The Old Quarry

 

There is just something about an old quarry. Mysterious and forbidden in the way they often be, which seems to evoke our curiosities about them even further. For many, they hold a special place amongst memories retained back when growing up locally to one. An interesting place to hang out and swim, skip school, or perhaps party, most likely the main reasons for such interest being held. Usually, old quarries always are associated with some sort of storied legend, or urban tale which is conjured up and passed from one generation to the next. Generally, they are tales told of which combine a precipitating level of fear, coupled with a want and desire of our own to see firsthand. Mention of objects, and or persons said to be submerged deep within the pit, have been circulated around for years. The demise of one, or perhaps possibly two persons said to have unexpectedly stumbled off the high cliffs during nighttime strolls, has been told as well. Regardless of fact or fiction, such tales have cultivated many themselves in wanting to explore further on their own. The dangers within, clearly prevalent in the posting of weathered looking warning signs strewn about, visibly at least give merit to the conditions found lurking inside. Show me an old quarry, and I'll bet you there is some story to be told, and or heard.

 

Inside, thing's are very quiet. A little too quiet. The scene depicted, very reminiscent of a run down ghost town. Left isolated and grown barren over time, the entire location is in dilapidation. Items and structures, lay dormant and  left resting in place. Large pieces of heavy equipment once used to transport mined material, now sit prolifically idle. Discarded and left behind with no intent of collection, they are now left to rust and decay amongst the tall growing grass. Large diesel engines, once loudly straining under a heavy load carried, make not a sound no more. Exhaust pipes which at one point in time, forcefully bellowed thick black clouds of smoke rising from its stack, have seen nothing emit forth in ages. Once a most important tool used daily in activity, now but a solid reference and viable proof to the strenuous work that once used to go on here.  Sitting, now fossilizing like previously lived dinosaurs in their own unique way and manner.  A sad sight to see when standing there looking at them in such a state of abandonment. 

 

Processing plants once assigned the laborious duties of crushing and pulverizing the course aggregate, sit peacefully unmanned. The turning of stone into pebble, and pebble into sand concluded. Void, of the once highly skilled men whom worked and cared for her. Conveyor belts which endlessly ran full carrying material from one spot to the next, have long since quit. Movement has ceased a long time ago when its thriving, living heartbeat stopped. The only sounds of activity heard inside now, come from the swirling winds that eerily flow through its hulking inner steel cavity. Ominous in size, and darkened within, thoughts now lean more towards the frightful and spooky unknowns possibly contained inside. 

 

Old quarries have a certain character, and yes personally I feel as well, a certain charm about them too. In their aging state and declining conditions, they posses a wealth of historical information worthy of being passed on. At one point in time, these specific locations are where many hard-working people made their entire living. Each, helping play a significant role in the growth of a growing community. Product wrought forth from the working pit, undeniably helped play an immense role in the development in, and around the surrounding local area it supported. Newer quarries still very much alive and active today in production, don't carry the same lore that old ones do. They have yet to still earn it. To me, I think It must have something to do with the full life cycle of a quarry. The circle which fully involves its very own death in regards to a once fruitful life lived. Older quarries are a most beautiful thing you see. They are more than just a hole left vacant. In some cases they can be reclaimed, and turned yet once again into something still worthy of valued use to the same community it once helped build. Yes they still must be respected for all the dangers of which they can truly contain, and yes as well in the fact that trespassing in them is highly frowned upon. Still though, you do have to wonder. The next time you drive by, or find yourself around an old abandoned quarry, that you don't feel like sneaking in and taking a look around. C'mon now, don't you?