Winsted's Union Pin Company: Highland Lake and Pins Still in the Soil

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Photo courtesy of the Winchester Tax Office Pins in the Brook: The Last Ruins of the Union Pin Company J and I came at it through the trees. No path, just tall standing trees and the kind of undergrowth that swats at your shins and grabs your laces, until the canopy thinned and we found what was left. A turbine, tall and rusted, rising out of the woods beside a brook in Winsted, Connecticut. A small generator sat on top of it, also rusted, also still. Beside that, set back from the tree line and facing the residential houses across Lake Street, a sealed and boarded building held its ground. It was August 2019, midday, the kind of heat that slows everything down. We photographed the turbine carefully, then picked our way downstream along the slippery rocks of the brook that fed toward the Mad River past Boyd Street. What J never mentioned, and what I never thought to look for, was the hydropower outlet tucked behind the thick trees just off the path we'd taken. And neither of us eve...
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Pennsylvania's Forgotten 'Chop Shop' Factory (Lost Archives)

 

Vibrant graffiti art covers the walls of a large, abandoned industrial building, providing stark contrast to the bleak surroundings. A tangle of green hoses lies on the concrete floor, adding a sense of abandonment to the otherwise colorful scene. Natural light streams in from above, suggesting a roof partly open to the elements.




It's hard to believe it's been so many years since I stumbled upon that enigmatic, medium-sized factory in Pennsylvania. The memory, dating back to 2016, is like a photograph slowly fading at the edges, leaving behind a mosaic of vivid yet disjointed images. The exact location, shrouded in the mists of time, eludes me, despite my best efforts to pin it down on my ever-expanding Google MyMaps.

I remember it as the 'chop shop' factory, a moniker I whimsically assigned but now regret not investigating further. The scene, as I recall, was something straight out of a gritty noir film – a pile of black rubber car tires heaped to one side, the floor covered in a fine layer of dust and grime, and the walls adorned with a kaleidoscope of oddball graffiti. It was a place that whispered stories of clandestine activities and hasty departures.

Gaining access to this mystery location was surprisingly easy, a stark contrast to the complex mazes of some larger sites. Its relatively small footprint allowed for a quick yet thorough exploration. Back then, my focus was laser-sharp on capturing the interiors, an approach that now leaves me at a disadvantage in pinpointing its neighborhood. Time, that relentless architect of change, makes me doubt whether the structure even remains standing.

I reach out now, casting this message into the digital ether, in hopes that someone might recognize this place from my photos. If you're familiar with this forgotten 'chop shop' factory, lost somewhere in the Pennsylvania landscape, I would be immensely grateful for a nudge in the right direction. Any information, no matter how small, could be the key to unlocking this puzzle. So, if my words stir a memory or spark recognition, please drop me a hint in the comments below. 👇 Your insight could help piece together a part of my photographic journey that remains frustratingly incomplete.



A haunting view inside an abandoned factory, with faded graffiti covering the brick walls and a dilapidated staircase leading to a platform. The floor is littered with debris, dust, and a pile of used car tires. The scene is illuminated by a harsh light from above, highlighting the desolation and neglect that pervade the space.

nterior of a dilapidated factory with crumbling walls, debris-strewn floors, and a decaying ceiling allowing sunlight to filter through. Graffiti adorns the walls, adding a splash of color to the otherwise desolate scene. A large, broken ventilation pipe hangs from the ceiling, suggesting the remnants of industrial activity long ceased.

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