This site began life in the 1880's as a paper plant belonging to the Lockport Paper Company. In 1928, Flintkote, an asbestos company, bought out the property and began manufacturing felt for use in automobiles.
These buildings were opened in 1913 to provide model housing for key, "high value" employees and supervisors of the DL & W Railroad's Coal Division, who paid a rent of $8.00 per month. In 2008 dollars, using the Consumer Price Index, that would be $179.42. One additional requirement of these employees was that they had to speak English as their first language.
The history of Eastern State Penitentiary is a fascinating story spanning many years. As a model for prisons yet to be built, it would stand as first a shining beacon, and then as a potential embarrassment both admired and reviled.
It was early in the day, and already becoming quite warm. We had each brought a large bottle of Gatorade with us and felt quite prepared and excited for what lay ahead. Two tunnels carved into the hills beyond. Tunnels which, for a brief period of time, allowed traffic a faster, easier route through the beautiful state of Pennsylvania. Its inherent flaws, however, started the clock ticking to its eventual closure.
Opened in 1926, this mine covered an area of approximately 8,200 acres. The mine closed in 1993 owing over $87,000 in taxes for the property itself, and with the parent company owing over $700,000 overall.
The Bayless Pulp and Paper mill was first constructed in 1900 as industry in this area turned from sawmills to pulp and paper. It was the largest plant, and single largest employer in the area.
The property on which this building stands was purchased for $25,000 as a joint effort of nine parishes. It is alleged that the property was formally a burial ground.
The Kanichee Mine, also known as the Ajax Mine, is an abandoned base metal and precious metal mine with a history dating back to 1910. Throughout the 20th century, the mine experienced several periods of operation and closure, with the most recent activity occurring from 1973 to 1976.
I had heard about this place before, but wasn't completely sure as to its exact whereabouts. One afternoon, while driving to Manitoulin Island, I finally caught a glimpse of it off the embankment as I crossed the bridge.
On a sunny Sunday morning, we decided to take a drive toward North Bay. To this point, I hadn't been here very often except going through on my way to somewhere else. Today would be different though, as I hoped to chase down a few places of interest on my list. One in particular fascinated me, but I had already resigned myself to the likelihood that I wouldn't get past the gate.
