A couple of weeks ago, we “went” looking for evidence of R. G. LeTourneau, the Industrialist that helped to reshape the rural area around the city of Toccoa. We found few reminders. Of course, the greatest evidence was located around Lake Louise—a private lake that LeTourneau built and now belongs to the Georgia Baptist Convention. But there were other things left here and there that bore witness of his “larger than life” presence.
These are the remains of what LeTourneau hoped would be a hotel — built out of his concrete steel designed housing. This structure, once located in the side of a hill, made what he called, “a perfect ‘bomb’ proof building.”
The flooring used in the hotel remains along with the doors.
I did okay standing inside for a photograph, but there were spiders and plenty of other “scary” things sharing this space.
Old framing is now scattered around the rooms.
There was one more thing that we wanted to photograph before calling it a successful day—the water tower. I knew that it would seem pretty awesome, especially if the sunlight was right.
I’m looking up through pine trees that have reclaimed access to the tower’s base.
A stairway up that should never be climbed.
Finally, as I were walking out, I saw this sweet reminder of how everything returns to its natural state. Buildings don’t last. They can be gone in a few years like the ones in this series. Only people live forever—with God. And if he were here, R. G. LeTourneau would say, “Amen!”
Where is this at? I was planning on trying to find the “hotel/bomb shelter” next time I came into town from Westminster. Ive been doing a lot of research but cant seem to pinpoint the location. My great grandfather actually worked at the plant when my grandfather was growing up. He used to tell me about how Toccoa used to be but he lost his battle to cancer last September so now there are no more stories, he was the last remaining family member from our line for Toccoa.
Christina, it is across from the old Letourneau plant coming into Toccoa just off hwy 123. It is a wooded area now but you can park and walk in or go past what was the old front to the plant there is a dirt road on your left. Turn and go up in there. You have to look for the old piping that is standing up. Somehow the hillside that once covered this structure was removed. But the old hotel/bomb shelter is still there.