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Photo Hunters: Ruin(ed)

November 15, 2008 by Mrs. Mecomber  
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Photo Hunter

Ah, this week’s theme is right up my alley! New York State seems to be filled with all sorts of ruins! And the politicians seem bent on making more!

I like old places. Here are some ruins we’ve visited in the past.

There’s the old pipeline at the Trenton Falls Hydro-electric power plant in Barneveld, NY. Over a century ago, a system of concrete, steel, and wood (the enormous pipes were actually wood!) tried to harness the magnificent falls to supply power to this area of the Mohawk Valley. Of course, the wooden pipes are long gone and there’s a steel system in place now. But the old ruins remain. These are some of the old concrete supports. You can see more photos and read about our visit here.

Rib Ruins

The Wooden Pipeline Ribs

HydroElec Dam

Below is the Old Main- the old Utica Lunatic Asylum in Utica, NY. We went there to take photos of the exterior. No one is allowed inside anymore, as far as I know, but a very kind photographer was once allowed in to take photos, and he has allowed me to use his photos. The Old Main was once very grand. It is a huge Greek Revival building– according to scholars, it’s the finest example of such architecture in the world. Click on the first photo for a larger image, then click “all sizes” for a very large view. The size of this building is stunning.

Asylum 1

interior

hallway

And below is an old photograph of a ruined street in Syracuse, NY. That’s the Erie Canal and some canal boats sucked into an underground tunnel there. The tunnel was built to divert a stream so that the Erie Canal could flow above it, but some error in the engineering design caused it to fail. It has collapsed in 1907, and a few people died. This portion of the Erie Canal was closed for several weeks while cleanup and repair commenced.

Washout of the Erie Canal at Syracuse

This photo shows the canal before the collapse. That building is now a museum, and we visited it a year ago. You can read about our visit here.

Syracuse Weighlock Building

How did your Photo Hunt go today?

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Comments

80 Comments on "Photo Hunters: Ruin(ed)"

  1. Yen on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 10:39 am 

    WOW! Such beautiful photos! Love how clear the photos are and thanks for the history!~

  2. Aileni Noyle on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 10:47 am 

    The empty hospital is extraordinary and not a little daunting.
    My favourite shot is of the pipe bed. Very good.

  3. Patsy on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 11:18 am 

    Wonderful shots. Isn’t it funny how that industrial *green* paint never peels, but any color put over it comes off.
    Are there archive pictures of what the wood pipes at the electric plant looked like. I bet that was an awesome sight also.

    I went in a totally different direction with the theme this week.

  4. threecollie on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 11:23 am 

    Great photos! That one of the Erie Canal is incredible!

  5. Marites on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 11:54 am 

    i just love history and you’ve done it very well in your post.

  6. Layla on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 12:10 pm 

    The Old Main looks incredible – so architecturally imposing, and the interior pictures are so chilling. Fascinating stuff!

  7. Jientje on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 12:16 pm 

    Very interesting stories you’ve got here along with some beautiful pictures!! I really love that second picture!
    Thanks for visiting me!

  8. June on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 12:25 pm 

    Holy smokes…you have a bunch of very interesting ruins here!

    Re the first: I went to your link and looked at the new pipes, but am wondering about the dam. It looks abandoned. Did NY replace it thinking cheaper to build new than restore?

    Re the second: what irony that a building so majestic on the outside held in its heart such agony and misery.

    Re the third: always neat to see before and after pictures!

    Thanks for stopping by Spatter…

  9. Mar on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 12:46 pm 

    What an impressive collection for the theme!! Love the geometric forms and plants in the first two. The asylum is very imposant, and I love the picture of the canal before the collapse.
    Very interesting entry!!! enjoy your weekend :)

  10. butchay on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 12:49 pm 

    i so love the photos , i love the 2nd and the 5th one most especially….great picks for the theme

    happy weekend and thanks for dropping by

  11. Geoffe on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 12:52 pm 

    Excellent collection of the beautiful decay in New York. It will only get better as time passes. Sort of reminds me of that program the History Channel ran about the end of humans on earth.

