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The Mill, Phoenix, AZ
I live in Tempe,
AZ which is part of the central part of the Phoenix metro area. I
did a limited exploration of a place called the Mill. It’s a
hundred year old flour mill that was the business that basically
started this city, therefore it is of great historical
significance to the area.
Here it is. It comes in two parts
The first floor of the tall one is where I explored.
Comparisons have been made
Here is the problem with trying to explore this place; this
historical building sits at the head of the hottest strip in all
of Phoenix, is at the foot of a small mountain giving people an
easy view from all around, and it is a block away from a police
station. If you go during the day, people are sure to see. If you
go at night, people in the city that never sleeps will see flashes
from a camera on the inside from the outside. What to do? I
decided to go at just before sunrise. It will have the lowest
volume of people and the most concealing of light. This place is
also fenced off and padlocked at each door that isn’t welded shut.
I went this morning, parked my car a few blocks away and walked
there wearing all black. Once I got close I put on a hoodie and a
cold mask to conceal my identity. It sounds lame but it is right
next to a hotel parking lot and they also had lots of expensive
lights there recently for Christmas. I got there and the fence was
too tall to jump, so I cut a hole in it and went through. The
first door I tried to force my way into that was conveniently on
the back end of the mill, was welded shut. I went around to the
side and found a door that was chained shut. I spent a minute
exposed to the street, cutting through the chain. I got in. Oh
crap! Of all things I forgot my flashlight! And it’s almost pitch
black in here! I had to resort to using my flash guide on my
camera to give a dim enough light to see where I was going. Here
is some of what I found.
Going down?
Going up?
It was scary seeing nothing, taking a picture, and seeing
everything in a brilliant flash for only an instant, and then
darkness again. Anyone remember the first Saw? The part
where the photographer was going around his house looking for an
intruder using only his flash? It felt just like that, only this
place was way creepier than that guy’s apartment.
After not getting too far I realized that the only way to get
further was to climb a ladder in a five story elevator shaft in
the dark. I was way too scared to try it so I started packing up
to leave. I heard steps just outside and froze. I was in the dark
and therefore couldn’t be as easily seen so I slowly peeked out.
It was a freaking paper bag! It sounded JUST like footsteps. I
stepped out and relocked the chain on the door. I didn’t break the
old lock so all they would have to do is beak my lock and put
their old lock back on, no damage. Except for that chain link
fence! In hindsight I should have tried harder to jump it. I
stepped around the back and squeezed through the fence. Just as I
walked onto the strip a large truck passed by, the driver looked
at me. He pulled into the parking lot and parked as close as
possible to the Mill. Now there is construction going on a mere
dozen feet away from it and there were already two other guys
there working when I left. He could be working with them and he
could have just looked at me because that’s what drivers do when
they see pedestrians. But I’m scared that someone saw me and
reported it, and maybe he is like the grounds keeper or something.
I suppose if someone reported me they would have dispatched one of
the dozens of cops that were a block away; I’m feeling pretty
paranoid right now though.
I didn’t get beyond the first floor of one of the building and I
didn’t have time to take decent pictures but it was a crazy
awesome experience though.
To contact Abandoned But Not Forgotten please e-mail us at abnfco@gmail.com with any questions or submissions you may want to contribute to the site.
I DON'T GIVE OUT LOCATIONS. I DON'T KNOW IF THE
BUILDINGS ARE FOR SALE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BUILDINGS ARE STILL STANDING.
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