Date: 7.10.10
Location: N 43° 51.608 W 085° 50.442
For the next destination the team traveled northwest 230 miles to the town of Baldwin, Michigan. There we headed south out of town to find the country roads that would take us to our final destination. Traveling down a rustic road we spotted a large cement structure standing alone in an overgrown field. We knew then that we arrived at the Marlborough cement factory ruins. After gearing up, we headed out and began our exploration of the ruins.
Before arriving at the main structure, we stopped to investigate some smaller cement pieces randomly lying around. These pieces had very ornate detailing on them and precision lines, very impressive.
Moving on to the main building we could see large areas of crumbling cement exposing the metal skeleton underneath. We located the entrances into the building on the far side. Inside some of the rooms, large cement chunks littered the floors. Seeing that most of the room’s ceilings were missing, except for the supports, we deduced that the ceiling had now become the floor. Investigating each of the rooms, you could still find some objects that looked liked they were part of the original factory along with other miscellaneous debris.
After completing our survey of the first building, we trekked down the trails to search for the other reported structures in the complex. Down the trail, we found some large metal tubing, a cement outbuilding, a pile of old equipment/machinery and a long angled wall stretching out into the forest.
Shortly after passing the “retaining” wall, we spotted some larger structures through the canopy. Navigating that direction we came to a collection of large archway constructions. Standing 15 to 20 feet tall, they were impressive works resembling an ancient aqueduct system. These archways were possibly railway passages that were used to move materials.
After exploring the archways, we moved on to a nearby structure that contained small tunnels or passage ways. Some of the passage ways lead through to the other side, while others were a dead end.
Another brief trek down the trail we found what possibly looked to be large storage buildings. Some of the earthwork around these buildings allowed access to what would be the top or roof of the building, if one existed. Instead we walked around on the top edges of the walls. After The Professor reviewed the photos of the site, he informed me that some of the buildings were built with reinforced corners. So I’m guessing whatever they contained was of considerable weight.
The next structures we found, I could not guess a use for. There were some elevated platforms and small rooms. Could they have been a section of the roof or an elevated platform above the storage areas? As for the small rooms, were they some type of kiln or furnace?
Pressing on, we came to the local access road and we concluded we had found a large percent of the complex and wrapped up the exploration.
Construction of the factory begun around the late 1800’s and was completed in the early 1900’s. When completed, it was reported to be one of the world’s largest cement factories. The size was enough for a whole support town to be constructed around the factory and it was only in operation for a handful of years before shutting down. One claim was that the nearby lake’s marl deposits (an ingredient in making cement) ran out. Another claim is that changes in the industry made the factory obsolete. After it closed, many of the buildings on site were destroyed to reclaim the steel rebar for the war effort leaving us with the remains we have today. The accuracy of the history listed here is unverified but should at least provide a general guideline. Here you can find a mix of industrial buildings, aqueduct like archways and underground bunker-like passageways, a very impressive site to explore.
Click any picture to see the whole photo set. Or click here to see a slide show.
Team members: cyc0tik, grim, scooter, shovel, +1
