Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Montgomery and Electricity / Hydroelectricity in the River Region

Montgomery and Electricity Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 19, 2014

1. Montgomery and Electricity Marker

Inscription.
Side 1 Montgomery and Electricity
Gaslights in 1854, electric lights in 1883 and the electric trolley in 1886 made Montgomery a state leader in applying modern technology for lighting and motive power. Steam was used first for generation, but in 1902 local businessmen built a dam on the Tallapoosa River to provide electricity for the city. Several companies competed fiercely to supply the growing demand. Montgomery Light and Power and Montgomery Light and Traction struggled to survive and were in receivership in 1923 when acquired by Alabama Power Co. Today, Alabama Power continues to serve the city and state. Montgomery Water Power and Electric Company, although short-lived, built this classically inspired structure in 1901.

Placed in recognition of Alabama Power's centennial, 1906-2006

Side 2 Hydroelectricity in the River Region
Hydroelectricity played a vital role in the growth of Montgomery and the state. The 1902 dam at Tallassee was the first major hydroelectric plant in Alabama. The Great Flood of 1919 destroyed the dam, causing acute power shortages, a problem not fully resolved until 1920, when workers completed a transmission line linking the city to the Alabama Power Co. dam at Lock 12 on the Coosa River. In 1926 Martin

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Dam was completed on the Tallapoosa River, creating what was at the time the largest artificial lake in the world. In 1928 work was completed on Jordan Dam north of Wetumpka and Yates Dam at the site of the 1919 dam failure. Thurlow Dam, also near Tallassee, was completed in 1930. Today, Alabama Power operates 14 hydroelectric projects on the Coosa, Tallapoosa and Black Warrior rivers.

Placed in recognition of Alabama Power's centennial, 1906-2006

Erected 2006 by the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Historical Preservation and Promotion Foundation & the Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 32° 22.855′ N, 86° 18.369′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker is at the intersection of East Jefferson Street and North Lawrence Street, on the right when traveling east on East Jefferson Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 East Jefferson Street, Montgomery AL 36104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. John's Episcopal Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Elijah Cook / City of Montgomery v. Rosa Parks

Hydroelectricity in the River Region Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 19, 2014

2. Hydroelectricity in the River Region Marker

(about 600 feet away); Bernard Whitehurst and the Whitehurst Case / Montgomery: Learning From the Past (about 600 feet away); General Richard Montgomery Statue (about 700 feet away); Ordeman House Museum (about 700 feet away); Lucas Tavern (about 700 feet away); Lucas Tavern / Lafayette (about 800 feet away); Montgomery's Slave Depots / Montgomery's Slave Traders (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.

Montgomery Water Power and Electric Co. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 19, 2014

3. Montgomery Water Power and Electric Co.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 19, 2014

4. Montgomery Water Power and Electric Co

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 912 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3, 4. submitted on January 19, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.