Ex-Ithacan
Oct 11, 2009, 11:28 PM
Sorry if part 1 was boring, and this may not be any better, but at least you'll get a flavor of the city.
Elmira (pop ~ 30,000, down from 50,000 in 1950) is the county seat of Chemung County (pop ~ 90,000 down from 100,000 in 1970).
Elmira was a transportation center (railroad and waterway) for the Southern Tier of Upstate New York, and a manufacturing stronghold. As the years past both of these economic engines slackened and the city has been in decline for a while. (My Brother got laid off when the Toshiba Factory in nearby Horseheads closed a few years back).
The city has been trying to get jump-started, but with limited success. For more info (and a couple of good pics) check here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmira,_New_York
I spent more time visiting the city (three hours) for this tour than I have any other time I've been there, except when I was a young kid and we went to Eldridge Park (http://www.eldridgepark.us/).
Hope the comments won't drive you crazy, but wtf. Let's get started.
I'm starting on Clinton Street a just a couple of blocks north of the CBD.
1.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3981549874_c33f2dc897_b.jpg
2.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2532/3980788481_187a9a4a13_b.jpg
3.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/3980787701_34fc7a6568_b.jpg
I didn't realize Elmira had any rows
4.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2667/3980787905_0aa1339215_b.jpg
5.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3981549398_d51b182367_b.jpg
6.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2554/3980789189_eec53a722b_b.jpg
Not all urban, this is across the street from the last pic
7.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2619/3981550134_276cbd31eb_b.jpg
Finally some businesses
8.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2574/3981548786_0c13d5f79e_b.jpg
9. Mark Twain married a gal from Elmira, lived there for a while, and was buried there, so the city kind of claims him.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/3981551438_31f4ec95da.jpg
10.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3980789849_371dacfd6d_b.jpg
11. First Arena, home of the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3980792305_fc86ffa147_b.jpg
Right after I took the above pic, some young guy riding a bike right at me hopped off, dropped the bike and jumped onto a city bus. I walked toward the bus, but it took off. I checked out the bike and figured it must have been stolen (bad paint job). I asked a nearby coffee shop to call the police. I waited for a half an hour, but decided to move on since I knew my parking meter would expire and I'd probably get a ticket.
12.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3980792561_1e38a4e50e_b.jpg
When I returned to the same corner three kids were checking the bike out. One of them said it was his (he had the serial #) and said it had been stolen a couple of days previously. I told him I'd called the cops, and he said they never show up. :shrug:
Don't ya just love little adventures like that. :D
Back to the walk-about
13. The old Mark Twain hotel, now assisted living apartments for seniors.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/3980792769_da2b179727_b.jpg
14. The old Izards Department store building (the local Elmira dept store)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/3981554584_505c2ca95f_b.jpg
15.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/3980793361_9398863e7f_b.jpg
16.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/3980793973_2159c0527a_b.jpg
17.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3980794279_432dd5e418_b.jpg
18.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2661/3980794547_7384eb95e1_b.jpg
19.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2468/3980794763_83de919be7_b.jpg
20. Railroad track viaduct bisects the city.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3499/3981551212_f844850550_b.jpg
21. Looking north
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/3980795457_73a9e4711f_b.jpg
22. Looking south
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/3980796267_577d8d4910_b.jpg
23. Downtown bus transportation station (and where was that cop when I needed him?)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/3981556958_3bcfbcc4c5_b.jpg
24. Chemung County Courthouse (built in four sections over the years : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemung_County_Courthouse_Complex )
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3504/3980802815_99b37e77ab_b.jpg
25. Hey, there's those three kids with the bike. :D
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2647/3981562812_735c3194ea_b.jpg
26. Next to the courthouse I heard a bunch of gals yelling and laughing. It was coming from this building.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2626/3980806225_63877fab4e_b.jpg
27. I figured it must be the county detention center, and they were playing some basketball.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3476/3981567636_5360cfda08_b.jpg
28. Arnot Art Museum, built in 1833
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2564/3981566878_0af098afe5_b.jpg
29.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2596/3981564966_714d9f6b63_b.jpg
30. City Hall
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3981564746_a5e2ab449e_b.jpg
31. Some detail (and nearly noon)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3445/3981566716_e8849508fb_b.jpg
32. Next to building in pic 29.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2626/3981565824_071b93fc6c_b.jpg
33. I wouldn't step out on the 3rd floor balcony to check the weather.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2641/3980805063_f0999cba76_b.jpg
34. Not sure what's going on with the top floors. :shrug:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3486/3980799057_7c98b11db1_b.jpg
The next two blocks were abandoned except for two buildings.
