WECT tower facts for kids
The WECT Tower was a super tall structure, like a giant pole, that stood 609.6-metre (2,000 ft) high. It was used as an antenna to send out television (TV) signals, especially for the WECT channel 6 station. This amazing tower was built in 1969. You could find it along NC 53, south of White Lake in Colly Township, Bladen County, North Carolina, in the United States. Before it was taken down, the WECT Tower was one of the tallest man-made structures ever built. It was not only the tallest structure in North Carolina, but also the tallest in the United States east of the Mississippi River.
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A Big Change in TV Signals
On September 8, 2008, WECT stopped sending its regular TV signal from this tall tower in Bladen County. They started using a newer digital transmitter located in Winnabow instead.
The "Nightlight" Period
After the main switch, the old signal from the WECT Tower stayed on for a short time, until the end of September. This was called a "Nightlight" period. During this time, the tower broadcast a special video. This video helped people understand how to install new TV equipment, like converter boxes and UHF antennas. This was important because many people who used to get WECT's old analog signal might not have been able to get the new digital signal easily. The new digital signal used a different channel (UHF instead of the old VHF) and covered a much smaller area.
The Tower's Final Years
Even after the big TV signal change, WECT still used the old tower for some things. For example, they used it for electronic news-gathering, which helps them collect news from different places.
Donated and Demolished
In 2011, WECT decided to donate the tower and the land it stood on (about 77-acre (31 ha)) to the Green Beret Foundation. This foundation helps members of the U.S. Army Special Forces and their families. On September 20, 2012, the WECT Tower was taken down. The tower was "scrapped," meaning its metal parts were sold. The money from selling the land and the metal from the tower went to the Green Beret Foundation to help with their important work.
