Step Inside The World's Eerily Abandoned Industrial Buildings

Inside The Eerie Abandoned Factories That Used To Be Busy Workplaces

The Industrial Revolution changed the face of the world forever. But as technology develops, buildings that once sustained thousands of people have been left behind in the shadows. From a compressor station on the banks of the Crystal River in Colorado to cotton mills in the heart of England, read on to see some of the world's eeriest abandoned industrial buildings. 

Crystal Mill, Crystal, USA

Perched precariously over the Crystal River in western Colorado, this ramshackle former compressor station is reportedly one of the most photographed structures in the Centennial State. Built in 1893 not far from the Sheep Mountain Mine, the mill was shut down in 1917 when the mine was abandoned and has remained unused ever since. 

Crystal Mill, Crystal, USA

However, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, and over the years local residents and historical societies have worked to preserve the wooden structure, which no doubt would have rotted away. Traveling to see the mill in all its glory is no mean feat: the site is only accessible during the warmer months of the year and the trip requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle at the very least.

Vallone dei Mulini, Sorrento, Italy

This cavernous mountain cleft in the resort town of Sorrento near Naples was formed by a volcanic eruption that occurred 35,000 years ago and was the location of a number of ancient saw and flour mills, the first of which was constructed way back in the 10th century.

Vallone dei Mulini, Sorrento, Italy

These days only one of the long-abandoned mills remains and the building makes for a remarkable sight, all overgrown with greenery. Needless to say, the Insta-friendly stone structure is now one of Sorrento's leading tourist attractions and one of the most photographed abandoned places on the planet.

Pyramiden mine, Svalbard, Norway

Located on the Norwegian peninsula of Svalbard, this coal mine at Pyramiden was bought by the Soviet Union in 1927. It was managed by the coal mining enterprise Trust Arktikugol and was Russia's only western settlement at the time. But although the mine and surrounding town flourished after World War II, boasting over 1,000 inhabitants in its heyday, the mine was closed in 1998 as the coal supply started to run out.

Pyramiden mine, Svalbard, Norway

The arctic weather conditions at Pyramiden have preserved the mine and slowed its rate of decay. Although Trust Arktikugol has made efforts to reopen parts of the settlement as a tourist attraction, the majority of the buildings lie abandoned. A number of caretakers live at the site year-round, but for the most part the inhabitants are limited to wildlife such as gulls, reindeer, and polar bears.

White Bay Power Station, Sydney, Australia

The Australian capital's longest-serving power plant, White Bay Power Station, which is situated in the suburb of Rozelle, entered into operation in 1917 and was expanded in the mid-1920s and again during the mid-1940s. The coal-fired facility eventually closed in 1983 and was fully decontaminated during the 1990s.

White Bay Power Station, Sydney, Australia

The power plant was awarded listed status in 1999 and efforts have since been made to preserve the structure. The building has been used as a location for various TV and film productions, including The Matrix Reloaded and The Great Gatsby, and plans have been floated to transform it into a mixed-use development.

Millennium Mills, London, UK

A remnant of the UK capital's industrial past and one of the few major factories in London that hasn't yet met the wrecking ball or been redeveloped, Millennium Mills in Silvertown dates from the turn of the century but the main building was destroyed in World War II and rebuilt during the 1950s. At its height, the facility had a workforce of 100,000.

Millennium Mills, London, UK

The flour factory closed down in 1981. Since then, the building has been used a TV and movie set but has been left more or less derelict. Planning permission was granted in 2015 to redevelop Millennium Mills and the site is currently undergoing decontamination, though a fire affected the structure in 2019.

Tonedale Mill, Wellington, UK

Tonedale Mills in Wellington, Somerset was founded in the 1700s and flourished during the 19th century. The wool factory complex became famous for its Taunton serge cloth and produced 21,300 feet of material per day at its zenith.

Tonedale Mill, Wellington, UK

The largest woollen mill in southern England entered into decline during the latter half of the 20th century as a result of cheap competition from abroad. It was largely abandoned during the 1980s, but parts of the site are still used to this day by small-scale artisans and it has just been earmarked for regeneration.

Tintic Standard Reduction Mill, Genola, USA

Believe it or not, this bizarre structure, which was built in 1920, is actually what is left of a former metals refinery. The Tintic Standard Reduction Mill in Genola, Utah was in operation for just four years, and then abandoned when the particular technology it was based on was deemed obsolete.

Tintic Standard Reduction Mill, Genola, USA

The mill was simply left to crumble, but the foundations for the water tanks, crushers, roasters, iron boxes, leaching tanks and drain boxes survive. Covered in colorful graffiti, they make for an arresting and extremely strange sight in the surrounding hilly landscape.

Bancroft Mills, Wilmington, USA

Established in 1831 by British immigrant Joseph Bancroft, the Bancroft Mills complex was rebuilt in 1839 and went on to become the largest cotton-finishing facility in America by the 1880s. The complex was expanded in 1895 and thrived until the 1950s when US textile production moved south. All production ceased in 1961 and the mill complex closed down.

Bancroft Mills, Wilmington, USA

Bancroft Mills remained vacant until 2015 when part of the complex was converted into luxury condos. The remaining abandoned factory has been victim to two fires, one in 2015 and another in November 2016. This image shows the desolate factory in the aftermath of the first fire. It is in the process of being demolished.

Petroplus Oil Refinery, Reichstett, France

Inaugurated in 1963, this oil refinery in Reichstett, France was under the ownership of Total before passing to Shell. The refinery was then sold on in 2007 to Swiss company Petroplus, which at the time was Europe's leading oil refiner.

Petroplus Oil Refinery, Reichstett, France

Petroplus was forced to shut down the refinery in 2010 for financial reasons and ended up going bankrupt in 2012. Though plans were afoot to convert it into an oil terminal, the site remains abandoned and the facility is slowly rusting away with nature appearing to reclaim the myriad pipes and tanks.

 

Carbide Willson Ruins, Quebec

In the early 1900s, Canadian inventor Thomas 'Carbide' Willson used these premises to investigate the production of calcium carbide. When water is added to calcium carbide, it produces acetylene gas, which burns with a bright light and can be used to illuminate everything from headlamps to lighthouses. To protect his experiments, Willson chose to keep his workshop hidden, nestled in 460 acres of forest near Meech Lake in Gatineau Park. However, the venture soon grew expensive and he started missing interest payments. 

Carbide Willson Ruins, Quebec

Now known as the Carbide Willson ruins, Willson's workshop complex originally consisted of an acid concentration tower, a generating station, and a dam. But after Willson was forced to leave – and sadly died shortly afterwards – the buildings fell into disrepair. The tower was destroyed by a fire and the station and dam have been left open to the elements.

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