Video: Pontotoc Electric Power Association Celebrates 80 Years

PONTOTOC, MISS. (WCBI) –  The past couple of days have given us all reminders of the importance of electric service. Although we often take such comforts for granted, in the early 1900s, life was much different for rural residents. As WCBI’s Allie Martin reports, one local electric power association is about to celebrate a big milestone.

While Pontotoc Electric Power Association crews have been dealing with the snowstorm, General Manager Chuck Howell and Human Resources Manager Jennifer Johnson are putting final touches on a big celebration.

This Sunday will mark 80 years since customers in Pontotoc County began receiving electric service.

It would change the lives of rural residents forever.

“Prior to electric service here they were heating with wood or coal burning stoves, cooking food on same stoves. boiling water on those stoves,  they had to wash clothes, usually on a wash day one day a week, it was an all day event where they would boil water in black iron pots and rub clothes out on rub boards,” Howell said.

In the early 1930s, the move was on to provide electricity to rural America. This photo is from the first pole raising ceremony, in January of 1934.

When electricity first came to Pontotoc County, there were about 560 customers, now the Association has nearly 19 thousand meters on its grid.

A celebration Sunday afternoon at the offices will feature a history of the Pontotoc Electric Power Association, along with a display featuring working items, such as a hair dryer and curling machine , both were in an area beauty shop years ago.

Residents who were living before the age of electricity have been invited to share their memories.

“I have interviewed a couple of folks who were around when electricity came to Pontotoc County and that’s one thing both of those folks said, how much easier things are today, then they were years ago, even mentioning when they were children and studying, you only had so much lamplight and chores had to be done before sun went down,” Johnson said.

Both Johnson and Howell are hopeful the 80th birthday celebration will give locals a chance to look back at the accomplishments and challenges for the association, as well as focusing on a bright future.

The celebration takes place Sunday at 2 at the offices of the Pontotoc Electric Power Association at 12 South Main Street in downtown Pontotoc.