Thirty-three years ago, Julia and Gary Nelson built a home in Columbine, part of the River Oaks development on Lake Martin. The Nelsons have countless memories of growing up in Alexander City, as well as memories of raising their two daughters on the lake.

“My father moved our family to Alexander City in 1968 to start his own company, Nelson Electric,” Gary Nelson said. “Russell Mills was my dad’s account, and when the mills were torn down, I knew I wanted to keep a part of that history. Over a period of about five years, I collected the bricks, heart pine timbers and over 100 beams, thinking I might have a project I needed those for one day.”