Much like the factory at the start of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, the candy factory that most likely gave you your earliest chocolate memories is now closed. The Hershey chocolate factory was long abandoned, but photographer Matthew Christopher decided to go inside before it was too late. Christopher bravely explores the empty parts of the U.S. and his incredible photos are featured in his book, “Abandoned America: The Age of Consequences.”
The photographer’s father worked for the original Hershey factory before its demise…and now Christopher is documenting its tragically beautiful state before its destruction.
It may look bad, but considering that it was built in 1903, it’s actually in pretty good shape.
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The last shifts.
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If you look closely, you can still see little remnants of chocolate on the machines.
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The move forced 600 people out of work.
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Hershey built a new plant in West Hershey, Pennsylvania, where chocolate production has resumed.
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The place is slowly being destroyed by crews.
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Some of the machines wear sheets, making them look like industrial ghosts.
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I hope the factory can be recycled into something equally important to the community.
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(Matthew Christopher via Business Insider)
To see more incredible photos of America in different states of abandonment and decay, visit Matthew Christopher’s official Facebook page or website. Who knows what other incredible sights are hidden throughout the United States…
