Old abandoned Girls School (Alma College)

[Toogy]

Took some photos of the old Alma College here in my hometown, it was an all-girls school that was built in the late 1800's. After you take a look at my photos, if you want to see what it looked like in it's glory days, please take a look at this website http://www.elgin.ca/alma.html
It is sad to see it in such bad shape these days.

http://www.pbase.com/toogy/image/46084935.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/toogy/image/46084915.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/toogy/image/46084916.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/toogy/image/46084917.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/toogy/image/46084933.jpg

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http://www.pbase.com/toogy/image/46084925.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/toogy/image/46084924.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/toogy/image/46084919.jpg

More can be seen on my online gallery at http://www.pbase.com/toogy/alma_college

Thanks for looking

[defordphoto]

An absolute travesty to see a building with this much character left to the elements. You are lucky to help preserve a bit of its history. I would love to shoot this building.

[DwightMcCann]

Oh, my, what a studio that could make! What glamor shots we could all shoot! Charles, bring a batch of them model types to this place! We could line that stairwell with scantily clad ladies ... damn drool on my keyboard!

[Toogy]

Yes, too bad the place is so moldy you can hardly breath in the there. My allergies are still going nuts and it's been a few hours since I have been home.

[DwightMcCann]

Hey, you could have kept that part to yourself! :-) It LOOKS perfect! How can a beautiful structure like this in a beautiful setting like St. Thomas sit idle? Put your mold filter back on and get in there and shoot some details, like the stonework, railings, door openers, and that incredible amphitheater!

[RockSlut]

Great shots Toogy! I think you're very lucky to have such an exquisite location available to you. I'd be very pleased if you could pm me the location of it, because if and when we travel to the Canada, I would love to make a stop there!

You've done a great job capturing the feel of the building. Congratulations!

[Reflection]

Amazing! Abandoned buildings have a true beauty, and this looks in relatively good condition compared to others - no obvious vandalism or burning, at least from what you have shown. Certainly make use of it!

[4nR]

beautiful building. is it just abandoned? such a waste.

[cjm]

Man you're making me jealous! Great shots.

[bikerider]

That building is fantatstic, very well shot too, I really like your perspectives and angle shots a truly excellent location for all kinds of shoots.
Roger.

[schmoelzel]

Hi Jeff......I have been thinking of going in there myself but wasn't sure if you are allowed. Is the place fenced-off or can one just walk in freely? Let me know please...........

[Toogy]

Well you can walk in the area freely, but the building is locked up. A group of us arranged a private tour with the owner to get access to the building.
They are currently renovating the area, or it at least appears that way.

[sageone]

Fantastic flicks. Really captivating. Almost haunting.

[Learner]

Great series of pictures. They all came out very nice:)

[JMAS]

How can it be?
Such a beautiful place. It could be turned into anything, nowadays.

Great work with the photos!

[Spearin]

I love the staircase shot! I think I've been to St. Thomas... can't remember, I know I've been to St. Jacobs and St. Marys though :P

[chet79]

AWESOME shots :)

that place looks like so much fun to explore.

[ZekaG]

Nice shots, I like them all.

[Familia]

Outstanding pictures.

[jessiper]

I love them, especially the last 3. You don't see buildings like that in America. :(

[smarrable]

Very good shots, I love the second picture - let's hope it gets used again at some point.

Steve

[photojag]

these are very inspiring... good job

[JamOne]

that last photo, that whole scene is beautiful

[J T]

I love them, especially the last 3. You don't see buildings like that in America. :(

To the contrary, visit Detroit sometime. :lol:

[gcobb]

Even as snapshots with a P&S those are classic. I love to see places like that.

[AndysArchives]

thats an awesome structure

[cbock]

a real shame. but, some wonderful shots. nicely done.

[Echo_]

so why was it closed in 1994?

[Toogy]

so why was it closed in 1994?

Lack of funding, and poor management.

[mrclark321]

Great shots Jeff, sure would like a chance to check it out also.

Dan

[badrotation]

What font do you use for the copyright?

[Toogy]

Scriptina

[switchblade5984]

just abandoned? un believable i love the arcitecture! must be nice to be able to shoot that well maybe for the mold issues just use a breather !

[CookieMonster]

awesome images

[michael_]

have you been back since jeff? they still renovating it? damn this place would be a gold mine for a major hotel chain

[Toogy]

It's still in exactly the same shape, probably worse actually. They used part of the school for some of the scenes in the Silent Hill movie last year, but other than that, nothing has happened.

[Croasdail]

Is the building for sale?

[Toogy]

Technically it is owned by someone, but they aren't doing much with it.

[photog_87]

I need to find more abandonded properties... absolutely gorgeous!

[michael_]

Technically it is owned by someone, but they aren't doing much with it.

damn what a shame, if it was here in australia id think about contacting the owner to purchase it.

[badrotation]

Scriptina

Thanks

[ericn222]

What a great place! I cannot believe that such a place would be allowed to rot away like that. If those halls could only talk. Excellent shots.

[Yinne]

It is a sad day in St. Thomas. As I sit here typing this message to all of you, our beloved Alma College is in flames. Arsen is highly suspected, and the smoke can be seen from over a mile away.

[Toogy]

I know... just got this photo sent to me by my friend :(

[theague]

Wow, what a shame. :(

[_aravena]

Now it'd make very interesting pictures...but still sad none the less.

[SoloDallas]

I had seen the thread only for it's been bumped by the latest news. Only, for some reason, I started reading from page one. Didn't mind for the date yet.
So after going thru' all those images of such a lovely place, I learn it's in flames.

It hurts.

[joayne]

OMG.. I just found this treatd an read all the way through to find that it has burned.

Jeff, your images are fantastic and now to find that the building has burned makes them all the more precious. What a tragedy that some people want to destroy rather that enjoy. I hope they find the buggers and give them the book!

Thank you for sharing these Jeff.

[Jinder]

Its gone now. burned DAMN IT~!

[Jinder]

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/05/alma-college-burns-down.php

[Jinder]

http://i.pbase.com/o2/23/426123/1/97789916.GkOjJPM5.100_1533_3.jpg

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[Jinder]

http://i.pbase.com/o2/23/426123/1/97790148.hpmB1M2W.Misc023.jpg