How Wedowee got its water

Timeline

The story as these documents tell it. Select an item to read it.

1. Aug 12, 1933

   An Atlanta engineering firm, J. B. McCrary Co., urges the town to build a water works with new federal money (30% grant, 70% loan).

   Item 13

2. Oct 12, 1933

   The Mayor and Council sign an engineering contract with McCrary.

   Item 15

3. Dec 1933

   A $35,000 waterworks loan application goes from the state P.W.A. office to Washington.

   Item 05

4. Apr 18, 1934

   The town cuts its request to $15,000 and shortens repayment from 30 to 20 years.

   Item 11

5. Jul 31, 1934

   Washington turns the project down as too large for its revenue. The clerk asks the engineers for help.

   Item 10 Item 14

6. Feb 16–28, 1935

   Door-to-door sign-up: residents, businesses, schools and the county pledge 108 connections at $2.00 a month.

   Item 27

7. Mar–May 1935

   The P.W.A., Congressman Joe Starnes and the state Public Works Board take up the application again.

   Item 12 Item 17 Item 08 Item 18

8. Aug 1936

   Final plans for the water lines and tank lot are drawn to fit a fixed federal allotment.

   Item 20 Item 19

9. c. 1936

   The waterworks is built. A 1940 letter says it went in "about 4 years ago."

   Item 22

10. Jul 1, 1939

    A sanitary survey and report count wells, springs, privies and city water connections house by house.

    Item 24 Item 09

11. Jul 1940

    A record map shows the finished system: mains, hydrants, the fire tank and 75 numbered connections.

    Item 04

12. Aug–Oct 1940

    The town well runs short. A new emergency well is bored, and the mayor asks how to treat its water to pass state inspection.

    Item 22 Item 23