|
|
Back in February I went down to Chicago to meet another explorer and visit a classic powerplant on the south side, another location any local explorer will be familiar with. This powerplant served a large steel mill complex built in 1910. The mill produced heavy machinery parts for the railroad and auto industries during peacetime, transitioning to the production of aircraft components during both World Wars. It was claimed that they produced more components than all of their competitors combined at the height of the Second World War, and they eventually transitioned to producing aluminum aircraft parts for both the commercial and military aeronautics industries during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
In the 1980's a combination of complex economic factors forced the company to close their Chicago branch. The rest of the factory complex was demolished sometime after, with only the powerplant and few small outbuildings remaining. While there has been occasional talk of redevelopment, it is located in one of the most impoverished suburbs on the South Side which presents massive obstacles to securing investors.
I'm particularly proud of this shot, staring straight up from the base of the smokestack.
Along the abandoned road leading to the powerplant, we stumbled across a small abandoned house. It had very clearly been used by a squatter and their dog at some point, but was thoroughly abandoned when we explored.
Following the abandoned road all the way to it's end, we found a string of decommissioned freight engines. Minutes after climbing into the cab of one of the engines a security truck rolled down one side of the train, so we hopped out the other side and ran for it. We did get away, but unfortunately we didn't get too many photos. Still, this is what I have.
All in all an exciting explore with a lot to see, and easily the most decrepit power plant I've ever seen. Not bad for an afternoon's work.
"Sorry, I didn't know I'm not supposed to be here," he said, knowing full well he wasn't supposed to be there.
| |
Cool! The Ingersoll Rand compressors(?) in your first shot remind me so much of the Cadillac/Conner Stamping plant that very recently came down in Detroit.
Probably manufactured in a similar time period in a similar place. I loved that compressor at the Caddy plant.
Correct me if that is not even the type of of machinery as I am no expert. It's just that it was a stamping plant in Detroit which would imply compressing some air would make sense, and these in your first photo look quite similar!
Best Regards |
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: 15 ms
|
|
Ethics
