Feb 26, 2010

Lyric

Posted by: Naaman 

 The Lyric Theatre is a 1914 Vaudeville Theatre.

It opened as the premier entertainment venue in Birmingham during the years 1914-1926. It featured famous acts such as the Marx Brothers, Will Rodgers and Mae West. Once named the "King of Vaudeville" in Birmingham, the Lyric is today the oldest surviving theater in a city that at one time had over sixty theatres, opera houses, nickelodeons and silent movie houses.

Currently, the Lyric has been vacant for over 50 years and as a result has suffered water damage from a leaking roof. Although the building is structurally sound, the missing cornice and building cap as well as the discolored brick reveal years of neglect.


1.
047_8_6

2.
114

3.
b

4.
122_3_4

5.
204_5_6

6.
Mural over the stage

7.
132

8.
098_6_7

9.
200

10.
002

11.
The giant stage curtain, which features a picture of a giant stage curtain on it,
is made of asbestos and is quite proud.
Asbestos

12.
153

13.
172

14.
157_5_6

15.
134

16.
109_7_8

17.
203

18.
078And2more

19.
127

20.
094

21.
207

22.
081

23.
183

24.
052_3_4

25.
a

Dragline

Posted by: Naaman 

 There is something to be said for being considerate. When people are napping, you should respect it. Sleep is sacred and Ford Expeditions are sanctuaries of rest for tuckered out security guards. Bless their hearts.

This dragline is honestly the biggest thing I have ever seen in my life that wasn't a skyscraper. The original plan was to go to the top. However, jagged razor wire and a possible light sleeper thwarted the ascent.

I probably would have died anyway.

Before:
EGGS

After:
1.
037_8_9

2.
011_2_3

3.
014

4.
032

5.
027

6.
031

7.
030

8.
020_1_2

9.
050

10.
029

11. "Shhh..."
017

12
002

13.
c

Feb 25, 2010

Return to Ruins: TCI Ensley

Posted by: Naaman 

 Seven months makes a big difference.

In the heat of the summer, at the pinnacle of underbrush and Alabama humidity, TCI looks like a different place than in the dead of Winter. I saw an entire building and a third train engine that I had not seen before. Not to mention numerous smaller structures and holes in the Earth big enough to swallow cars.

Hot Metal
Check it and see
O HI

1. I used to live inside
079

2.
083_4_5

3.
096

4.
137

5.
087

6.
098And2more

7.
156

8.
105

9.
148

10.
155

11.
097

12.
077

13.
151