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UER Forum > Archived US: Pacific Northwest > Tacoma UE (Viewed 1966 times)
Jeremy 


Location: Tacoma, Wa
Gender: Male




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Tacoma UE
< on 6/15/2006 7:12 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Ok so here I am down here in little old Tacoma and though there are limited places I know of there are a few I'd love to UE but haven't yet and kind of wondering if anyone else has.

First would be the "B.P.O.E." building in the northend. Its directly in front of you when you're coming off the offramp for Hwy 7 at Schuster Parkway. Someone once told me that some shootout scene in some old movie was filmed in front of it. though I've never been able to verify this. The building just sits and rots and I've been told that they are unable to get permits for repair work so on and so forth even for demolition and that there is massive water damage inside etc.

Has anyone been in this place?

Also I know I already posted, but the supposed Tacoma Underground I've heard about would be another interest of mine.

I've already been to Old Western State and hiked all over that park finding interesting little bit and pieces of the place everywhere (yes I know where the main building is and its ok to look around for 5 minutes or so) but walking all around the park you find items that obviously used to be part of that building or maybe others that do not exhist anymore.

One very cool thing is that in a way I've was able to UE the Tacoma Dome several years ago though I never took a camera with me. I worked as security there and so had pretty open access to the place must say that was pretty cool. Also I was able to UE the Kingdome as well in a way. My father worked for the company that designed & installed the HVAC systems there and we were able to go everywhere in that building I unfortunately was all of about 11 years old then (I'm 26 now) but it was very cool. I got to see the boiler rooms, the cooling towers, the insides of the air conditioning units that looked like semi trailers hanging on the outside of the stadium, we literally got to go all over that place. I remember him showing me the fans that were used to circulate air in the building, they literally looked like jet engines mounted on large shock absorbers they were about the biggest fan I'd ever seen next to those that are used in wind tunnels. Anyways I realize I'm pretty new here, would love to eventually meet some of you all and do some UE'ing.

Jeremy
[last edit 6/15/2006 7:12 AM by Jeremy - edited 1 times]

Junix 


Location: Pitt Meadows, BC, Canada
Gender: Male


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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 1 on 6/15/2006 3:52 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
We do welcome you, I dont want to give you the wrong impression.

There are very few of us here. Deuterium is also very active and just south of you.

RUAUER?

"Security Measures: Creepy guy in trailer comes out at the slightest sound." -notwearingpants "And were off. N." -nobody
Jeremy 


Location: Tacoma, Wa
Gender: Male




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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 2 on 6/15/2006 5:09 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I understand there aren't many of us here, theres not much to UE up here, makes me wish I still lived in Cali hehe, but figure I'd try to make the best of it.

vectorsnob 


Location: Seattle, WA
Gender: Male




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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 3 on 6/15/2006 5:35 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
The old Elks Building in downtown piques my interest:



According to my sources, it extends six floors below ground...hmm...as for tunnels under Tacoma, I hear a couple lead out from Stadium High School.

Just rumors.

Cody.

I'm the operator with my pocket calculator.
Jeremy 


Location: Tacoma, Wa
Gender: Male




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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 4 on 6/15/2006 7:25 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
The old Elks Building in downtown piques my interest:


Thats the BPOE building I was talking about I'd definately love to get in there but I don't know how safe and stable it is inside. Without giving out my exact location I'm in the general vacinity of that and Stadium High.

vectorsnob 


Location: Seattle, WA
Gender: Male




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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 5 on 6/15/2006 8:34 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Yes, I've heard the lower floors were severely damaged in the last earthquake. In addition, last time I scouted there was an overwhelming squatter population.

Cody.

I'm the operator with my pocket calculator.
paul. 






