CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The iconic Frosty Morn smokestack, which has loomed over the Red River area of Clarksville for 70 years, crashed down into rubble Saturday morning.

Demolition of the tower was done by a contractor for the city at about 10 a.m., using a carefully placed cable to pull the tower to one side until it crumbled down.

The site is being demolished to make way for future development. There had been discussion of leaving the brick smokestack in place, but it was too dangerous to keep or to restore, city officials have said.

The work is being done by Morgan Construction, with crane lifting and riggers supplied by PTL Fabricators.

Frosty Morn Meat Packing Co. opened in 1948 in the industrial area between Kraft Street and College Street, in what was then the outskirts of the city.

The Frosty Morn tower is demolished in downtown Clarksville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. (Lee Erwin, Clarksville Now)
The Frosty Morn tower is demolished in downtown Clarksville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. (Lee Erwin, Clarksville Now)
The Frosty Morn tower is demolished in downtown Clarksville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. (Casey Williams, Clarksville Now)
The Frosty Morn tower is demolished in downtown Clarksville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. (Lee Erwin, Clarksville Now)
The Frosty Morn smokestack, pictured Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, the week before it was demolished. (Jack Chapman, Contributed)
The Frosty Morn smokestack, pictured Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, the week before it was demolished. (Jack Chapman, Contributed)

The plant closed in 1977 and has been an abandoned eyesore for several decades.