Abandoned Southwestern Freight Depot DSC03080
by Greg Kluempers
Title
Abandoned Southwestern Freight Depot DSC03080
Artist
Greg Kluempers
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
St. Louis Southwestern Railway Freight Depot (Also known as the Cotton Belt Freight Depot)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_Belt_Freight_Depot
Long abandoned, this concrete structure served the railroad better known as the Cotton Belt. A sub-grade rail spur that allowed loading and unloading of freight cars.
Today it is deteriorating covered with elaborate grafitti, but its ornamental ironwork is still impressive.
This freight depot, built in 1911, (opened in 1913) is five stories tall, 750 feet long and has 30' elevations on either end. It was in operation until 1954. It is the only building in St. Louis constructed by Cotton Belt.
Today, it serves as a haven for squatters, graffiti artists and urban explorers. It had previously served as the "headquarters" for Homeward Bound (HoBo) University, run by a man named "Jeremiah the Amish Hobo." The "University" was in operation from fall 2009 through winter 2010.
The location has also served as the meeting ground for artist expo "Artica," an annual art shot held in December.
Currently, the land immediately east of the building is filled with dirt from the new bridge that is being constructed north of St. Louis. Around a dozen or so homeless people reside in a "tent city" in this area as well.
This freight depot, built in 1911, (opened in 1913) is five stories tall, 750 feet long and has 30' elevations on either end. It was in operation until 1954. It is the only building in St. Louis constructed by Cotton Belt.
Today, it serves as a haven for squatters, graffiti artists and urban explorers. It had previously served as the "headquarters" for Homeward Bound (HoBo) University, run by a man named "Jeremiah the Amish Hobo." The "University" was in operation from fall 2009 through winter 2010.
The location has also served as the meeting ground for artist expo "Artica," an annual art shot held in December.
Two St. Louis muralists are nearing completion of the first phase of their project to transform the vacant Cotton Belt Freight Depot into a kind of welcome sign for commuters heading into St. Louis on the new Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Uploaded
November 11th, 2014
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