Whilst out looking for local landmarks I noticed this old machine gear wheel on the outside of an old mill and it certainly isn't where it used to be. It not an ornament or a decoration but a very good use of an obsolete gear wheel.
I put on my detective hat and had a look around for clues. To the left in that ivy was a buttress and further along the old buildings where more of them. The height of the gear wheel was approximately in between the ground and upper floor of this old mill building.
It was obviously being used as a clamp to stop the walls bowing outwards. A long metal rod runs under the upper floor and above the lower ceiling and comes out on the other side of the building. Another large gear wheel was added and the nuts tightened to stop any more movement of the walls.
Once again call me Inspector Clouseau, thank you all for your comments and FAVS, View with the dark background.
Very cool capture and exploration! In Charleston, SC. After a bad earthquake bars were run through buildings and some had stars and other things on the outside! They served a purpose but are also pleasing to the eyes!!
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