History Archives - Abandoned

The Ruins of Hanging Rock’s Iron Age

With the end of hunting season and the fall of the leaves, I embarked on a journey through state forests and wildlife management areas near my home to uncover the remnants of old pig iron furnaces.

Navigating History: The Big Sandy River’s Canalization Efforts

The Big Sandy River, bordering Kentucky and West Virginia, was once a bustling waterway with locks and dams to facilitate commerce. Its significance waned with the advent of railroads leading to the abandonment of most locks by 1947.

Road Less Traveled: A Tour of North-Central West Virginia

On a brisk, gray day, I set out to traverse the less-traveled paths of north-central West Virginia, a journey through time and history.

Fairmont, Morgantown & Pittsburgh Railroad

Exploring the Historic Railroads of Fairmont, West Virginia

In early 2023, I ventured into the heart of West Virginia’s north-central region to capture the remnants of its once-thriving railroad industry.

Rediscovering Covington, Kentucky’s Lost Bridge

The Covington Waterworks Bridge over the Licking River between Covington and Wilder, Kentucky has a peculiar backstory.

Louisville & Nashville Railroad Rowland Branch

A Brief History of the L&N Rowland Branch

The Louisville & Nashville (L&N) Railroad’s Rowland Branch stands as a testament to an era when railroads were the heartbeats of American towns. Stretching across 33 miles, this line linked Stanford on the L&N’s Lebanon Branch to Richmond, passing through Lancaster.

Exploring Four Iron Furnaces of West Virginia and Pennsylvania

In September, a journey into the heart of northern West Virginia and southwest Pennsylvania revealed the remnants of four pivotal iron furnaces, each bearing testimony to a bygone industrial era.

The Fading Icons: Two Truss Bridges in West Virginia

West Virginia, like many states in the U.S., has a rich history that is reflected in its infrastructure.

Blazing Heights: Unveiling the Fire Towers of the Mid-Atlantic

Fire lookout towers housed and protected individuals for wildfire search, but many have been decommissioned due to technology advancements, aircraft spotters, and budget constraints.

From Bustling Mines to Quiet Streets: Van Lear, Kentucky

In the heart of Johnson County, Kentucky, lies Van Lear, a once bustling coal camp.

Anchored in Time: The Forgotten Boats of Rondout Creek

Nestled in the heart of Kingston, New York, Rondout Creek once hummed with the activity of a thriving maritime industry. Today, it stands as a tranquil haven and a living museum of history.

The Rise of Coal in Wise County, Virginia

The rise of coal in Virginia in the early 1900s was propelled by the expansion of railroads and the increasing demand from industrializing cities. This era saw the development of many new coal mines in the Appalachian region, transforming local economies and shaping the landscape of communities in southwestern Virginia.

Excello Lock No. 34 South - Miami and Erie Canal

Exploring the Miami & Erie Canal

I joined Jeffrey Jakucyk on a photography excursion where we had the opportunity to explore the remains of the Miami & Erie Canal. Our journey took us from Cincinnati all the way to Miamisburg, Ohio.

The Community General Store

The good old days of the community general store.

Coketon’s Coke Ovens

Many of the abandoned “beehive” coke ovens of the Davis Coal & Coke Company are still visible today in the company town of Coketon, West Virginia.

New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Maybrook Line

The Maybrook Line

The Maybrook Line of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad provided a crucial east-west freight transportation route between Maybrook, New York, and Derby, Connecticut. After a fire damaged the Hudson River crossing, much of the line was abandoned. Portions of the Maybrook Line now serve as a rail-to-trail.

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History