This location was a real surprise. We expected an abandoned, empty funeral home. Turns out it was much, much worse than that.
The owner, Clyde Booth, dreamed of a place of rest that would never be forgotten, and never fall into disrepair, like so many cemeteries do. His business model was based off of low cost burial and perpetual care, under the promise that the mound would continue to expand and never fall to decay and neglect. Obviously, very few people bought into the idea, and the mound was forced to close due to lack of funds. Everything about the place is off. The way the "mausoleum" section was
designed, as an open room with racks, the way the caskets were simply
placed onto the racks. At the time of Mr. Booth's passing, the mound was sealed and in good condition. The government took ownership of the property after his passing, due to lapsed tax payments. It seems they never bothered to go inspect their new property.
Today, the Mound has been broken into and scrapped. It appears that human remains were left behind when the building was abandoned. When we discovered the caskets with human remains, we got out of there pretty quick and filed an anonymous tip with the police. According to others in the exploration community, many others have also filed reports to police and new outlets. Despite this, nothing has been done.
Update : According to a friend in the exploration community, the FBI is now involved in this case, though that may not be true. One would hope that efforts to clean up the place, or at least secure it, are under way.
Update two : The Bessemer Police have sealed this location, and an investigation has begun. A skull was stolen from one of the coffins
Update three : The remains left behind have been identified and relocated. Who knows how many more years the remains would have been left behind, were it not for the efforts of explorers who exposed this location.
Fotomoto
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Memorial Mound
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Monday, October 13, 2014
Atop Ruffner Mountain
Atop Birmingham's Ruffner Mountain sits the abandoned Wharton Fire Tower.The tower, built in 1941, fell into disuse in the '70s once increased development and cheap aircraft fire spotting obsoleted the tower.
During its time of use, one or two men would climb the tower and stand vigil, looking for fires in the forests. If one was spotted, they used a rangefinding device to relay the location of the fire to the proper authorities. The tower also served as a mounting point for a radio navigation beacon, aiding pilots on their way to the Birmingham Municipal Airport. Today, the tower is used for a Birmingham School educational program, and possibly for some other radio services. The hum of electrical equipment can be heard coming from the locked doors of the building at the base of the tower. Entry to the top of the tower requires a tall ladder, as the stairs leading to ground level have been removed, climbing safety equipment, and a strong nerve. Many of the wooden stairs are rotted or missing altogether. The doors to the transmitter building have bullet holes in them.
During its time of use, one or two men would climb the tower and stand vigil, looking for fires in the forests. If one was spotted, they used a rangefinding device to relay the location of the fire to the proper authorities. The tower also served as a mounting point for a radio navigation beacon, aiding pilots on their way to the Birmingham Municipal Airport. Today, the tower is used for a Birmingham School educational program, and possibly for some other radio services. The hum of electrical equipment can be heard coming from the locked doors of the building at the base of the tower. Entry to the top of the tower requires a tall ladder, as the stairs leading to ground level have been removed, climbing safety equipment, and a strong nerve. Many of the wooden stairs are rotted or missing altogether. The doors to the transmitter building have bullet holes in them.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
The Cave Tour
This small cave was once open for tours, and featured a small boat dock at the bottom so you could paddle out on the underground lake. The tour business fell victim to the recession, and is now closed.
We turned on the breakers, and surprisingly, the location still has power. Some of the lights left behind in the cave came to life. Whoever owns this property is still paying the power bill.
The docks now float randomly inside the cave's lake. The boats have either sunk, or been removed.
We turned on the breakers, and surprisingly, the location still has power. Some of the lights left behind in the cave came to life. Whoever owns this property is still paying the power bill.
The docks now float randomly inside the cave's lake. The boats have either sunk, or been removed.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Republic Steel
A quick pass through Republic Steel.
Strange things were stored inside the Admin Building!
A shooting range, complete with a steel bullet trap, can be found in the basement. They used .22 short.
Strange things were stored inside the Admin Building!
A shooting range, complete with a steel bullet trap, can be found in the basement. They used .22 short.
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