In 1962, Montgomery’s Jack and Mickey Smith created a legacy for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren when they leased an Alabama Power Company lot at Lake Martin near Eclectic. They had five children then, ages 6 to 18. They were intent on teaching them to do for themselves as the family worked together to build piers, decks and even the 800-square-foot cabin that still stands on the property today.

A simple pier was the first structure built at the property, and it served the family well as they labored to carve a living space from nature.