By Staff
ONE LAST LOOK Harlan Davis takes one last look at Gunn's Cotton Gin in northeast Lauderdale County. Demolition of the landmark, built in 1937, is expected to take about two weeks. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Penny Randall / staff writer
June 7, 2002
Demolition workers are tearing down Gunn's Cotton Gin, which has stood at the intersection of Cotton Gin Road and Highway 45 North since 1937.
Davis said he boarded up the windows and doors a long time ago, but the structure was very unstable.
The gin sent out its last bale of cotton in the fall of 1972. Since then, high school students bent on leaving their marks have been frequent visitors.
Davis, 59, said he has fond memories of working in the gin as a child.
In its peak years, 1962-64, the gin operated 24 hours a day with a staff of seven people.
The contractor for the demolition is Billy Shumate, who expects the work to take about two weeks.