The Grand Hall inside the Grand River Dam Authority’s Ecosystems and Education Center (Langley) was full of both people and memories on Friday night, August 7, as a large crowd gathered to help GRDA recognize the first 75 years of the Pensacola Dam and Grand Lake.
GRDA was honored to have members of the Jack Rorschach, Henry Holderman, W.R. Holway and Massman Construction families in attendance. Each played a pivotal role in developing the dam’s idea, securing the necessary funds to construct it or working on the actual construction project. Of course, the list of contributors to the Pensacola Dam dream includes even more names than this, and the special night was all about honoring those who had a hand in bringing the mile-long engineering feat to Northeast Oklahoma.
Sharing in the celebration … Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin addresses the crowd during the Grand River Dam Authority’s 75th Birthday Party for Pensacola Dam, on Friday, August 7, at the GRDA Ecosystems and Education Center in Langley.
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin spoke at the event, and told the crowd that the night was all about honoring Pensacola Dam because of what it has done over the years to benefit Oklahoma.
“We’re here tonight to recognize someone that we admire, that we love, that has been a pillar in our community …that works very, very hard, that has allowed our families to have a great time with wonderful activities on the lake .. a workhorse in the community, and that’s the Pensacola Dam.”
Oklahoma Speaker of the House of Representatives Jeff Hickman also spoke to the crowd and recalled his own childhood memories that were made along the shores of Grand Lake. He also told the crowd that Oklahomans enjoy those kinds of benefits today because of the work completed yesterday.
“We really owe a debt of gratitude to the previous generations of Oklahomans who had a vision for what this could be,” said Hickman. “They invested blood, sweat and tears, literally, to build this.”
GRDA wishes to thank all those who were in attendance to help us celebrate this very special milestone in Oklahoma history. After 75 years, Pensacola Dam remains the iconic face of GRDA but more importantly, a powerful asset that continues to contribute to growth and economic development in our state.
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