35. This bank......
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/3980799261_446edbd9d5_b.jpg
36.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3981559922_bc6b6fa623_b.jpg
37.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3981559048_bcef379f11_b.jpg
38.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2552/3981559600_9501dc02b6_b.jpg
39. ....and this "adult entertainment center"
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2602/3980798259_e3f3f66da8_b.jpg
Here's some churches in the downtown area
40. St. Anthony / St. Patricks Catholic church
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2590/3981550734_5d2c3c1356_b.jpg
41. First Baptist Church
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2481/3981551880_66e12f2240_b.jpg
42. Lake Street Presbyterian
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/3981564430_31cc3e1f8d_b.jpg
43. Trinity Episcopal
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3981552706_2942ba4d6e_b.jpg
44. It had a cool roof.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/3981553098_760d3746b0_b.jpg
45. Was Nursing school for St Joseph Hospital, now elderly housing. The building to the right is the hospital.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2425/3980806631_99987fd80b_b.jpg
46. Health Center (but the two gals to the right of the tree were taking a smoke break.:D
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3981568774_ce0d61cd5d_b.jpg
47. More senior apartments
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3980806983_e41f4ff904_b.jpg
48. The Community Arts Center - the old Langdon Pratt Mansion originally built in the 1840s and restored in the 2000s (finished in 2007), a beauty.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/3981569140_f95d280555_b.jpg
49. The Center's next door neighbor. :(
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2638/3980808629_33a7589b08_b.jpg
50. Ernie Davis (great football player for thos unfamiliar) is a native son.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/3980808829_6007344621_b.jpg
51. Little place all by its lonesome.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/3980810091_051e4b2f79_b.jpg
Some abandoned public haousing.
52.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2529/3981570316_d30d5dc927_b.jpg
53.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/3980809615_c85d332782_b.jpg
54.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/3980809901_b990913d65_b.jpg
55.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3981571834_c3a0d9ed39_b.jpg
56.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2479/3981571646_069617ec31_b.jpg
57.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/3981571976_68ae0d50f9_b.jpg
Some pics of residential in the near west side.
58. Under renovation
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3981572194_d1c694f257_b.jpg
59. Completed renovation
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3981572444_94871708f1_b.jpg
60. This one is in need of renovation.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2630/3980811525_d0045cf33b_b.jpg
61.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2538/3981573038_4b66899064_b.jpg
62.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/3980811345_a6b6dd81dc_b.jpg
63. Back downtown
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3520/3980797717_0027322a15_b.jpg
64.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3980797263_8eaeb87377_b.jpg
65.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/3981558124_69343832f5_b.jpg
Hope you enjoyed the tour. :)
Here's other stops on the trip:
Syracuse, NY (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174164)
Watertown, NY (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174175)
Oswego, NY (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174179)
Oneida, NY (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174203)
Utica, NY (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174248)
Gloversville, NY (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174319)
Elmira Part 1 (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174434)
:D
Elmira (pop ~ 30,000, down from 50,000 in 1950) is the county seat of Chemung County (pop ~ 90,000 down from 100,000 in 1970).
Elmira was a transportation center (railroad and waterway) for the Southern Tier of Upstate New York, and a manufacturing stronghold. As the years past both of these economic engines slackened and the city has been in decline for a while. (My Brother got laid off when the Toshiba Factory in nearby Horseheads closed a few years back).
The city has been trying to get jump-started, but with limited success. For more info (and a couple of good pics) check here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmira,_New_York
I spent more time visiting the city (three hours) for this tour than I have any other time I've been there, except when I was a young kid and we went to Eldridge Park (http://www.eldridgepark.us/).
Hope the comments won't drive you crazy, but wtf. Let's get started.
I'm starting on Clinton Street a just a couple of blocks north of the CBD.