  12. Brita on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 12:56 pm 

    Just great choises for the theme. It’s ever so nice to have a history to the pictures. Also before and after shots are neat. Impressive ruins.
    And thanks for visiting.

  13. kanani on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 12:58 pm 

    I love these historical photos. The mental asylum is amazing in scale. There’s another photographer who has taken pictures of a mental asylum in Massachusettes, now also closed. They’re especially chilling because his parents were patients there several times. Great job with the theme.

  14. Amanda on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 1:09 pm 

    Great photos and history. I really like your photos of “Old Main” on the inside there is something very neat about pealing paint.

    Have a great weekend!
    Amanda

  15. sarge charlie on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 1:12 pm 

    very interesting post, I owe New York a visit. I was in the city in 1963 while stationed at Ft Monmouth NJ and my daughter was sent to a naval Hospital, St. something.

  16. rdl on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 1:18 pm 

    Very good take on the theme!!!

  17. RJ Flamingo on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 1:44 pm 

    What an interesting collection of photos for the theme! I couldn’t pick one thing, but that 2nd photo of the concrete supports at the hydroelectric plant is just calling to me. Thanks for sharing – this is neat.

    And thanks for stopping by earlier!

  18. Annie on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 1:56 pm 

    Great post! The photos are wonderful and the history fascinating. Thanks for visiting mine and have a great weekend! Annie

  19. Jan on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 2:02 pm 

    Great post with lots of history.

  20. storyteller on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 2:13 pm 

    What WONDERFUL photos you’ve shared today! I love them all, but the perspective on the 2nd and 6th is stunning! Thanks for dropping by mine at Sacred Ruminations and leaving the link back here.
    Hugs and blessings,

  21. YTSL on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 2:18 pm 

    Wow, a lot of ruins — and great photos of them. Re Utica: It sounds familiar — has it appeared in movies??

  22. liz on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 2:24 pm 

    Wow! That is some lunatic asylum!

    What a shame the first scheme didn’t work.

  23. Kelly on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 2:25 pm 

    Those are some great photos! Thanks for adding the history about them too.

    Mine’s here

  24. margie on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 2:30 pm 

    i love the peeling paint look!!!

  25. Dianne on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 2:40 pm 

    You really have some awesome photos. So sad too. In your mind’s eye you can see how these places probably looked years ago.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog too.

  26. Hootin' Anni on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 2:45 pm 

    Amazing…I really, REALLY like the 2nd photo…the angle of this is stupendous! Great photography.

    Thanks for stopping by today. Hope your weekend is off to a great start.

  27. Carin on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 2:51 pm 

    Really like the way you took the second picture.

    That large building looks very interesting. Seeing the photo’s of the inside I can imagine them letting nobody in anymore.

    Have a good weekend.

  28. margaret on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 2:52 pm 

    I love the history in your post and pictures!

  29. Margy Lutz on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 2:58 pm 

    Thanks for visiting my post about ruins in the bush of Coastal BC. Your pictures of ruins are very interesting. My husband was born in Rome, NY, and he took me there on a vacation once. There is so much history in your area. Thanks for sharing. – Margy

  30. arbot on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 2:59 pm 

    the second shot is my favorite…great photohunt. love it!

  31. Rachel on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 2:59 pm 

    Those are wonderful photos. I can’t pick a favorite – they all are amazing in their own way. I also love the history behind each and every one.

    Thanks for visiting my photo hunt. Have a great weekend!

  32. Carver on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 3:02 pm 

    This was a very interesting post and you have a great selection of photographs for the ruin(ed) theme.

  33. Sniffie and the Florida Furkids on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 3:09 pm 

    Great photos!

  34. Frugal Grandma on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 3:10 pm 

    Most interesting photos this week. Never expected to see a Lunatic Asylum – thanks to the kind photographer who allowed all of us to see the inside of the building. Love that you also included some historic b&w for us to enjoy. I am learning so much from your posts – THANKS!

