Abandoned Upstate

11/08/2024

Mitchell Auto Parts
Fayette, NY

I drove past this yard countless time’s and even stopped once looking for parts for my 70’ Chevelle. I was greeted outside and promptly shooed away by Walter stating he’s not sure what he had and to come back another time. While not knowing him personally I’d assume Walter did know exactly what he had and in fact he probably despised the non American Subaru I was driving.

Walter’s yard mostly consisted of America’s best automobiles manufactured before 1980. It spread across seven acres in the heart of the finger lakes region of New York. If you’re wondering how many cars per acre you can fit, especially the big boxy 70’s kind, then you are in luck. In neatly lined rows its about 100 per acre, or in Walter’s case 695 spread across 7 acres.

So it’s smack dab in the middle of the day, aka high noon, after a rather successful exploring morning. While driving past we noticed a big corn field inviting a smooth entry into the forbidden forrest, what could go wrong? Losing my keys for one.

After walking the yard and getting a feel for it as well as the flow of the cars I started taking some photographs but the sun was just too much. The imbalance of lights and shadows wasn’t showcasing the cars as beautifully as they laid in person. We voted to circle back another time so we could properly document the yard.

Nearly back to the car and getting ready to pop out of a corn field like a couple of deer I patted my pocket to grab my keys and much to my surprise they were missing. I like parking at the back of the parking lot when I get my groceries, so apply that to exploring and it’s a big area to search. Air tags aside I still had to come within 30 feet of my keys. It’s the first time this has happened but they were in the corn field, I must have lost them on the venture in.

Fast forward to 2024 and it’s now just a forrest. I missed my chance to photograph one of the remaining few automobile yards in the area. It’s the few cars and trucks with local businesses names that I’m most bummed about. Like a lot of yards this started with a few cars parked in a field and grew into treasure trove of American history. Due to its close proximity to military bases there aren’t extensive aerials to help date its start but in 1985 all seven acres were packed full of cars.

If you’d like to check them out for yourself on google earth it’s ‘4WD Rd’ in Fayette, NY. Happy Exploring!

26/05/2024

🤫

20/05/2024

The Syracuse Developmental Center (SDC) was a residential facility that opened in 1972 to replace the original Syracuse State School building from the 1800s. The new 447,000-square-foot facility was designed with a modern, pod-style layout.

The building featured 16 residential pods, each with 5-8 suites containing 3-4 private rooms. This pod design was intended to create a more home-like, community-oriented environment for the residents, who were individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

In addition to the residential pods, the SDC campus included a town square with amenities like a post office, café, general store, hair salon, and barber shop. Recreation facilities were also on-site, such as a 4-lane bowling alley, gymnasium, Olympic-sized indoor pool, and auditorium.

The SDC operated until 1998, when the last residents transitioned to community-based group homes and independent living arrangements. The large campus then sat vacant for many years.

In 2023, the Syracuse City Common Council approved the demolition and remediation of the former SDC buildings and site. This $26 million project, fully funded by New York State, will clear the way for the development of 500 units of affordable housing on the nearly 50-acre property.

The demolition phase is currently underway, with plans to reconstruct the site with new water, sewer, roads, sidewalks, lighting and landscaping to support the future affordable housing development. The iconic pod-style architecture of the 1970s SDC facility will be demolished to make room for this new community-focused redevelopment.

10/04/2024

Have a Happy Day

29/03/2024

The Life and Death of Cadis Baptist Church.

See Last Post for more!

28/03/2024

Forgot or Foresaken? 👀 After months of research, filming, and I finally present to you the next DEEP Dive.

To be honest, it feels like this church was always destined to disappear. The creek would have swallowed it up eventually, No one wants to talk about the church or put any effort into recording its written history.

Nearly two centuries of supporting its local community and now it’s just gone. Forgotten. Just nothing. Why did the church get erased?

Cadis Baptist Church is a rural Baptist church located in Rome, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1834, its congregation was initially known as the First Free Will Baptist Church of Windham. The church building was constructed in 1881 in the town of Mecca, retaining the same name.

18/03/2024

State Hospital - 2016

29/02/2024

Fair Play Factory - EJ Shoes
Endicott NY
Documented 2016
Status: Demolished

Fact: There was a full service grocery store in the basement of this factory when it was open. I would take that convince over Instacart all day long.

26/02/2024

I drove past here over the weekend and sad to see a few parts of the building have collapsed.

21/02/2024

Does anyone know what's (officially) happening at tCongregation B'Nai Israel Synagogue on Joseph Ave in Rochester?

The performing art’s center’s renderings showed the building being reused in it’s entirety. The construction crew on site said the front oblique is being saved. It’s sudden destruction however might indicate otherwise.

Nothing was saved or preserved from the building. The stained glass, name plates, etc are all there in the rubble. I understand that being on the list of historic register of historic places does not grant much protection but doesn’t this seem a little rushed?

20/02/2024

I'm guessing it doesn't run.

20/02/2024

St. Valentines Polish Parish

15/02/2024

Richardson Olmsted Complex
Western NY
Documented 2019
Status: Partial Restoration

It’s interesting to stay here in former patient rooms overnight, although most of the original character has been white washed. You can also book a tour here as well as a night to stay!

12/02/2024

Former Military Base

02/02/2024

Columbus School
Central NY
Documented 2020
Status: Demolition Funded [Date Pending]
Fact: This school opened in September of 1923 but was unnamed when it opened. The name was voted on by students in November in honor of Christopher Columbus

26/01/2024

The Cadillac House

Finger Lakes, NY
Documented 2023
Status: Abandoned
Fact: Even in 1988 It Looked Abandoned! (Photo 5)

20/01/2024

Guest Post:
Abandoned Therapy

Post Office
Midwest
Documented 2019
Opened for 38 Years
Abandoned