Commercial Block Demolished

Commercial Block Demolished

There is a large vacant lot on the corner of Yadkin Court and Pine St.  Probably most of us, especially newcomers, don’t even think about it when we pass by.  Until 1986 it was occupied by the last prominent commercial property on Pine St, known as the...
Old Whitney

Old Whitney

In Jan 1908 Scientific American  paper  published its cover article on the Whitney Dam Construction Project near the Yadkin River’s Narrows Gorge.   Located between Stanly and Montgomery Counties,the construction of a  granite block dam was  well underway . ...
The Hardaway Site

The Hardaway Site

In 1912 the French Southern Aluminium Co  hired the Hardaway Construction Co to build the dam at the Narrows gorge.  When the French left in 1914, a few of Hardaway’s employees stayed on to offer security for the unfinished  project.  When Alcoa...
Badin Train Depot

Badin Train Depot

In the spring of 1916 Tallassee Power Company constructed the Badin Train Depot to serve both the community and Alcoa.  A one story brick building with slate roof and small train shed was located directly in front of the  Alcoa Plant, west side of...
The Narrows

The Narrows

The decision of Southern Aluminium and Alcoa to produce aluminum here in Badin had been largely motivated by its location on the Yadkin River. For over a century the gorge known as “the Narrows” had been recognized for its potential to create hydro-power. However, the...
Camp Idle Hour

Camp Idle Hour

In 1913 the French aluminum company built a Club to accommodate newly arrived, single engineers who were settling into a new location and new jobs. In 1916 Alcoa built a teacherage, called the Annex, next door to the Club. It was to provide young, single, female...