McElraths restore, repurpose Goodwater’s former casket factory

By Editor | December 12, 2025 |

“Caroling at the Tracks” in Goodwater to be held Dec. 18

Wade and Bertha McElrath proudly stand at “The Tracks,” showing what years of dedication, hard work and prayer can do as they renovated and restored Goodwater’s former casket factory into a new, usable facility.

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Bertha and Wade McElrath, both Goodwater natives, have been hard at work the last few years saving one of their town’s most historically significant buildings.

Goodwater’s Southern Casket Company was a thriving business for generations, and its casket race was an annual tradition, drawing participants and spectators from near and far.

Like many of Goodwater’s buildings, the structure; built in 1918, which once manufactured caskets for distribution throughout the Southeast; had fallen into an almost irreversible state of disrepair. The building was optimistically 30% structurally sound with walls, floors and ceilings caving in.

The grounds and structure were almost completely covered with trees and vegetation. Mr. McElrath recounts his wife saying, “Wade, just dig it out.”

When it came to the old structure, Mrs. McElrath viewed things differently than most; she saw what it could be.

“I saw something in this old building that my husband didn’t see,” she said.

She adds that it all started with a dream, and she turned to her husband and said, “Wade, it can happen.”

Wade knew it was going to be a lot of work, but he saw his wife’s excitement and passion for the project. He remembers that she was so excited and full of ideas, saying, “It was like holding back a kid on Christmas.”

He told her, “If you want it, we’ll try.”

Choosing a name for Goodwater’s newly restored structure brought some laughs, and one senses that humor has carried this couple far in this endeavor. Wade loved “The Last Stop” as an homage to the building’s original use. Bertha wasn’t so sure, and they soon settled on “The Tracks.”

Giving back to their community is nothing new for the McElraths. Bertha serves as District 2 commissioner for Coosa County while Wade is currently head of Goodwater’s Disabled Veterans Organization.

While they encounter negative descriptions of Goodwater almost daily, Wade affirms, “It’s our job to set that record straight because we live here; we’re not going anywhere.”

He adds, “If we just put energy back in old original structures, we could do a historical trail from Flagg Mountain to Rockford’s old rock jail to Goodwater’s old casket factory and train depot.”

Bertha shares that while a dream led her to start this project, her ongoing prayers have kept it alive. “Every time I prayed (for help with a challenge), an answer appeared,” she said.

Answers and solutions started pouring in every day. When people saw what they were doing, they wanted to help. People working with them on the building started donating materials.

“If someone was throwing something away, they called us first,” Mr. McElrath said. “Ninety percent of the stuff in this building is something someone threw away.”

Someone else’s trash clearly became their treasure.

“People are waiting to help you, to give you whatever it takes to make that (building) look better than what it does,” Bertha relays.

She doesn’t think the owners of Goodwater’s buildings see the value of what’s in front of them. But she thinks this spirit can catch on in the town.

“Step out on faith and see that it can happen,” she said.

Her aim is that Goodwater residents will be inspired to follow their lead.

“You can take nothing and make something, just like we did,” Wade adds with a chuckle, “if you’re dedicated.”

The McElraths remember the offers they received to tear down the building for free in exchange for its raw materials with no regard for the history of the area and Southern Casket Company. However, the McElraths believe that Goodwater and Coosa County can be developed as an exhibit of historical significance that people will want to come and see.

“But if we don’t start preserving, we won’t have anything to preserve,” they say.

Wade believes if a building from 1918 is still standing, “let’s show it some love.” The McElraths’ mantra has become, “Buy old. Refurbish. Recreate.”

One of Wade’s biggest challenges has been to keep the building’s original aesthetic while making it safe and structurally sound. In keeping with a vintage style, they stayed with browns and barnyard reds while also using as much of the original timberposts and galvanized aluminum tin as possible.

Bertha confesses that one of her greatest challenges has been sifting through all her ideas for the building.

As of now “The Tracks” consists of a loft-style studio apartment, a large kitchen, an overflow room, and an open air pavilion that will hold 80-100 people. The pavilion looks out over a stream running through manicured grounds dotted with fire pits and outdoor grills.

With a wonderful indoor-outdoor flow and separate rooms, the McElraths feel the space would be ideal for a wedding venue, family reunion, or church gathering. The pavilion contributes a cozy intimate event center to the Town of Goodwater for concerts, art exhibits and other municipal gatherings, while the loft apartment offers lodging for out-of-town visitors.

“Coosa County has a lot that we can offer,” shares Commissioner McElrath.

The apartment at “The Tracks” offers overnight lodging for people partaking in the abundance of outdoor activities here from Hatchet Creek to the nearby trailheads of the Pinhoti Trail.

“It’s hard to put it all into words,” Wade recounts. “I’ll just say it’s taken a lot of blood, sweat and tears.”

Bertha adds, “I always hear the negatives of this county, but when I see it, I see beauty. When we all come together, everything’s going to start flowing. It’s going to start happening.”

Their opening event, “Caroling at The Tracks,” will be December 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. with many festivities and activities for children. The McElraths invite all to come out to celebrate the Christmas season with them and see just what can be done with an old building.

Who knows? Their renovation of Goodwater’s casket factory just might inspire a spirit of renovation in the entire town. Mrs. McElrath would say that a dream and prayers will carry you far.