|
|
I've caught a ton of shit from people here who think that asking cops about locations is a bad idea. I disagree and today in fact it actually SAVED me from being arrested!
I've had my eye on a location about an hour south of home and decided to finally go take a look. Just before arriving, I noticed a sheriff's deputy parked outside a bank and introduced myself. After explaining who I was and what I was after he said that the location I was going to was amazing. He also said that he has personally arrested people on 3 different occasions for trespass and the owners (rich guys in Dallas) press charges.
Seeing that I was a nice guy, he made a phone call to a buddy of his who is the property manager for the owners. I was then told to head over and meet with him. A few minutes later, arising from a cloud of dust, a pickup comes racing down the road like a bat outta hell and pulls up next to me. I introduce myself and said that I was told to meet him. He said that since I had asked permission I had free run of the place.
They've had a lot of problems in the past with people just showing up and trudging all over the property and, while no significant damage has been done, some of the flooring is sketchy and there has been damage where people have fallen through. He told me to be careful but I could go anywhere and photograph anything!
Turned out to be an amazing explore of a sulphur processing and mining operation that began in the 1930's. Estimates ranged on the closing date but I did see a posting for vacation days in 1993. I got all of the main buildings but there appeared to be a few outliers, and a spot where they actually did the mining to see. Hopefully I can get those on another day.
Enjoy!1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
See More on Flickr!
https://www.flickr...tos/133983270@N06/
| |
Nice finds, story and of course, silo.
[last edit 1/25/2016 10:58 PM by skatchkins - edited 1 times]
Flickr Pitchrs | |
Wow. What a shame. They've been getting it empty pretty fast for demo.
Flickr Album from 2014: https://www.flickr...646337353249/page1
 SMDSC_0358 by tiffers, on Flickr
[last edit 1/25/2016 11:06 PM by tiffers - edited 1 times]
Flickr: https://www.flickr...9156858@N05/albums | |
nice
| |
It didn't necessarily save you from being arrested, but I see your point. I waltzed in the place and had my run of it, without permission. I even got a history lesson from a foreman about it, after he initially came off cold. Are those big buildings and smokestacks the only things left? He mentioned that the smaller buildings were going to be bulldozed the following week.
Day Sleeper by Anomalicious, on Flickr
Glassware by Anomalicious, on Flickr
Innocence Lost by Anomalicious, on Flickr
Never Open the Fridge by Anomalicious, on Flickr
Schrodinger's Furnace by Anomalicious, on Flickr
Every time you read this, I become more powerful.
https://www.flickr...tos/115873398@N03/ | |
There's some rather uninteresting concrete structures near the stacks and I could see a couple of out buildings nearby but they looked like barns and not really worth the effort. The real gem is the place where the drilled/tunneled but I was told that it's a ways away and requires an off road vehicle (something my infinity was not built for...).
See More on Flickr!
https://www.flickr...tos/133983270@N06/
| |
I believe you are talking about these concrete structures...? They sit next to to the stacks.
Also, did you go to the airport on the property and the mining field (also on the property) full of raw sulfur?
 SMDSC_0225 by tiffers, on Flickr
Flickr: https://www.flickr...9156858@N05/albums | |
Same ones! Not very exciting but as usual you found a way to make them interesting - I HATE how good you are at photography! I didn't know there was an airport on site and was told the sulphur area was a ways away and hard to get to. That coupled with a dying battery, weather that was turning bad and an empty cigarette pack cut the trip shorter than I would have liked.
If you or Indo have pics or if they've been posted here I would love to see them or check out the link. As you know I'm a huge fan of both of your work and would like to see your take on the place.
See More on Flickr!
https://www.flickr...tos/133983270@N06/
| |
I posted my link to my album on Flickr in my first comment. I went alone and then Indo went...probably a year after me? Maybe more. I don't know what tunnel they're talking about (unless they are down some chutes in the big filed, which is possible), but the fields where they were digging that still has raw sulfur in it is between the chem labs and airport.
Here's my pictures again: https://www.flickr.../72157646337353249
Flickr: https://www.flickr...9156858@N05/albums | |
Posted by Peptic Ulcer
16.
|
The return carriage on this typewriter is frigging massive !!
"if you are not selfish enough to make yourself happy, you have nothing of value to offer the world." | |
Cool spot. I remember when tiffers posted pics from here. Absolutely awesome looking place.
I agree that it's not always a bad idea to talk to the police. I have a sort of similar cop story, although without the happy ending (but certainly not a bad ending, either). I was walking around a really cool looking 30s or 40s era school, looking for a way in. From what I could see through the windows, it was in absolutely pristine condition.
About the time I'd been all the way around and was walking back to the front of the school, the local sheriff rolled up. He got out. I said, "Hey, I'm just looking at the architecture of this old school." He said, "Hey, look all you want. I'm just here because it's a quiet place for me to catch up on my paperwork."
We got to shooting the shit about the school--when it had opened, when it had closed, what it was like inside--and he said, "Let me see if I can find Brenda. She's got the key. If I can find her, we can go inside." Unfortunately, Brenda was nowhere to be found, so I missed out. But if the place wasn't so damn far away, I'd go park there again, hoping that my buddy the sheriff would roll up and this time be able to get Brenda on the phone.
| |
Posted by Punchy
We got to shooting the shit about the school--when it had opened, when it had closed, what it was like inside--and he said, "Let me see if I can find Brenda. She's got the key. If I can find her, we can go inside." Unfortunately, Brenda was nowhere to be found, so I missed out. But if the place wasn't so damn far away, I'd go park there again, hoping that my buddy the sheriff would roll up and this time be able to get Brenda on the phone.
|
...sounds like my effing luck.
Went to shoot a freaking time capsule/antique shop house thing that someone had done Monday, we show up the following Sunday...burned to the ground. Destroyed in FIVE DAYS. We could still smell the fire, too. Ugh. Sad day.
Flickr: https://www.flickr...9156858@N05/albums | |
Peptic Ulcer I see you're in Katy, I'm in El Campo.
I had the run of this place after it closed. The golf course is still open I think, and my dad and his friends would play golf and rather than follow the grownups around I'd explore the buildings of the old sulfur plant.
I so wanted to take some of the flasks and beakers but knew I'd be in trouble if I did and I just know they all got trashed..
I haven't been out there in years though I do drive the road quite often.
Thanks for the memories.
|
Add a poll to this thread
This thread is one of your Favourites. Click to make normal.Click to make this thread a Favourite.
| This thread is currently Public. Anyone, including search engines, may see it. |
Powered by AvBoard AvBoard version 1.5 alpha
Page Generated In: 77 ms
|
|
Ethics
