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National Silk Dyeing Company Valley Works

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The first time I set foot here, it was clear: this place was home to those with nowhere else to go. A worn dirt path led me from a nearly abandoned street into what remained of an old brick building. A makeshift shelter—pieced together from boards and tarps—stood neatly in the hollowed-out front, right beside a waste bin. The building had been gutted by fire long ago, leaving behind only a shell.   I moved carefully, not wanting to disturb anyone who might be inside. The path led me up a weathered wooden plank, serving as a walkway where stairs once stood. Stepping into what had been the main room, I found myself surrounded by scattered belongings—broken bicycles, old tools, and household items left in disarray.   To my right, a large blue tent was set up snugly against the wall, a stark contrast to the chaos around it. Someone lived there. This wasn’t just a forgotten space; it was a home, however fragile.   Alone, carrying an expensive camera, I felt the ...

Orange Memorial Hospital of Essex County

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  Four photos. That’s all I managed to take of the abandoned Orange Memorial Hospital in Orange, New Jersey. I had explored countless forgotten places before, but this one was different. It wasn’t just the eerie emptiness or the decay—it was something heavier, something unsettling.   Stepping through an open window, I was immediately hit by the overpowering stench of human waste. Inside, the destruction was almost surreal. Time, vandals, squatters, and thrill-seeking teenagers had left the place in ruins. Papers were strewn across the floors, ductwork hung from the ceilings, and walls bore the scars of years of neglect.   But it wasn’t just the sights or smells that got to me. It was the feeling. A thick, unshakable presence weighed on me, like I was being watched. I had explored countless abandoned buildings alone, yet I had never felt this way before. Something about this place wasn’t right.   Despite my unease, I pressed on, making my way toward the...

The Former Fusion Paperboard Plant (Part 2)

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  Welcome back to our journey through Fusion Paperboard. In this second part of the series, we dive deeper into the lower level of the cardboard recycling plant, where a maze of pipes crisscrosses every corner. Water, steam, and colorful conduits weave through the facility, each one carrying energy, waste, or essential materials to keep the plant running. The sludge ponds were one part of the property I never explored up close. Tucked away in the upper left corner of the site, far from the main facility, they never felt like a must-see. They were too far out of the way during my visit. Upstairs, two large stainless steel machines caught my eye—massive steam cylinders. Unfortunately, I never got a good shot of them. I remember taking a photo, but when I reviewed my archives later, I realized the image was ruined by overexposed light from the midday sun. I meant to retake it, but at the moment, it slipped my mind. It’s easy to lose track of time when you're surrounded by the endless ...