On Saturday, probably in order to avoid interrupting traffic on nearby I-70 or the surrounding industrial areas, the first half of the Armour Meat Packing Plant, one of the coolest ruins I have ever had the opportunity to explore, was imploded in a giant cloud of dust.
I had been warned it was going to happen, but I didn’t know it was happening on Saturday, so I missed it. Ever since IDoT had published a map showing a new road going right through it, I was worried it was on borrowed time.
Well, technically only the refrigeration plant was destroyed on Saturday. The slaughterhouse was still standing when I went by that evening.
I took hundreds of pictures over the visits where the owners allowed me and others escorted by the guard to visit the property. It was stupendous, and I realize I still have some photos that I haven’t published yet.
Warning: To those urban explorers out there, under no circumstance should you visit the site in this state; there were hundreds of feet of tunnels under the complex, and I have no idea what has happened to their stability after the explosion-induced implosion on Saturday. Plus, it’s trespassing anyway.
This place was such a beauty, sad to see it go. There was equipment that seemed museum worthy to me. Hopefully there were things salvaged.
Unfortunately, rumor is that it was all sold for scrap.
That’s foolish of true. The large single cylinder engine was worth quite a bit of money
Agreed.
Video of the Implosion can be seen on my youtube page.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_-XtxB28tI
There are also other videos from the day before the implosion of the inside with more to come.
Thanks, Josh! I actually have your video hotlinked already up at the top. Do you know when they’re going to demolish the other half?
Well, i can happily say that i did get to visit it at least once before it came down. I had hoped to see it again. I’ll miss seeing that old smokestack from I-64 when i go visit my grandparents.
A beautiful wild great horned owl let my friend and I pet it up in the top of one of the buildings. It was a surreal and amazing experience and place.
WOW! I am jealous!