Century-Old Steampunk Hiding In A Hospital Basement


Last week, I was scouting a hospital basement for interesting spaces when I happened to notice something lurking in one corner…

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…this enormous iron wheel-shaped machine:

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As it turns out, this was part of the original steam generator system that powered the hospital in the early 1900s (now long since out of use). Made by Crocker-Wheeler of Oswego, this beast was the electric generator…

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…and behind it, you can see the control wall…

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…lined with all sorts of awesome levers and switches that operated the system:

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Love this array of gauges:

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But best of all, check out this wall of ridiculously huge wrenches that were used to service the machinery (for perspective, note the piece of paper on the floor):

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Alas, the generator hasn’t been functional for decades, so we won’t be powering any time machines or proton packs with it anytime soon.

-SCOUT


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6 Comments

  1. I posted a comment yesterday which appears to be caught in comment moderation hell because I included a link to a web page with photos, but the text was:

    “Looks like it’s been kept clean and in good shape, especially if it’s been out of use for so long.

    On a related note, have you been to the engine room at Pratt Institute? Speaking as one who spent many hours drawing the inside of that place as a student, it’s well worth a visit if you haven’t already.”

  2. Part of what makes your blog SO enjoyable is your exquisite and evocative photography.

    All I can say about this post is … “It’s alive! IT’S ALIVE!!!”

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