Best wishes...19:52 Nov 06 2011
Times Read: 735
Picked up Cat at 6:05am Saturday morning. Starts still out, cold with frost on the grass, we headed out to small town that was the first place I ever step foot into an abandoned building. Started my obsession with these kinds of places, and the only place I have ever been stopped, asked what I was doing there, so far.
The news had a report a few months ago about the town getting a grant to save/ restore the town’s fire department that was built back in 1920’s, same time frame as these schools. I knew if they were getting grants, OSHA would be around. And that would mean they would lock down the buildings I have been getting into. One last trip was a must. But of course life is as life is- sick, Camp Wildcat, threat of snow/ ice had us putting the trip off.
And it was not in the card- we arrived that morning as the sun just broke over the hills of eastern Kentucky to find brand new ten foot chain link fence with barbwire on top. Still mud at the post in the grass, concrete pieces and powder still around the post in those areas. It could not of been there more then a week. That means I was locked out of the power plant, the building with all the electrical meters, levels, and the tall windows stain by the limestone the building is built of. Also the repair shop, and the coal temple.
Well hell...
Good to know they are protection the buildings, hope to see them restored myself. Show the people the history of the buildings and what I myself found and shared in photos. Just sad that I lost my last chance to get in, sit and enjoy the beauty of the place. So we moved on to see if the two schools were still ‘open’, and found they was. Makes us believe they are privately owned, instead of owned by the city.
These photos bring me sadness as the scrappers are really doing a number on the place, the total disregard for the history of the schools. Think this will be my last trip into these buildings as they have reached the point of any details that make great photos, a building interesting to see, is being taken out to the junk yards and ruined by the weather. More lockers were gone, doors pulled or broken out of their frames, wood laying around with nails sticking out. Not worth the risk anymore to me. So I share the last set from the town of Lynch, Kentucky. A busting busy town built around the coal/steel company of 1920’s… and today stands at 800 people with no jobs.
I see that the light is still standing guard, looking out toward the town. Always loved this image, sad in a way.
What windows to have in a class room.
See the scrapers are busy- the wood part of the chairs thrown aside like trash. Wonder if they ever think who had sat there, what plays, movies or speeches they had heard as they sat there.
Don’t see this heater, tank being here long…
The Morrigon door- one of only two doors left in hanging in the schools.
Seeing that we had time- we drove into VA, seeing what we can see. Talking, joking around, and just enjoying the sunlight and being away from life, to only find a beauty hidden on a small country road.
:) I will keep a ear open to any news on Lynch restoring work, plan to go back up to see what buildings they have opened up. Just sad to lose a great place to take photos.
COMMENTS
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LadyKrystalynDarkstar
20:45 Nov 06 2011
I love the banister picture and the windows. These are so awesome. Thank you for sharing them.
Nightgame
21:26 Nov 06 2011
Those windows would have been so wonderful to have in a classroom and up high as they were you could see such beauty.
The waterfall is still amazing to me and though you rock as a photographer to stand there for real still stuns me in that crisp cold air with the dampness of the water vapor all around and the sound of it crashing all around us, just wonderful to experience.
Niflheim
04:38 Nov 11 2011
I want to go and take pictures with you, one day.
I think it would be an awesome adventure. :)
"Rat and Ducky: The Untold Story of the Historical *Inserts the name of the place we'd check out*!"
:D
Joli
07:20 Dec 05 2011
Leaves me with a sigh.