Urban Exploration with Google Maps

I’m planning a trip for December. Not 100% sure it will all work out yet, but it would be nice to see Winnipeg and Vancouver again. Tonight I started looking online to see what I could find to photograph in Winnipeg as far as old, historical and abandoned or ruined buildings in the city. I found this place. Then I had the idea to look for it on Google Maps. I had the intersection of streets and went from there. Pretty amazing to be able to do that. Urban exploration without leaving the room, without even bringing a camera with me.

But, of course, I’d like to take my own photos, up close and with more attention to the details which interest me.

Why Do I Like Exploring Old Houses?

“Don’t blink. Don’t turn your back and don’t look away.” Quoted from Doctor Who.

I love Doctor Who. The stone angels episode is still my favourite for downright creepy. In spite of seeing it half a dozen times I still half crawl out of my skin at the scenes in the old house. Ironic, considering I photograph old, abandoned houses and never feel anything creepy in any of them. The worst that has happened was the time I think I stepped on a toad. (I’m still hoping I didn’t).

Animals are a challenge with exploring old houses and abandoned buildings and sites in general. I’ve been attacked by a swarm of wild honeybees, chased by all kinds of birds (from hummingbirds to turkey vultures) and cautiously walked around deep holes in the ground belonging to animals I didn’t want to see in person. People don’t give me a problem about walking around. Most are just curious. Some have given me background and history about the location, which I always appreciate hearing. The odd time someone questioned my motives, at those times I discovered the place I was photographing was derelict but not actually abandoned. It happens. People can live in a run down house and still call it home.

What makes an old house seem creepy to you?

Repurposing Abandoned Buildings

Old warehouses, churches, factories and other large buildings have been repurposed as new apartments for years. This isn’t something new. But, as we seem to be getting more abandoned industrial buildings and structures, we need better, practical ideas to keep reusing these old places in new ways.

Sustainable buildings and adaptive reuse is the key to repurposing abandoned buildings.

So far the best use I have seen for a repurposed abandoned building was making it a home for birds. This sounds like just any abandoned building as animals and plants do make their way inside and hanging around outside naturally, without any help. But, in the case of the building being repurposed they had taken the trouble of making it a place for native species of birds to be a breeding colony. Then people collect the feathers, down and guano for fertilizer.

Lately, I read a post by Cory Doctorow about an artist colony being created in Detroit where the homes are very derelict and very cheap to pick up from the bank. The artists have begun living off the grid in these old buildings, written off by everyone else. This is such a great way to give new life to the old places.

I started looking into other ways and means of reusing abandoned places. I found industrial water towers which had been repurposed as new homes. I read about an abandoned hospital being turned into a new theatre. A good idea for taking advantage of all that space and likely available parking too. I found old airplanes, boats and big ships turned into homes. I also like the idea of abandoned buildings being turned into libraries and other places which the whole city or town can use.

Artists are turning abandoned structures into modern art. Nice but not so practical as they will eventually need to be kept up or repurposed again. Also, most of them will still be empty and still attract local wildlife which may not be welcome in urban areas.

Turning Abandoned Buildings into Homes for the Homeless is Not so Easy

The idea of taking abandoned buildings in the city and reusing them for the homeless is not new. People think it’s a great solution to using an abandoned place. However, it isn’t so practical or easily done.

One problem is the ‘not in my backyard’ phenomenon. Not everyone is eager for a gathering of homeless people to be brought into their area of the city or town. An abandoned building will attract rodents, birds and other wildlife and, of course, weeds. It may also be a danger as it begins weathering and falling apart. But, that could still seem preferable to bringing in people who could be unpredictable, needy and desperate.

Another problem is funding for this kind of project. The building needs to be renovated and brought up to modern building codes for the plumbing and electrical wiring. These are not light expenses, especially when you factor in the labour to get all of this done.

Where does the money come from for something like this? Even if the city/ government takes on the project the money comes from the local area through taxes.

One other thing, the building owner may not want to sell or give up control of the land the building is on. Just because a building is vacant and empty does not mean no one owns that building. As long as the owner is paying the taxes they own that place. Never assume no one owns a building just because it’s empty, falling apart and abandoned.

