On August 27, several members and a number of our Meetup followers traveled to the Lonaconing Silk Mill in Lonaconing, MD for some pre-season photography.
The Lonaconing Silk Mill in Lonaconing, MD, was in operation from 1907-1957. Construction of the mill began in 1905 as the Klotz Throwing Mill Company. Initially, silk was imported from Japan and China and the factory produced silk thread. The mill switched to producing rayon during World War II. By the 1950’s antiquated machines in a small mill made competition with larger facilities difficult. In 1957 the employees went on strike over wages and the Silk Mill closed abruptly, never to reopen. Many aspects of the silk mill are left in the same condition as when the employees left the building that day in 1957.
Many of the employees’ personal belongings are hauntingly still in place, as if waiting for the workers’ return. All of this was available for photography among three floors of the abandoned Silk Mill.
Today the Silk Mill is privately owned and only groups of photographers are allowed onto the grounds and in the facility by appointment at specified days and times. The Silk Mill is closed to the general public. Note that the entry fee is $100 per person for four hours inside.
The following is a sampling of photographs from three of the members that went on the trip.
