Old Power Dam – Horseshoe Bend – Shoal Creek
Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

ELECTRIC POWER PLANT: Shoal Creek, that wondrous stream has played many major roles in the development of Lawrence County. In large part the creek was the determining factor in the location of Lawrenceburg. In the Mid – 19th century, industry dotted the creek banks through the county. Shoal Creek begins as a small trickle east of Lawrenceburg, and then grows larger as it winds its way westward through the City’s southern limits. West of Lawrenceburg, it suddenly turns southward and winds like a snake through the middle of Lawrence County until it runs into the Tennessee River near Florence, Alabama.

Just south of Lawrenceburg, it makes a huge horseshoe before it straightens out and moves toward its destination.

It was this horseshoe that drew the attention of these men. For $80,000 the mighty horseshoe was harnessed and a power plant built that would supply electric power to a growing community for many years. After much controversy, bonds were voted for by the people of Lawrenceburg and the work began.

It took a year to complete the job, but when it was done the solid rock of the horseshoe had been tunneled, the big dam built, and Shoal Creek was ready to provide the power necessary for growth. The first water went over the dam in 1908.

With a solid rock base, engineers using local labor hewed out seals by hand and bolted to the rock bottom. The seals are still believed to be in place.

Not only did the City of Lawrenceburg now have power, within a few years, electric service was extended to farmers within a three mile radius of the public square. Industries began to take advantage of the services and the plant began to pay big dividends to the citizens. Profits were plowed back into a street building program and the city road system was transferred from mud into paved streets.

The plant prospered until the 1930’s before the Tennessee Valley Authority made electricity more affordable. Even vacated, the dam stood tall for many years before the 500 year flood of 1998 breached the earthen west bank. Its story and service will not be forgotten for the major role it played in the heritage of Lawrenceburg and Lawrence County, Tennessee.