Wilson Lake HistoryWilson Lake History Information

1918

Building of Wilson Dam Begins
In 1918, a year after the United States entered World War I, the building of Wilson Dam began. The United States needed nitrates for ammunition and explosives, prompting President Woodrow Wilson to approve the building of 2 nitrate plants and a dam to supply needed electricity for the plants. At its peak, the building of Wilson Dam employed more than 18,000 workers, including some from what is now Muscle Shoals. The construction site consisted of 1,700 temporary buildings, 236 permanent buildings, 185 residential units, and 685 miles of electrical cable. There were also 23 mess halls, a school for 850 students, an 85 bed hospital, and 3 barber shops.

The actual construction for nitrates began in the Muscle Shoals plant in February of 1918, and the first nitrates were produced in November of 1918. Since the war ended two weeks earlier on November 11, 1918, there was controversy over what to do with the uncompleted Wilson Dam which was named after President Woodrow Wilson. The key question was whether to retain government ownership of the complex or to sell the dam to a private industry.

Related Link: History of the City of Muscle Shoals

City: Ariton

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