Local History - The Swansea Dam
From Swansea Cable Access Television, November 30th, 2016
"The Swansea Dam is now flowing with water. Since the construction of the new dam, there has been a drought of water and the dam has been dry... not anymore."
The following images and local history were graciously provided by John Ploude, grandson of Alfred Damas who rebuilt the Swansea Dam around 1957. The dam was originally constructed around 1906.
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Swansea Dam Restoration - 2016
A dam good time in Swansea (Herald News 9/15/16)
(An article about the dedication ceremony) |
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The "New" Dam in all it's spendor lit for the Holidays and the Tree Lighting Ceremony as part of the 350th celebration on December 4th, 2016 |
Meet Alfred Damas from Somerset, MA. Alfred was born in 1906. He had a 200 acre farm that went from the top of Whetstone Hill Road down to
the banks of the Taunton River. Unfortunately he lost it all in the depression. He later moved to Read Street in Somerset where he lived
out the rest of his life. He worked for Montaup Electric. And he built the Swansea Dam, as we know it today, with his bare hands and the help of a few others. Alfred passed away in 1976.
