koski.html

One of our earliest finds outside home region was this ruined factory in tiny municipality of Hämeenkoski, formerly known as Koski (Hl). There are just about 2000 inhabitants and decreasing.

What else could you expect from a target that's located in a place named Hankala except that it will be difficult to check? Well, after initial finding times passed and it was just a little before millennium that we managed to arrange a night time excursion to the factory. Night time, because when we had earlier attempted to check the place out in daylight we were banished by the owner. He suspected we came to steal something from his valuable ruin because we had stuff that didn't look like it belonged to us in the car. A good thing about the first approach is that we got a clear and brief, literal definition for us and our activity: Epämäärästä porukkaa epämääräsessä paikassa. It really cannot be said better.

The brick factory has been on this place in some form since atleast 1924. But there has also been a sawmill since 1939. They both have been small facilities serving the local construction needs. Last marking of operation is from the year 1969. It's been a while since last bring kilnings, and it can be seen. The roof is leaking and collapsed, but I don't think any "roof breakers" (such that we were also taken to by the owner) are needed to make an old building as this go downwards. It can all just happen by the forces of nature. The sawmill is yet to be checked but it looks very weak from outside.

	In front of the backyard entrance. The building is very impressive in it's all eery decline, but we have to shoot daylight pictures some other time.
	We entered the factory from the side that has just woods surrounding it. This is behind the entrance door. Looks like the roof has been non-waterproof for decades..
	Roof constructions near the entrance.
	Raiztlin at the root of the landmark. The stack is in better shape than most things around it.
	Violator on the badly declined brick firing kiln, which was never very big. The bricks haven't just started falling, heavy items have been dumped over it.
	Where there would be loading way is now a mound of dirt.
	Typically to such buildings there are no real storeys and only dirt floor. Some timber platforms here and there provide access to higher level.
	Only dirt floor inside.
	No wonder water has got inside, the old style shingle roof's condition is not admirable. If there was any more light you could also see the chimney which rises just above the roof.
	This is starting to be nearer to the side of the factory where the land owner's house is, the drying tunnel.
	Drying tunnel a bit further.
	The fork conveyor.
	The kiln. Normally covered side shutterways missed their shutters.
	Looks like this is close to total breakdown.
	You peek to some of those small identical cross groove compartments this is what you see. There are no cappings any more on the outdoor wall.
	Here's the machinery section. We didn't get a clear clue of what has run the machines and what has heated the kiln. Although it's hard to believe, there have been electrified sections in the sawmill and apparently here too. Cox is the best guess for kiln heating.
	Chaos wins, see..
	Balance wheel, belt transmissions have vanished.
	One of the few machines in the factory was this, apparently related to moulding.
	Here's still some remains of belt drive. A Maxwell Gothenburg inspired shot. =P
	More antique machines.

In front of the backyard entrance. The building is very impressive in it's all eery decline, but we have to shoot daylight pictures some other time.

We entered the factory from the side that has just woods surrounding it. This is behind the entrance door. Looks like the roof has been non-waterproof for decades..

Roof constructions near the entrance.

Raiztlin at the root of the landmark. The stack is in better shape than most things around it.

Violator on the badly declined brick firing kiln, which was never very big. The bricks haven't just started falling, heavy items have been dumped over it.

Where there would be loading way is now a mound of dirt.

Typically to such buildings there are no real storeys and only dirt floor. Some timber platforms here and there provide access to higher level.

Only dirt floor inside.

No wonder water has got inside, the old style shingle roof's condition is not admirable. If there was any more light you could also see the chimney which rises just above the roof.

This is starting to be nearer to the side of the factory where the land owner's house is, the drying tunnel.

Drying tunnel a bit further.

The fork conveyor.

The kiln. Normally covered side shutterways missed their shutters.

Looks like this is close to total breakdown.

You peek to some of those small identical cross groove compartments this is what you see. There are no cappings any more on the outdoor wall.

Here's the machinery section. We didn't get a clear clue of what has run the machines and what has heated the kiln. Although it's hard to believe, there have been electrified sections in the sawmill and apparently here too. Cox is the best guess for kiln heating.

Chaos wins, see..

Balance wheel, belt transmissions have vanished.

One of the few machines in the factory was this, apparently related to moulding.

Here's still some remains of belt drive. A Maxwell Gothenburg inspired shot. =P

More antique machines.