The Main Tower of Old Anderson Mill by Rusty Gentry
Rusty Gentry

The Main Tower of Old Anderson Mill by

Both of my grandfather’s parents worked in this cotton mill, which burned down about 20 years ago. If you have never seen an old mill fire, you’ve never seen fire. It’s amazing! The machines were oiled for 150 sometimes 200 years. The oil would soak into the wood in the floors. I have seen two by freak accident, seen flames 200 ft. in the air. It’s really stunning.

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About Rusty Gentry

I came rather late to poetry and even later to photography. I have graduate degrees in philosophy. I realized sometime ago that nearly all of my work makes some sort of implicit argument, and it often makes rather esoteric references to philosophy. Sorry: not trying to be turgid. It’s what I know, and it what Pan whispers into my ear.

You may find my newer, more formal photography at: http://rbgphoto-rusty.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Rusty

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Tags

textiles, south, mill, fire, tower

Comments

  • Charmiene Maxwell-batten
    Charmiene Maxw...over 1 year ago

    stunning and interesting!

  • My Charmiene, you ARE fast. Thank you so much. I’m becoming somewhat proud of my photos. xo, Rusty

    – Rusty Gentry

  • lianne
    lianneover 1 year ago

    What an amazing structure, Rusty and captured with such marvelous detail. I worked for a short while in a very old cotton mill – in Canada of all places – and I can only imagine between the oil and the fibers in every crevice and in the air itself, how intense such a fire would be. Beautifully captured, my friend.

  • Thank you, Lianne. Ironically, you’ve been on my mind all day. A cotton mill was no place to work. The last one shut down in my town was built in 1901. I toured it as an intern at the Economic and Development board and cannot imagine working under such conditions. My mother’s grandmother went to work in a cotton mill at 10yrs old. She had to stand on a bail in order to work the weaver. What horror. Thank you, for the comment, and it’s great to see you. I have thoughts for you soon. Love, RBG

    – Rusty Gentry

  • trish725
    trish725over 1 year ago

  • SimplyRed
    SimplyRedover 1 year ago

    if those walls could talk…great shot..

  • Thanks, Brilliant. No doubt about it, they would surprise us, don’t you think? xo, Rusty

    – Rusty Gentry

  • MoonlightLover
    MoonlightLoverover 1 year ago

    The brickwork is so amazing and the crack in the wall is just
    Wow! I love looking at dilapidated buildings Rusty.

  • Thank you, dear. Dilapidated buildings have been something of a fetish lately. I’ll post more, just para tu. xo, Rusty

    – Rusty Gentry

  • acquaridan
    acquaridanover 1 year ago

    What a wonderful slice of history!!..I loved your description I leatned something I didn’t know before, they must be quite a sight in all their glory, stoked and fired up!! Great Capture and congrats on the feature :0)

  • Thank you, so much. I appreciate the comment. I try to add something, when I can. Alas often, I cannot. Thanks for stopping by to see the work. Cheers, Rusty

    – Rusty Gentry

  • HAMID IQBAL KHAN
    HAMID IQBAL KHANover 1 year ago

    Wonderful artistic photo

  • Thank you, Hamid. I appreciate your taking the time to comment. Cheers, Rusty

    – Rusty Gentry

  • Lyndy
    Lyndyover 1 year ago

    Superb Rusty, love the narrative too L:))XXX

  • Merci, mon cheri. I do appreciate it, Lyndy. xo, Rusty

    – Rusty Gentry