MACON, GEORGIA - INDUSTRIAL ARCHEOLOGY

 

How many ways can you move clay? Prehistoric Indians carried the Great Temple Mound in bucket by bucket. By 1878, one of Macon's first industries was using a tram from the clay pits to the brick factory. Today, you can

stand atop the mounds and walk the tramway at Ocmulgee National Monument. Burns Brick (now BORAL) across the river also used a rail tram. While serving in France in WWII, the company's vice president was inspired to build the first mono-cable tram in the USA. (Back to carrying clay in buckets!) Although replaced by trucks, the three mile long system can still be seen behind the factory.Historic water pumps are often featured on SIA tours, but the Macon Water Authority has two still running! The present pumping equipment dates from the 1940s including the 180 psi gas powered boiler and two turbine pumps capable of 30 million gallons per day. However, Maconites at the turn of the century were indignant to learn they were drinking water pumped from the Ocmulgee River water rather than the springs near Spring Street. Today, the waterworks faces the same fate as the springs: in August it will be replaced and become a city park. Fate of the buildings and pumps is undetermined.

 

Even the shortest discussion of Macon's industrial heritage would not be complete without textiles. Although Macon made its fortune trading raw cotton, it once also boasted eleven cotton mills. (To see more historic

photos, search NAIL  for keywords Macon AND Bibb) While the boll weevil killed the cotton trade in the 1920s, the manufacturing tradition lives on. An example is the YKK zipper factory established in 1974. Like the first industrialists in the 1850s, who were attracted by easy river access to the ocean, the new interstate highway link to Savannah attracted this Japanese company. Originally, YKK envisioned a small plant of around ten acres, but Macon officials convinced them they needed 54 acres for expansion. Today, the Macon operation is the largest in the world, producing seven million zippers a day on two sites. The process is vertically integrated, starting by alloying brass and spinning polyester yarn to make 1500 styles of metal and plastic zippers, plus hook-and-loop fasteners, buckles, and other notions.

 

A Driving Tour of Industrial Archeology in Macon

 

Those of you who drove from the north and west might want to take a few hours to see some of Macon's IA. This tour more or less follows State Route 87 through Macon. It will take about 1.5 hours if you keep moving, but you

can easily spend a full day, especially if you take in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the aviation museum ten miles south, or other attractions. Note: The waterworks is not regularly open to the public. Best to call

ahead! (912) 741-2626 Leaving Savannah Until the 1850's you would take a ship south to Brunswick,

then a boat up the rivers to Macon. Macon's first industry, in the 1820s, was boat building. Now we can proceed directly via 167 miles of Interstate 16. Take Interstate 16 to Exit 5, Ocmulgee East Blvd.

Future IA Take Ocmulgee East Blvd. northwest, and you will go through one of the Macon's newer industrial areas. Watch for the YKK Ocmulgee plant 1.1 miles to the right. The red and white stacks in the background is the Brown and Williamson cigarette plant. Continue on GA 87 when it turns left onto Emery Highway. Clay pits Our first stop is Ocmulgee National Monument, but before that, GA 87 passes under the Central of Georgia bridge. After 1843, this railroad became the preferred route to Savannah. The Monument entrance is on the left half a mile past the C of GA bridge. The museum isn't IA, but it does feature the only public rest rooms on this tour! Continuing down the park road, just on the other side of the brick (1870s?) arch is the clay pits. If it is sunny, look for turtles! View of downtown Continue along the park road and stop at the Great Temple Mound parking lot. Climb the stairs for a panoramic view of Macon. If you would like to walk the path of the 1870s tram through the clay pits, the Opelofa trail starts at the parking lot. Old Fort Hawkins Leaving Ocmulgee Monument, continue west on Emery Highway, then turn left at the second light onto Ft Hill St, then first right on Main Street. You will be in one of the oldest neighborhoods, established just before Macon was founded in 1822. Vanishing Cotton Mill At the end of Main Street, turn left. We are on GA 87 again. To the left you will see one of the Bibb Co. cotton mills beingdemolished. Continue and you will go under Interstate 16 and cross the Ocmulgee River. Continue straight when GA 87 turns to the right. Terminal Station Continue until the road curves around the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and veer to the left onto Fifth Street. Next on the left will be the 1916 Terminal Station. If you will be staying in Macon, you might want to visit the visitors' center in the terminal. Just after the terminal, turn left onto Poplar Street and cross underneath the railroad tracks. Aerial Tram A lot of IA down Lower Poplar, but we will concentrate on BORAL Bricks. Go 0.9 miles, following the signs to the city landfill and the animal shelter. Ignore the sign to BORAL, since we are going to the back entrance. You will see the aerial tram just before you reach the landfill's weigh station. Downtown Turn around and go back down Poplar Street and Fifth Street past the Terminal Station. At the stop light in front of the Music Hall of Fame, go straight onto Mulberry Street, and you will pass through downtown. Mansions Continue down Mulberry Street, veering left to stay on Mulberry when the road splits. Macon, like Savannah, was one of the few cities that was not burned during Sherman's March to the Sea. Some of the antebellum mansions are open to the public. The Hay House will be of particular IA interest because of its 1855 plumbing, ventilation, and intercom systems. More Mansions At the Hay House, Mulberry Street changes its name to Georgia Avenue. Continue. When you reach the large brick post office turn right onto College Street. At the base of the hill, turn left on Riverside Drive. You are back on GA Route 87!

Steam Pumps Follow Riverside Drive 2.4 miles, watching for the Pierce Avenue intersection of Interstate 75. Go underneath the interstate and immediately turn right on Pierce Avenue. Continue through the residential

area, over the railroad tracks and into the last waterworks gate. Turn left and check in at the modern building. Remember, they have a job to do, and depending on conditions, may not be able to let you in. Leaving Macon If you must leave us now, Pierce Avenue will take you to Interstate 75. If you would like to take a short or extended break before heading out, follow Pierce Avenue underneath the interstate and take the first right onto Riverside. There you will find a selection of restaurants and motels. Enjoy Macon!

More information about visiting Macon.