  35. contessa confessa on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 3:12 pm 

    thanks for visiting my site.

    My fave of your photos is photo #2. ;)

  36. Leslie from Australia on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 3:13 pm 

    I really enjoyed your historical view this week. Have a good weekend! :)

  37. Marie on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 3:14 pm 

    Wow! I love history and all of your “ruined” pictures are right up my alley! Beautiful take on the theme this week!

    Thanks for visiting my “ruined” site!

    http://dragynm.wordpress.com/photo-hunt-ruined/

  38. Babette on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 3:29 pm 

    The photo inside the asylum gives me the creeps! Nice photo of the concret supports. Thank you for commenting on my photohunt. :o )

  39. pat on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 3:31 pm 

    All really great shots!

    Happy Weekend.

  40. MommyWizdom on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 3:32 pm 

    Those are fabulous photos! Wow, I need to be more vigilant of photographing “ruins.” :-) Thanks for visiting! Hope you have a great weekend!

  41. gengen on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 3:32 pm 

    Thanks for the comment your entries are very historical…TC

  42. Sue on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 3:36 pm 

    Great pictures for ruined. Interesting facts, especially about the old wooden pipes. That is cool how they used to be wooden. Too bad about the Old Main. It looks like a really cool building too bad they can’t find another use for it.

  43. ancient one on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 3:41 pm 

    Wonderful Photos and interesting history about each one. Loved this post!

  44. Losing Myself aka IdaR on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 3:43 pm 

    these are wonderful photos. shame that the building is being left to fall down. it should be saved for its historical value if nothing else.

  45. Lew on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 3:43 pm 

    That’s an amazing piece of work for the wooden pipe! And it is a shame that such a grand building was allowed to become unusable. You found a lot of ruins among structures that once were important to life in your part of New York.

  46. Aloha Monkey on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 3:48 pm 

    Those are amazing photos!

  47. Sabine on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 4:32 pm 

    You gave a lot of thought to the theme… great photos, but the second one is my absolute favourite, beautiful composition! :)

  48. sammawow on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 4:46 pm 

    Those are incredible pictures! Great take on this week’s theme!

  49. eam on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 5:08 pm 

    the 2nd and third photo are topnotch! the asylum pics esp the 3rd is eerie, the whole feel is somewhat spooky… the washout canal is sad. the photos all fit this week’s theme totally! Great choices!

  50. gagiers photography on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 6:36 pm 

    wow!photos are well shot. at first I was checking where is the ruined part and I just saw it at the end hehehhehe

    about your comments in my photo, it’s in St Laurent River where the boat is. It’s in the little island of Quebec called L’isle-aux-Coudres.

  51. Patricia (Pollywog Creek) on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 6:37 pm 

    What a great post, Mrs. Mecomber! Love the photos and the story. How fantastic that you were given access.

  52. Laura on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 6:58 pm 

    Hi, Thanks for your comments on my site.

    I love your photos. That beautiful old building in ruins is so sad. I hate to see things wasted like that. Craftsmanship like that doesn’t seem to exist anymore.
    Happy Weekend,
    ~*~

  53. haleyhughes on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 7:20 pm 

    I love the photos from the power plant. All the empty supports lined up like that and surrounded by plantlife give it an ancient feel. Nice. Happy Photohunting~

  54. Sue on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 8:19 pm 

    Great pics! I especially enjoyed the old asylum what a magnificent looking building at least from the outside.

  55. The Wandering Scotsman on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 8:20 pm 

    Some of those picture are truly amazing and hopefully I never end up in that asylum……..
    The Barbados Blog

  56. HEather on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 8:55 pm 

    What a wonderful collection of pictures.Pipes made of wood that is amazing.

  57. Emily/Randomability on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 9:16 pm 

    Such fantastic photo’s of some ruins. The idea of pipes made of wood seem strange now. The skeleton of concrete supports is pretty cool.

