Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

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Dedication ceremony for second generator at Ela Dam

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  • A group photo is taken at the 1930 dedication ceremony for the installation of the second generator at the Ela Dam. Left to right in the front row are A. M. Bennett, Ed Bryson (mayor of Bryson City), Stanley Black, and Jack Coburn. 2nd row: J. B. McCrary, H. H. White, and Anne Dunbar Bryson. 3rd row: Unknown. 4th row: Orson Burlingame, J. A. McCrary, E. L. McKee, and Gertrude Dills McKee. 5th row: Harry Ditmore (without hat), R. L. Snelson, and unknown. Back row: Dr. Dan Bryson, G. C. Dugas, Clarence Angel and others unknown. The photographer, “Doc” Kelly Bennett (1890-1974), was a prominent pharmacist in Swain County, NC. Owner of the Bryson City Drug Company, Bennett served as alderman and mayor of Bryson City, on the Swain County Board of Education, as well as several terms as NC State Senator and NC State Representative. He participated in numerous other initiatives and organizations. Known as the “Apostle of the Smokies,” Bennett was an instrumental figure in the movement to create the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He was also an avid photographer, skillfully documenting a wide variety of people, places, and events in Swain County and the surrounding area.