POWERGRAMS

39 difficult to reach, with hilly and rocky terrain and no roads or railroads the site. The nearest rail line was 5.3 miles away in Asberry, and a company spur track was developed for materials to reach the site. Alabama Power's Dixie Construction was put in charge of the project. Dixie Construction began by building a village for the construction workers. The remoteness of the site required a large commissary, organized leisure activities and entertainment for the workers. The village, known as the "city of Cherokee Bluffs," had 332 structures and a population of about 3,000, making it the largest city in the Tallapoosa Valley. After the dam was finished in 1926, the company converted the village for use by the workers who operated the dam. At that time, Martin Dam was the largest construction project undertaken by Alabama Power. "Martin Dam was the flagship of the Alabama Power hydroelectric system, with the dam and powerhouse beautifully constructed, and able to produce an enormous amount of electricity," said award-winning author and company historian Leah Rawls Atkins. The 168-foot dam was the highest in the state when it was completed. The pressure created from the height of the dam and the force of the water led engineers to design a pool at the base of 12 of the spillway gates to break up the energy before the water continues downstream, which is a distinctive feature of the dam. Martin Dam today is a popular tourist destination for visitors to Lake Martin, with Superintendent Billy Bryan and his staff giving tours weekly. Bryan, superintendent since 2011, said the "powerhouse at Martin Dam makes it unique within the system, because of its detailed brickwork, tiled roof and physical size." The powerhouse is similar in design to Alabama Power's 1925 Corporate Building. Archivist Bill Tharpe researched those similarities but was unable to confirm use of headquarters' architect Warren, Knight and Davis in building Martin Dam. In November 1925, a ceremony was held to lay the dam cornerstone. A year later, the dam and lake were dedicated to then-APC President Martin. "Tom Martin's humility kept earlier dams from bearing his name," Atkins said. "However, his name really belonged on this dam." At that time, Lake Martin was the largest man-made lake in the world, covering 40,000 acres with a shoreline of more than 700 miles. The dam went into service on Dec. 31, 1926. Today, Martin Dam is operated by seven employees, and managed by Bryan and David Waites, hydro manager of the Tallapoosa River. "Martin Dam employees never stop working," Bryan said. "The operation and maintenance of the plant is continuous." Waites said Bryan takes "satisfaction in the work that he and his employees do to repair and maintain the equipment" at the dam. With more than three decades at Alabama Power, Waites has witnessed many changes in technology and the operation of dams. He is struck by the "culture of information-sharing between workers that has developed at Martin Dam. The open, collaborative atmosphere has made Martin a reliable, low-cost dam, with a good strong record." As Martin Dam celebrates 90 years in operation, hydroelectric power remains a valuable source of electricity for Alabama, while Lake Martin serves as one of the largest tourist destinations in the state. The dam and lake are testament to the dedication and foresight that Mitchell and Martin had in developing electricity and industry, while promoting progress and advancement for the people of the state. "Martin Dam was the dream of the founders; it was going to make the company," Atkins said. Martin Dam Superintendent Bryan Martin Dam powerhouse interior.

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