Wilkinson Brothers Paper Mill: Shelton's Lost Pulp Mills

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Ghost Factories along Canal Street E and the Housatonic River Canal Street in Shelton, Connecticut, feels like a graveyard for American industry. Years ago, I walked down this very road to explore the Star Pin Company . Today, Star Pin is nothing but a cracked foundation and scattered rubble. But right next door, separated by a rusty gate, sits another forgotten giant. I arrived too late to see any leftover machinery or the previous tenant's last setups. Cleanup crews had already taken over the site. Grey duct tape and thick plastic sheeting sealed off the window frames and doorways. Abatement workers were busy removing asbestos from the ancient boiler pipes. Nature had already started claiming the site, too. Back in 2018, the local news reported that a section of the back building simply fell into the Housatonic River. Since then, the property has been used mostly for storage. Still, slipping inside was surprisingly easy. I came here on a mission. I wanted to find a hidden pi...
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2024 Year in Review





This year, like the last, has been a whirlwind of challenges in my personal life, finances, and mental health. It all started on a hopeful note in January—things felt like they were finally falling into place. But by February, life threw me a curveball, sending everything into a tailspin that felt impossible to control.



Year after year, it’s been the same relentless cycle of setbacks, leaving me wondering if the light at the end of the tunnel is even there. For over two and a half years, I’ve been working tirelessly to pull myself out of a tough situation. Just when it seemed like I might catch a break, February came crashing in. It took months—three and a half, to be exact—before I could even sit down and take stock of where I was, and even then, there were no clear signs of improvement.



But amid all the chaos, one thing has remained steady: my hobby. It’s my one true constant, the small bright light that keeps me going when everything else feels dark and unmanageable. I won’t dwell on the negativity—there’s already enough of that to go around. Instead, let me share what I’ve been up to over the past year, the little things that have helped me keep moving forward.



Sometimes, it’s those simple, grounding moments that remind us life isn’t all storms.










Despite a rocky four months that brought much of my exploring to a halt, I’ve managed to uncover some fascinating places this year. One standout is a hidden gem right here in New Jersey, a find that left me in awe of the history lurking just beneath our feet. On a personal front, I’m still working on exploring a spot in a highly sought-after building in the Bronx. If I manage to pull it off, it’ll be the crowning achievement of the year—a dream realized after months of effort.  



As I write this, my thoughts are already turning to the future. I’m researching and drafting posts about some incredible places I’ve encountered. From abandoned mills to forgotten theaters, derelict churches, and crumbling warehouses, these sites tell the stories of industries, businesses, and communities left behind. Many of these buildings are now facing demolition, thanks to grants and initiatives aimed at revitalizing economically depressed areas. It’s a bittersweet reality—good for progress, perhaps, but a loss for those of us who see beauty in the decay.  



Here’s to another year of discovery in 2025. Wishing you all the best as we continue to explore what’s left of the past and look forward to what’s ahead!










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