A real estate investor and land developer could hold onto a property for many years before doing anything with it. They may need to pay insurance on a ruined building but that could be less hassle and expense than turning it into a usable space and dealing with laws, taxes, more insurance and tenants too.

Something else which comes into the mix of problems is historical preservation. In order to renovate a building which has been given historical significance you need to stick to specific guidelines and use real historical materials and parts while adhering to modern construction and building codes. This is not so easily done, as I know from personal experience (my brother buys, fixes and rents/ sells old, sometimes derelict, homes).

Links to Repurposing Ideas and Thoughts

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Finding and Exploring Canadian Ghost Towns

Exploring Ballycroy, Ontario

My first ghost town exploration (Ballycroy) fell pretty flat. I had found it on the map. I got my directions so I could drive there. I brought my camera, I was ready. I had read about the old town in a newspaper article about local history. There was a photograph of an old ruined stone wall and a vintage illustration of the original town as it once would have been.

But, the ghost town wasn’t there. Or, not much of it. I found one building remaining but it had been renovated from the old general store into a modern home. I didn’t see so much as the old outhouse left standing along side the house.

There were woods around but all marked as private property with “No Trespassing” signs up on the fences. I knew there was more, likely in the private property area. But, I didn’t know who owned it to ask for permission to explore farther in.

I did see the sign for the town of Ballycroy and a heritage plaque. That was my first ghost town adventure.

Ballycroy: The 1st Ghost Town that Wasn’t There

Exploring Malcolm, Ontario

The next time I wound up in a ghost town I found even less to see. One historical plaque to mark the spot, that was it!

I did drive down the road a bit and see some black young male cattle. They were romping around, beating each other up and doing other things you can imagine young men doing. I felt a bit sad, knowing they were likely to have a short life ending up on a plate in some kitchen or dining room. But, they were having a good time that day.

Malcolm: The 2nd Ghost Town That Wasn’t There

How to be a Ghost Town Explorer

Ghost town exploring is not all you would expect it to be. New explorers will find a destination and arrive there with great expectations. Just like in the movies.

Expect less and you won’t be too disappointed.

Sure there are some ghost towns with a lot more to see. These are sometimes tourist attractions now. If you really want to find a ghost town you need to go off the beaten path. I know of one which I may never get to see myself. It’s in an area which has become immersed under water most of the year. It is only reachable by canoe. There is a bridge which you could risk driving across, with the right vehicle.

Generally, ghost towns are just a memory and a heritage plaque.

Tips for Finding Ghost Towns

Read local history and make notes about the locations.
Read local legends, like ghost stories, and see if any of those towns have fallen off the map a bit.
Watch the local news and newspapers. Search their websites for ghost stories and ghost towns.
Go to your local library, try the history section.
Pay attention to the writers when you find a book about local history. Contact them and ask for tips on places to see.
If you can find a local paranormal/ ghost hunting group, join up. Show up when they get together to explore or give tours.
Look on Flickr, search for photos from urban explorers in your area. Try other photography sites with the same plan.
Join, and participate in, activities with your local historical society. Keep your membership card handy when you are out exploring.
A great map of your area, including back roads, is a huge help in finding ghost towns – especially once you are on on the road. Look at your map, observe dead end roads that seem to leave blank spaces on the map. Look for blank areas where a town might once have fit in.
Learn something about architecture, so you will know what you’re looking at when there isn’t much to see other than some foundations and the scattered remains of a building or two.

Guides to Exploring

There are Ghost Towns Across Canada

Photo Galleries and Resources

Historical Societies

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Urban Exploration and Architectural Salvage

Some architectural salvagers will use the photos and locations found by urban explorers in order to find locations where they take (steal) vintage and antique stuff from old buildings. They don’t follow the rule “take only photos; leave only footsteps”.

Architectural salvage is the stuff (doorknobs, screen doors, window frames, light fixtures, fireplace mantels, etc.) taken from an old building to be reused. This sounds like a good idea, recycling. But, it doesn’t always happen in the most ethical circumstances.

There are more sources for old building parts and vintage items than abandoned houses. So, don’t assume anyone who salvages is unethical. Any building up for demolition is a good source for architectural salvage. You can also try junk yards, estate auctions and flea markets.