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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 6 on 7/19/2006 7:00 AM >
Posted on Forum: Infiltration Forums
 
if you are around the Tacoma area, the Abitibi Consolidated Paper Mill (actually Steilacoom) is great as long as you dont get caught and stay out of any of the main buildings. the main buildings are equiped with security equipment and the premises is guarded all day. if you manage, its a hard trek through rough terrain but its worth it and i dont think it is managable anymore. i guess i just got lucky when i became aquianted with the guard who then let me back in at later time to fully explore the area. the reason i wasnt arrested was that he did not feel like doing the paperwork.
[last edit 7/20/2006 6:14 AM by paul. - edited 2 times]

Takkun 






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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 7 on 8/2/2006 2:29 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
After lurking here for a little while, I actually got a chance to take some photos around Tacoma, as I usually do, though this time abandonment around Downtown and Stadium was the subject.

Unfortunately, while I did get quite a few photos of the Elks building, among other things, I did not enter. From what I hear, the City has purchased the building and there are no definite plans of yet.
However, it IS extensively damaged and dangerous to go in. On N.7th and Broadway streets is an entrance, though chained up and locked. Even if it were structurally sound (it's been abandoned since they moved to S.19th and Union in the 50s), you must remember that, well, here in Tacoma, it's not so safe to go around places like this with the current amount of violent crime.

( photos: http://community.l...places/690470.html )

On the subject of the original Western State complex: this is my next goal. I have a client who wants some photos of the lake, which gives me an excuse to go out to the park with my camera.
This place is risky too, because of the proximity to a mental hospital as well as a general crime area; there was what a media source called "a massacre. . . of 'Juggalos'" there recently, but that isn't stopping me. I grew up across the street.

Another site I was thinking? possibly the old Kaiser site at the Port. But alas, security is high. In an urban area such as Tacoma, you must either worry about psychopaths or security. So I am on the watch for abandoned places within Pierce county that are good for exploring....

Speaking of which, I recall passing a burnt-out building a few blocks north of Bridgeport Way in lakewood near the interstate, behind the NAPA auto store. Someone confirm?

vectorsnob 


Location: Seattle, WA
Gender: Male




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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 8 on 8/3/2006 9:25 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Here's something I found in regard to tunnels under Tacoma:

http://www.exit133...omas-tunnels-caves

http://www.thricea...unneling-in-tacoma

Eh, I should go to bed.

Cody.
[last edit 8/3/2006 9:27 AM by vectorsnob - edited 1 times]

I'm the operator with my pocket calculator.
HilltopStranger 


Location: Tacoma
Gender: Male




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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 9 on 10/31/2006 6:43 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I've been in the Elk's Club several times up until 3 years back or so. I've been wanting to go back, especially to take pictures. There is a swimming pool with a diving board, roof access, raquetball courts -real nice place.

CoupeDeVillain 


Location: TACOMA
Gender: Male




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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 10 on 12/20/2006 7:25 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I used to drive by the old Elks bldg every day. I've been meaning to get in there. A friend also has been in a few times and also said it was amazing. you only see two stories, but he mentioned much more inside.

If anyone has any info on Tacoma tunnels, send me a hollar.
[last edit 12/20/2006 7:27 AM by CoupeDeVillain - edited 1 times]

BaronvonErin 


Location: Tacoma u.p.
Gender: Male


yaaa

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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 11 on 12/24/2006 2:01 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
THERE ARE SOME TUNNELS IN TACOMA BUT WITH ALL THE NEW CONSTRUCTION GOIN ON ALOT OF THEM ARE SEALED UP ,ST.HELENS AND TACOMA AVE HAVE ALOT OF BURROWS AND TUNNELS UNDER THEM,THE KAISER PLANT IS BEING DEMOLISHED THEY ARE REMOVING THE ASBESTOS RIGHT NOW,THERE ARE ALSO ALOT OF OTHER ABANDONED BUILDINGS IN THE PIERCE COUNTY AREA,AND NOT TALKED ALOT ABOUT,(DRAINS) ALL OVER THE PLACE!,I USED TO LOVE EXPLORING STUFF LIKE THIS UNTIL I GOT INTO WORKING IN DEMOLITION AND BEING IN THESE ENVIROMENTS ALL DAY KINDA BURNED ME OUT ON IT,WHEN I WAS YOUNGER WE USED TO EXPLORE THE OLD WESTERN STATE HOSP. WHILE IT WAS STILL INTACT ALONG WITH THE OLD TUCKER HOUSE IN SUMNER,AND THE OLD INDIANS BUILDING WHICH I HELPED DEMOLISH A FEW YEARS AGO ,THERE WAS A GANG OF TUNNELS UNDER THERE!!!!!

