What Are Those Rusted Metal Ladders in Brooklyn Backyards?

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I was taking a walk down my residential street recently when a flash of weathered iron caught my eye. Poking up above a neighbor's inner backyard was a tall, rusted metal ladder. It stood upright, narrow and tall, reaching straight toward the sky. I stopped in my tracks to look at it. To anyone else passing by, it probably looked like a piece of industrial scrap left behind by a careless contractor. But I recognized it immediately. Growing up, we had the same rusted tower planted in our backyard. It stood two feet away from the exterior wall of the house like an unmovable monument. Through decades of changing seasons and vicious winds, it never leaned an inch. My parents never made any attempt to dismantle it or repaint it, even as thick flakes of orange rust gathered along its frame. Back then, whenever I looked out from our second-floor window, I would scan the neighboring lots. None of the other yards on our street had one. Down the enti...
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Abandoned Paterson Hinchliffe Stadium | Urban Exploration














Explored two stadiums in one day. This was the first one I explored out of the two and the second abandoned place of the day earlier in July 2016. Upon entering, tall weeds and bushes dominated the framed crowd control columns seen at the beginning of the episode. This stadium was larger than the other football stadium. Instead of one sweeping stadium seating, this one was more oval and more designed for the immersion of the crowd towards the action in the center. The concession stand, bathrooms, and commentator’s box were all neatly located behind the seating area. This was once a grand stadium when it was open.


















It’s rare you can explore an empty stadium once teeming with screaming supportive fans, fresh beer, and juicy hot dogs. A few still remain in the United States in Detroit and Ohio. Although, the one in Detroit is to be demolished soon or is already fallen to the demolition crew. This stadium once hosted local football and baseball games but fell into disrepair during an era of declining funding. In addition, this sports stadium is only one of the remaining stadiums to ever hosted an important national game during racial segregation.































Update: Feb 2023 the historic stadium has been renovated after being vacant for 25 years. The New Jersey Jackals Minor League baseball team will call home one of the few remaining Negro League stadiums still standing in New Jersey. 

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