At the end of the 19th century, Alabama was an agricultural state where 90 percent of the population had no electricity. Houses were lit by candles or kerosene lanterns. Cooking was done over open fires or on wood stoves. Labor largely depended on man or mule.
Most people lived and worked on farms simply because there was very little industry in the state, which limited job opportunities.
But as the 20th century began, a few men had dreams of lighting Alabama and transforming the lives of its citizens.
When Alabama Power Company was founded on Dec. 4, 1906, it was the beginning of more than simply an electric utility company. It marked the beginning of affordable, reliable electricity that would transform Alabama's economy and vastly improve the quality of life for its citizens.
For more than 100 years, Alabama Power's history has been intricately linked with that of the state it proudly serves.