Gettysburg - The Tower Falls

The Gettysburg Observation Tower was removed, dramatically, by CDI of Baltimore, MD., on July 3, 2000.

There were 10,000 people predicted for the demolition of the Tower at Gettysburg. We decided to go, living only about 25 miles away. The Tower was ugly and intrusive but also a great vantage point from which to view the Battlefield. Loud, tinny music, which could not be ignored, was played on external speakers. On the flat terrain, it was the only vantage point. Hence, there was no clear consensus pro or con the demolition.

I remember when CDI, the company who implodes things so artfully, was a tree-trimming business in Phoenix, in Baltimore County Maryland, where I lived as a girl ...I recall that they only used chainsaws! They generously donated this particular demolition project to the National Park Service.

We had only a little hope of getting a good look at the show...but actually, we did have a fine view! We got there at about 1:30pm, knowing that traffic would be heavy. Having scoped it out the week before, I picked the most likely route to avoid the worst of the crush and we drove off of the main highway and into the Park. We found a spot to park along the road. Behind us came a solid parade of cars! We found a great seat, high on the raised base of the Vermont monument, along with some other folks, who were friendly and fun.

The Tower stood against the sky, looking big, bad and unconcerned.

We passed the time hiking around, reading, chatting and people-watching. ...There were many big TV trucks parked along the roads and tons of camera gear being lugged around. The press had bleachers to sit on.

At about 4:30 several helicopters from TV stations took to the air, along with an ultra light and some small planes. At about 4:45 I pointed my camera at the Tower. At 4:59 it started to rain. Tom held our big umbrella over us and the camera, and, at exactly 5pm, 2 cannons boomed and then the Tower started to tip. It seemed to fall toward us - it was about 1/4 mile away, but still looked rather daunting, especially through my zoom lens...!

It was there ... it was falling ... it was gone.

We all said, Wow! One woman, whose mother is buried in the cemetery right next to where the tower had stood said, thank goodness, that thing is gone! and then we ran for the cars.

All in all, a very interesting day.

As we drove away, I realized that I could not recall exactly where the Tower had stood in relation to the road we were following!