Industry
These are samples of the types of photographs included in the Abandoned Washington State book. Many of these photographs have a fascinating story behind them, which you can read in the book.
The coal gasification plant
Some of the most interesting abandoned places in Washington State are located right in Seattle. These are the remains of the Seattle Gas Lighting Company coal gasification plant, built in 1906. It functioned by superheating coal to create a flammable gas that was used for lighting in homes and businesses in Seattle and as far north as Everett. It shut down in 1956 when natural gas from Canada became available.
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The Georgetown Steam Plant
The Georgetown Steam Plant was also built in 1906. It generated alternating current and direct current for Seattle's street cars. What is remarkable about the steam plant is that it houses the only two remaining intact Curtis Vertical Steam Turbines in the world. The steam turbine on the right generated 3,000 KWH of electricity, and the one on the left, installed later with an improved design, generated 8,000 KHW.
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The Satsop Nuclear Power Plant
The Satsop nuclear power plant is by far the most expensive abandoned place in the entire state of Washington. This was part of a massive project to construct five nuclear reactors in the state. The original 1977 budget was $4 billion, but estimated costs ballooned to $24 billion within five years. The failed project resulted in the largest bond default in US history. Construction was terminated in 1962, before it was even finished! The Satsop nuclear power plant remains standing today because it would cost $100 million to tear it down. You can read the whole story of this boondoggle in the book.
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Photo credit: Jordan Stead/SeattlePI
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Photo credit: Jordan Stead/SeattlePI
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Photo credit: Jordan Stead/SeattlePI
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Photo credit: Jordan Stead/SeattlePI
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Photo credit: Jordan Stead/SeattlePI
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