  58. Arlene on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 9:17 pm 

    beautiful photos for the theme, Mrs. M!~ Thanks for sharing. thanks for peeping at my entry, too!

  59. catnip on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 9:29 pm 

    What gorgeous photos! Thanks for stopping by today. :)

  60. Pfeffer Girl on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 9:48 pm 

    Interesting photos.

    Thanks for dropping by my site.

  61. jerla on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 10:19 pm 

    wow really cool pics… thanks for visiting my entry and for your comment :)

  62. rebecca on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 10:37 pm 

    Wow, those pictures are amazing! Wood for carrying water? Even canals would have been more logical!

  63. JC on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 10:37 pm 

    Awesome shots and what fun! Thanks for the wonderful tours, I can almost feel the stones and walls!

  64. napaboaniya on Sat, 15th Nov 2008 11:26 pm 

    Wonderful shots of ruined places :)

  65. Michelle on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 12:07 am 

    The ice storm I posted about was 2 years ago and I am sure that you got some of it. It was October before the leaves were off and so many trees were lost from Buffalo, previously known as the “City of Trees”. I am always interested in your blog. My daughter just moved to Elmira and it is really beautiful in the Finger Lakes region…

  66. jhum on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 2:41 am 

    very eerie. the angle on the hallways is just amazing thugh it makes a goosebump on me. ;-)

  67. Sreisaat on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 3:54 am 

    Oh my!
    Looking at the pictures and reading the accompanying texts just brought me there :) Amazing structure, one can only imagine what transpired within the asylum walls.
    Thanks for visiting me earlier :)

  68. jam on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 6:11 am 

    Old places are good, full of colorful history lesson. Thanks for sharing!

  69. Rach (Heart of Rachel) on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 8:48 am 

    Those are great shots. I like the angle of the second photo.

    There’s an eerie shot to that hallway. Thanks for sharing these great photos.

  70. Mrs. Mecomber on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 9:43 am 

    Thanks for your comments! This was a really great Photo Hunt this week, and I enoyed seeing your photos.

    Michelle, yes, I remember that ice storm. I don’t think we in the Mohawk Valley were affected, though. At least, not that I recall. It’s pretty protected here in the valley.

  71. mama meji on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 10:02 am 

    Great shots. The second one is my favorite. Thanks for dropping by.

  72. Irene on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 10:16 am 

    Great photos for this theme ;)

  73. Sarah C. on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 10:45 am 

    Wonderful photos! My favorite is the Wooden Pipeline Ribs. I love the shot down them and mixture of the organic life now growing amongst the concrete.

    Thanks for visiting my blog! :)

  74. CrAzY Working Mom on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 11:25 am 

    Wow, look at all of those photos! You’ve outdone yourself here. Nice job!!! Thanks for stopping by my place also.

  75. Jerry on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 12:00 pm 

    Great shots! I don’t generally think of ruins in America – now I know better.

  76. Shinade on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 12:57 pm 

    oh my you certainly out did yourself this time. these are all fabulous. I think this is one of your best ever!! Fantastic job!!

  77. julie on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 1:53 pm 

    These are wonderful photos and the history behind these places are interesting :)

    The old pipeline looks interesting.

  78. 2lives/lissa on Mon, 17th Nov 2008 8:20 pm 

    all wonderful pics for photohunt, I like the second circular shot

    sorry to visit so late, your comment was mistakenly mark as spam, I apologized for that, it sometimes does that when someone lives a direct link in the post

    thanks for visit!

  79. 2lives/lissa on Mon, 17th Nov 2008 8:21 pm 

    I meant ‘thanks for your visit!”, sorry, guess my fingers race ahead of me

  80. Dragonstar on Wed, 19th Nov 2008 6:32 am 

    I’m very late commenting this week.
    Your historical post is fascinating, and loads of great photos, too. I love the pipe supports. It must be strange to come across those lovely shapes amongst the trees.

I appreciate comments! Please leave yours here.





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