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Safety Follows Wisdom.

Safety Follows Wisdom

Field review by the editors.

Knoxville, Tennessee

The Volunteer Portland Cement Plant opened in 1928, but it wasn't until 1937 that it had a "perfect safety record" and was awarded the Portland Cement Association Safety Trophy. The plant owners were so proud of this that they erected "Safety Follows Wisdom" out at the plant entrance. It's a cement allegory with two androgynous-faced, mostly naked characters: Wisdom, who carries an oil lamp and wears a helmet topped with a Mohawk; and Safety, who appears to be carrying a big gear tucked under his arm.

Engravings on the base of the monument record that the plant has received the Safety Trophy 17 different times since 1937, but none since 1999. Please don't ruin their chances by getting hit by a cement truck; park off the road if you stop to visit.

Safety Follows Wisdom

Address:
1100 Troutman Rd, Knoxville, TN
Directions:
East edge of the city. I-40 exits 392 or 392B. Turn east onto US Hwy 11 W./Rutledge Pike. Drive 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Cement Plant Rd. Drive a half-mile. You'll see the monument on the right. Park in the grass, off the road, to avoid the cement trucks.
Admission:
Free
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In the region:
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