The picture above, taken by Charles Janda inside the Manteno State Hospital, shows what unique discoveries can be made in these off-limit places. His page features an Urban Exploration/Ruins Gallery, links to other UE sites, and photo albums with recent photos, including the Manteno State Hospital (password: visitor).
This image of an abandoned natatorium is from a French page with a massive gallery of places in Europe, such as Bridges, Closed-down Buildings, Hospitals, Quarries and Tunnels. The moody photographs capture the feeling of time and unintended human interaction, what happens when buildings and other structures are abandoned and fall into disrepair.
Many other links can also be found at Chicago Urban Exploration, the Urban Exploration WebRing, and the Open Directory of Urban Speleology.
DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!
(Though I guess that's the point, since you can't anyways!)
Update 01.05.05: If you find the image of Manteno State Hospital appealing, check out The Manteno Project, "the most comprehensive source of information about the history of Manteno State Hospital. This site includes historical photographs, images, reports, and other information about the former Manteno State Hospital, operational in Manteno, Illinois from 1929 - 1985." Thanks to Michael A. for the link.
In our work at Urban Paradoxes (http://www.urbanparadoxes.com) we use a version of "archi-tourism" based on the late 19th c. flânuer in which we examine how both our imagination and urban "symbols" play an important role in demonstrating that everyday life has particular value when it takes place in the gaps of larger contexts (neighborhoods). We stroll on foot, learning to see and examine that which we often miss on the everyday landscape; using our observations to frame questions pertinent to cultural evolution, vitality, and shared neighborhood vision.
ReplyDelete[Moved by web page administrator from original HaloScan comment box]:In our work at Urban Paradoxes (http://www.urbanparadoxes.com) we use a version of "archi-tourism" based on the late 19th c. flânuer in which we examine how both our imagination and urban "symbols" play an important role in demonstrating that everyday life has particular value when it takes place in the gaps of larger contexts (neighborhoods). We stroll on foot, learning to see and examine that which we often miss on the everyday landscape; using our observations to frame questions pertinent to cultural evolution, vitality, and shared neighborhood vision.
ReplyDelete[Moved by web page administrator from original HaloScan comment box]:Thanks for the mention and the link!!
ReplyDeleteI will return the favor at my site.
Of course, if anybody ever see a building in the Chicagoland area to exploe, please let me know!
Thanks again,
Chuck
[Moved by web page administrator from original HaloScan comment box]:I noticed a Coke Plant on your site. Is that the ACME Steel Plant in south Chicago along the Calument River? If not, check out these sites for info.
ReplyDelete