For keeps.

I’m disappointed that life has recently gotten in the way of photography and blog posts. But I couldn’t let today pass by without a tribute to the Mr. – a guy who barely even raises an eyebrow when I suggest we spend our anniversary touring abandoned buildings. And who doesn’t even complain when I order him to pose beside various busted windows.

More than ever, Mr. – for reasons far deeper and more plentiful than I’ve mentioned here – I’m so grateful to have you by my side. Happy anniversary 💕

Staircase detail, former Gibson School, Hamilton

Interior, former Gibson School, Hamilton

Banister detail, former Gibson School, Hamilton

Looking out, former Gibson School, Hamilton

Redrum, former Cannon Knitting Mills, Hamilton

Headshot in a dilapidated factory? Why not? Former Cannon Knitting Mills, Hamilton

Fallen sink, former Cannon Knitting Mills, Hamilton

Industrial scale (and greeting), former Cannon Knitting Mills, Hamilton

Interior door detail, former Cannon Knitting Mills, Hamilton

Won’t you sit down? Former Cannon Knitting Mills, Hamilton

Window light, former Cannon Knitting Mills, Hamilton

 

Practical beauty.

What, Thursday again?

That means doors are congregating over at Norm 2.0 for his weekly feature, aptly titled, Thursday Doors. This week, I’ll add to the collection, once again, from our Doors Open Hamilton excursion a few weeks back.

The Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology is housed in the old Hamilton Waterworks, a National Historic Site (lucky for me, I keep running into those).

Truth be told, we came here not to visit the museum but for the tour of the current water filtration building, which is on the same site.

The weather had been miserable that day. While we waited for the tour, the Mr. and I wandered round the exterior of the buildings for a minute or two, and I made a few photos.

I was struck by the attractive design and stonework of the oldest structures. Isn’t it a shame that fancy industrial buildings seem to have gone completely out of style?

Later, once we’d returned home, Google told me that the many of the Victorian buildings were built in the 1850s and that the museum itself is well worth a visit due to a unique interior and engaging programming. Maybe another visit later this summer is called for, with kids in tow.

For now, I’ll just give you a couple more doors.

My stock of doors from Doors Open Hamilton has dwindled. Watch out, various local communities, I plan to haunt another Doors Open event one of these upcoming weekends.

As always, I thank you for visiting 🙂

When things fall apart.

With a focus on textures today, these photos come to you from a deserted industrial building in Hespeler, Ontario.

Creepy? Sure.

Intriguing? Yes – that, too (to me, at least).

I don’t know if I can really explain what appeals to me about these sites.

Our abandoned structures are what remain – at least until they’re broken down and swallowed up, too – when the world has moved on.

Maybe they serve to remind us of all that’s fleeting and finite.

For more photos of interesting textures (most of which are probably not as sad and sinister-looking as these), visit Narami for the Tuesdays of Texture weekly feature. Thanks, as always, for stopping by.

Up in the Ayr.

I took advantage of the sunshine to collect more old doors for you today in Ayr, Ontario.

During its most prosperous years, the former John Watson Manufacturing Company specialized in the manufacture of agricultural machinery.

 

Though the company began in the 1840s as Ayr Machinery Works and originally manufactured cast iron pots and stoves, this particular foundry wasn’t built until 1882.

 

The original structure was an impressive four storeys in height. It suffered a devastating fire in 1920 and the current two-storey structure was rebuilt using material from the original building.

 

According to the historical plaque mounted on the building, John Watson – like many of the early influential citizens of the area – was Scottish. He was the first reeve of Ayr. His company was in continuous family operation for 127 years.

 

The layers of paint certainly show the passage of time.

 

The former factory has been renovated and repurposed, and is now home to several businesses.

Thank you so much for visiting (and for giving me an excuse to hunt for more doors with my camera).

P.S.
1. Thanks to Norm for hosting Thursday Doors every week.
2. Read more about Ayr and Watson Manufacturing here and here.

Back in Time, p.2.

For Norm’s Thursday Doors this week, I’ll share a couple of shots I made during a quick visit to Hespeler village, now part of Cambridge, Ontario.

George A. Gruetzner, who would later become the mayor of Hespeler, began the Hespeler Furniture Company in 1901. It operated until 1964. The company manufactured quality bedroom and dining room furniture, including period reproductions.

The vast building is now home to several businesses, including a supplier of corporate promotional items, small engine repair shop, yoga studio, and graphic design business.

I love that the signage painted on the brickwork has been preserved.

I think, based on the presence of one small sign (not pictured here), that the western section of the building is now home to a manufacturer of office furniture, but it still has as an air of abandonment to it. Check out the tiny door below in the midst of all those windows, some of which are still boarded up:

And here is a view of the street-level entrances of multiple businesses on the other half of the structure:

Thanks, as always, for stopping by.

 

P.S.
The historical info was gathered from here and here and from this photo from the Cambridge Archives.