It has been a constant sight in the Phenix City skyline since 1964, but on July 1, at approximately 10 a.m. ET, an iconic 300-foot communication tower on Bailey Hill on 31st Avenue, will be dismantled, marking the end of an era for local cable television infrastructure. The tower was originally constructed by Cable TV of East Alabama, now BEAM.
Employees who have maintained the structure describe it as more than just a communication tool, but a piece of local history.
“The tower was built before satellite technology,” said Headend Technician Robert “Gonzo” Gonzales, who has worked at BEAM for many years and is the one who has climbed the 300-foot iron tower the most. “At the very top, you can just nudge it with one pound of pressure, and it will sway.”…