The Chalmers Knitting Mill
The mill's been headed down for half a century.
Sebastien, B and Paul's Urban Decay Tour of the (Greater) Capital Region™ continues with a stop at the former Chalmers Knitting Mill in Amsterdam.
The factory was built in 1913 to manufacture underwear. It's been closed since 1959. Uri Kaufman, the developer behind the Harmony Mill conversion in Cohoes, had proposed redeveloping the site in a similar project. The plan met opposition in the city and it now looks like the complex will be demolished. [NYS Parks] [Vintage Skivvies] [Daily Gazette $] [Daily Gazette $]
The urban decay tour crew grew to five this time around. Here are slideshows by Sebastien, B, Paul, Brittany and Darren.
photo: Sebastien B
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Comments
wow the photos are amazing!
... said xina on Mar 8, 2010 at 6:00 PM | link
Ever heard of trespassing? Idiots.
... said John Q on Mar 9, 2010 at 12:05 AM | link
Seriously, can we focus on something interresting on here? So dull. Been done before.
... said CommonSense on Mar 9, 2010 at 10:50 AM | link
Amazing pictures, as always.
@John Q: name-calling? Really?
... said Summer on Mar 9, 2010 at 10:51 AM | link
Thanks xina and Summer. CommonSense, I'm not sure if you're saying this particular site is dull or commenting on "urban decay" as a whole. We actually all agreed at the time that Chalmers was a fairly boring building, it's been pretty thoroughly cleaned out and has a repetitive floorplan so there's not much variety there. We did get some tips on many other sites in Amsterdam so hopefully they'll be more interesting.
If you were speaking in a wider sense, well, can't please everyone, sorry. I can only speak for myself here, but I like shooting these abandoned places, and I primary photo for myself, it's a hobby like any other. There are some messages here too, about culture, history, economics, and community, that are hard to really appreciate without seeing these places in detail, but I won't get too pedantic about that. If those messages didn't get across, that's probably a failure on my part and gives me some motivation.
Thanks for looking, all.
... said B on Mar 9, 2010 at 12:23 PM | link
These photos are excellent, as always. I love that you guys make the dangerous journeys inside these old buildings so that I can sit back with my coffee and see all the chaos and decay and how beautiful it can be. It's so inspiring to me that even the biggest eyesores can yield such beautiful results if you just stop and take a closer look.
... said Emily on Mar 9, 2010 at 12:33 PM | link
Same here; I was talking about it with B earlier this week, I don't think I was very inspired on that location, so the feedback wasn't unexpected and I welcome it. It's online, we share it, everybody has a different take on the subject, glad some of few get to enjoy it while this building and its memories are still standing. The first floor has quite a scale to it, but it's difficult to convey; I'm sure James Cameron would disagree. A few of us definitely wanted to give a shot to Amsterdam, NY; thanks to Darren for offering the opportunity.
@Emily: it's not dangerous, really :)
... said -S on Mar 9, 2010 at 1:05 PM | link
I adore the series. Note the word "series." That may explain why it's been done before, CommonSense.
I'll echo you B, when you say that exploring the ruins showcases our history and culture. I have always had a fascination with those buildings. I always wonder what they look like on the inside, and what the story is. Why did these buildings get abandoned while we nurture others? Seriously, I wondered for years what the Wellington looked like, and thanks to you guys I got to see it.
Just be safe. ;)
... said Summer on Mar 9, 2010 at 1:52 PM | link
I love these photos. Sad to see the decay but good examples of structural and brick work. Some of them remind me of the former Hinckel Brewery when it sat for years in decay but is now apartments. Sad that there is no money or incentive for people to revitalize these.
... said sandrad on Mar 10, 2010 at 7:48 PM | link
@Sandrad: I am piqued. The Hinckel building was really that nasty? You'd never think it to look at it now.
... said Summer on Mar 11, 2010 at 2:11 AM | link
To Summer:
Historic Albany Foundation spent more than $100,000 in the 1980's to fix it up and hold it till it found an owner. Historic Albany would have shots of the interior before it was renovated.
... said sandrad on Mar 11, 2010 at 10:04 AM | link
That's where I grew up. They're in the process of destroying all of the city's most charming relics, and soon there will be nothing left to remember our "golden age." Amsterdam used to be an impressive place, but apparently we've moved on.
... said Ashley on Mar 13, 2010 at 11:14 AM | link