As an urban/ rural explorer (someone who finds, explores and photographs abandoned buildings) the architectural salvage people are a bit shady. Not all of them. But some will use the photos and locations found by urban explorers in order to find locations where they take (steal) vintage and antique stuff from old buildings.

This is not something I consider ethical. Yes, I walk around the old places. No, I do not take anything with me when I leave. Take only photos; leave only footprints.That’s the rule for real urban explorers. We are explorers, not thieves, litterers, graffiti painters, or vandals.

I resent people who use my photos of old places in order to harm or steal from them. I try to be careful about who I give locations information to. But, there is no way to be really sure about anyone, even others who do take explorer photos. (You don’t know what else they do when they are there).

However, each time someone takes something from an old building, there is a bigger chance the old place will be demolished or sealed up by the owner. The owner does not have to live in a place in order to own the building and it’s contents. Anything on that property is not yours to take. So don’t take it.

This week a new TV show is starting on the National Geographic channel. It is called, Abandoned. The show is about people going to abandoned locations and finding antiques, vintage stuff, and so on which they salvage and then sell. I wanted to know if they are taking things without talking to the owner of the property first. I was surprised National Geographic would promote a TV show which encourages people to enter and take what they like from an abandoned location.

I had to search awhile, the information is not on the site at National Geographic (at least I couldn’t find it). However, on the site for Reclaimed Relics, I did find a mention of them purchasing the items at the abandoned location from the owner. So, that’s a good thing. It is still a shame for the stuff to be gone. But, better for it to be saved than just continuing to deteriorate inside an abandoned place.

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How to Research the History of a House

Every house has a story and a history to it. You can find out when your home was built, who lived there, and how they changed it. Once you begin peeling back the old wallpaper, taking up the old flooring or wondering why someone put a door in such an odd place… you might want to know more about the history of your house and the people who decorated, renovated and lived in it before you.

You can find this out for a house you are interested in buying or just interested in for any reason at all. You don’t have to live in a house or a property to be curious about it. I like to find old, abandoned or derelict places and find out more about them. The main thing is to start somewhere.

Where and How to Get Started

Take a look around the property and the house inside and outside yourself.

Conduct a search of the house and its yard. Don’t forget the garage, any kind of shed or outbuilding, the basement and attic if your house has any or all of these. A little knowledge of architecture would help you find more about the features of your home and their original use or importance.

This is a great way to introduce yourself to the neighbours.

Ask neighbours about the neighbourhood, how long they have lived in the area and what they know or can remember about the house you live in. You don’t have to feel you are being a snoop or a gossip if you are asking about the house itself.

Talk to people in real estate, especially your own agent if they are local to the area.

Real estate people should be willing and able to find background information about your house (especially if you are interested in putting in an offer to buy the property). Real estate agents will have access to property records from services like land surveys, assessments and such which you might not consider tracking down yourself.

Go to city or county records offices, court houses, the local library and historical societies.

Deeds, tax records, property abstracts, city directories, census records, insurance maps, and actual road maps will help you track down the past life of your house. Your city or county records office can help you begin. Some libraries will have a section or a whole reference room dedicated to local history. You might even find a photo or illustration of your house from it’s earliest days. Ask the librarian for assistance. (Check if they have searchable archives of the local newspapers too).

Find out if your property/ house is considered historically important.

Check with societies preserving local, historic architecture to see if your house is on the list or has been considered. Even if your house is not listed, ask them about your street, other houses on your street and which are the older houses compared to your own house. If your house is considered historically significant you will have to talk to the local government planning office before you do any renovations or changes to the structure. (If you are considering buying the property this is an issue you need to think about).

Articles About Researching House and Home History

Make Your Own Impact for Future History

Just for interest, try exploring your house and the yard with gadgets which let you see more than your own eyes are able (like a metal detector). If you are renovating a space in the house keep an eye out for anything interesting. People sometimes leave notes when they are renovating a house.

We the same when we wallpapered my old house. Each of the four kids and our parents signed the wall when we had all the old paper off. We added the date and a message to whoever finds that bare wall again in the history of that house.

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