POWERGRAMS

10 significantly shaped the company's first one hundred years just as the company, in turn, shaped the state. The history of one reflects the history of the other, and their futures are still intertwined." The state's focus on education is one that has been shared by the company for more than a century. With a dream of developing Alabama's waterways for navigation and hydroelectric power to advance the state, third-generation riverboat Capt. W.P. Lay, with fellow Gadsden natives O.R. Hood and Earl Lay, incorporated Alabama Power on Dec. 4, 1906. While their $5,000 capital investment was enough to establish the company, greater connections and financial contribution were necessary to bring the dream to fruition. On May 1, 1912, Lay turned over control of the company to James Mitchell. Alabama Power's new president said, "Not only would ordinary creature comforts follow in the wake of electricity, but there would be better educational facilities, better roads and better homes. To make money is all right. To build any industry is fine. To build an industry that saves mankind from toil that it can well be spared, that reduces the labor and drudgery of women and so provides leisure for education and culture, truly is a much finer thing." At the time Mitchell made that statement, there was little demand for electricity within Alabama, as about 70% of the state was agrarian. However, Mitchell saw a bigger future for Alabama, where integrated electric service could power new industry, opening the future for higher standards of living, and cultural and social advancements for its people. Many of the earliest projects by Alabama Power were in rural, isolated areas that required villages for construction crews, with housing, recreation facilities and, often, their own schools. Whenever possible, the company would help fund existing area schools. However, when county or state schools were inaccessible, the company would build its own grade schools and provide transportation to consolidated high schools. "The company's system for educating the children of its employees attracted the attention of many noted educators and was appreciated by the general public as a vital contributor to the literacy of the state," Alabama Power records reveal. Memories from company village students include: "I remember the village school being used for so many occasions besides teaching 1-6 grades. Vaccinations for typhoid fever and smallpox were given by the public health nurses at the school. Votes were cast at the school during elections. Ministers came in from Clanton to preach on Sundays. Our mother taught Sunday school there, as did many other mothers." – Eleanor "Downie" O'Neal Nemec, Lay Dam. Cherokee Bluffs School for construction workers, Nov. 1, 1923. (AP Archives) Dedication of the Thomas W. Martin High School, May 3, 1950 signed by several Alabama Power employees, including President Thomas W. Martin. (Image courtesy of Jone Burnett Davis) Mitchell

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