An urban explorer has issued a stark public warning, urging fellow enthusiasts to avoid a derelict former mill in the United States after documenting its dangerous and decaying condition.
A Building Frozen in Time
The explorer posted images of the former Keddy Mill in Windham, Maine, on Reddit, revealing the sad state of the 120-year-old building. The imposing structure, which is scheduled for demolition next year, has been abandoned since operations ceased in 1997. Built in the early 1900s, the mill initially produced paper and cardboard before shifting to steel manufacturing after the Second World War, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
The photographs depict a scene of extensive decay. Most windows are shattered, save for those at the highest levels, and surfaces throughout the interior and exterior—walls, floors, and columns—are covered in graffiti. Inside, old machinery sits rusting, grass and moss grow from the floor, and the building is largely open to the elements, with most of the roof long gone.
Grave Dangers and a 'Red Flag'
The photographer strongly discouraged anyone from visiting the site, describing it as neither clean nor safe. They highlighted that the area is officially designated as a Superfund site, indicating severe contamination of the ground and ecosystem with hazardous chemicals, which they labelled a major red flag.
Further hazards detailed include:
- Floors covered in a thick layer of bird excrement, in some places inches deep.
- Numerous holes in the flooring that lead to 10-foot drops into the dark basement, creating a serious fall risk.
- Stale air in the basement, with insulation and other potentially unhealthy debris strewn everywhere.
The explorer noted that while they believed there was no asbestos risk, the overall condition was so poor that the building deserved its impending demolition. They concluded, "I would never visit again."
Mixed Reactions from the Online Community
The warning on Reddit received a varied response. Some users dismissed the concerns, with one commenting, "It’s totally fine lmao you’re literally describing any abandoned building." Another admitted the warning gave them a "sudden urge" to explore the dangerous spot.
Others suggested safer alternatives, such as using a high-quality drone to explore unsafe buildings from a distance. One user with experience in contaminated sites advised that such locations can be generally safe if you "don’t f*** with anything and wear a respirator." They expressed a fascination with the industrial history and remediation of such sites. A simpler suggestion from another user was that "Someone should repurpose this place into a dope skate park."
