After seeing amazing Secession style Power Station, we carried on our trip round Scheibler Factory. We decided to check main part - cotton mill.
Here is some history:
Karol Scheibler empire:
In 1855, Scheibler founded a spinning mill with 34 frames and a steam engine of 40 horsepower. In 1857, Scheibler employed 180 labourers and earned a turnover of 305.100 Ruble in 1860. Scheibler made large profits after cotton prices in Europe increased because of the American Civil War and sold his stock at triple the price, he became known as the "King of the Cotton and Linen Empires of ŁÃ³dź". In 1870 1,911 employees worked in his factory, which was the third largest (9.3 percent) cotton producer of Poland.
Scheibler's factory continued to prosper and he bought several smaller mills in the districts of Źarki and Księży Młyn. After a fire destroyed the factory at Księży Młyn in 1874, Scheibler rebuilt it with 88.000 spindles and built his own "Kingdom" of Księży Młyn with houses for 321 families, a fire station, schools, shops and a hospital Scheibler was known for his social engagement and supported the foundation of a municipal credit association, the Commercial Bank of ŁÃ³dź (Bank Handlowy) in 1872 as well as the construction of a Lutheran and a Catholic Church.
In 1880, he transformed his enterprise into a stock corporation with a share capital of 9 million Ruble.
Old pic:
Like most of factories in my city Scheibler main cotton mill has typical Gothic Revival redbricked structure, with massive pillars inside and amazing windows. Unfortunately all old spinning machinery was removed.
Pics here:
Outside:
Levels:
Staircase:
Old picture of one of the halls used as a canteen in 40ties.
Then we headed to Old Boiler Room which is right next to Power Station. Massive building is partially empty. Unfortunately, in early 90ties 3 from 4 original listed! boilers were removed and sold by bailiff to pay off factories debts.
Pics here.
last boiler:
Also while there, we found the entrance to the old chimney
And of course decided to check it out.
Chimney inside - pictures are not great, sun was just above it, can't really blame it still learning ...
There was a metal ladder inside and outside the chimney, to climb inside one I would need a rope
tried to climb it from outside, unfortunately metal steps weren't attached properly, wobbly. So had to give up.. But ... there was a nice, white cooling tower just outside
I asked my friend Gosia to chat up a random builder who suddenly appeared then ensured her that I'm only climbing up to the first level (with a little door), and started climbing it.
Pics here:
Power Station, chimney and Gosia standing next to green skip
My city - Cathedral, Power Station in the distance will be deccomissioned this year
Chimney again
Halls and spinning mills
Ladder
Cooling tower inside (never seen one painted red before...)
no fisheye
and under
I got down, found Gosia havind a conversation with a really nice builder, who hasn't even noticed me climbing the tower. After a chat about the factory we headed back home, freezing cold, but very happy after having such an evenful and succesful day at the Scheibler Factory.
Here is the first part of my report (Power Station)
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums...er-station-lodz-poland-april-2013-part-i.html
Hope its not boring again, thank you for looking...
Here is some history:
Karol Scheibler empire:
In 1855, Scheibler founded a spinning mill with 34 frames and a steam engine of 40 horsepower. In 1857, Scheibler employed 180 labourers and earned a turnover of 305.100 Ruble in 1860. Scheibler made large profits after cotton prices in Europe increased because of the American Civil War and sold his stock at triple the price, he became known as the "King of the Cotton and Linen Empires of ŁÃ³dź". In 1870 1,911 employees worked in his factory, which was the third largest (9.3 percent) cotton producer of Poland.
Scheibler's factory continued to prosper and he bought several smaller mills in the districts of Źarki and Księży Młyn. After a fire destroyed the factory at Księży Młyn in 1874, Scheibler rebuilt it with 88.000 spindles and built his own "Kingdom" of Księży Młyn with houses for 321 families, a fire station, schools, shops and a hospital Scheibler was known for his social engagement and supported the foundation of a municipal credit association, the Commercial Bank of ŁÃ³dź (Bank Handlowy) in 1872 as well as the construction of a Lutheran and a Catholic Church.
In 1880, he transformed his enterprise into a stock corporation with a share capital of 9 million Ruble.
Old pic:
Like most of factories in my city Scheibler main cotton mill has typical Gothic Revival redbricked structure, with massive pillars inside and amazing windows. Unfortunately all old spinning machinery was removed.
Pics here:
Outside:
Levels:
Staircase:
Old picture of one of the halls used as a canteen in 40ties.
Then we headed to Old Boiler Room which is right next to Power Station. Massive building is partially empty. Unfortunately, in early 90ties 3 from 4 original listed! boilers were removed and sold by bailiff to pay off factories debts.
Pics here.
last boiler:
Also while there, we found the entrance to the old chimney
And of course decided to check it out.
Chimney inside - pictures are not great, sun was just above it, can't really blame it
still learning ...
There was a metal ladder inside and outside the chimney, to climb inside one I would need a rope
tried to climb it from outside, unfortunately metal steps weren't attached properly, wobbly. So had to give up.. But ... there was a nice, white cooling tower just outside
I asked my friend Gosia to chat up a random builder who suddenly appeared
then ensured her that I'm only climbing up to the first level (with a little door), and started climbing it.Pics here:
Power Station, chimney and Gosia standing next to green skip
My city - Cathedral, Power Station in the distance will be deccomissioned this year
Chimney again
Halls and spinning mills
Ladder
Cooling tower inside (never seen one painted red before...)
no fisheye
and under
I got down, found Gosia havind a conversation with a really nice builder, who hasn't even noticed me climbing the tower. After a chat about the factory we headed back home, freezing cold, but very happy after having such an evenful and succesful day at the Scheibler Factory.
Here is the first part of my report (Power Station)
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums...er-station-lodz-poland-april-2013-part-i.html
Hope its not boring again, thank you for looking...
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