RIBBON CUTTING OPENS ELLENTON HERITAGE
TRAIL
The ribbon-cutting
celebration on May 12th signaled the opening of the Ellenton
Heritage Trail on the Savannah River Site.
The SRS Heritage Foundation will conduct guided public tours of the
Trail in accordance with a real estate agreement between the Foundation and the
Department of Energy.
The ribbon-cutting
ceremony was attended by about 40 guests including Dr. David Moody of the
Department of Energy and Carol Johnson of Savannah River Nuclear
Solutions. Guests were treated to a van
tour of the site of the former business community of the town of Ellenton. The US Forest Service had cleaned the streets
and walkways to facilitate the tour.
George Wingard of the Savannah River Archeological Research Program
described locations of homes and businesses and showed photographs along the
tour route. Although no buildings remain
standing, visitors were able to visualize the scope and harmony of the former
community and understand the sacrifices of residents who were displaced to make
room for the Savannah River Project.
The Heritage
Foundation is developing plans for the first public tours. Tour attendees must be US citizens older than
16 with social security numbers and other forms of identification. Initial tours will leave from the SRS Museum
in Aiken, although subsequent tours may utilize other departure points. Final arrangements and dates for the public
tours will be announced in the near future.
