My father, John F. Sullenberger, was the Plant Manager at H-O Oats in the 1960's,(and had worked there as Maintenance Foreman, then Plant Superintendant since 1937) and I remember well going through the plant as a child, when it was fully operational. Later, as a teenager I helped paint the wooden window casings for all the plant's old windows, as part of a contracted paint crew, and we all got to ride the manhoist [a L-O-O-ONG endless belt wtih small foot platforms riveted onto it, and metal cupped handholds] to the top of the elevators (internally) and then emerge from a small structure at the top to walk out on the flat roof for a truly superb view of the surrounding city! (Even my Dad would't do that, as he got older!) It's sad to see that the whole plant and elevators are gone, now, -especially as I visited the area this spring and was told the Casino has been stopped. Too bad to have to loose this piece of history so near and dear to my own heart, and for what! PS I have a somewhat faded color aerial Photo mounted behind plexiglass, of the entire plant, that was given to my dad upon his retirement in 1970, and passed on to me after his death in 2001.
Jim Sullenberger
Hendersonville, NC, 28792
828 692-2717
mtnvalleyvideo@yahoo.com
