The city of Woonsocket in Northern Rhode Island was one of the key communities involved in the American Industrial Revolution. Ample water power, thanks to the Blackstone River, led to a mill boom in the community. By 1842, twenty mills operated in the relatively small city. The invention of the railroad enhanced the value of these mills, and a heavy wave of immigration - primarily French Canadian - created a population and cultural expansion that is still evident today. By the mid nineteenth century, Woonsocket was one of the largest textile manufacturing communities in the nation. This would all change in the early 20th century as southern textile industry prospered and the Great Depression forced several of the larger mills in the state to close. By the latter half of the 20th century, historic mill buildings were being sold for office space, condominiums, or were being re-purposed for other industrial uses. The mill in today's photo dates to the nineteenth century boom, but in 1979 it was purchased by Northern Products, a chemical firm that is the leading manufacturer of those glow sticks you see kids waving at circuses and parades. Today it's being torn down. The demolition of yet another historic mill in Rhode Island is testament to the region's transition from being an industrial and manufacturing base to a more service oriented community. Unfortunately, the buildings are not the only casualties. The jobs that these buildings supported are also destroyed.
Post processing started with a photo pop filter in Topaz Adjust. Back in PSE I did a bit of editing to remove an annoying and distracting contrail from a passing jet, and also to remove a small section of lumber that damaged the overall composition but couldn't be cropped out. A slight levels adjustment completed the image.
Very cool industrial shot. Too bad they had to tear it down as it looks like it could be repurposed. Maybe too contaminated? Are they going to leave the stack?
Wonderful composition and great color... sometimes demolition is progress and sometimes it is sad. Hope the jobs can be recovered in the service industry.
@anndee I'm not sure what they plan to do with the stack. I do hope they leave it, but I suspect it will depend on the plans for the property. As to contamination, the building had a "for lease" sign on it for well over a year, so I don't think there's a problem with the property. More likely, the owners found a buyer and the plans don't include a mill building.
@calm Rhode Island is typically first into a recession and last out of one. The state's unemployment is currently 11%, well over the national average of 8.1%. If things I'm aware of at work come to pass, that number's going to jump even higher. At the moment, in this state, even our service industry is heading east - as in, to India.
@megsy Thanks, Meg! As you've probably noticed, the story behind the photos fascinate me.
@calm Rhode Island is typically first into a recession and last out of one. The state's unemployment is currently 11%, well over the national average of 8.1%. If things I'm aware of at work come to pass, that number's going to jump even higher. At the moment, in this state, even our service industry is heading east - as in, to India.
@megsy Thanks, Meg! As you've probably noticed, the story behind the photos fascinate me.