The Story of A.E. Staley and Lake Decatur

The Story of A.E. Staley and Lake Decatur. . Augustus Eugene Staley was born on a farm near Julian, North Carolina in 1867. Growing up tending the land gave Staley respect for farmers' hard work. However, young Staley thought his destiny led in a different direction and he jumped at the chance to enter the world of traveling salesmen. Selling goods across the country, Staley was on the road for 14 years and twice stopped at Decatur in 1896. , In 1898, at the encouragement of his soon-to-be wife, Emma, Staley settled from his life on the road to incorporate his own company, the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company of Baltimore, Maryland where he packaged and sold his first product: A.E. Staley's Cream Corn Starch. , Staley soon decided he would mill his own starch and began to seek a suitable factory. He learned of an inactive plant in Decatur, which he purchased for $45,000 in 1906. After years of repairs and construction work, on March 12, 1912, at 7:00 AM sharp, the plant was officially operational. , Though the first few years were tumultuous, by 1919 the company was expanding. New products were being created, new factory buildings constructed, and sales were steadily increasing. , Water was, and still is, an important element of processing corn and Staley needed more. Before Lake Decatur, the Sangamon River was the main source of water in the area. As the city and Staley's company expanded, a more reliable source of water was necessary to suit the needs of both the citizenry and industry of Decatur and in 1919, the city council approved the building of a lake. While not the sole motivating factor, A.E. Staley Sr. was certainly a proponent for the creation of the new lake. , Permission was quickly given for Staley to build a temporary dam and pumping station. The temporary dam fed water to the plant while the lake and a pumping station were being constructed. By 1920, the pumping station was nearly complete and construction of the permanent dam to create the lake was just beginning. , Upon its completion, the pumping station pumped 12 million gallons of water to the Staley plant every 24 hours. Over the years it would be constantly upgraded to pump more water even more efficiently. , While the pumping station was built for use by the company, it also served as a clubhouse for the Staley Fellowship Club, a social organization for Staley employees, and was accessible by boat, train, and boardwalk. The lower level contained all of the pumping mechanics, but the upper level was designed for beauty and entertainment. Many holiday parties, weddings, and other celebrations were held at the pump house over the years, including many rooftop dances. , Lake Decatur was completed in 1922 with its official inauguration weekend taking place July 4-7, 1923. , Over the years the lake has continued to be a valuable resource for the people and industry of Decatur. It serves as a reliable water source, a place of joyous recreation, and a beautiful scenic backdrop to Decatur. , In July 2023, Decatur celebrated 100 years of Lake Decatur history with the Centennial Lake Fest, reminiscent of its grand inauguration. , [Captions] , Left side of marker: Mr. A.E. Staley, Sr. , Center of marker, top: As part of the centennial celebration and in recognition of not only Staley's Decatur legacy, but also the community nostalgia connected to the iconic Staley pump house, the City of Decatur christianed Basin 3 as the Staley Basin in July of 2023. , Center of marker, middle row (left to right) , . The 1st Staley product, Cream Corn Starch. , . Construction prior to opening in 1912. , . The temporary Staley dam. , Center of marker, bottom row (left to right) , . Early photograph of the Staley Manufacturing Co. , . Construction of the pump house. , . Pumping Station illustration. , Right side of marker, left column (top to bottom) , . View of the Pump House from the shores of Lake Decatur. , . Interior of the Pumping Station, bottom floor. , . Upper floor of the Pumping Station, used by the Staley Fellowship Club. , Right side of marker, right column (top to bottom) , . Advertisement for the 1st Lake Decatur Celebration. , . Boaters on Lake Decatur, viewed from the Pump House dock.