Edmondson Electric Company Collection , 1914-1934

Access and use

Location of collection:
Radford University
University Archives
McConnell Library
Radford University
P.O. Box 6881
801 East Main Street
Radford, VA 24142
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Bud Bennett
Phone: (540) 831-5694
Phone: (540) 831-5701

Summary

Extent:
4.0 Linear feet
Abstract:
The Edmondson Electric Company Collection contains seven ledger books with company financial records dating from 1914 to 1934. The full inventory is found on the Radford Archives website.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Edmondson Electric Company Collection contains seven ledger books with company financial records dating from 1914 to 1934. The ledgers list open and closed accounts the company had with local residents and businesses, as well as payroll acounts and employee records are listed. There are daily and yearly expense reports and journal entries within the ledgers. Financial records and expenses of the dam construction are also listed in the ledger books.

Biographical / historical:

The Edmondson Electric Company was formed by the Edmondson brothers and was located in Meadowview, VA. The Virginia State Corporation Commission issued the company's charter, 11482, on January 6, 1914. The first company president was E.H. Edmondson and S.W. Edmondson served as company secretary. Shortly after being issued its charter the company began construction of the Edmondson Dam on the Middle Fork of the Holston River, not far from Emory, VA. Upon completion the dam was 30 feet tall, 36 feet wide at its base, and 200 feet long. The dam served as the company's hydroelectric facilty starting in 1921, with a maximum capacity of 2000 horsepower and a minumum of 1000 horsepower. The Edmondson's hydroelectric operation supplied the towns of Chilhowie, Meadowview, Emory, Glade Spring, and Abingdon with electricity. The dam formed a small lake that served as a swimming and fishing hole for locals. Lake Pocahontas Camp was built on the lake's edge and offered a mountain retreat to young boys and girls in the mid 1920's. The dam and hydroelectric plant operated until 1963, when it was closed due to maintenance issues. It remained unused until it was partially demolished in 1982. Today the dam still spans the Middle Fork of the Holston River at a height of approximately 14 feet.

Acquisition information:
Arrangement:

Box 1 contains ledger books 1-2

Box 2 contains ledger books 3-5

Box 3 contains ledger books 6-7


Box 1: Edmonson Electric Company Ledger Books

Box 2: Edmonson Electric Company Ledger Books

Box 3: Edmonson Electric Company Ledger Books

Physical location:
Locked in compact shelving, Level 1, Shelf 29D
Physical description:
.