UEinthe253 






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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 12 on 2/2/2007 4:27 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Okay. I'm really new to UE, (I've only just found out about it today. lol) I'm actually just a digital photographer from Tacoma. First of all, I don't know about any Tacoma Underground, but if you go to
http://community.l...places/690470.html
you will see that he says: "Yes, the legend is true, there ARE tunnels between downtown, Stadium (the school, not the Tacoma Dome) and the port. But mostly it's been dismantled." I can't verify this info because I go to don't go to Stadium, but I have friends who do, so I can just ask them to do a little digging and see what comes up. I'm also curious about this 'Pythian Temple' building that he mentions. He instructs viewers of his LiveJournal to visit the News Tribune website and do a search for "Pythian Temple', but I cannot access any archives like that. In south Tacoma, near Baker Middle School, theres an old brick substation covered in ivy. I'm not sure if its abandoned or not, but I'd like to UE it with some friends of mine. On the other side of the street (Yakima), a few blocks south in a wooded area, I hear that theres some kind of drain pipes. If you've got any info on it then let me know, or just if you want to help out. Thanks.

Takkun 






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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 13 on 2/4/2007 8:50 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Nikkoli: yea, that was my post! (and I am also a photographer, whoo!)
Yep, the tunnels were there. I've never done a formal research essay or anything on the topic, but I did do a lot of digging at libraries and such, there were tunnels connecting buisnesses on Pacific Avenue. Historically, they were used in the transport of Chinese people and later alcohol. (remember, this is during the time of rail expansion). The ST Link construction probably destroyed what little was left. Some remnants of tunnels were destroyed in the process of installing Fiber-optic, telephone, and CATV cables through downtown. Maybe I ought to write something on it!
Legend has it that William R. Rust had a tunnel built from his Yakima Hill mansion to the Ruston smelter complex, though I have found no proof...yet! Seems unlikely, however.
The brick substation: is it off of...uh, Park avenue? Eastside? My cycling group often cycled by one on our way out to Spanaway and I always was curious.

I don't have the courage yet to enter the Elks building. Fear of heights and dark..

But I am interested in wandering around the Port and photographing things. Probably suspicious, a couple guys wearing grungy clothes and carrying BIG cameras, but might be worth it to get some decent shots.
Oh, speaking of which...off SR-509 North, Marine View Drive..once you leave the Port area, there are a few abandoned cottages right on the water that might be worth taking a look at.

UEinthe253 






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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 14 on 2/9/2007 11:04 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Thanks Takkun. I got a confirmation about the existence of tunnels underneath Stadium High School that run all the way to the Port of Tacoma. Yes, its true. ^^ One of my teachers used to work there. The tunnels that run from Stadium to the port are probably sealed off on Stadium's end due to the construction going on, but I'm willing to bet that they're still open on the port's end. The only real problem would be figuring out how to get in. I also asked a friend of mine who happens to be a firefighter for the Seattle Fire Department and he told me that the only thing I really need to worry about in any kind of underground UE is the presence of a highly toxic, explosive, and corrosive gas called Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S). I'm trying to figure out a way of detecting and neutralizing it other than conventional mask and meter systems. The meters are about 2 grand a pop and the masks are more than twice that. There are no chemical indicators to detect the H2S and so far the only antidotes I could find for H2S poisoning by inhalation were Isoamyl Nitrite (inhalation), Sodium Nitrite (inhalation), Pyroxodine(SR?) (intraveneous(SR?)), and Urea (intraveneous(SR?))... I think... Also, the brick substation I spoke of is located on the corner of South 83rd street and South Yakima Ave, near Baker middle school. You can probably just Google it and get a satellite image. I don't know what the exact address is. Heres the Google image though:
http://maps.google...,0.001802&t=h&om=0
If this one is to hard to UE, I hear that the bell tower at Lincoln is a good place to check out too, LOL. Later. ^^

