A big implosion took down parts of a landmark industrial plant Thursday afternoon.
Dozens of former workers turned out to see the demolition of two smokestacks and a boiler building at the Knight-Celotex Plant in Sunbury. The smokestack could be seen from most places in Sunbury. After all, it was the tallest structure in the city, located at the center of the former Knight-Celotex Plant.
The smokestack, an adjacent boiler building and a shorter smokestack were leveled.
"There's about 160 pounds of dynamite and 42 pounds of shape charges, so it's going to be a very, very loud bang," said former employee Bruce Rea.
The plant dates back to around 1900 and throughout the years has employed countless local people. Some of those former employees came out to see the end of an era.
"There was 120 to 130 employees who lost their jobs in June, 2009. Sad to see it come down. It's been part of the city for 50 plus years, maybe longer," said former employee Kevin Troup. He added the plant made fiber board for homes and fell on hard times when the housing market slumped. Now, another company plans to buy the property and develop it for the booming natural gas industry. "What are you going to do? People all over the country are doing the same thing we're doing here."
Former employees said it was a bittersweet sight. They plan to take a piece of their history and this city's history with them.
"When it comes down today, I'm going to take a black brick from the stack," said former employee Richard Hare.
Former employees said the old Knight-Celotex plant started off as a textile mill. During World War II, it pumped out electronics for the military, before it was Knight-Celotex.
Demolition should wrap up sometime next year in Sunbury.
Dozens of former workers turned out to see the demolition of two smokestacks and a boiler building at the Knight-Celotex Plant in Sunbury. The smokestack could be seen from most places in Sunbury. After all, it was the tallest structure in the city, located at the center of the former Knight-Celotex Plant.
The smokestack, an adjacent boiler building and a shorter smokestack were leveled.
"There's about 160 pounds of dynamite and 42 pounds of shape charges, so it's going to be a very, very loud bang," said former employee Bruce Rea.
The plant dates back to around 1900 and throughout the years has employed countless local people. Some of those former employees came out to see the end of an era.
"There was 120 to 130 employees who lost their jobs in June, 2009. Sad to see it come down. It's been part of the city for 50 plus years, maybe longer," said former employee Kevin Troup. He added the plant made fiber board for homes and fell on hard times when the housing market slumped. Now, another company plans to buy the property and develop it for the booming natural gas industry. "What are you going to do? People all over the country are doing the same thing we're doing here."
Former employees said it was a bittersweet sight. They plan to take a piece of their history and this city's history with them.
"When it comes down today, I'm going to take a black brick from the stack," said former employee Richard Hare.
Former employees said the old Knight-Celotex plant started off as a textile mill. During World War II, it pumped out electronics for the military, before it was Knight-Celotex.
Demolition should wrap up sometime next year in Sunbury.
