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Gordo
 
location:
Olympic Peninsula, WA
Gender: Male
 |  |  |  | My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
< on 2/21/2007 5:52 AM >
|  | | | I'm a bit new to UE, but I've been very much so into architectural photography for the last few years. I live in semi-rural Alabama near Lake Martin. There's really not much around here that I've found to photograph. I very much like to photograph old buildings and architecture though. Yesterday, I was out driving around looking for things to photograph when I found an abandoned casting plant. There was a sign on the door stating that the plant was closed down permanently, so I pulled my car around to the side entrance and started taking photos of the outside and the ambulance pick-up stations. I never planned to go inside.
When I rounded the fist corner, I noticed a small hole in the wall, so I poked my camera in and took a long exposure: empty and deserted. All of the ambulance pick-up doors seemed to be locked. The knobs were missing, but the doors wouldn't budge. I found out later that they had small metal brackets welded on the sides.
As I made my way towards the back of the building, I noticed that a door was slightly open, and the lock was even open. I opened the door and peeked in to make sure nobody was there. It was empty, or so I thought. I stepped in, and got adjusted to the darkness. There was a lot of trash scattered around, and lots of old machinery.
I pulled out my tripod and started shooting. I was taking long exposures and bracketing my shots, so it took a bit. After about 15 minutes I heard footsteps and a chill ran down my spine. My gut reaction was to go for the door or hide behind some machinery. But then I thought, if I'm caught hiding, that's just a bit suspicious. So I grabbed my tripod and walked out to the middle of the factory floor and started taking some shots and trying to make a bit of noise as if to imply that I'm not trying to hide. I noticed somebody walking in the reflection of the break-room windows, so I made my way towards that side of the factory, taking more shots as I went.
Finally a guy stepped out, and didn't say anything at first. I took a few more shots and ignored him, and as he got closer, I approached him and asked how he was doing. We chit-chatted a bit and then he asked me what I was doing. I pointed to my tripod and held up the camera around my neck and said I was taking photos. He asked what of (duh?), and I said the factory. I told him I loved it, and that I find it extremely interesting how people desert places. We walked towards my tripod and he commented on my camera setup. He then told me he was just there to look at some machinery. I asked if it was okay for me to be there, and told him I'm only taking photos, and not touching anything, etc... He just said he doesn't own the place, so he can't give me permission. I noticed he had some keys in his hand, so I assume he had permission to be there.
He told me he was going to go look at some of the equipment, and disappeared into the back of the factory. I went on taking more photos, feeling confident that I would be okay for being there. I ran into him once again, and he told me he was leaving, and that he would be back later to pickup some machinery.
Once he left, I made my way towards the front of the factory to get more shots. I found some casting molds and a forklift, took a few shots, and then continued. I found a lab and what appeared to be the storage area, as there were signs with different types of metal names. I found the doorway that led down a hall to what I assume were offices, but it was locked. There is a second level, but as this was my first time doing anything like this, I didn't go up, and went ahead and took a few final shots of the main factory floor, and went back to my car. I took off my jacket, and backpack, and put my camera around my neck and went to the front of the building to get a shot of the signs on the door stating that it was shut down.
I plan on going back with flashlights and a rope and checking out the upper level. The place shut down around 6 years ago, so I think the structural stability should be okay, but I'm taking rope just in case (I rock climb).
You can view the photos on my website here: http://linuxinit.net/site/?id=36
Anyways, I was also wondering if there is anyone else here from North Alabama. I'm less than an hour away from Birmingham, and only about 30 minutes from Auburn. I got a huge rush from this, and I think I'm hooked. ;) It's kind of weird doing it alone and a bit dangerous, and I think it'd be awesome to hookup with some people that aren't total noobs to this.
So, I'm basically looking for an Urban Exploration mentor or something. ;)
Also, sorry for not posting the images here, I tried to post them using the pic tag along with the URL but it didn't work correctly in preview, so I'm assuming I have to upload them, and that's a PITA to resize and upload one at a time and such. I figure, they are already posted on my site... so why bother. 
Cheers,
Gordo
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rev_skarekroe
    
location:
Atlanta, GA
Gender: Male
| |  | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 1 on 2/21/2007 3:11 PM >
| | | | There's a pretty sizable B'ham crew. I'm sure they'll show up and let you know what's going on sooner or later...
