Tag Archives: Prattville

The Quirky Roadside Hive of Prattville, Alabama

Heading south out of Prattville, Alabama, towards Montgomery is a dome-shaped building in the center of a parking lot. It’s the final vestige of Stuart’s Red Devil Lake, a recreation area built in the 1930s. It was billed as “Montgomery’s Finest and Most Unusual Recreation Center.” One unusual feature is the dome, which served as a fountain in the lake. Patrons could get free admission if they purchased Red Devil Gas, a series of gas stations owned by the lake owner. Unfortunately, a dam broke at Red Devil Lake in 1939, permanently closing the recreation area.

Advertisement in the June 16, 2024 Montgomery Advertiser
Photo from the June 24, 1936 Montgomery Advertiser. You can see the dome on the left side of the photo.
After the lake closed, a restaurant called the Water Wheel opened. Despite being abandoned, it still stands.
A frequent advertisement in The Mongomery Advertiser