula Falls. Old timers who recount these memorable trips speak in excited terms and their eyes sparkle.

The larger churches of both Rome and Gadsden held Sunday school picnics on the steamers during the summer months, at which time business would come almost to a standstill and hundreds would turn out for a day on the Coosa.

Then too, there were moonlight excursions-with always a good string band on board, usually a violin, guitar and a bass viol. Any man who has stood behind the great wheel of a river steamer as it glided down the current in the face of a full moon knows what it means to come under the spell of the Coosa.

thanks to Dennis Nordmen