Future structure

[Bill Pontin]

Found this neat old structure in Massachusetts. It is, from what I was told, an old gypsum plant.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Took a number of pictures for future scratch building reference.

 

[Bill Pontin]

The person I talked to said the plant went defunk in the early 1900's. The vein of gypsum from the mountain they were mining became poored and poored in grade. Snuck in past the "No Tresspassing" and "Danger" signs and went inside for a looksee. Took more pictures inside, awsome array of stuff still inside.

 

[Vic]

Hey Bill P....Boy that one is just begging to be modeled Please post a few interior shots too. Any evidence that it had a rail connection?

 

[NYCentral]

Vic asked the same question I had, is there a rail siding? I also would love to see the interior photo's. Great find Bill

 

[Bill Pontin]

Vic and Phil, to answer your question about the rail line - Opposite the structure, along the other bank of the lake, there was a rail line. It has since been converted to a paved "Rail to Trail" bike route. There would have to have been a spur to the plant but I saw no evidence of it. The entire area has been converted to a parking lot and park for the rail trail.

 

[sumpter250]

Nice model, Bill, goes well with my trees. Who did the water, it's excellent!

 

[Bill Pontin]

picture from inside looking down one end. The building was at least as long as a football field with a slight dog-leg. I was amazed at the construction. The building was just iron frame with a corrugated metal shell and roof. (Shud be real easy to model)

 

[Bill Pontin]

sorry about the fuzzy picture, this long cylinder like tub, about 20" long, looks like it was used to mix or pulverize the mineral into a slurry. The entire length of the plant had evenly spaced cement piers, 4 x 4', they evidently held some sort of conveyer system.

 

[Bill Pontin]

guess this is why the place was posted dangerous. This thing?? fell from the ceiling of the second floor, it is about eight foot in diameter. There were three of these things, two still hanging. They had a draw bar chute off the bottom.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Below the area of the missing roof, sunlight can get through. Nature will eventually consume this structure.

 

[Bill Pontin]

more gadgets, purpose unknown, not familiar with the manufacture of sheet rock if that is what was manufactured here

 

[Bill Pontin]

These dome like stuctures from the roof, six of them, is what drew me to investigate the inside. I'm still confused as what they do.

 

[Bill Pontin]

excuse the fuzzy shot, was shooting into the dark and did not know where to focus. This is a shot to the dome cylinders on the second floor. I could not get up to the second floor, but from my vantage point, and what I surmise, is that they are brick lined furnaces.

 

[Bill Pontin]

anywho! this is what is at the bottom of these immense cylinder like thingy dingies.

 

[Edavillenut]

where in mass is it. what town.

 

[Matthyro]

A good looking project Bill. Thanks for posting the pictures.
Gets the juices flowing.

 

[jon-monon]

Originally posted by Edavillenut
where in mass is it. what town.

Yes, that could be very interesting! Know what county? Might find some info on the defunct company Hoping to see interior pix Please please please

 

[Bill Pontin]

Shawn and Jon,
The structure is located in Berkshire county. It is off route 8 just north of Pittsfield. Look for the Rail to Trail parking lot with a lake and fishing access. The structure sits on the far side of the lake to your left. There is a city road that does go past the end of the structure. Everything is quite overgrown and a path lakeside gives easy access to the interior.

 

[Drew1125]

That looks like a great project Bill!
I love finding things like that!
I found an old run down industry near Knoxville, TN back in the summer, & it was my inspiration for this little "kit-trash" that I named Tyson Tool & Implement, for our very own Tyson Rayles!