A 100-pound dynamite box, now housed in the Rockmart Historical Museum, would have a story to tell if it could talk.

The steel exterior protects a wooden box that once held sticks of dynamite. Local history has become hazy, but it is definitely a part of the lore surrounding explosives that were once used by farmers to clear new ground filled with stumps or blasting needed by construction crews building roads throughout Polk and surrounding area.

Family members recall how Morgan Hardware once had a dynamite magazine on the property of Blair Farm, which was located near what is now the Little League Field. The land was, at that time, not within the city limits. However, the reserves were stored here.

These sticks, kept in a wooden box, were about 10 inches long and one inch thick. A delivery truck brought this needed merchandise from Atlanta.

The building housing the dynamite had walls about 2 feet apart with a buffer of earth between. The door could only be opened by a lever-type tool that fit in the lock.

The dynamite box, once kept in the warehouse at Morgan Hardware, had to meet specifications from local and state entities.

Most of the explosives were sold to area mining companies. In the era between 1902-1910, this was big business in the Polk County area.

Local history reveals that the dynamite was loaded on a truck and transported to Cartersville. From there, the merchandise was transferred to a flat car and delivered by rail to the mine.

Scott Kinney said his family believes the Rockmart Historical Museum is a great way to preserve local history.

“It is our way of giving back to the community,” he said. “The dynamite box is part of our family history.”

Visitors can see this unique addition to the museum in the building shared with the Polk County Chamber of Commerce, downtown Rockmart.

New hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.