Generally, what is the Opinion of "Urban Exlporation"

VERN in IL · #1 07/29/13, 08:25 PM

I've noticed it's become some sort of hobby of people entering abandoned sites exploring and filming. Violating every warning sign imaginable.

Various channels on Youtube show this new hobby:

I must admit watching is very intriguing! It's almost like "modern day ruins" so is this the classic "trespasser" or rather is this art?

plowjockey · #2 07/29/13, 09:35 PM

I've done it in past years, in hotels, nice homes, schools, factories and a WWII military installation.

Awesome fun and most interesting, that something once so grand/expensive, is simply wasting away.

Trespassing?

They are abandoned, so in most places, people could care less. The Cops might have a problem.

I never ran into a problem with other "visitors", but times have changed.

Jennifer L. · #3 07/30/13, 06:38 AM

Abandoned doesn't mean someone isn't paying property taxes. We had several "abandoned" houses on this farm, and people continually broke into them and stole until there was not much left. Then they burned one down. I'm talking very old houses that hadn't been lived in in twenty or thirty years, so people considered them fair game, didn't matter that they had posted signs on them.

If you don't own it, stay out.

Callieslamb · #4 07/30/13, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennifer L.

...................If you don't own it, stay out.

Yes! And don't be stupid enough to post a Utube if you do!

frogmammy · #5 07/30/13, 08:47 AM

Generallly, I agree, BUT....

...If I were to do that sort of thing, I wish I had gone into the old St Louis Motor Carriage Company building here in town. They made cars in the VERY early 1900's (closed by 1905 I believe). Would have loved to have seen inside that bit of history!

I also would have checked out some of the OLD brewery buildings in town, and explored the caves under the city...

I do believe there is a difference between exploring and wanton vandalism.

Mon

chickenista · #6 07/30/13, 09:05 AM

http://www.opacity.us/
This site and many others are pretty cool.
Yes, it is trespassing etc.. but it is also a form of preservation.
The photos are the only things that will be left.

And I used to do it when I was younger.. the abandoned power plant on the river etc.. just beautiful.
But that was before anyone thought to record the images adn share with others.
Now I am older and a mother and my brain chemistry has changed.
Now I only see the danger when I think of doing it again.
Sigh....

rambler · #7 07/30/13, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogmammy

Generallly, I agree, BUT....

...If I were to do that sort of thing, I wish I had gone into the old St Louis Motor Carriage Company building here in town. They made cars in the VERY early 1900's (closed by 1905 I believe). Would have loved to have seen inside that bit of history!

I also would have checked out some of the OLD brewery buildings in town, and explored the caves under the city...

I do believe there is a difference between exploring and wanton vandalism.

Mon

I understand your point, but someone gets hurt, will they also say oh my fault, no need to sue anybody?

Hum.

Old shipyards, old factories, what is the lead, asbestos, etc residue....

Not yours, not invited, the only possible answer is stay out, it is trespassing and it is wrong.

Paul

Harry Chickpea · #8 07/30/13, 09:39 AM

This type of video and still documentation can be extremely important to historians if done properly. Back in the 1970s I crawled all over the face and surrounds of an abandoned power dam, shooting as many photos as possible. The dam has since been recommissioned and my photos are about all that is left documenting the original construction. I did a significant paper on the subject for the local historical society that was well received.

The photos or videos can often be just a starting place. I saw some other photos of an abandoned structure along a river in Vermont, where the person who took the photos had no idea what the structure was. With a dint of online searching I discovered that is was a veneer mill that made the plywood for the early radios and Victrolas.

There are other places that for whatever reason are almost never photographed. When I worked at the state hospital, obviously photography was not allowed. That means a whole slice of history is gone. Sometimes you just have to push the boundaries and think longer-term. As long as the photographer/videographer is careful and respectful of the property, I don't have a problem with the idea.

rambler · #9 07/30/13, 09:44 AM

We would need serious liability reform in this country for this ever to be acceptable to any property owner!

Its all fun and games and no big deal, until one of you gets hurt. Then the millionaire lawyers come out, and you look for blood.....

Not aimed at anyone in particular, just society in general.

Paul

TrainChaser · #10 07/30/13, 10:56 PM

It all depends on if you're exploring on someone else's property, or if they're exploring on yours, right?

Americans are the worst "take no responsibility, but sue their pants off" people in the entire world. Far too many people are eager to take advantage of their self-proclaimed "rights", but certainly don't mind stomping all over yours.

For years, burglars and trespassers have been suing their victims and winning.

JLMissouri · #11 07/31/13, 11:30 AM

I have explored many old buildings, and I know of many people who do the same. To sue someone for your own negligence is wrong and does need to be corrected, but it is not very common. The likelyhood of being sued by someone exploring, atleast not in my area is very remote, and there are bigger things to worry about. I still understand the owner wanting to keep people off their property, and anyone who steals and vandalizes is not exploring they are destroying. There is a big difference between exploring and vandalizing. It is against the law, but so is speeding.

arabian knight · #12 07/31/13, 12:36 PM

This is one way to preserve History. Like it or not this is and will be done for the good of everybody in the future. No harm is done, just taking pics so that history can be saved for generations. Too many of these places have been destroyed without any record at all of ever being on this earth.

Maura · #13 07/31/13, 12:50 PM

Simply tresspassing is different than making a photographic memoir. I think if you asked permission, were making a document in film or photos, and had your own insurance, the owner may allow you on the property.

arabian knight · #14 07/31/13, 12:54 PM

Trying to get hold of "The Owner", could be in most cases next to impossible. Out of County, Out of State, and in some cases even Out Of The Country. Lots of old abandoned mines in AZ. Been in a few. Also found out first hand you DON'T want to "pass gas" while inside one of those mines. LOL

plowjockey · #15 07/31/13, 08:14 PM

For me, it was living history and attending a funeral, at the same time. At one time that building had meaning and purpose.

Never broke in and never took anything.

As much as everyone bashes Detroit, it is indeed, the shangri-la of urban exploration.

http://www.google.com/search?q=detro...w=1364&bih=669

theroots · #16 07/31/13, 08:31 PM

There was this one huge old mansion that we explored when I was younger. The woodwork in it was amazing. Made me truly appreciate the craftmanship and quality of that era when things were made to last. We called the place MOBS - mansion on beech street. Great memories