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…
…this enormous iron wheel-shaped machine:
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…
…and behind it, you can see the control wall…
…lined with all sorts of awesome levers and switches that operated the system:
Love this array of gauges:
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):
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
Is this in Bellevue?
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?
http://steampunkworkshop.com/visit-pratt-university-steam-plant
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.
Looks like Dr. Frankenstein’s Laboratory!
You’d love the Pratt Institute power house.
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.”
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!!!”