Homer City, Pennsylvania: Tallest Smokestack in the U.S.

Still a working plant, however there are signs stating that it is private property.

I went up in the tallest smokestack in the U.S. via the cable elevator "inside" the smokestack. We were in a wire mesh car that the cable ran through as it pulled us up. I looked at and examined each inch of the cable as it went by. It took 50 minutes to creep up, inch by inch. When up at the top, you step out onto a grate that surrounds the stack. It is truly strange to look down between your feet to the ground below, which is over 1,200 feet below. Like walking on the air.

I'd like to add a word of caution to Mr. Bailey's post on the Homer City smokestack. Be advised that if you visit the plant, try to avoid entering the plant property itself. After I parked in a lot on-site used by local hunters and contractors, I took some photographs of the impressive facility, but then was called into their security office.

They courteously informed me that as the plant was private property, photography on the grounds was prohibited. I deleted my on-site photos as requested, and we had a nice chat about the smokestack (which they think might actually be the second-tallest in the U.S., but not by much). Interestingly, one of the officers told me that the plant barely even uses that smokestack anymore!

I recommend that for photography, visitors may wish to stop earlier on Power Plant Road or along Lloyd Street (past Power Plant Road on US-119 S). Other small roads west of US-119 might also offer good views of the plant.

The Homer City Power Plant boasts the largest smoke stack in the United States. Even though it is only the 3rd largest in the world at 1,217 ft., it is very impressive. You can go right into the power plant (at least, I did) and say, that sure is a big stack. Anyone who likes big things should visit the quiet and strange town of Homer City.