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IrIsHmOm
location:
San Joaquin Valley, CA
Gender: Female
I'll kill your face...
| | | | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 2 on 2/21/2007 4:40 PM >
| | | | Welcome!! There are a pretty good bit of us 'Bama folks on here! Try using photobocket or flikr and then posting the img tags for pics.
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binaryzero
 
location:
Chicago, IL
Gender: Male
| | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 3 on 2/21/2007 5:56 PM >
| | | | Beautiful shots. What are you shooting with?
Next time you'll be in Birmingham drop me a line.
[last edit 2/21/2007 5:57 PM by binaryzero - edited 1 times]
Forget What You Know. |
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IrIsHmOm
location:
San Joaquin Valley, CA
Gender: Female
I'll kill your face...
| | | | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 4 on 2/21/2007 6:16 PM >
| | | | Posted by binaryzero
Beautiful shots. What are you shooting with?
Next time you'll be in Birmingham drop me a line.
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OHH!!! The BZ speaks! ^_~
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Gordo
location:
Olympic Peninsula, WA
Gender: Male
| | | | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 5 on 2/22/2007 1:10 AM >
| | | | These were shot with my Olympus Evolt e500.
Oh, and I'll drop you a line next time I'm in bham.
[last edit 2/22/2007 1:12 AM by Gordo - edited 1 times]
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tholcomb
location:
Chattanooga, TN
Gender: Male
Captain Baghead!
| | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 6 on 2/22/2007 1:28 PM >
| | | | About how far from Chattanooga?
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Gordo
location:
Olympic Peninsula, WA
Gender: Male
| | | | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 7 on 2/23/2007 2:44 AM >
| | | | Posted by tholcomb
About how far from Chattanooga?
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~150 miles
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algoose
location:
Bama
Gender: Male
| | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 8 on 2/24/2007 10:33 PM >
| | | | Hey man, there are some pretty good opportunities in the Gadsden area--industrial, government, etc. I don't know exactly how far from Gadsden you are (its usually an hour and a half to Auburn from Gadsden), but for someone who knows how to use a camera, there are some decent places to photograph. Anniston is also a good bet because it is a dying town (population has lost 50% in the past 50 years). Anniston is a bit seedy, however, with people getting mugged and shot regularly. It is the kind of town where most anyone who can afford to leave already has.
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Gordo
location:
Olympic Peninsula, WA
Gender: Male
| | | | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 9 on 2/25/2007 1:17 AM >
| | | | Hmm...
I'm North of Auburn, but it usually takes ~2 hours going the speed limit. But who goes the speed limit? I can get to Birmingham quicker than Gadsden.
Anniston is about as far as Birmingham (~70 miles). As for it being 'seedy'... Birmingham isn't much better. You don't wanna be out after dark in North B'ham. Of course, I probably wouldn't go alone, so yea... Thanks for the info. You don't know of any specifics do you? It'd just be a PITA to drive a few hours and then have to drive around for a few more looking for places. ;)
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algoose
location:
Bama
Gender: Male
| | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 10 on 2/25/2007 3:23 AM >
| | | | Yeah. There are several schools in Etowah county (Gadsden area). All schools in the system got new high schools and several of the old ones are not being used or demolished yet. Old Gadsden High, General Forrest Middle, the old Gulf States Steel plant, the old Southside High, the old Etowah High, the old county poorhouse, the Noojin building (five or six stories downtown), and several other industrial sites are all abandoned with various levels of security. I'd say the poorhouse is the most historic and least secure (I believe that it is now owned by the Exchange Bank of Alabama and scheduled for demolition). It has a two-story, three wing structure with a graveyard (unmarked, for paupers) and water tower. Several of the schools are not in the best part of town (which is part of why they were moved and new ones built), but the old Gadsden High or General Forrest Middle would be really interesting. The steel plant is probably really well monitored, but it once was the city's largest employer at over 4,000. It has been closed for around eight years. It is a large facility. In Anniston, the old Fort Mclellan is a treasure trove. The only problem is knowing which buildings are empty and which ones are still used by the military (national guard and homeland security still have a presence). The fort is thousands of acres. I would imagine that state and federal military agencies would not take too kindly to trespassers. Anniston and Gadsden are thirty minutes apart, each with a metro area of 100,000-150,000. If you are interested in these locations I could get you more info in a more private way. I don't want a bunch of yahoos finding these locations and destroying them. I really don't do UE. I am more of an outdoors, hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, sports sort of guy. I just found this website at work one day and found it interesting. I realized that someone who was into this big-time could get some great stuff around here.