ROMOAS 






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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 15 on 3/7/2007 7:25 AM >
Posted on Forum: Infiltration Forums
 
hello i am new to this forum and i hope this will help a bit.
H2s detectors can be purchased from mining supply companys i ues to work at a mine and we hade to carry thease you can also go to M.S.H.A like O.S.H.A and find all the info you will need for thease detectors and proper use of them feel free to contact me in wash long beach area looking for UEing with people.

Ricotta 

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Location: Houston, TX
Gender: Male


De arimasu~

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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 16 on 3/7/2007 8:07 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Nikkoli714
In south Tacoma, near Baker Middle School, theres an old brick substation covered in ivy. I'm not sure if its abandoned or not, but I'd like to UE it with some friends of mine. On the other side of the street (Yakima), a few blocks south in a wooded area, I hear that theres some kind of drain pipes. If you've got any info on it then let me know, or just if you want to help out. Thanks.


That's right next to the house I lived in before I got deported to Texas. I'm fairly sure that it's still quite active. It's just not very well maintained.

UEinthe253 






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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 17 on 3/11/2007 10:00 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Can you give me any details? Entry points, hazards, etc?

UEinthe253 






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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 18 on 3/11/2007 10:10 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Takkun
Nikkoli: yea, that was my post! (and I am also a photographer, whoo!)
Yep, the tunnels were there. I've never done a formal research essay or anything on the topic, but I did do a lot of digging at libraries and such, there were tunnels connecting buisnesses on Pacific Avenue. Historically, they were used in the transport of Chinese people and later alcohol. (remember, this is during the time of rail expansion). The ST Link construction probably destroyed what little was left. Some remnants of tunnels were destroyed in the process of installing Fiber-optic, telephone, and CATV cables through downtown. Maybe I ought to write something on it!
Legend has it that William R. Rust had a tunnel built from his Yakima Hill mansion to the Ruston smelter complex, though I have found no proof...yet! Seems unlikely, however.
The brick substation: is it off of...uh, Park avenue? Eastside? My cycling group often cycled by one on our way out to Spanaway and I always was curious.

I don't have the courage yet to enter the Elks building. Fear of heights and dark..

But I am interested in wandering around the Port and photographing things. Probably suspicious, a couple guys wearing grungy clothes and carrying BIG cameras, but might be worth it to get some decent shots.
Oh, speaking of which...off SR-509 North, Marine View Drive..once you leave the Port area, there are a few abandoned cottages right on the water that might be worth taking a look at.


I'm not exactly sure where SR-509 North, Marine View Drive is. Can you get me a satt. image or maybe one of the addresses? I'd really like to UE the BPOE building, but I hear security is tight... Speaking of which-- the Pythian Temple, I've been doing some reasearch on it. Apparently theres a mummy inside. See, the Pythians are some kind of secret society similar to Masons, I dont know much about them but I do know that the Pythian Temple (PT) is under tight security (cameras, guards, motion detectors, etc.). It should be an elongated rectangular building with three stories. From what my friends have told me about it, the mummy is on the third floor. I would say that this might have a significantly considerable risk to reward ratio, and might be worth the trouble. I'm trying to get a group together for UE, if anyone in the Tacoma area is interested, let me know. I'm still new at this, but I've been doing a lot of research.

Ricotta 

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Location: Houston, TX
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Re: Tacoma UE
<Reply # 19 on 3/15/2007 9:18 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Nikkoli714
Can you give me any details? Entry points, hazards, etc?


I'm afraid not. I never got around to investigating up close.

UER Forum > Archived US: Pacific Northwest > Tacoma UE (Viewed 1966 times)
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