The Imploding of the Henry Grady Hotel in Atlanta. Ga. August 11, 1972 | Eastern NC Now

I had a ringside seat to the destruction of one of old Atlanta landmarks but I did not blow it up. Today is the forty third anniversary of the implosion of the Henry Grady Hotel.

    My neighbor at Oak Creek worked for Hudgins Contracting Company. They hired a French Company whose expertise was the imploding of buildings with well-placed dynamite charges and timed ignition charges.

    As I, recall three brothers were part of the planning crew. They were quite the playboys as they had travelled all over the world blowing up buildings. I am sorry the name escapes me now. Subsequent research has found some information on this company and family. Click here for information on Controlled Demolition, The Loizeaux family)

    In 1972, Hudgins scheduled the old Henry Grady Hotel for destruction. It was located across from the Greyhound Bus Station. It was a 13-story hotel located at the corner of Peachtree Street and Cain St. (now Andrew Young Intl. Blvd.) in Atlanta from 1924-1974. . After the Grady was demolished, the Westin Peachtree Plaza was built on the site.

    My neighbor arranged for several of us to have a front seat view of the destruction of the Henry Grady. There was a motel across the street from the building with window fronts facing the Henry Grady. We rented several rooms and stocked them with the proper amount of booze and food. The implosion was to take place on a Sunday morning as that was always the quietest time with the least traffic.

    After Saturday night of partying and general mischief, we woke up to witness the implosion. Hearing dynamite with a hangover was not really one of our greatest ideas. Memory fails me on the exact details but I think the zero hour was about 6:00 AM. We all expected to see and hear a major explosion and flying debris.

    The countdown began and when the charges were set off there was nothing but a muffles sound. As if in slow motion, the building slowly began to crumble into itself. There was no loud explosion and the sound of the building collapsing did not seem too loud. There was a huge dust cloud created and the whole thing was over in just a matter of minutes.

    Fortunately, our supply of refreshments was sufficient for the party to continue. Now almost everyone has seen an implosion on TV or in person and realize that there is just a bunch of small charges placed at strategic structural points to allow the building to destroy itself.

    I don't know if it is from watching other implosions on television or just wishful memory but I can never think about that day without remembering the slow motion collapse of the building.

    It was a great experience and thanks to my neighbor and friend at Oak Creek Apartments for getting us a ringside seat.

    By the way, that friend's name was Tim and I introduced him to my Clarkston High Classmate, Sherry. They later married. Together they raised a fine family and recently added another grandchild to the fold. Tim has passed now but that is just one of the many memories I have of our times together when we began to grow from roustabouts to raising a family. Sherry, you and Tim done good, God Bless you.

    Click her for a video link about the Henry Grady Hotelt