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Centerview

Below is an illustration showing this hall, from a book called "'History of the Studebaker Corporation 1852-1923" by Albert R. Erskine, 1924 (thanks Jay!)


Studebaker Plant Illustration - 1924


Here's a similar view from a 1948 photograph (image: Studebaker National Museum)

Studebaker Plant - 1948
comments

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wow. that's an amazing turn-around. i bet for those people it was hard to ever imagine that place looking like it does today. i bet someone is very heartbroken that it is no longer a museum. i've never known a museum to be bulldozed.
spooky
Thu 02-23-2006
This is a photo of the plant, not the museum, that's just their watermark on the photo.
Motts
Thu 02-23-2006
Ooooo! You have no idea how giddy I am right now! I love, love, love, love, love this shot! :0)
Bri
Thu 02-23-2006
Thank you Mr. Motts, that's what I wanted to see was the "comparison" shot in here somewhere! (love those)
Jude
Thu 02-23-2006
Motts, i love these before and after shots, little seems to have changed in 58 years.
It appears as if the negative of the 1948 picture had been fliped ( the railroad tracks are on the opposite side )
psychadellic one
Thu 02-23-2006
Motts, I love it when you have before and after pics, it just brings the place back to life, amazing......
rtotten
Thu 02-23-2006
It was probably shot from the other end of the hallway, which would explain the difference.
Motts
Thu 02-23-2006
Now I understand what the balconies are for. It looks like the Gantry crane would pick up loads directly off the train cars and deposit them onto the appropriate balcones for quick movement into storage or production. Notice there are no two balconies stacked above one another.
SLS
Thu 02-23-2006
SLS, I think you're right. It makes sense.
Ryan
Thu 02-23-2006
Another place, that was once filled with human activity, silenced. Kind of sad.
Peat Moss
Fri 02-24-2006
that last picture tells it all. great job.
sammy o
Fri 02-24-2006
the top picture reminds me of the back drop of the Matrix.
silkster40z
Sun 02-26-2006
Its sad to think that something that was once a place of creation and activity is now condemned to stand as an abandoned wasteland.....
Coby
Tue 02-28-2006
that is a very neat looking room in 1948 still is now but then it must have been something else.
none
Tue 03-14-2006
Thats a painful illustration of time. Somehow a bit sad too.
Wish I could visit the place.
Leigh
Fri 03-17-2006
Studebaker's seemed like good sturdy cars, my grampa drove one, says nothing but good things about it. A sad way for a great company to end...sitting there rotting. =(
Manzy
Sat 03-18-2006
My favorite Studebaker, and probably a lot of other people's as well, is the Bullet Nose...

http://www.hubcapcafe....pages01/stud5003.htm
Andrew
Wed 03-22-2006
http://www.hubcapcafe....pages01/stud5004.htm
Andrew
Wed 03-22-2006
wow, that facility was massive! and i love the comparison that goes throughout the years. gives some great insight as to what went on here, and now through Mott's photograph we see the same spot in a dark time indeed, nearing it's demise. I agree with the people who say it looks like an abandoned city as well. Awesome perspective.
Johnnsy
Thu 04-27-2006
I spent 30 years in a GM stamping and engine plant that was torn down after I left. Your photos sure bring back memories. The plants are identical!
Bob
Fri 06-02-2006
Have the same feelings viewing these and other photos on this site as I did watching footage of re-discovering the Titanic. So sad but so interesting. Thanks for posting these...a real resource for us Studebaker fans.
John W
Tue 08-08-2006
Once again you give life to a place abandoned and share its history with us too. Only you could make an abandoned plant seem so interesting. Thanks!
Amazed
Sun 02-17-2008
SLS, your exactly correct.
chris dresbach
Wed 08-05-2009
Anybody notice how the windows in the ceeling got darker and darker over the years? I guess the cleaning guy was off duty??? LOL
chris dresbach
Wed 08-05-2009

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