a. Plans of building the dam began as early as the 1920's. The present site of the dam was the primary consideration throughout the planning. Another considered location was also Buck Island.

b. There were mixed emotions about the construction of the dam. Many people were upset about loosing precious farm land. One of the main reasons Guntersville was chosen was because of Congressman Joe Starnes who was from Guntersville. Starnes lived where the Rock House is now.

c. When Guntersville was decided upon, Al Camp was built to house and feed the 1,400 workers who were hired to construct the $29,000,000 dam.

d. In 1935, TVA began moving families from their homes and farms. Many people were very upset about this. Their farms had been located in the path of the dam for many generations, and many of their families were buried there.

e. Three years later, the Advertiser & the Democrat stated that the dam was finally "worth driving out to take a look at."

f. Before the flooding, the state's largest archeological excavation took place. Indian burial sites were excavated, and many graves were moved.

g. The lake was finally flooded in 1937. Although this was a big day for the town, as many took their chairs and would sit on the banks and watch the lake fill. It was also a sad day as many people lost their valued farm land. Eventually, the people came to appreciate the lake as they saw an increase in electrical efficiency and availability, and the actual enjoyment a lake could provide. During the inspection, 6,000 people showed up representing 26 states.