First time I've posted in a long time. A (completely unedited) mixed collection of some snapshots and some artsyish shit taken a few months ago, whichever the case, I think they're kinda cool.

Elementary school was closed due to asbestos in the early 2000's, 02 or 03, I can't really remember. A ton of vandals, and there appeared to be a fire in the second floor, as the place reeked of smoke and a stagnant haze lingered upstairs. It snowed the day before we went, and there were fresh footprints leading to the door. We found soda cans that were still carbonated, and there was fresh krylon on the walls. Spooky.
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These were taken at an auto parts plant. I fucked up the focus like an idiot for a lot of them so these were the only noteworthy ones that turned out. The plant closed in 2005, but I'm not sure why. There's a massive hole in the roof that made for some pretty neat shots. The strangest things were the multiple large photo albums strewn about the center offices. The photos are images of the plant in it's heyday, but none of them are dated, and the ink appears to be slowly deteriorating. I'll get some pictures of them next time I go.

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Feel free to roast me on these. I'd like to improve my photography, because I kinda suck.

Neat pictures. Thanks for sharing. Really cool to see that the auto plant is doable. Sure sucks though, to see how bad the school is getting trashed.

Also a quick FYI, as for this school, leaks in the roof and the need to remove asbestos have driven repairs into the 6 figure range. Therefore the building has been allowed to deteriorate to the point that it is now unfit for human occupancy. I believe the school closed in approximately 2007 after it was declared unsuitable as a school. Before the closure a church had been renting space in the building. They were allowed to continue renting after the closure-pretty shady on behalf of the township. After the closure, some guy rented and it ultimately became his 4th failed attempt to start a military academy. This township has commonly been considered as a slumlord in their dealings with the school system and the handling of this building particularly. Talks of razing the property began in about 2010 and still it stands.

Interesting. I figured it was asbestos, but I didn't know about the school had such a history.

I hear the auto plant is locked up tight these days, and a squad likes to sit next to it quite often. Can anyone confirm?

Posted by relik I hear the auto plant is locked up tight these days, and a squad likes to sit next to it quite often. Can anyone confirm?

I've been there more than a few times, and I've only seen a cop in the area once, but I don't think he was watching the plant. It is locked up pretty tight, but there are a few obvious POEs they'd seal if they really wanted to. But I still haven't found a way into the basement.

Kippy, sometime we'll have to go and I can show you the basement. It's hard to find, the roof collapsed on the top part of the stairwell.

You can also get down there via the elevator shaft. We propped a ladder for convenient access, which was totally unnecessary as we found the stairway on the way up. It is super moldy down there though.

Posted by Piecat Kippy, sometime we'll have to go and I can show you the basement.

That would be cool. I found the door leading to the basement from the outside, but I don't carry a socket set with my ue supplies. Have you been there since they welded the doors shut?

They welded them shut? lol that's such an awful idea for safety's sake.

No, I haven't. I've only been there since they bolted them shut, but my little multi-tool got through that easily.

Yeah. You can still get in from the roof, just don't know how hard it would be to get out.

Posted by Kippy I fucked up the focus like an idiot for a lot of them so these were the only noteworthy ones that turned out.

Fucking up, and the acknowledging that you did, is an essential part of the process of becoming better at taking photos. We've all had people, even UER members, tell us that we're doing something wrong. If you're doing it wrong, you're doing something right.

Keep shooting. Thanks for sharing.

Chuck, we need to plan another trip south! Now that you know the way in, we just need to hope the railroad workers aren't there again. Hah.

Posted by relik Chuck, we need to plan another trip south! Now that you know the way in, we just need to hope the railroad workers aren't there again. Hah.

For sure, man! It's all just a matter of getting my car fixed. We pay property taxes twice annually and they were due this past week. So, the car has been on the back burner. But I should be back up and running in the next few weeks. Let's try to do something in September unless, of course, you can score a ride sooner. I'm down whenever. Rest of the summer is pretty open for me.

You guys should try to visit on a weekend if possible

I'd be down for a Milwaukee adventure.