Woodstock was once the home of a strong manufacturing base, one that had established itself along the CP Rail sub on the west side of town. But the keyword here is once... many of these manufacturing plants sit abandoned and derelict, their time of use passed. One of these plants is the former home of Metal Technologies Woodstock Ltd.
Location | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Woodstock, Ontario, Canada | ||||||
Built :: Closed | Status | Difficulty | ||||
1913 :: 2005 | Demolished | ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ | ||||
Hazards Risk | Security Risk | AUE Rating | ||||
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ | ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ | ||||
Hazard Observations | Security Observations | |||||
None Specified | None Specified |
Originally built in 1913 as the home of Wayne Oil Tank and Pump Company, the foundry was purchased in 1928 by the Eureka Planter Company. At this point, the manufacturing line included boiler stands and sink brackets, which was later expanded to include lawnmowers in 1947 under the Eureka brand. In 1953 the company was renamed to the Eureka Foundry and Manufacturing Company. Not much changed with the plant for the next 5 decades, save for a fatality at the plant in 1973 and a propane fire in 1986 that forced the evacuation of the plant and surrounding neighbourhood.
In 2001, Metal Technologies bought Eureka out and operated the plant for 4 years, before shutting down their operations in Woodstock in 2005. And since then, the plant has sat unused, save for the occasional explorer and some scrapping activity.
The foundry is an excellent explore for those who love industrial decay. Most of the hazards in the plant have been removed, save for the large open pits in the floor and standard abandonment hazards (collapsed sections of roof, rusted metal, etc). There is no security except for activity at neighbouring properties and rail crews along the CP Rail sub which runs immediately in front of the plant. One also should be aware of the layer of black dust that rests upon the floor and most surfaces... soot left from the near century of use as a foundry.
But other than these, the foundry offers stunning lighting for the photography minded, while enough rusting machines and tanks provide entertainment for the exploring minded.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 UPDATE
Nothing to see here now... she's been demolished.