by Debrah Lovan | Feb 23, 2022 | Items
The story of the WWII Bomber, still resting at the bottom of Badin Lake, has captured the public’s imagination for decades. But why not? The story has something for everyone. It is peppered with mystery, even intrigue. It is about military...
by Debrah Lovan | Feb 23, 2022 | People
Lou Donaldson was born November 1, 1926 in Badin NC to parents Lucy Wallace Donaldson & Louis Andrew Donaldson. The second of four children, Lou showed an exceptional aptitude in music, baseball and academic studies. Years later, “Sweet...
by Debrah Lovan | Feb 23, 2022 | Museum Building
When the Badin Volunteer Fire Department was expanding its fleet of modern fire fighting equipment a new home was needed for the department’s first emergency responder. The 1937 Ford American LaFrance Fire Engine had been relegated to a few ceremonial...
by Debrah Lovan | Jan 12, 2022 | People
Adrien Badin was born in the small rural town of Salindres, France in 1842. Historically, Salindres had been a center for silkworm production. However, by the late 19thC it had been transformed by its embrace of a new technology and ...
by Debrah Lovan | Jan 1, 2022 | Places
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...
by Debrah Lovan | Jan 1, 2022 | Places
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...
by Debrah Lovan | Jan 1, 2022 | Hospital, Places
In 1916 ALCOA built and equipped the first hospital in Stanly County. Considered one of the best small hospitals in the US, it had 10 private rooms, a ward for 18, a modern Operating Room, Clinic, and Drug Room. In 1919 ALCOA formed a voluntary hospital association to...
by Debrah Lovan | Jan 1, 2022 | Places
For decades the main pier on Badin Lake served as the place to “see and be seen”. Every summer day, it seems, the teens stretched out along the pier, elbow to elbow. Some days, if you wanted to reach the end of the pier, you needed to get wet. There were the really...
by Debrah Lovan | Jan 1, 2022 | Places
In 1913 French company Southern Aluminium hired New York design firm to plan the town of Badin. The original townsite featured streets winding through the natural landscape around a hill or outcrop of boulders. Southern Aluminium built only one private residence for...
