Red, White and Blue Freedom






The symbol of freedom, pride and perseverance.

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The Former Fusion Paperboard Plant (Part 1)

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  148" Trim Inverformer Paper Machine for Multi-Ply Recycled Boxboard I’ll never forget the day my friend J and I wandered onto that sprawling 400-acre property, following the path of a disused rail line. It felt like stepping into a forgotten world where time had simply stopped. At first, we passed by the front building without giving it much thought. J mentioned there wasn’t much to see inside, so we moved on. Little did I know, years later, I’d discover that the building was a treasure trove of abandoned saw machinery and other relics, left behind as if frozen in time. Mill Raw Water Intake Building But that day, our curiosity led us further into the property. We stumbled upon an older structure tucked along the fence line of Papermill Pond. It didn’t look like much at first glance—just another weathered building in a sea of overgrown grass and rusting metal. We decided to take a closer look. Inside, we found black plastic piping snaking through the space, and then, to our amaz...
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Waterbury’s Forgotten Factories: The Story of Bristol Babcock

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  For nearly a century, the city was known as the “Brass Capital of the World,” with a thriving industrial and manufacturing sector. But when the American brass industry declined in the 1970s, the city was hit hard by a series of economic challenges. Factories closed, jobs disappeared, and in their wake, large areas of land were left contaminated and abandoned. These brownfield sites, once bustling hubs of production, became symbols of the city’s struggle to adapt to a changing economy. By 2019, the city had made significant progress in cleaning up these sites, having remediated over 178 acres of land. Still, 140 acres of brownfields remained, with efforts underway to return them to productive use, offering hope for a new chapter of growth and development. One notable site is the former Bristol Babcock Facility, which operated from 1889 to 1989. The 6.6-acre property, with four buildings dating from 1895 to 1954, straddles the border between Waterbury and Naugatuck. The Bristol Bab...
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Inside the Old Remington Munitions Factory

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Over the years, I have had the opportunity to visit the Remington Munitions Factory three times, each visit a unique experience. The first time, I ventured there alone, driven by curiosity to explore what remained of the once-bustling industrial complex. Back then, the neighborhood was far from welcoming, and my solo exploration felt risky. However, the allure of the factory’s history and its remnants was too strong to resist. Upon arrival, the decay was evident. The complex was a shadow of its former self, ravaged by time and neglect. Scrap metal scavengers had stripped the buildings of valuable copper, steel, and iron. Every surface was a canvas for graffiti, a mix of juvenile doodles and more elaborate street art left by local kids and adventurous visitors. A fire in 2017 had already claimed part of one building, and the area had a reputation for violence, with frequent assaults and shootings on Barnum Avenue. Despite the deterioration, the factory had a certain haunting beauty, esp...
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The Trenton Horsman Doll Factory

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  You’ve got to move when the chance is right. That’s something I keep telling myself—but just as often, I forget it. Or ignore it. And then I end up learning the same lesson all over again. It happened on a quiet afternoon when I pulled up to the old Horsman Doll factory. The place has long been abandoned, but it still holds stories—ones I try to capture through my lens. The main gate was slightly ajar. Not wide open, but just enough for me to slip through with my gear. It was one of those rare opportunities. But across the street, half-hidden behind a rundown house, a group of men sat drinking and shouting over each other. The kind of scene you don't want to get caught up in—especially alone, carrying expensive camera equipment. I hesitated. I debated. I bailed. My gut told me to walk away, so I did. I figured I could find another way in. I circled the block, hoping for a back entrance or even a broken window low enough to climb through. I found one window that looked possible—bu...
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The Abandoned Kingsbridge Substation No. 3

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