Years ago I told an out of state client flying in to Atlanta the directions to my office. I said, "Once you can see the smoke stack on 441 you'll turn left at the next caution light (now a stop light)". On the phone he kind of chuckled at my directions. Then he called me on the way from the airport to my office and his exact words were "how in the hell am I supposed to see anything with all these trees?" But then he drove around a curve and said "Damn, I see it."
It's hard not to see, it's one of the tallest smoke stacks in the world. It's 1001 feet tall. On a clear day it can be seen for up to 20 miles.
If I had known it wouldn't always be there I might have taken more photos. But this one is among my favorite. The lights were dancing off the water and it makes me remember that when I was a little girl I used to think it was a boat.
The plant has been closed about 18 months. It was regulated to death and many jobs were lost. In just a mere 11 days that stack, will be gone. The plant has been there since the 50's, the tall stack was built in 1978
On October 8th, it will come tumbling down (okay I'm not actually sure it will tumble) But I think we all should be there to see it. I plan to be there to see it. At least as close as they will let me get.
The announcement was make today on Georgia Power's local land management website. They even have a map of the sorry you can't get THAT close zone too. People are going to get lost on this lake. They have been navigating their way home by the stack for decades. I'm really going to miss it.
I might even try to get over there before October 8th and snap just few more photos. After all in just 11 days that's all we'll have left ... memories and photos.
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What a shame Tammy Lankford, ...regulated to death, a sad by-product from our politicians.
Tammy Lankford, it's so sad when landmarks come down and especially this one because it stood for a thriving business at one time. Hope they put something else up to navigate by.
Lisa Von Domek I fully admit to not missing the plumb of smoke, but the job loss was hard as my area was just eking into recovery when we had that blow. They had agreed to this and that cleaner and scrubber, but literally were told... But by the time you get that done, we're going to increase them again, we're going to put you out of business. Thankfully we still have hydro power production here.
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor® I doubt it. But I do hope in my lifetime something good happens with that land.
It will change things and the way people navigate. I wonder how long it will take people to get used to the new norm?
Hi Tammy Lankford, I remember when you first wrote a blog indicating the were going to remove it. It's tough to see our past history dissapear.
Hi Tammy. Now you can give directions by saying "make a left where you used to be able to see the tall stack".
I am sorry for the loss of jobs that will occur. I hope people affected will find other jobs.
Debbie Reynolds perhaps they will stop by my office and pick up a copy of our free waterproof map to keep on their boat.
Larry Johnston the blow to our economic recovery was the worst part
Gabe Sanders thankfully I have a bill board now about a mile before that turn.
Gita Bantwal I hope we can afford the higher property taxes from the loss of revenue from the business and afford our new higher power bills now that we're shipping it in from heaven knows where.
I always knew we were getting close to GCSU by that stack when my son was there. I can't imagine trying to navigate the lake without it either.
I am sorry for the loss of business and jobs in your community.
It's always sad when thing go away that we become accustom to seeing, such a great picture you captured of it. It definitely gives the scene some character!
Hi Tammy --- most of the time these landmarks are a much location indicator than any GPS system. I can understand the mixed feelings in the community.
That's really sad. I hate to see old landmarks taken down. People do have emotional attachment to them.
While I haven't developed any feelings for a smoke stack, I know how you feel about landmarks. I was very upset when they did away with the Weather Ball in Minneapolis.
Tammy, I hate hearing about plants closing and more jobs being lost. I hope you get to take a bunch of pictures of this Stack.
Smoke stacks . . . what was it smoking? Too bad they didn't commission a local artist to turn it in to something memorable for the town.
I've watched that light from a deer stand many nights while hunting in Greene and Hancock Counties! Of course it was still legal to shoot ...
Rebecca Lewis I think it will be years before it's no longer missed... a generation.
Kathryn S. me too, that's the sad part for me
Brian England when I was a little girl and we'd be at my uncle's place near by I used to think of it as a big ship with the lights reflecting on the water.
Michael Jacobs I know city folk think GPS is all that with a cherry on top, but around these parts you better have a map.
Sharon Tara sad indeed for so many. So many locals have stories about when it was built.
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents yes when the plant close my ache was only for the job loss, not the factory, but it sure was an easy way to know which way was which on the water.
Robert Bob Gilbert over the years I have taken many
Carla Muss-Jacobs, Principal Broker (503) 810-7192 not in the past 18 months or so. LOL But I am sure those hundreds of acres can some day be used for something nice which is why they are tearing the factory down. It would be a lovely spot for a future resort and conference center.
Ron Barnes yes, that too. I miss the blinking lights at night. Driving by after dark across the lake last night it tugged at me.