Old safe found at work site for new parking lot
By JOHN A. WINTERS
john@newnan.com
A construction crew unearthed what could be an old safe while excavating for a new parking lot at the historic Train Depot between East Broad and East Washington streets in downtown Newnan.
“We believe it is a safe and have hired a safe company to open it,” said Gina Snider, public information officer for the city of Newnan.
The safe, which city officials believe dates from the 1800s to 1850s, will be opened today.
Media are not being allowed at the opening, although video and photographs will be made available afterward.
Let’s hope there is something of historical significance in there. For those showing their age, back in 1986, journalist Geraldo Rivera did a live television show called “The Mystery of Al Capone’s Vault,” which was opened on air. There was nothing but debris and a glass bottle or two.
Snider said Newnan Police officers will be on hand when the safe, or whatever it is, is opened.
The object was unearthed on Friday, and construction crews notified city officials that afternoon. Because the city’s garage was already closed for the day, the decision was made to take the safe to a lot on Macedonia Road in north Coweta County where the construction crew had been dumping dirt removed during the excavation, Snider said.
The safe was covered in dirt and local authorities were alerted to keep tabs on it. On Monday, the safe was taken back to the city’s garage under a police escort before the safe company arrived, she said.
