Jump to content

Where nature meets decay


canetoad

Recommended Posts

Hi everyone. I'm hoping to pick the collective brains of the wise UP-ers.

I'm working on a film that involves images of buildings being reclaimed by nature, which obviously is becoming increasingly commonplace in Michigan. Specifically, I'm looking for places that are kind of beautiful in the way in which vegetation is growing up around human-made structures that have been abandoned or left empty. Something like this (though it doesn't have to be this dramatic): http://www.flickr.com/photos/kbauman/3432839944/

I know there are a ton of these kinds of locations around Detroit, but I wonder if anyone has any suggestions for such sites in or near Grand Rapids. I have a few in mind, but I'd love to collect as many as possible.

I'm not looking to trespass; just to shoot from the street or public areas.

Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Replies 36
  • Created
  • Last Reply

I think you'd enjoy a visit to the ghost town of Marlborough. It's just south of Baldwin - about and hour and 15 minutes to an hour and a half north of GR. Here's some reference material:

Marlborough, Michigan

"From 1896 until the early 1910's this was a thriving "Company Town." In it's hey-day you could find a school, an infirmary, a 26 seat barber shop and even an Opera House! As a matter of fact, North Lake was once their "dig pit," where the marl was extracted and moved on underground rail lines to large smelting kiln's located in the bowels of a few the buildings, (you can still find/see a few of these blast furnaces today.)"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Depending on how far you're willing to drive.... There's an old farmhouse/silo/barn out my way (Caledonia) that is massively taken over. However, just this week they started tearing down some of the house so if you want pics, better go fast. It's been abandoned for years; the state police have occassionally had some sort of training drills in there, even. It's on Kraft, E side of the road, between 76th and 84th. Bing picture.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are three houses on Wilson Ave directly across the street from the Standale Meijer's south east parking lot entrance. Two of the houses are still occupied. But the middle house is vacant with its surrounding property over grown with weeds. To the north of the three houses is a former pizza place that went vacant and starting to show strong signs of decay as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've wanted to for a while now. I live close enough to it that it wouldn't be too much of a trip. My work from a couple summers ago used to take me around that area every month or so, but I didn't know that the cement factory existed then.

Seriously, if anyone really wants to find decaying/abandoned/overgrown buildings, and don't have any preference as to the setting, try taking a drive around some of the more rural counties in the state and you will probably find your fair share. I know of a good 3-dozen at least old farmhouses and schoolhouses that are scattered around my Mason County, so I can only asume the same elswhere.

You guys have me interested in this Marlborough place. Might just have to check it out. I'll go with Nitro's advice of not going alone. Does anyone care to join?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK, so this isn't in Michigan, but I've seen it twice in the past month or so and thought of this thread. On the corner of OH-61 and OH-2 near Ceylon, Ohio there is a huge area of greenhouses that are abandoned. There are trees growing through the roofs. It looks like it would make a GREAT photo shoot.

Hmm. I googled before I clicked add reply. Apparently you wouldn't be the first to shoot it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/herzogbr/500825862

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK, so this isn't in Michigan, but I've seen it twice in the past month or so and thought of this thread. On the corner of OH-61 and OH-2 near Ceylon, Ohio there is a huge area of greenhouses that are abandoned. There are trees growing through the roofs. It looks like it would make a GREAT photo shoot.

Hmm. I googled before I clicked add reply. Apparently you wouldn't be the first to shoot it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/herzogbr/500825862

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.