The building came crashing down right on schedule Saturday morning.
BAYTOWN, Texas — It was a stunning sight in Baytown Saturday morning as a local landmark came crashing down. ExxonMobil’s main office building, nicknamed the “White House,” was imploded.
We had a front row seat, along with invited guests. Those guests included a Baytown couple who got to get it all started.
“Thanks for the memories!” called out Debbie Himsel after she pushed the plunger down to start the implosion.
Then in seconds, the 10-story structure that’s been a fixture in Baytown for more than 50 years came down in a cloud of dust.
“I’m still excited,” Himsel said. “We have a lot of our family here and this was a landmark and it’ll be different to not have that 10-story building here.”
Though it’s been a part of the city’s history, Himsel said she won’t miss it.
“No, it’s progress,” she said. “I’ve got the memories.”
The building, which has been vacant since late last year, was taken down as part of ExxonMobil’s modernization and growth efforts.
Himsel was selected through a raffle held last month. She brought her husband, kids and grandkids to watch the moment unfold. Her dad worked in that very building and she still remembers when it first opened back in 1971.
Himsel told us she was nervous right up until the moment she put her hands on that detonation box.
ExxonMobil says the implosion went smoothly and while they’re still deciding what to do with the site, Saturday morning was undeniably historic for Baytown.
Here’s video from Air 11 as the building came crashing down.