Pee Dee Electric

During those early days the cooperative built 300 miles of line in 100 days. An incredible feat considering that holes were dug by hand, poles set mostly by hand and mules pulled the wires. Bucket trucks and derrick digger trucks did not exist and when you hit rock while digging a hole, you had to use a "black bar" to break up the rock. All right of way lines were cut by handsaw and swing blade. Chains saws did not exist in those days. From January 1, 1939 to June 27, 1939, 368 miles of line had been constructed and 745 families and farms joined as members of Pee Dee Electric Membership Corporation. "Owned by Those We Serve" was how it all began.

The cooperative management began with W. Clayton Webb who served as "Project Superintendent" from January until March 1939. Hal Atkinson was hired as Project Superintendent and approved by the REA in March of 1939. Atkinson served in that capacity until January of 1942 when he was drafted for service in World War II. J. P. Mullally was hired to fill in during the war years and served until March 1945 when Hal Atkinson returned from service.

Download the History of Pee Dee Electric Membership Corporation in .pdf format