Comments on: Plans underway to remove power plant chimneys

By: Kevin Hagan

Kevin Hagan — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 03:22:22 +0000

I think that this happened in 1978. Some person or persons painted hieroglyfics on one of these towers. It was an amazing feat. The speculation was that it was probably done by students involved in rock climbing.

By: Andrew Careaga

Andrew Careaga — Sun, 01 Dec 2019 01:45:03 +0000

In reply to Edward G. Bulgin.

Thanks for your interest in our geothermal system.You can find more information at https://geothermal.mst.edu/.

By: Edward G. Bulgin

Edward G. Bulgin — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 17:38:42 +0000

I would like to know more about your geothermal system and how it replaced your fuel fired power plant . A project scope and process flow diagram with energy balance would be nice.

By: David G Sizemore

David G Sizemore — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 20:01:56 +0000

Someone should publish a paper about this project.
Next we should put something unique in their place. Not the space needle, but I am sure the inventive folks at S&T can come up with something. It could compliment the Stonehenge structure on the North side
and be an icon and welcome spot for the campus.

By: Charles Lahmeyer

Charles Lahmeyer — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 01:05:39 +0000

Sarah,
I remember when I was a student at MSM in the 60s, they rebuilt one
of the chimneys. It was built from the ground up as I remember.
The Miner newspaper even ran a slightly naughty cartoon of the
construction, making fun of the shape that the upper part of the
chimney was taking. “Who’s in charge here?” was the caption, with Joe Miner
being the culprit in charge. Good times at MSM/UMR!
Chuck Lahmeyer EE 1966

By: Emmett Redd

Emmett Redd — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 16:41:14 +0000

Is the whistle still operating at noon and 1 pm?

By: John

John — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 15:56:54 +0000

Can we talk Braden Lusk into a little “special project”?

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 04:18:55 +0000

How about selling some of the brick from the original stack to alumni (if not asbestos laced). Give others away to donors during fund raising campaign if they donate at a certain level. Provide a certificate of authentication. Remainder might be sold as cleaned vintage brick goes for a premium.

By: Brent A. Fullerton

Brent A. Fullerton — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 03:06:30 +0000

You should sell the bricks

By: Bill Bishop

Bill Bishop — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 01:45:50 +0000

Will the project be documented with still photos or videos and posted where we can access it?

By: Sarah Potter

Sarah Potter — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 16:06:04 +0000

In reply to Ron Sherard '74. There are long-term plans to remove the building, but there is no timeline right now.

By: Conor Watkins

Conor Watkins — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 01:27:34 +0000

I assume this will be an explosive demolition/implosion type deal. The article didn’t go into any details though. I don’t know if the power plant building could be of much use for anything but it kinda has that industrial modern look that people seem to really like now so could see it fit into something. It is pretty much wall to wall with various pipes and cables of some sort. I took a tour once and it is pretty complex, even being old technology. All that stuff as well as the boilers would have to be stripped out for it to be of any use. I seem to recall some giant generator unrelated to the coal/steam system in there as well.

I also recall another student climbing one of the stacks and taking photos way back when. I can’t find the book but think the guy was named Robert Rock. He had nice black and white photos in all directions of Rolla at the time he pulled off that stunt.

I know the campus will look different without it but something that isn’t in use and a safety hazard without costly maintenance doesn’t make sense to keep around.

By: Ron Sherard '74

Ron Sherard '74 — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 18:48:30 +0000

What about the building itself? Repurposed or is another campus landmark to be removed?

By: Wick Doll

Wick Doll — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 18:31:55 +0000

When I was a student 1961-65 there was only one chimney for the power plant. Late one night one of my colleagues decided to climb the chimney and hang a bedsheet flag from the top. This flag hung there for several weeks before tearing loose. The student said it was the most frightening thing he had ever done since some of the iron rungs fastened to the side of the chimney seemed loose. No maintenance person from MSM would climb the chimney to retrieve the “flag.”