Twin Towers at the moment of implosion (Photos/Steven Sigsby) [Click to enlarge]

The former home of thousands of Arkansas State University students across the generations reached the end of its story recently, as the Twin Towers dormitory was leveled to allow for new structures to be built.

The nine-story building has been located at 100 South Driver Street for the past 41 years. In its heyday, Twin Towers was home to over 700 male students.

As with all things, time began to take its toll on the structure. When repairs were no longer considered an option, coupled with the construction of new housing on campus, the decision was made to implode Twin Towers.

Collapsing in a cloud of dust [Click to enlarge]

Future plans for the location include a new recreation center on the eastern portion of the section, as well as a new structure to house the classes which are now held in Wilson Hall, for the west side.

According to reports, more than 500 people gathered to see the building come down.

Among those in attendance were Rector father and son Steve and Marshall Sigsby.

The final result after demolition. [Click to enlarge]

Steve was one of the very first residents in the dorm, staying there as a freshman in 1967. Marshall would, literally, follow in his father's footsteps, moving into Twin Towers in 2002, 35 years later.

The building left impressions on Steve.

"It was a big nine-story structure," Steve said. "(Going to ASU) was really my first time being away from home for anything more than summer camp. I made a lot of friends during my time there and met a lot of people. I'm still friends with some of them today."

While the dorm represented the first tastes of freedom for many young men, it also had its drawbacks.

Sigsby says construction on the site was hurried, prompting many problems, particularly in those first years.

"The elevators worked when they wanted to. I lived on the fourth floor and wound up taking the stairs quite a bit. In fact, I think they kind of stayed that way the whole time the building was in use. Also, the air conditioning didn't work when we moved in. There we are in Arkansas in August without any cool air."

The atmosphere also led to a number of pranks.

"People would pull the fire alarms at about 1 a.m. and we'd all have to go outside until they gave the all-clear. Guys would burn their trash cans and cause the fire department to come out. There was quite a bit of mischief."

Still, as one of those present at the destruction of his former home, Steve says the overall experience was a good one. He also enjoyed seeing it all come crashing down.

"Certainly there was a touch of nostalgia, but you saw it and realized it had outlived its usefulness.

"To really be there and feel the rumble (when it imploded) and have the dust come over you was a really unique experience."

The explosion was handled by Controlled Demolition Inc. of Baltimore. They used approximately 200 pounds of nitroglycerine-based explosives which were placed the dorm's concrete columns. Preparation for the explosion took around two months.

The surrounding area was cleared for safety reasons. Persons in attendance were required to keep a distance of 500 feet from the zone.

"It really was impressive to see it come down," Steve said. "One minute it's standing there and the next, it's not."