Walter Birdwell recalls Cordell Hull Dam history
Channel: nashvillecorps
Date: 2017-10-26

Oral History: Walter Glenn Birdwell, chief executive officer at Citizens Bank in Carthage, Tenn., shares his personal experiences with the construction of Cordell Hull Dam at Cumberland River mile 313.5., a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District project. Birdwell served as chairman of the Smith County Industrial Development Committee when the dam construction began, and was present at the location of the dam May 18, 1963 when President John F. Kennedy pressed a button for the Cordell Hull Dam Groundbreaking at Vanderbilt University's Dudley Stadium, which set off a ceremonial first blast at the construction site. Construction began in May 1963; the dam was completed in November 1973. Birdwell spoke about his experiences during a visit to the dam Oct. 5, 2017. (Video by Lee Roberts)