Fontana Dam, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fontana Dam, North Carolina
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Fontana Village General Store and U.S. Post Office
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 Fontana Dam, North Carolina
Location in North Carolina
Fontana Dam, North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Graham |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.62 sq mi (1.62 km2) |
| • Land | 0.62 sq mi (1.62 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,821 ft (555 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 13 |
| • Density | 20.83/sq mi (8.04/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
28733
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| Area code(s) | 828 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1020300 |
Fontana Dam (also known as Fontana Village) is a small town in Graham County, North Carolina, United States. It is located near the famous Fontana Dam and the Little Tennessee River, right on North Carolina Highway 28. The town officially became a town in 2011.
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History of Fontana Dam
The first town called Fontana in North Carolina was a temporary camp for a lumber company in 1890. It was named by Mrs. George Leidy Wood. A more permanent town was built nearby in 1907 to support copper mines. A railway line was also built to connect it to other areas.
In January 1942, construction began on the large Fontana Dam. By 1945, the original town had to be moved because of the dam's construction.
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The Fontana Dam you see today was built between 1942 and 1944. Its main purpose was to create electricity for the ALCOA (Aluminum Company Of America) factory in nearby Alcoa, Tennessee. This factory was making aluminum for military aircraft during World War II.
The cottages that visitors can rent now were once homes for the dam workers. The dining hall is now a cafeteria, and the old commissary is now the village store. There was even a hospital and a school on the grounds. Children who grew up there during the dam's construction formed a group called "Dam Kids." They still keep in touch and have reunions! The Fontana Inn opened its doors on October 25, 1975.
Becoming a Town
Fontana Dam officially became an incorporated town in June 2011. This means it gained its own local government.
People Living in Fontana Dam
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 13 | — | |
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2020 Census Information
According to the 2020 census, 13 people lived in Fontana Dam. There were 4 households in the town. Most of the people living there were White, with a small number of Native American and Hispanic or Latino residents.
Economy of Fontana Dam
The main business in Fontana Dam is the Fontana Village Resort. This resort welcomes about 100,000 visitors every year.
Fontana Dam also has its own post office with ZIP code 28733. This post office is important not just for the people who live in the town and the resort guests, but also for hikers. The famous Appalachian Trail crosses the Fontana Dam, and this post office is the first one hikers find after starting their journey in Georgia.
