Rabun County Historical Society
Before Georgia Power, There Was Thomas E. Roane: Or How Clayton’s Lights Were Turned On By Richard Cinquina
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Rabun County mountain man from Tiger, Thomas E. Roane, was not an electrical engineer. In fact, he had no college education at all. But that did not stop him from engineering and building the first power generating system to bring electricity to Clayton back in 1914.
electric lights became a major selling point for hotels in their advertising. Demand Exceeds Generating Capacity
Demand for electricity ultimately outstripped the supply generated by Roane’s tiny power plant. As reported by That was the same year Georgia Railway and Power the Clayton Tribune in July 1927, “Mr. Roane, owner and Company, the predecessor of current-day Georgia Power, manager of the local plant, realized some time ago that he started generating hydroelectric power in Rabun County was not able to supply the demands on his plant for electric with the completion of its current and proceeded Tallulah Gorge dam and to make arrangements power plant. However, with the power company not a single kilowatt of (Georgia Power) to connect that electricity benefitted with their lines at Lakemont Rabun County. All of and draw from them the electricity generated enough juice to supply the at Tallulah Gorge was demand.” Lakemont was transmitted to Atlanta to the site of Georgia Power’s power Georgia Railway’s Terrora hydroelectric plant. electric streetcar system. The July 1927 article But due to the efforts of proudly concluded: “In Thomas Roane, homes fact, we are now connected and businesses in with the Southern Power Clayton were able to turn Companies (the parent of on the lights. Georgia Power) and have as much electric power as any one has at any other place.” Electricity Comes to Clayton in 1914
Tom Roane, on the left, and his family at their home in Tiger
Roane established Clayton Light and Water Works Company in 1908 to build a hydroelectric plant at the base of a small waterfall on Stekoa Creek, a few miles south of Clayton. The force of the falling water turned a turbine that powered a generator to produce electricity. Roane used his untutored knowhow to engineer and build the entire system.
Clayton Light and Power Sold to Georgia Power
Roane sold his Clayton Light and Water Works Company to Georgia Power in 1928. The Clayton Tribune wrote in December of that year: “Mr. Roane began the service here some fifteen years ago as a pioneer, and though without much capital, he has made a success of his undertaking even in the face of what sometimes looked like insurmountable By 1914, the small Stekoa dam and powerhouse were obstacles. He deserves a great deal of credit for his initiative completed, and poles had been erected and strung with in the matter of giving Clayton light and power when it was wire, connecting the generating plant with more than 50 so much in need of it.” businesses and residences in Clayton. The town was on the The article added “it is rumored that they (Georgia Power) grid. will build new lines and otherwise make improvements of Among the beneficiaries of electricity were the hotels that the system. At this time, they are installing meters wherever lined Main Street as a result of the tourist boom brought they are furnishing current…” by the Tallulah Falls Railroad earlier in the century. Having
56 GML - December 2020
