Downtown Charlotte 550AT siren

[Fearguy1234]

Charlotte is pretty close to me, and when I heard about the 550AT legend, I had to find out. I got Google Earth 3D and looked on top of the building I think it's on, and there isin't a siren shape there at all. But I still have hopes because it takes a huge object to trigger the 3D mode on Google Earth, so im pretty sure a old 550AT is there from an old Civil Defence system. It makes since to put one there, being downtown Charlotte and all. Is this siren there? What is the history behind the old system?

[TrainsAndSirens1]

That siren was removed last year. I do have a photo of it (before it was removed).



Do you live in Huntersville, NC? I do not know if Charlotte really had a siren system long time ago...

[Fearguy1234]

Yes I do. Aw man it was taken down? No wonder I couldn't find it. Where did it go to? I was also looking for that picture, but I couldn't find it.

[Brendan W]

Charlotte may have had a siren system. it would seem logical since charlotte was right in the middle of what the soviets considered a target zone, and pretty much every city had sirens as a result. Aside from the whole soviet thing, I do know of some other major cities in the area having sirens. The Greenville-Spartanburg area had a Chrysler, and lots of Model 5s, give or take a few other sirens. Asheville had a system of Thunderbolts (I have a Federal 10-10 radio that came from one of Asheville's old Thunderbolts), and so on and so forth.

[Fearguy1234]

Yes, Asheville makes since to have a siren system. It's such a nice town, and it makes it a even bigger target with a coal plant right in view of the city, plus the Biltmore house is a even bigger target. Greensville Spartanburg also makes since to have a Chrysler with so many mountains.
With the Charlotte area siren system, I'd have to say thunderbolts maybe along with SD-10's (Most roof mounted). Thanks so much! I never knew this much about my area before.

[Mark N]

This link may help you with information on their system, but I don't know if Charlotte is on there. The year this survey was done was 1964, by the way:
http://civildefensesirens.com/Posts/OCD ... 0Funds.pdf
Edit: it appears that Charlotte had a system of Thunderbolts by 1964.

[Fearguy1234]

Knew it was thunderbolts, but what do the numbers stand for on the survey. For instance, 612 means what siren, thunderbolt?

[Mark N]

Knew it was thunderbolts, but what do the numbers stand for on the survey. For instance, 612 means what siren, thunderbolt?

At the top of the page, it has decibel ratings for numbers. But a 612 is a Model 2 I believe.