By the way, isn't Auburn/Opelika/Alex City really central-south Alabama? We consider Gadsden-north to be north 'bama and Anniston-south to Montgomerey to be Central. South of Montgomery is South Alabama. Anyway, I only picked up on this because I saw North Alabama, and I joined just so I could post on it. Be careful, and I wish you success in what you do so long as you are respectful and don't mess stuff up. It's great to be in the most beautiful state in the union.
[last edit 2/25/2007 3:41 AM by algoose - edited 1 times]
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IrIsHmOm
location:
San Joaquin Valley, CA
Gender: Female
I'll kill your face...
| | | | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 11 on 2/25/2007 4:37 PM >
| | | | Posted by algoose
It's great to be in the most beautiful state in the union.
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BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!! How long HAVE you lived in Alabama... you're brainwashed.. it MUST be undone!!! Ok people, I'll need Pliers, turpentine, plenty of duct tape, and more Ace bandages that you think is necessary! STAT!!
j/k.. i like it here ok... ^_~
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algoose
location:
Bama
Gender: Male
| | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 12 on 2/25/2007 7:40 PM >
| | | | Hey now, where else can you snow ski, whitewater raft, water ski, hunt, fish, explore nature, go to the beach (some of the best in the east, anyway), or just enjoy nature? We've got it all right here with the lowest cost of living in the U.S. Plus, we have the best looking girls. Yeah, I'm from here, but I've been all over the eastern U.S. and found no where else that compares (in my opinion). Even Birmingham (my least favorite part of the state) is beautiful from the top of Red Mountain after dark. I spent many nights with my ex-girlfriend just sitting there looking at the city from above. I do my exploring from a four-wheeler or on foot in rural areas, and you just can't beat Alabama. I am biased, however. I guess if you like city life (the urban in U.E.) then Alabama is boring, but I'm not very citified.
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Gordo
location:
Olympic Peninsula, WA
Gender: Male
| | | | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 13 on 2/26/2007 1:57 PM >
| | | | You forgot the hacksaw, WD-40, and bleach.
Anyways... I have to agree w/ Irish. Alabama is totally fucking boring as hell. And um... You can't snow ski and Alabama. Also, Gulf Shores is fucking nasty. As for best looking girls... I suppose that depends on your taste. I myself am not into the dumb blonde hick type... but hey, maybe that's your thing. Birmingham is nice, but that's pretty much it. I much much much prefer an urban setting. Not only for exploring, but there's just more to do, more things to photograph, and it's just all around better.
Oh, as for North/South... Bite me.
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algoose
location:
Bama
Gender: Male
| | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 14 on 2/26/2007 5:11 PM >
| | | | Cloudmont in Mentone is a snow skiing resort. It's in northern Dekalb County close to the Georgia and Tennessee state lines. It is often more like ice-sheet skiing than snow, but it is an alternative to driving to West Virginia. That's in the northern part of the state, even further up the map than Gadsden. By standards previously set on this forum, I suppose Mentone would be Super duper north Alabama.
Seriously though, the gulf coast beaches themselves, not the cities around them, are much better than Atlantic coast. For instance, Savannah is a cool town, but the beach at Tybee does not even compare to any on the Alabama-West Florida coast.
Also, come on now, surely you aren't going to perpetuate the stereotype of the stupid, ignorant southerner from Alabama. I have found that those who presume to be more educated and cultured than others are generally lacking in the very wisdom that they claim. Its kind of like the old saying, "If you have to tell people that you are in charge, then you aren't." Most of the people that I have attended institutes of higher learning with would appear as the very rednecks that are looked down on (probably myself included), but many of those ignorants would probably be wiser and more knowledgeable than those who put on aires of upper-class society. Actually, it probably gives us rednecks an advantage, though--I'd rather be underestimated than overestimated.
I do see both of your points and respectfully disagree. I guess that I'm a glass-half-full kind of guy. I just try to choose to be happy with what I have and not see the negatives unless I can do something to change them.
