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Location DB >
United States >
Utah >
Vineyard >
Geneva Steel Corporation
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Publically Viewable |
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This location has been labeled as Demolished, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
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Large steel plant, currently being scrapped and the major equipment sold off. The blast furnaces were demolished in the summer of 2005 but a large number of other buildings remain.
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Type: Building
Status: Demolished
Accessibility: Difficult
Recommendation: drop everything - must see
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asbestos
rust
unsafe flooring
flooding
water
air quality
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Geneva is a wonder to those who explore. The massive plant stands as my greatest exploration accomplishment. Located in Utah county since 1944 this plant is a major part of Utah's history. The question is not what is worth seeing, but rather what isn't?
Though small by steel factory standards, Geneva is a massive location to explore (the mile walk in alone will make you appreciate all you see). The place is an incredibly dynamic location as the scrap crews work their way through the buildings. Massive skeletons of once great machines lay around the building floors while doors and staircases reach away into the plant's dark recesses. The sheer amount of space to cover demands at least several trips to the plant just to see the basics. Each time something new is revealed, a staircase into a basement, a walkway through an abandoned office, or a vacant dormitory.
Night explorations are the easiest way to see the plant as activity is significantly reduced compared to during the day. Even at night seeing the plant is a joy. Power still runs to many of the buildings and sections can be found brightly lit all through the night. Which areas have power seem to change constantly lending to the dynamic feel of Geneva. For photographers like myself the light is a much welcome friend when it comes to documenting the buildings that are otherwise pitch black.
Caution is a must even at night. Pickup trucks are active as late as one in the morning, however careful explorers will have NO TROUBLE avoiding them. Geneva is far to massive for the small staff on hand to effectively police, and it frankly is not worth their time. The daytime is another story. Much of what is easily traversed at night becomes increasingly difficult. The tailing piles (north-west end of the plant) offer next to no cover during the day but are a breeze under cover of darkness. Anyone attempting to explore Geneva under daytime conditions had better excercise the utmost caution.
In short, Geneva is a real gem for the Utah UE scene. Sadly, it may not last much longer. Several buildings have already been demolished and it is only a matter of time before more follow. Anyone wishing to see this amazing place would do well to start making trips now and to document as much as possible before it is gone entirely.
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fences
barbed wire
part-time guard
24 hour guard
locked gates
Scrap Crews,
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flashlight
gloves
long pants / sleeves
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Camera, Tripod, Breathing Mask
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The Geneva Steel Plant near Orem was the largest and most significant of several defense-related industries developed in Utah during the World War II period. The $200 million plant was financed by the federal government to insure that the nation's steel industry would be able to meet the increased demand for steel by both military and industrial users. The actual construction and operation of the plant was turned over to Columbia Steel Company and the U.S. Steel Corporation. Approximately 10,000 workers were involved in the construction project, which extended from November 1941 to December 1944. Shortages of construction workers, equipment, and materials delayed the completion of the plant and made it more costly than planned.
The decision to build the plant at this location was based on several factors. The necessary raw materials were all within a reasonable distance--coal deposits in Carbon County, iron ore from Iron County, limestone and dolomite near Payson, and water from Deer Creek Reservoir and on-site artesian wells. Other advantages were the proximity of the site to major railroad lines and the availability of an educated and stable local work force. The plant's inland location, though far from major markets, was selected as a precaution against steel shortages in the West in case of a Pacific coast invasion or closure of the Panama Canal. This became an issue of increasing concern after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
The plant opened in December 1944 but operated for only two years as a U.S. government facility. During that time its primary products were plate steel and structural shapes for the West Coast wartime shipbuilding industry. With the end of the war in August 1945, production at the plant was greatly reduced. The government began soliciting buy-out offers from steel manufacturers, and in June 1946 accepted a $47.5 million bid from U.S. Steel, with the stipulation that the company invest another $18.6 million in converting the plant to peacetime operations. The actual value of the state-of-the-art plant was estimated at more than $144 million.
Since its construction, Geneva has had a significant impact on the local economy of Utah County. It has provided thousands of well-paying jobs and attracted a number of ancillary industries, such as fabricating plants. After more than forty years of operation, the plant was shut down in early 1987 due to a combination of factors: increased foreign competition, higher labor costs, and the corporate policies of USX (formerly U.S. Steel). It started up again later that same year under new ownership--Basic Manufacturing and Technology of Utah, Inc.
Today, Geneva faces the challenges of many "smokestack" industries competing in a worldwide economy. By lowering production and labor costs, adopting new technologies, and implementing new marketing and management strategies the plant is working to retain its position as a profitable and important industry in the state.
Taken from this source:
http://www.onlineu...steelhistory.shtml
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The current owner intends to attempt to re-develop the land Geneva is on for other purposes. However, the land itself is likely pretty polluted due to the plant's decades of operation and whether or not it is usuable is unsure.
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The moderator rating is a neutral rating of the content quality, photography, and coolness of this location.
This location has not yet been rated by a moderator.
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This location's validation is current. It was last validated by
Emperor Wang on 8/8/2007 2:38 PM.
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on Aug 8 07 at 14:38, Emperor Wang validated this location
on Aug 7 07 at 23:08, Urban Pirate changed the following: Status, Hazards
on May 3 06 at 5:18, Emperor Wang validated this location
on Apr 27 06 at 19:33, Urban Pirate made this location public
on Apr 25 06 at 3:46, Urban Pirate made this location private
on Apr 25 06 at 3:46, Urban Pirate made this location public
on Apr 24 06 at 21:54, Urban Pirate changed the following: History
on Apr 24 06 at 5:07, Urban Pirate made this location available
on Apr 24 06 at 5:07, Urban Pirate updated gallery picture Bolt
on Apr 24 06 at 5:07, Urban Pirate updated gallery picture Green Filtered Light
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