Alcona Dam
In 1914, Consumers Power began construction of a power plant on the Au Sable river, a short way down from the Bamfield halfway house. The backwaters now cover the Bamfield property. This power dam project brought employment to this area for hundreds of men. Construction continued for three years and then temporarily came to a halt because of World War 1. Construction resumed in 1921 and was completed in 1924. Consumers built houses for workers to live in. Dr. Franklin Moore was the company doctor, assisted by a nurse, Mrs. Mary White. The store was provided and was managed by Burnie Oaks. Mary Freeman was Post Mistress and Laura Gordon Boddy was clerk.
Original Bamfield Bridge
The first bridge (Bliss Bridge) was made of logs and had been replaced by a steel span structure. The bridge was located north of the dam, directly in line with the road that comes down Bamfield Hill. The township granted Consumers Power permission to move the steel bridge down river to its present site.
Train at Alcona Dam
There were some tragedies. Roy Curley, son of Charles Curley, was killed while working on a pile driver. One end of the machine settled, tipping the boiler and crushing Roy. George Bartlo of Glennie also lost his life while working on a pile driver.
Working on Alcona Dam
Construction at Alcona Dam
Construction at Alcona Dam
Crane working at Alcona Dam
Construction at Alcona Dam
Manley Bell diving at the Alcona dam doing final inspection.
Hubert Pierce 2nd from the left.. working on Alcona Dam
Moving Generator into Alcona Dam
Cleaning logs from the river
Wages were forty cents and hour for a team and forty cents an hour for the driver. A foreman received sixty cents, a top hand received fifty cents and laborers received forty cents an hour. The shifts were 10 and 12 hours long. The pile driver crews worked three shifts.
Inside Alcona Dam
Information from Sherrod Garrett and Manley Bell
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