A Documentation of Suburban Ruins http://www.vacantnewjersey.com Still knocking out my photos from 2009. This month I leave you with some new photographs of the Isolation Hospital. During my first visit I never got around to capturing any exterior photos of the hospital, so that was my main goal during this trip. Compared to the boring interior, the outside of this structure is quite impressive, from the intricate brick work to the proportional wings; it was quite appeasing to the eye. I only wish the beauty followed suit inside. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/isolation_hospital/index.html#new I first spotted this industrial ruin during a prior trip to a nearby abandoned mill. Having found myself in the general area again, I decided to make a quick stop by. Although not incredibly impressive, I enjoyed the time I spent here. The tall smokestack was the main focal point, however the cement shell buildings were quite fun to climb around; at the very least a nice break and change of scenery from the modern abandonments I have been poking around. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/lime_kilns/index.html And that's it, year 2009 is over! It was most definitely a fun time being as I got to explore and photograph many great ruins, as well as meet some cool new people. I figured I would start the year off with posting a gallery update of Letchworth Village. Lately I have been falling months behind with posting photo sets up. I am going to try and get some of my older photographs posted online and out of the way before I move onto any new locations. I only have time to post one location update per month, but I was thinking of maybe posting more frequent small status type updates... http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/custodial_asylum/main.html A once renowned inn and conference center, now sits largely forgotten, quickly decaying and falling victim to mother nature. This inn includes 400 plus rooms/suites, an auditorium with a seating capacity for 800, roller skating rink, and both indoor an order pools. This was definitely once of my favorite locations to explore, with so much to see and a wonderfully extensive amount of decay, there is still much to love about this forgotten resort. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/valley_inn/index.html Every now and then I stumble upon a location that hardly appears abandoned. This abode seemed to fight against decay; not wanting to give up hope that it's past inhabitants would one day return home. At one point, this structure was probably a lovely place live, with many panoramic windows overlooking a lively swamp, an elegant central staircase and an internal stereo and speaker system (a high-tech amenity for it's time), there was really a lot to like about this home. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/swamp_house/index.html As demolition slowly but steadily moves along it is quite clear that the hospital's days are numbered. I've spent much time wandering the empty halls, tunnels, and corridors and with every trip I always seem to discover something or someone new. It will indeed be sad to one day stare out at an empty field where this hospital once stood. Anyway, I figured I would post a gallery update this month as my time is a bit constrained due to work and college, and I don't have the time to really put together a story. However I still have a couple new places to post up in the coming months, aswell as some other site updates. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/echc/main.html This homely inn nestled in the woods of New Jersey once catered to the retired person. However due to various circumstances the inn was vacated about a year ago. Although the inn now sits void of residents, it makes up for life with the belongings the past inhabitants have left behind. Walking through the numerous rooms was like walking into the private lives of each resident. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/country_living_inn/index.html The large main building is all that remains on this hospital campus. Disappointingly as beautiful as it is exteriorly is is just as ugly interiorly. Clean and empty on the inside there was not much to see, except for a neat find in the basement. The view from the top floor was nice but did not make up for the empty void this building turned out to be. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/isolation_hospital/index.html The original Wheatsworth Mill was founded sometime in the late 1800's as only a small grist and saw mill and was powered entirely from the Wallkill River, that flows beneath. As product demand increased so did the size of the mill, many new buildings were added on and newer technology was implemented. Later the National Biscuit Company better know as Nabisco, purchased the mill. Today however the mill sits abandoned, drowning in the river that once supplied it with power. It's glory is now tarnished by graffiti and mother nature. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/wheatsworth_mill/index.html Founded on March 15 1924, this abbey's original purpose was to recruit and train American men to help carry out the monastic and missionary traditions. Later on the abbey was used a retreat house for spiritual renewal. Today the abbey sits vacant awaiting a new use. Word has it that by years end the abbey will be renovated and turned into low-income housing. Despite the fairly boring interior, the abbey was a fun place to explore. Any abandoned building with comfortable chairs is a winner in my book. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/st_angers_abbey/index.html A small selection of the vast amount of houses left vacant due to the government seize of land in the 1960's. After the flood of 1955 which caused several deaths and extensive damage to the Delaware River basin, the United States government purchased the land in-order to build a massive dam to keep the river from overflowing. However like most government plans, the project was put on hold and finally de-authorized in 2002. Today the land remains as a recreation area, many of the buildings remain vacant having not seen human inhabitants in decades. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/tocks_island/index.html A historic water treatment facility containing buildings dating back to 1898! Lots too see and explore, the oldest and main structure contained a monstrous water pump, complete with a beautiful view of the pipe maze below. The new and more modern building was a playground full of control panels and buttons, it also contained the carbon filtration system. There has been thought put into preserving this historic building, however it seems no effort has been put into action yet. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/water_treatment_facility/index.html A quaint little abandoned house stuck in the 1970's. Everything was left behind by the past owners, and by everything I do mean everything! There was so much junk inside that it was basically impossible for me to set up my tripod and get any decent interior photos. I figured no problem, the place was close enough that I would just return in a few days with a mini-tripod. Well as it turns out, things didn't quite work to plan. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/la_casa_roja/index.html Dozens of buildings sit abandoned amongst a still very active psychiatric hospital. There were so many buildings to see, but with time not on my side I had to make the best out of it. Seeing the murals painted by the children who once inhabited the hospital was really interesting, a lot of time must have went into the paintings. Many of the buildings were empty, except for paint chips which accumulated like snow on the otherwise bare floors, but it was still a fun trip, and I definitally have to return eventually. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/mural_psychiatric_center/index.html Perhaps you can tell that the site has been redesigned? Over the winter break I decided to learn HTML and hand code a new site. Unlike the old WYSIWYG site, everything here is entirely hand coded by me. Although this does mean more work, it does allow for much greater flexibility, and for me to easily implement new things in the future. However there is one slight problem, that goes by the name of Internet Explorer. Basically I.E. tends to display CSS elements however it wants, which makes sites display differently. Although my site will display in I.E., it looks far better in the other browsers. So please dump Internet Explorer and get a real browser. On another note, this redesign serves as the January Update, but I'll be back in February with a new location! Until then explore the new site, and feel free to report any bugs in the design, tell me how much you hate the design, or how much you like it. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com A village originally built for the feeble minded and epileptics. Many small cottage style buildings to explore all in various states of decay and vandalism. The village layout, allowed the center to operate as a self sufficient town. Other buildings include a Synagogue, two medical buildings, powerhouse and separate male and female wards. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/custodial_asylum/main.html A government superfund site. Although a lot of the chemical waste has been cleaned up, many toxins remain along with the industrial plant and laboratory/office buildings. Some interesting things to be found, like the large chemical mixers and the papers and magazines left behind in the offices. Also, right next door sits a beautiful decaying train station. http://www.vacantnewjersey.com/locations/mohawk_industries/main.html