Jul 21, 2009

TCI Ensley Steel Works

Posted by: Naaman 


Built in 1888, the steel plant has been totally abandoned for well over 30 years, most of it for much longer.

BEFORE:


1909
TCIEnsley1909

1937
Scene_near_Ensley_1937

AFTER:

1. 2009
IMG_673

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4. Giant hot metal mixer


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11. Train 1


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From the conductor's chair

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15. First buliding


16. 1st Floor


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20. Door to the Safe Room


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27. Second Floor


28. A view lost in history. These stacks no longer stand.


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32. Basement
This place was a lot darker then what the pictures show.
This one was made with a 20 second exposure and a lot of flashlight action.


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34. The Warehouse


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Admiral

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40. Train 2


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Ensley Steel Works

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44. Sludge pond outside Building 2


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I

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54. Basement (partially flooded in two places)


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29 comments:

  1. Well done, how do you process so fast?

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  2. You have taken a picture of the 90lb death spraypainted on the floor of the warehouse. Circa November 2004.

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  3. Oh my...I know exactly where this is. Can be seen from the overpass between Ensley and Wylam Heading towards Birmingport. There Birmingham-Southern RR still runs through here and I have wanted to shoot this but never got around to asking permission. Excellent photos!

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  4. You don't really need permission, just some long pants and the will.

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  5. How have I missed this set. Amazing work. Love it.

    Where exactly is this?

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  6. Ensley. Can't miss it. Can see it from the interstate for a few miles.

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  7. How did you get in and where did you park your car? nice shots!

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  8. picture 5 is part of the open hearth that my grant grandfather lay,ed the brick in side of it when he worked there when it was in operation.

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  9. My dad worked here,I was born in T.C.I. Hosp.

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  10. What is so bad is the History of all of TCI over To United States Steel which logos are USS and USX. The operation shut down in Ensly over the years and moved to Fairfield. Here it is in 2016 and Ensly should had been around 1903. The Steel industry is leaving the Valley between Ensley and Fairfield after all these years. If USS doesn't sell the Blue building in Fairfield where pipe is made for oil and gas drilling and all. It will be the only thing left. They will use some of the other buildings across the tract. But the Coil making is gone. And #8 Blast Furnace where you see different colors of smoke come out of is Shut Down. The Valley is loosing over 2/3 of jobs done by men and women. It is ashamed to see a Plant this numerous at one time. Doing all types of steel making from Rail Road Rails, spikes for the rails, All thickness of coils for Manufactories for Autos, appliances anything that was pressed out of steel. Steel wire rolled up on a coil. And pipe use for oil wells. I know I am forgetting alot of things made out there. Metal framing for building houses and commercial building. But the main Focus is over One Hundred and Sixteen years. And finally shutting down. The valley employed more people at one time than any other plant inthe Bham area of ALABAMA. Know it is UAB.And look at all the families that where brought up by their parent or parents working there. There is probably someone in your family line that work there at one time. My family and my wife's family. My wife's Grand father was President Of Local 1013 during the late 70's going into the Eighties then he retired. I worked with my Father-In-Law. My brother 25 yrs on #8furnance. Cousins in the Fairfield Security Team and other places throughout the Plant. Uncles and Aunts. It is a shame that the CEO they have now is doing what he did at every other Company he worked at. Shrink the Workforce and close plants and make him and the Investors Bundles of money. In 2014 The CEO got a almost 15 million dollar bonus. Then in early 2015 started laying employees off. The furnace shut down at the end of July. But was not announced as closed to the last of Dec. The employee's that where being laid off was told their positions where being shut down. But the News Reports was told of being lay offs. Two different Stories!!!!! My Heart goes out to all the men and women that Lost Their jobs!!! And to the ones that didn't have. 15 years. I know it is rough on you. You put in almost 15 years with a company and getting just a small buyout. No insurance or anything. And there are people that didn't have their 30 but close to it. You will get your pension but not what you was shooting for. The Company as a whole the last contract before this one that has came out and this one to vote on is the worse I ever seen. Every time it came up contract time. The Employee's lost benefits and pay wages. When I first stated. Their where four different Insurance plans I could choose from and in my contract. My Insurance was paid by the Employer. And every contract after that. The employee's had to start taking cuts. Now the employee Chad to pay on his or her Insurance and it does not have as many plans, and the Insurance coverage is not as good as it used to be. Our deductabiles for out of pocket raised up and copays raised up every time. But to all my Union Brothers and Sisters,!!! I enjoyed working with you. And I don't blame the Union for our cuts. It was the Employer. And if it wasn't voted in. They would bring in scabs for sure. All the Company wanted was tongue out the door.!!!!

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  11. My paternal grandfather worked and lived in Ensley so many years ago. I used to carry lunch to granddad where he worked in tiny shack where he kept an eye on the trains and tracks all day. Currently researching what his title and duties were exactly. I believe he technically worked for the railroad. My maternal grandfather worked for TCI as a tool and dye maker. So sad to see these pictures as I have many memories viewing molten steel being poured from a safe distance of course.

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  12. My paternal grandfather worked and lived in Ensley so many years ago. I used to carry lunch to granddad where he worked in tiny shack where he kept an eye on the trains and tracks all day. Currently researching what his title and duties were exactly. I believe he technically worked for the railroad. My maternal grandfather worked for TCI as a tool and dye maker. So sad to see these pictures as I have many memories viewing molten steel being poured from a safe distance of course.

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  13. I was a Superintendent of a US Steel plant in Ensley for over 10 years. I doubt there are 200 people still working there. There were over 30,000 people working there and the mines when I started.

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  14. Wby dont they clean it up make it look good again i would help clear it back off

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  15. I'm a videographer in Talladega, and I'm looking to film this place today. Any chance you could send me the location? My email is taylormadevideodesigns@gmail.com.

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    Replies
    1. Did you ever get the location? I am trying to to here myself.

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    2. i am really interested too. Could we set up a group and visit unless you've already been there. If so please add me. srknaafes@gmail.com

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  16. 33.516053, -86.904513 (Just plug it into google maps) You interested? I would like to visit here myself, but I'm in Huntsville...

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  17. i am really interested too. Could we set up a group and visit. If so please add me. srknaafes@gmail.com

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  18. I am an Ensley and am interested in obtaining a brick from the Ensley brickyard (that has "Ensley" stamped on it). Does anyone know where I can find one??
    These photos are incredible. Thank you you for sharing!

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  19. I am trying to find anyone that worked at the Ensley plant. My Dad retired in the 80's. His name is Paul (Brack) Mason. He worked several places at the Ensley plant during his 36/37 years of service. When he retired he was classified as a pipe-fitter. Email me if there is anyone out there that worked with him. Thank you and congratulations to Naaman who took the time to take pictures of the company that put food on my table.

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    Replies
    1. Paul, was a friend of mine. We belonged to Steel City Rifle and Pistol Club.

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  20. The request made for someone who worked with my dad, Paul (Brack) Mason, this is my email elliottdivers53@gmail.com. I hope someone is out there.

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