Georgia Guidestones demolished following Wednesday’s bombing

The Georgia Guidestones in Elbert County, a popular tourist attraction for decades, are no more.

Due to the damage from a believed bombing, the Guidestones were demolished Wednesday afternoon.

Elbert County Commission Chair Lee Vaughn said the decision was made for safety reasons as the Georgia Bureau of Investigations continues its search for evidence of the bombing.

Vaughn said he made the decision at the request of the GBI and in consultation with County Administrator Phil Pitts and Commissioners Casey Freeman and Chris Alexander, who were at the site.

According to the GBI, the preliminary information indicates that unknown individuals detonated an explosive device at around 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6th.

Elbert County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded to discover the explosion destroyed a large portion of the structure.

The Elbert County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to assist with the investigation. GBI EOD was on the scene Wednesday morning conducting their examination of the site.

Meantime, the GBI and Elbert County Sheriff’s Office are asking for the public’s help in identifying the person or persons responsible for the blast that destroyed part of the Georgia Guidestones near Elberton.

This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 283-2421 or the GBI Athens Office at (706) 552-2309.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.