Return to the "Bad House in Clinton"

[kokopelle]

On 7/12/08 I revisited an abandoned site that had previously scared me off. Previously on 1/5/2008 I wrote about the "Bad House in Clinton" with the following excerpt:

There is a two story house in Clinton SC. This location was last used as an apartment building. I first visited the property over four years ago. Back then it had a ‘for sale’ sign in front of it and I was not into photography. I inspected the house and noticed that there was structural decay and signs of squatter use. Flash forward to last year. My mate and I were driving through Clinton and I pointed the house out to her. She did not like it, sensing something “wrong” with the structure. After much debate I decided to photograph the property. Today I did take pictures of the outside of the house and never got to go inside. Part of me did not want to, but the desire to find that killer abandoned place drove me. Maybe my angels were looking out for me. A police car drove through the drive-through of the KFC restaurant across the street from the bad house. Then another police car pulled up and an officer went inside the KFC. I took the pictures outside the house and then decided to move onto other places when another police car pulled up to the first.

Well, on a lovely Saturday morning I returned to the house. This time I did not have fear of the location. Inside I found signs of classic building abandonment, squatting, and an urban gathering place. Fortunately nobody was at home! This brings to mind an issue with exploring abandoned locations. Some locations are used by squatters or perhaps worse. Besides backing out slowly (or perhaps running), what else do you do for safety in potentially dangerous environments?

Front of Abandoned Clinton Apartment House

Spooky Front Stairwell with Peeling Walls

Click on a picture to see a larger image.

A collection of King Cobra malt liquor bottles.	Interior decorating on a fireplace	A place to crash
Example of the kitchens in the building	Weird Macramé	"I Love Country" plaque
Down to the Spooky Stairs!	70's Mirrors and empty bottles of King Cobra malt liquor.	The maid's day off.
Looking Toward the balcony door.	Classy 70's Mirrors	Poster for Willie D's 'Trouble Man'
Fairly ornate fireplace	Fireplace with missing mirror	Upper Balcony

Comments

[valleysailor.livejournal.com]

Some of the abandoned places you have been frequenting must raise the hair on the back of your neck. I know it does on mine! I would be leery of visitng them alone. As for personal safety in these kinds of places, I would make it a point to 1) take someone else with me or 2) travel with some pepper spray.
I know most of the people who hang in these kinds of locations are harmless, but consider the one errant crazy meth-fueled loco and you have reason enough to proceed with caution!

[greensh.livejournal.com]

Do you have suggestions for sites in Columbia?