Ok, so I can't wait any longer, so here goes. The Swansea Dam Has a special place in the hearts of many do to special events like weddings, graduations, picnics, or just from swimming there. I remember crossing the waterfalls and trying not to get my shoes wet, or going in the back by the old football field to go fishing. But for my family it’s a little more special.....Here are the pictures of a little old man named Alfred Damas. Don't hold it against him, he's from Somerset. He had a 200 acre farm that went from the top of Whetstone Hill all the way down to the banks of the Taunton River. Unfortunately he lost it all in the depression. He later moved to Read Street, where he lived out the rest of his life. He spent much of his time visiting with his daughter (one of only two) and her husband, along with their eleven children. If you haven’t figured it out by now, Alfred Damas was my Grandfather. He built the Swansea Dam with his bare hands and the help of a few others. (For the people of Swansea) Why the Dam was built is beyond me, but I’m glad it’s there. Thanks Grand-Pa.

She has later pics of repairs and such( 1 from 1970) Grampa was born in 1906 and passed in 1976. FYI Mom also has a pic taken by the Herald News of the Dam half completed with Granpa standing on top.
In 1957 the Montaup Electric Co. bought the rights for the dam because of a drought yr. The intention was to create a senic view for the community with the dam. Lead Stone Mason Alfred Damas of Somerset along with 32 college students from the local area worked on the dam and the surrounding area.

Photos and history provided by John Ploude, grandson of Alfred Damas