Inside the Abandoned National Silk Dyeing Co.: Paterson, NJ's Forgotten Textile Mill (Photos)

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  The text message from my friend J was simple: a list of addresses in Newark and Paterson. An invitation. An urban treasure map with Xs marking forgotten places. I picked the one on Piercy Street. Pulling up, I saw the building wasn’t exactly hiding. It was a behemoth of brick and colorful lettered graffiti, a whole city block of decay. A door gaped open next to an old loading dock, but the scene gave me pause. Mounds of illegally dumped trash lay along the floor of the loading bay. This part of Paterson has a tough reputation, and the open doors felt less like an invitation and more like a dare. I took a deep breath and stepped inside. The air was thick with the smell of dust and damp. I found myself in a vast, open space littered with plastic containers and skeletal metal shelving. I moved deeper, drawn toward the old boiler house section. Before I reached it, I walked into a room that stopped me cold. Everything was stained a deep, blood red. A fine crimson powder coated the fl...
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Abandoned Railroad Unloading Facility

A close-up view of the complex, weathered wooden framework of an abandoned railroad trestle bridge. The crisscrossing beams are over water, displaying the intricate engineering of past construction. The dramatic cloudy sky above sets a moody atmosphere, reflecting the history and decay of this once-functional structure.














Upon driving along the winding road heading to my designated parking address, this behemoth stands out like a fallen giant. A black rusting heap of metal. It just sticks out like a sore thumb. If you were an eagle you could spot this facility with ease. Once so full of energy and endearing to the men who once worked there. This railroad facility is no longer able to unload huge tons of black gold.














Getting onto the property was very easy. Getting there was the hardest part due to the long walk. After getting onsite, all my tired worries were washed away as I stood at the beginning of the tracks looking towards the belly of the beast. She was beautiful in every way. Sadly, history and time have not been kind to her.












All the old mechanical parts were still there as it was on the last day. The wooden track beams were cracking, splitting, and weathered. The landing zone for the train cars was still there but the side rail shoot was no longer a part of it anymore. Nature had decimated a part of her a few years ago.

















I wasn't able to climb the structure to access the control box due to nonexistent and cut-off stairs. A very predetermined move on either the present owner or the current owner. Looking for one day to return and try to access the control box when I am passing through this area. It is very sad to see this facility rust away but maybe its future will bring something new to its shores.





















































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