My intro. SCOTT. Appleton, WISCONSIN. I stumbled upon this forum while doing a search for abandoned / historical sites and urban exploring in Wisconsin. I'm still in the middle of researching areas and it's interesting to say the least.

I've started a photography Project 365 this year [2015] and am hoping to do a sub-focus of abandoned sites, properties, schools and other scenery which I'm referring to as "The Beautiful Decay of Wisconsin".

Hoping to soak up as much info from all of you as possible.

Ya don't say..

ease up on the cave crack there. nice to have ya around

I guess I didn't realize how many people registered on the forums were here in the Fox Valley...

I got a curfew ticket in Appleton once.

Hi STEVE, welcome to UER.

There's nothing to explore in Wisconsin. Everything gets repurposed or demolished. Wisconsin has too many people with jobs.

Welcome.

Posted by Slim Jim There's nothing to explore in Wisconsin. Everything gets repurposed or demolished. Wisconsin has too many people with jobs. Welcome.

You're always so damn negative about Wisconsin, Jim. Sure, they tear down places quite frequently, but there are lots of good spots still left.

WISCONSIN?
I don't THINK there IS anything at ALL to explore in WISCONSIN.
Too polite, TOO clean, nearing FULL employment ... it's a US state with Canadian MANNERS.
WISCONSIN is to UE as BUFFALO is to bright FUTURES.

Posted by relik You're always so damn negative about Wisconsin, Jim. Sure, they tear down places quite frequently, but there are lots of good spots still left.

Posted by DevilC WISCONSIN? I don't THINK there IS anything at ALL to explore in WISCONSIN. Too polite, TOO clean, nearing FULL employment ... it's a US state with Canadian MANNERS. WISCONSIN is to UE as BUFFALO is to bright FUTURES.

How often do you visit the state to explore?
I assume you're slightly joking. It sucks here, yes, but it doesn't suck that terribly..

Hey Scott. Welcome to the UER. It seems like all of us explorers from Wisconsin are finding our way onto this forum lately, probably because the UE craze seems to be sweeping the globe and the internet is in everyone's pocket nowadays (and likely to the demise of some of the senior members here). I just recently joined as well and I thank them for having me. Everyone I've interacted with has been pleasant. But beware, I hear this place can be a real beast. It's good to see another explorer in the valley though. There's a decent community up there with really nice folks.

While I so greatly respect and admire the commitments, expertise, and experience in the hobby that these guys have, they are only mostly right. Don't listen to everything they have to say about our state. I'm sure a lot of them are very familiar (maybe even more so than me) with our area and what it has or does not have to offer. But it seems that the ones doggin' on Wisconsin are usually from out of state. We live and scout here everyday and, believe me, not all of what they say is true. I can't fault them for they are mostly right after all. Exploring here is nowhere near as exciting as it is elsewhere. Compared to what they are used to seeing, it can certainly be argued that Wisconsin does suck. But to flat out say that there is nothing here is a total misrepresentation. There are things here and they are worthwhile. Just in the last year, I have found several decent spots that don't compare to the premium locations elsewhere but are still awesome nonetheless. Oh and there is that one really huge and incredibly historic complex/cathedral that got over-exposed about ten years ago but is still there.

It's just a lot different being an explorer in Wisconsin today. It used to be a lot better. Just in my own town, I can recall close to a dozen cool places we explored over the years that are all gone.

In other states, where the really cool exploration takes place, there seems to be areas that are more concentrated with locations that may be easier to get into. In Wisconsin, all the locations are a good distance away from each other and we don't really have any left that you can just walk up and in to. But they are out there. It just takes a bit more work to find them and a bit more persistence to explore them.

I realize that explorers everywhere have put great efforts into this hobby and their locations and that's why I respect them so much. But I do believe that we have to strategize a bit more often to explore around here.

Stick around Scott. Make yourself known. Show off what you find and I'm sure people will reach out to you. I'm looking forward to seeing your work.

Hey thanks!

I would guess that most abandoned places or places worth exploring would eventually get demolished, wouldn't they? Maybe that's a naive question. Sorry! I know certain areas of Wisconsin probably aren't as "gritty" as other populated areas in certain states. I would venture a guess that even the most abandoned places don't remain abandoned and on the map forever... hence, the reason for the hobby. Perhaps I'm way off base here, but my interpretation of the UE hobby exists so that these places can be explored and often times documented by the hobbyist before actually being demolished. I'm guessing that's why we're all here or part of what makes UE interesting to all of us.

I know Appleton, Wisconsin isn't exactly known for its urban exploring but I do hope to learn as much as I can from other locals about the hobby while fulfilling the necessary photographs for my project.

Welcome to the forum! I'm an hour from Fox Valley and there are a few spots that are of some interest. Just keep the hunt up Google is your friend in finding spots IMO and just getting out there and driving the back roads.

Unfortunately, you missed pretty much everything Appleton has to offer! I missed some, but i got into the hobby just in time to see the last few.. Foremost Farms Dairy, Water Street Plant and Riverside Paper.

Oh, you may want to follow Kimberly Ave. east before it's too late. Any day it'll be fully gone now..

RELIK:

This is the photo I was telling you about that I took in 2010 when I was out hiking. Not sure if it's still there or not.




Here are a few others I've taken over the course of the last couple of weeks for my Project 365:

But hey, a high employment rate should spur a bunch of cool new construction sites.

Posted by superphoenix But hey, a high employment rate should spur a bunch of cool new construction sites.

You are right. There's at least one place that I was able to have fun at thanks to the construction.

However, when infiltrating a construction site in WI, don't be this guy. This 4th of July jump happened right over there in Sheboygan at the Acuity Bank. He had gotten away with it. But, of course, he had to post it on youtube. Someone recognized the site and alerted the bank. The bank alerted the police. Of course the police located him. I'm not sure if he faced any charges but I heard they gave him some pretty hefty fines. The safety breach caused the construction firm thousands to recertify the crane.

I'm all for patriotism and such, but why risk...

a) Jail time/fines/criminal record
b) Death/injury

...just because it's July 4? Everyone knows what day it is, there's celebrations to be had that are less illegal and less likely to cause injury or death (poorly made fireworks notwithstanding).

Posted by PSYS RELIK: This is the photo I was telling you about that I took in 2010 when I was out hiking. Not sure if it's still there or not. http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu67/snugggle/001_zpsb1e1305b.jpg

PSYS, is this along Hwy 10? If so I know the spot! Taken photos but never got close enough to check it out.

Posted by wolfdragon88 PSYS, is this along Hwy 10? If so I know the spot! Taken photos but never got close enough to check it out.

I'll shoot you a PM.