10
Shor e l i n e S
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2014 Vol :3
result, when one project was completed
they signed on to the next and soon
found themselves permanently
employed. From these experiences
grew a feeling of connection and
family that one can sense when talking
with retirees and villagers who grew up
at the dams.
"We dam folks stick together," said
Jim Murphy, who grew up in the Lay
village.
The feeling of family that first
began to grow in the company villages
has become part of the Alabama Power
culture that exists today, and helped
form the values that are now a part of
"Southern Style."
In 1929, the board of directors
of Alabama Power unanimously
resolved to change the name of the
Lock 12 dam. On Nov. 23 that year, a
ceremony was held at the dam. As the
Goodyear blimp circled above and the
obligatory barbecue was served, the
first dam built by Alabama Power was
named in honor of its first president,
William Patrick Lay.
In 1954, four decades after Lay Dam
began generating electricity, plans were
approved for the construction of five
new dams on the Coosa River. These
plans included the redevelopment
of Lay Dam. Construction began in
1964 and was completed in February
1967. Six new generating units were
placed in service and the height of the
