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Waterbury’s Forgotten Factories: The Story of Bristol Babcock

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  For nearly a century, the city was known as the “Brass Capital of the World,” with a thriving industrial and manufacturing sector. But when the American brass industry declined in the 1970s, the city was hit hard by a series of economic challenges. Factories closed, jobs disappeared, and in their wake, large areas of land were left contaminated and abandoned. These brownfield sites, once bustling hubs of production, became symbols of the city’s struggle to adapt to a changing economy. By 2019, the city had made significant progress in cleaning up these sites, having remediated over 178 acres of land. Still, 140 acres of brownfields remained, with efforts underway to return them to productive use, offering hope for a new chapter of growth and development. One notable site is the former Bristol Babcock Facility, which operated from 1889 to 1989. The 6.6-acre property, with four buildings dating from 1895 to 1954, straddles the border between Waterbury and Naugatuck. The Bristol Babcock
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From Shoe Manufacturing to Music Studios: A Factory’s Past

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On May 20, 2024, a 117-year-old former factory building experienced a partial collapse of its roof parapet, damaging five parked cars. The five-story building, vacant for two years, has been a concern for the local community, especially since scaffolding went up in 2022. Residents reported issues with the building’s condition since then. The roof parapet, now wrapped in plastic as a temporary measure, is awaiting further repairs. This isn’t the first time the building has had trouble. In 2022, the Department of Buildings fined the property owner $6,250 after part of the facade parapet fell onto the sidewalk, signaling ongoing structural problems. When the collapse occurred, over 100 firefighters responded to what they classified as a "major collapse matrix." This type of response involves both building experts and medical teams to assess the situation. Fortunately, no one was injured, and no one was trapped inside the building, which remains unoccupied. The Department of Buil
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Location: 143 Roebling St, Brooklyn, NY 11211, USA
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Former Empire State Chair Factory

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  Between the Hudson River and the 832-foot High Tor mountain, Haverstraw sits at a unique crossroads of natural beauty and historical significance. To the east lies the Hudson River, while to the west, High Tor State Park—part of the Palisades Interstate Park System—provides a scenic backdrop. To the north, the town stretches to Bowline Park, and to the south, it borders the Tilcon Quarry. The twin smokestacks of the Bowline Point power station stand in the distance, marking the town's industrial roots. During the American Revolution, Haverstraw played a key role. Soldiers used the high vantage point of High Tor as a lookout, lighting beacon fires to warn of approaching British ships on the Hudson River. Fast forward to the early 1900s, and the town was known as the "brickmaking capital of the world." With 42 factories producing 148 different brands of bricks, Haverstraw had everything needed for the trade—rich clay deposits along the riverbanks, fertile soil, and plenty
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Location: 30 Liberty St, Haverstraw, NY 10927, USA
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The Legacy of Edith O’Hara & 13th Street Repertory Company

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  In trendy Greenwich Village, a battle is unfolding over the future of a modest three-story Greek Revival rowhouse at 50 West 13th Street. With its intricate cast-iron portico, this unassuming structure has been more than just a building; it's been a beacon for the avant-garde, a sanctuary for the aspiring, and a home for groundbreaking theater. Yet, in January 2021, when Village Preservation approached the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission, they were met with a disheartening response: the building, they were told, did not possess the architectural grandeur to merit landmark status. The Commission did, however, leave a window open, suggesting that the building's "cultural significance," particularly with the Off-Off Broadway theater movement, required further exploration. The 13th Street Repertory Theatre, housed within this very building, has been a cradle for theatrical innovation for decades. This was the stage where Richard Dreyfuss and Chazz Palminter
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Location: 50 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011, USA
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The Abandoned Kingsbridge Substation No. 3

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  I finally made it to the place I had been dreaming about for years. Ever since I found out the substation by the Harlem River was still standing, I had been trying to visit. Every time I came up from Brooklyn, though, the main gate was locked. It had become a routine—checking in once a year, hoping for a change, only to be disappointed. But today was different. Funny enough, I almost didn’t go out at all. I had been putting up with the noise of kids playing next door, and their summer fun was starting to grate on me. I’d had enough of it. I needed to get out of the house, and this time I was determined to see if the gate would finally be open. When I arrived, I started by photographing the building’s exterior. The gate looked like it might still be an issue, but I wanted to document what I could. While I was snapping shots, a guy pulled up on a motorbike. We got to talking about photography and our shared passion for preserving old, forgotten buildings. He told me he’d seen local kid
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The Artistic Tide: Vewer's Octopus Graffiti Masterpiece

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Navigating my way to this clandestine location was far from a walk in the park. Each step over the jagged rocks, glistening with a sheen of dewy moss, felt like a gamble. One misstep and the unforgiving coastline would gladly introduce me to its myriad sharp-edged contours. These rocks, slick with remnants of past high tides, held a sense of deja vu for me. A fleeting memory tingled at the back of my mind: I'd treaded this same treacherous path once before, making my way to an abandoned fuel oil depot lurking just beyond the fence. It was an Instagram reel that had first hinted at the existence of this masterpiece, echoing with the whispers of the sea. From a distance, the artwork stands as a beacon, a vibrant testament to the intelligence lurking beneath the waves. On the cusp of a grime-streaked shoreline, amidst the urban sprawl, stands the luminous graffiti by the celebrated urban maestro, Vewer. Bold, block letters spelling out "VEW" are splashed across the canvas in
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