Allatoona Yacht Club History PDF Print E-mail

 

"In The Beginning........"

In 1946 the U.S. Corps of Engineers began construction on a dam, which would dam the Etowah River and fill the cleared valleys to make what is now Lake Allatoona. World War II had delayed earlier plans, but by March of 1950 the Allatoona Dam was complete and the lake was fully filled by September of that year.

 

In early 1952 eight Atlantans organized a power boat club. A charter was granted on July 31, 1952 to the ALLATOONA YACHT CLUB. Work crews, headed by Alvin Youngblood, were hired to clean the selected site, build roads and begin the construction of docks.

Plans for a Clubhouse began, trailers were brought to the club grounds for residences, permanent land houses were built and boathouses were built or floated over from marinas on the lake. Many of these later became what we now call floating houses. The building of the Clubhouse was financed by the sale of debentures to the members. The building was formally commissioned in April 1956.

Over the years both floating houses and land houses have been enlarged, renovated and improved. Those early AYC members would surely be surprised, and impressed, with many of our current beautiful and comfortable lake living quarters.

Docks for boats of members have also been increased and enlarged to accommodate the variety of water craft owned by our regular members. In 1962, Howard Egnor came on board to assist Alvin Youngblood. He was our invaluable Dockmaster for over 40 years.

Social events have become much looked-forward-to occasions. Many of them have been going on for many years, such as: Change of Watch, Break the ice, Christmas Party, and Live-In-Week. Other social events such as Theme Parties and Dock Parties depend on the enthusiasm and creativity of those planning them.

The Mess has become a very popular place to eat during the Season with meals being served every weekend from May through September. A Non-Denominational Church Service in the Brig is followed every Sunday by a wonderful brunch.

Our founders envisioned a social and recreational facility at Lake Allatoona of outstanding quality and beauty, for fun, recreation, relaxing and camaraderie. The ALLATOONA YACHT CLUB celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2002, and is dedicated to the continuation and enhancement of these fine goals and dreams.