One of the South's most significant Civil War landmarks is getting a $192,000 face-lift.
This week, crews hired by the Augusta Canal Authority began a six-week project to repair cracks and perform other needed stabilization work to the 148-year-old Confederate Powderworks Chimney in front of Sibley Mill off Broad Street.
The authority, which was granted title to the site by the city of Augusta in July, hired International Chimney Corp., a New York firm that specializes in historic restoration, to perform the work, said authority spokeswoman Rebecca Rogers.
The restoration includes replacing missing brick and repairing a crack on the west wall.
The original cast-iron cap will be repaired and covered to protect the interior of the chimney from water.
Money raised by the Sons of Confederate Veterans and Augusta's special purpose local option sales tax will cover the costs, Ms. Rogers said.
The chimney is the only extant above-ground structure built by the Confederate States of America.
It is all that remains of the Confederacy's gunpowder "manufactory," 28 buildings that stretched for two miles along the banks of the canal. The works supplied most of the gunpowder for the South during the Civil War.
The complex, built by Col. George Washington Rains, produced 2.75 million pounds of high-quality gunpowder between 1861 and 1865.
In 1872, when the abandoned powderworks property was scheduled for demolition to allow the canal to be enlarged, Rains asked the city to save the chimney as a "fitting monument to the unnumbered dead who sleep on the battlefields of the South."
Soon after the powderworks' demolition, Sibley Mill rose in its place, using a half-million bricks salvaged from the ruins.
Sibley, which closed in 2006, remains vacant and for sale. Just across the canal, the Salvation Army of Augusta is planning its Kroc Center.
Reach Rob Pavey at (706) 868-1222, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Thank you Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Augusta Canal Authority, for preserving history and heritage! This is a worthwhile project... I have always been a history buff and when showing out of town guest around town, the powder works chimney has always facinated those people I have sharred its history with...
How much taxpayer money is going into this thing and minority tax dollars should be returned to be used on neighborhood improvement projects. U got homeless people without shelters, but U got money to prop up a chimney borders on the insane. This project is not a positive development for any good relations for those who view such symbols as a oppressive reminder.
justus4, deal with it
How much non-minority taxes go to black neighbohood improvements. How much taxes do th minorities that live in public housing pay. Justus you are indeed a fool.
some cheese justas?..........
You're right Justus, we ought to destroy ALL reminders of our history because they just might offend someone. Would you care to start with the Lucy Craft Laney house?
justus4-the sons of confederate veterans and private donations from all over the state and country raised over $160,000.00 of this money.
justus4-i bet you beleive the canal was dug by slave labor,guess what it wasn't
Tough "Justus4" GET OVER IT!!!
Lucky for you Justazz that Lincoln didn't do what he first wanted to do.....SEND ALL THE SLAVES BACK TO AFRICA! Just think....you would have to get a J O B and not depend on your gubment check! Too bad we can't send YOU somewhere!
I didn't know there were minority or majority tax dollars. If that's the case, I'll start choosing where mine go and it won't be for deadbeats for healthcare, welfare, or other social slavery programs. Remember, dependence is slavery. Independence is freedom. You have a choice to be dependent or free. Your choice however, is not my problem. Get some education!
Proud to be a member of Sons of Confederate Veterans. My Great Great Grandfather, William Mulherin, Sgt. 3rd Ga. Sharpshooters, would be proud as well that we remember their sacrifice for family and home.
Augusta is rich in history. This helps preserve a key piece of heritage for my grandchildren.
A chimney is "a oppressive reminder"? That's a stretch. But let's run with it. May I suggest that everyone who doesn't want oppressive reminders of the South move NORTH? Maybe somewhere near Gettysburg. You could put a subdivision on the battlefield.
To justus4: You're such a Gem. You must be a huge CNN fan.
Augusta has such a wonderful legacy, and I'm happy to hear that one of the historic sites will be refurbished. As to Justus4 and others who think that Southern history is all about slavery, get a book, get a life, get over yourselves!
Get a book, someone has to read the paper to him now and tell him what to think!
Amen, Amen, and AMEN!!!
We should never forget our history, whether it be glorious or shameful . . . but we should choose what we build our future on, and bitterness will never breed any good progress for those who choose that path.
It's right to remember your history, but is this the best way to spend public dollars in these tough economic times when there are so many real needs to be provided for? I think not. Only in backwater towns in the South are they still fighting the Civil War, a war that should have been avoided just like Iraq, and which killed 650,000 Americans. A waste then, and a waste now to try to keep it alive. So sad; so stupid.
Almost $200,000 to preserve a phallic symbol of a Lost Cause! What a waste of money!
"One of the South's most significant Civil War landmarks"? I've driven past this thing a dozen times taking my kids to the canal and never knew it had any real historical significance. Why isn't is supported by, I don't know, a park with a visitor center, miniature mementos sold out of stores around town, or anything, ANYTHING, besides the marker afixed to it?
This historic marker must be preserved as a reminder that the traitors were defeated by the United States of America.
siqraci-please explain the traitor part to me,even though you are government schooled ,please try.
A lot of this money was raised by the Sons Niko. How much money or effort have these government dependants even ever tried to contribute to help themselves? You want to talk about a lost cause huh? The abused government assistance for life programs that are passed down through each generation like a family secret recipie are one of the biggest lost causes ever!!!! Once agin you don't want anyone to choose how their tax dollars are spent, but people like justus want to give it to those who refuse to help themselves like fixing up projects that the lowlife freeloaders destroyed themselves! I'm sure plenty of the Sons have paid more than their fair share of taxes to be able to use a little for something other than supporting a bunch of lazy immoral baby factories and criminals! You have your history, and even some bad ones you worship, let them have theirs. Do you even realize there are black Sons? If all it stands for is hate, why would they be in it? It's about history and pride not hate!
I have always liked the way it looked as the sun was setting, almost an allegory of the confederacy itself. It is definitely worth saving.
well said JAKE
Niko, money raised by contributions. Do you think you should dictate to people who they contribute to?
niko mahs-i guess you beleive we should take down the viet-nam memorial wall also,it was a lost cause thanks to our government leaders
No KSL, if they are that dumb then they would not listen anyway. Let them throw their hard earned money away on a Historical Losing Dud.
Oh my bad, no need to answer my last question. I remembered the answer. They are uncle toms and they don't count.
Well Niko, that sort of makes your initial comment worthless, doesn't it?