Another installment in our series on abandoned places in the world.
1. Derawar Fort, Pakistan
While the date of construction is unknown, Hindu Raiput, Rai Jajja Bhati of Jaisalmer, built Derawar Fort. Located within the Cholistan Desert, the area was once well watered by the river Ghaggar. Controlled by Nawab Mubarak Khan in the early 1800s, the site is presently guarded by soldiers and serves as a popular tourist destination.
2. Uniroyal Tire Plant, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States
Closed on June 26, 1992, the Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Co. plant in Eau Claire once employed 1,358 residents. With decreasing sales revenues, Uniroyal was eventually bought by Michelin et Cie in 1990, which oversaw the major lay-offs. The abandoned site is also reportedly haunted. Many thanks to NurseWretched for this suggestion.
3. Goachang, Xinjiang, China
Dating back to the first century BC, Gaochang (also known as Qara-hoja) was once an important trading centre for merchants traveling along the Silk Road. Destroyed by wars in the 14th century, the site has been recommended in 2012 for UNESCO’s World Heritage Site status as part of the transnational heritage corridors of Silk Roads nomination. Many thanks to Maxichamp for this suggestion.
4. Herranz Chocolate Factory, Spain
Chocolate ceased being made here in 1998. Oh, this one hurts. A lot. What kinds of monsters are the Spaniards? Apparently, highly productive ones as the 1940s-era factory was moved to a manufacturing plant featuring automatic assembly-lines. The family-owned building has remained empty ever since.
5. Institut Demers, Montréal, Québec, Canada
The Institut Demers (you’re probably pronouncing it wrong, but I digress) once offered a number of college and high school computer-related programming courses. Founded in 1990 and located in a refurbished Steinberg grocery store from the 1960s, the Institut was abandoned in 2000. I imagine this is owed to the utter failure of the computer industry.
For previous entries, please click here.
