Photo: "Unparallelled Worlds"

IMG_9976.jpg

There was something so mysterious about this unfinished Tennessee Valley Authority nuclear plant. Maybe it was the rebar dancing out of the concrete, the darkness that swallowed the lower floors, or the lime green grass breathing life back into this facility. Whatever it was, it brought me ecstasy. 

If you've never walked through one of these abandoned time capsules and stood in the place where nobody has worked, lived or been a patient in since it shut down, it's an incredible experience that can't be parallelled. 

(Prints - http://smu.gs/1kaVeZG)

Photo: "Through 1921 Eyes"

 
 

When Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital accepted its first patients in April 1874, they opened the doors to both male and female patients though the original plan was to treat only males. 

The original administration building experienced an attic fire in 1921 and though the patients were safely removed and records preserved, the building was basically destroyed. One portion of the original wings was salvaged, shown here, but the porches and ornamental architecture was removed.

Photo: "Hospital Corridor"

 
 

The Mare Island Naval Shipyard Hospital was constructed when the shipyard was established in the late 1800's, however the beautiful, original building experienced severe damage in an 1898 quake. 

The replacement building shown here is the central section of a three and four story building and a great example of Beaux Arts classicism. Not only that, but it is unique in style for the shipyard.

Since the building's inception, many modifications have been made, including drop ceilings, many new layers of paint and the addition of better HVAC systems. 

When the shipyard closed in the 1990's, the hospital became vacant. In the recent years Touro University has been using the building for storage.  

(Print - http://smu.gs/1fDzKWN)

Photo: "Winery & Fuel Depot"

IMG_1636.jpg

This location was a former winery, once known as the largest in the world, which closed down in 1919 due to prohibition.

In 1941, the Navy purchased the land and turned the property into a fuel depot, which remained in operation for 54 years.  

Like many other military sites in the United States, this one was decommissioned in 1995 due to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program. 

(Print - http://smu.gs/KepJ3q )

Photo: "Attic, St. Joseph's Church"

IMG_1448_52_57-Edit.jpg

St. Joseph's Church in San Francisco, California was reconstructed in 1913 after experiencing significant damage from the 1906 quake. This attic in the West steeple has the original stained glass from construction. 

Being in this small space was pretty remarkable. The stained glass windows were shining beautifully in the sunlight, casting yellow hues around the room. 

Photo: "Industrial Happiness"

You know that feeling when everything else in life fades away, you can't stop smiling, you feel like you're floating and you never want that moment to end...that's how I feel exploring and photographing architecture and history and the forgotten past. 

I vividly remember this day, back in 2009, inside Building 231 at the former Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco. It had just rained and the whole lower level was covered in a few inches of water and the reflections were extraordinary.

I think it's about time to get out and do some exploring again soon...

Photo: "Therapy Tubs"

I'm heading out of town for the holidays today, but I experienced a burst of photographic inspiration and dug into the albums from my May 2013 trip to the South this morning.

Here's a shot from inside the Polk building at the former West Tennessee Hospital, designed for psychopathic use and constructed in 1932 to aid in overcrowding. These tubs were part of a hydrotherapy program for patients, which involved covering the tubs with heavy fabric (you can see the securing points on the side of the tubs) to trap steam, only allowing the person's head to be outside the tub. 

(Print - http://smu.gs/1jtXi1R)

Photo: Corridor, Central State Hospital

Central State Hospital, Georgia

Starting today through December 19, I will be offering 20% off prints for the holidays!

Visit my website (www.amyheiden.com) and click "Buy print" in the image description.

(Print - http://smu.gs/19mIxb4 )