Margaret Jones Barnett
(lived in Jordan village, mid-1940s-1959)
e Jordan Dam community was a very tight
community. We kids knew that if we did anything
wrong, our parents would know it before we got home.
ere was no hiding anything from them, as all the
parents were parents to all the children. I have been
reprimanded many times by parents who were not
my biological parents. ey never had to worry where
we were or what we were doing, as there was always
someone looking aer us, and we knew that when we
heard the lunch or aernoon whistle, it was time to stop
playing and go home.
ere were about 18 families living in the camp. We had
annual barbecues that the company gave the men if they
did not have a lost-time accident, and we always looked
forward to these barbecues. My dad was given the day off
so that he could help with the cooking. We would hang out
where they were cooking, with the anticipation of having
barbecue, camp stew and ice cream for dessert. Some of
the dignitaries from Birmingham would always come
down and join us. It was an exciting day for everyone.
Image
courtesy
of
Alabama
Power
Corporate
Archives
Le to right: Margaret Jones Barnett, sister-in-law Janet Jones,
and Patricia Jones Halladay, c. 1952-1953, on the front steps
of the Jones house. (Image courtesy of Margaret Jones Barnett)
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