Anyway, I would like to see some of the local sites be documented by someone who might enjoy it and who knows how to use a camera. If any of ya'll got around to it, I would be interested to see the pictures.
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Gordo
location:
Olympic Peninsula, WA
Gender: Male
| | | | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 15 on 2/26/2007 8:15 PM >
| | | | West Virginia isn't all that great for skiing either compared to other places in the US. As for super-duper North Alabama... What do you call all of these areas between North and Central? Do you call them Half-North Alabama? No... Get over it and go troll elsewhere. You can't call it North-Central because the second word implies the lateral position.
Atlantic beaches are a completely different type of beach. It's a matter of personal preference. Do you prefer rocky beaches (better photos and waves) or sandy flat beaches (better for playing in the sand). But come on... Let's be honest here: the beach at Gulf Shores is disgusting, as is the water. They even bring white sand in dump trucks to cover the red clay. The water is brown and murky, and there are crocodiles everywhere. I much prefer Destin/Ft. Walton beaches, but that's where I'm from so I'm biased. There is a small barrier island that keeps most of the sharks and shit out, as well as the algae and other nasty stuff. It's called the Emerald Coast for a reason. But I will say this. The Gulf of Mexico has some of the nicest beaches in the world, and Gulf Shores isn't one of them. I'm not saying Florida is less trashy than Alabama either. The panhandle of Florida suffers from elitism more than anywhere else. The Florida panhandle is just South Alabama. People there are just as trashy as some of the people in Alabama, and sometimes worse, yet they think because they live in Florida that makes them better.
I honestly don't give a rats ass what anyone thinks. But then again... People say I'm a hippie. How about you just live your life? Who cares what other people think. Be real.
Oh yea... I didn't claim to be more educated or cultured than you or anyone else for that matter. You came up with that yourself, and probably rightly so. While you sit here trying to make it look as if everyone else is saying they are better than you, you are implying the exact same thing that you're criticizing us for.
My part of this conversation ends here. Arguing online is retarded, and I have better things to do.
I will check out Gadsden sometime. Thanks for the tips.
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Gordo
location:
Olympic Peninsula, WA
Gender: Male
| | | | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 16 on 2/26/2007 8:19 PM >
| | | | If anyone in the B'ham crew wants to check out Intermet when you're down this way, just gimme a call.
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IrIsHmOm
location:
San Joaquin Valley, CA
Gender: Female
I'll kill your face...
| | | | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 17 on 2/26/2007 8:24 PM >
| | | | Posted by algoose
Hey now, where else can you snow ski, whitewater raft, water ski, hunt, fish, explore nature, go to the beach (some of the best in the east, anyway), or just enjoy nature? We've got it all right here with the lowest cost of living in the U.S. Plus, we have the best looking girls. Yeah, I'm from here, but I've been all over the eastern U.S. and found no where else that compares (in my opinion). Even Birmingham (my least favorite part of the state) is beautiful from the top of Red Mountain after dark. I spent many nights with my ex-girlfriend just sitting there looking at the city from above. I do my exploring from a four-wheeler or on foot in rural areas, and you just can't beat Alabama. I am biased, however. I guess if you like city life (the urban in U.E.) then Alabama is boring, but I'm not very citified.
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The urban areas ARE better for UE. I've seen things you couldn't even imagine seeing in some little hick-town. Trust me. I LIVE IN ONE. And Gordo's right, you cannot snow ski here. Water ski, yeah. But no snow.
And diss Birmingham again, dude... I dare you....
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Gordo
location:
Olympic Peninsula, WA
Gender: Male
| | | | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 18 on 2/26/2007 8:26 PM >
| | | | Birmingham sucks. There are too many abandoned buildings, tunnels, towers, and caves. Screw Birmingham.
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IrIsHmOm
location:
San Joaquin Valley, CA
Gender: Female
I'll kill your face...
| | | | Re: My First UE: Abandoned Casting Plant in North Alabama
<Reply # 19 on 2/26/2007 8:45 PM >
| | | | Posted by Gordo
Birmingham sucks. There are too many abandoned buildings, tunnels, towers, and caves. Screw Birmingham.
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Look now.... Who's taking you cool places?? Me... I'll leave you in North Birmingham blindfolded in that school.. how'z about that? ^_~
pwnd..nyah
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