It was only when I arrived at this old abandoned building that I realized just how many dirt roads there WERE back here.
I haven't done my research yet, but apparently this was some kind of construction company. A BIG construction company by the size of the building. Weird there are no paved roads anywhere near this location. I parked and started to go inside for some cool graffiti pictures. No matter where you go any more, someone has had a can of spray paint.
That's when I heard it ... a long painful moan. I stopped dead in my tracks, looking around quickly and measuring the distance back to the Jeep. Hmmm maybe I don't want any pictures after all. Suddenly I hear the whine of a motorcycle. Not wanting to be caught out in the open, I ran back to the Jeep and locked myself inside. The motorcycle made a slow U-turn and went off down another dirt road.
Okay ... pictures out the window are just fine I told myself. I drove around the other side to see steel girders holding up the building. This thing is massive. I wonder what they made here?
All were in good shape except this one. Nature is beginning to take this building back I guess.
As I drove around the far side, I found railroad tracks going right up to the dock of the building. There are two rails here, only one was shining in the sun. This must have been some large company to have these. To walk away and leave this building was an expensive loss.
Here's my plan ..... I can make a quilt store in one corner and live in the other 6,000 square feet!! I stood in the doorway a little afraid to go inside. It just might fall down on my head. I could hear tin siding bumping and squeaking here and there. Then I heard that mournful moan again. NOPE!! I was out of there.
As a photographer, we're always looking for rusty things. Jackpot!!
There's more pictures, but I'll wait till tomorrow. That way you won't have to look at excess pictures of my vacuum cleaner or my puppies.
Here's an interesting one though. Have you ever seen baby roadrunners? One of my Facebook friends has a backyard bonanza. The roadrunners come every year and lay eggs in the same spot. Here's the latest brood. You have to look close ... they are so well camouflaged it's hard to find their beaks.
And of course I can't leave out these guys. I just love capturing them on camera.
Day 17 ... still in Tucson.
Not wise to enter old buildings in my humble opinion and being by yourself makes it that much more dangerous. Glad you stayed out.
ReplyDeleteCute little roadrunners, very well hidden.
Stay safe.
You are right, and this one was a little too shaky to test it out.
DeleteWhat a shame about that business. Like you say a lot of $$ was invested in the building. Would be interesting to know the story. Glad you stayed out too, especially with that moaning..Love the road runners and the hummingbird. Gotta get my feeder out!
ReplyDeleteThe building still looks substantial, but I didn't want to test it out.
Delete"Construction Components Inc. in Vail AZ was listed as Arizona’s largest builder back in 1965 when it went into bankruptcy. All the equipment was auctioned off. They made early prefabricated homes for the masses moving to Arizona. Masses flocked to find either cheap retirement living or employment in the states copper mines."
ReplyDeleteVia: https://markhahnphotography.wordpress.com/2012/10/20/construction-components-inc/
That warehouse actually looks pretty good after being abandoned 55 years ago.
Aha!! Good work Leilani. I had not been able to find anything yet. The steel girders holding it up are still in great shape except for one. Most of it has remained covered from the rains.
DeleteSmart not to stay too long when you are alone like that. It could have been someone injured since you heard a motorcycle leaving or just the sound of the wind in the building. Might even be wise to report the sound to the local authorities so they can check it out.
ReplyDeleteSurprising that another company doesn't buy the place and a manufacturing business. The population has really increased in the area since 1965.
Nice pictures of all the birds.
Be Safe and Enjoy your social distancing.
It's about time.
You would think they would have picked it up for a song, but no one bothered. Sad it's going to waste.
DeleteGood hummingbird photo. Nice how the wings are not blurred.
ReplyDeleteSuper fast camera speed. The secret is to take two pics at a time. The first is most times a tad blurry, the second usually perfect. Thank you Allison.
DeleteDarn. I want to know what that moan was. Guess I'll have to drive up and find out. Interesting it was such a big place and abandoned like that. Nice of a commenter to put the link telling us what it is. Thanks for the picture of the two roadrunners and their babies. One of these days I'm going to get a picture of one:))
ReplyDeleteThose roadrunners are mostly too fast for me. They don't hang around long enough to capture. It's an interesting building, but of course there's nothing left but a shell.
DeleteLeilani
ReplyDeleteTook the words right out of my mouth
contractors components Inc. better known as a desert hardwood saw mill E. success Drive built in 1960
Building permit fee was $165.50 Subdivision is Tuscana Park # 1
foundation was set on January 13, 1960 building was completed and 7 14 1960
With the increase in population, I'm surprised they didn't stay in business. Back then, it was REALLY out in the boondocks and there are tons of manufactured homes.
DeleteHey maybe the other ones that built your place would not be interesting
ReplyDeleteGlad you left, but I'm curious what the moan would be? If no one was around, yes likely wind through the girders BUT when someone was. Hmmm. Maybe Doug will check it out!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine all those girders just being left. There is money in steel, folks! I hate seeing things wasted and the southwest seems to have a lot of it.