1.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3981549874_c33f2dc897_b.jpg
2.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2532/3980788481_187a9a4a13_b.jpg
3.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/3980787701_34fc7a6568_b.jpg
I didn't realize Elmira had any rows
4.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2667/3980787905_0aa1339215_b.jpg
5.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3981549398_d51b182367_b.jpg
6.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2554/3980789189_eec53a722b_b.jpg
Not all urban, this is across the street from the last pic
7.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2619/3981550134_276cbd31eb_b.jpg
Finally some businesses
8.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2574/3981548786_0c13d5f79e_b.jpg
9. Mark Twain married a gal from Elmira, lived there for a while, and was buried there, so the city kind of claims him.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/3981551438_31f4ec95da.jpg
10.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3980789849_371dacfd6d_b.jpg
11. First Arena, home of the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3980792305_fc86ffa147_b.jpg
Right after I took the above pic, some young guy riding a bike right at me hopped off, dropped the bike and jumped onto a city bus. I walked toward the bus, but it took off. I checked out the bike and figured it must have been stolen (bad paint job). I asked a nearby coffee shop to call the police. I waited for a half an hour, but decided to move on since I knew my parking meter would expire and I'd probably get a ticket.
12.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3980792561_1e38a4e50e_b.jpg
When I returned to the same corner three kids were checking the bike out. One of them said it was his (he had the serial #) and said it had been stolen a couple of days previously. I told him I'd called the cops, and he said they never show up. :shrug:
Don't ya just love little adventures like that. :D
Back to the walk-about
13. The old Mark Twain hotel, now assisted living apartments for seniors.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/3980792769_da2b179727_b.jpg
14. The old Izards Department store building (the local Elmira dept store)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/3981554584_505c2ca95f_b.jpg
15.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/3980793361_9398863e7f_b.jpg
16.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/3980793973_2159c0527a_b.jpg
17.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3980794279_432dd5e418_b.jpg
18.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2661/3980794547_7384eb95e1_b.jpg
19.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2468/3980794763_83de919be7_b.jpg
20. Railroad track viaduct bisects the city.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3499/3981551212_f844850550_b.jpg
21. Looking north
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/3980795457_73a9e4711f_b.jpg
22. Looking south
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/3980796267_577d8d4910_b.jpg
23. Downtown bus transportation station (and where was that cop when I needed him?)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/3981556958_3bcfbcc4c5_b.jpg
24. Chemung County Courthouse (built in four sections over the years : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemung_County_Courthouse_Complex )
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3504/3980802815_99b37e77ab_b.jpg
25. Hey, there's those three kids with the bike. :D
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2647/3981562812_735c3194ea_b.jpg
26. Next to the courthouse I heard a bunch of gals yelling and laughing. It was coming from this building.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2626/3980806225_63877fab4e_b.jpg
27. I figured it must be the county detention center, and they were playing some basketball.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3476/3981567636_5360cfda08_b.jpg
28. Arnot Art Museum, built in 1833
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2564/3981566878_0af098afe5_b.jpg
29.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2596/3981564966_714d9f6b63_b.jpg
30. City Hall
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3981564746_a5e2ab449e_b.jpg
31. Some detail (and nearly noon)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3445/3981566716_e8849508fb_b.jpg
32. Next to building in pic 29.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2626/3981565824_071b93fc6c_b.jpg
33. I wouldn't step out on the 3rd floor balcony to check the weather.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2641/3980805063_f0999cba76_b.jpg
34. Not sure what's going on with the top floors. :shrug:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3486/3980799057_7c98b11db1_b.jpg
The next two blocks were abandoned except for two buildings.
35. This bank......
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/3980799261_446edbd9d5_b.jpg
36.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3981559922_bc6b6fa623_b.jpg
37.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3981559048_bcef379f11_b.jpg
38.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2552/3981559600_9501dc02b6_b.jpg
39. ....and this "adult entertainment center"
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2602/3980798259_e3f3f66da8_b.jpg
Here's some churches in the downtown area
40. St. Anthony / St. Patricks Catholic church
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2590/3981550734_5d2c3c1356_b.jpg
41. First Baptist Church
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2481/3981551880_66e12f2240_b.jpg
42. Lake Street Presbyterian
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/3981564430_31cc3e1f8d_b.jpg
43. Trinity Episcopal
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3981552706_2942ba4d6e_b.jpg
44. It had a cool roof.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/3981553098_760d3746b0_b.jpg
45. Was Nursing school for St Joseph Hospital, now elderly housing. The building to the right is the hospital.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2425/3980806631_99987fd80b_b.jpg
46. Health Center (but the two gals to the right of the tree were taking a smoke break.:D
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3981568774_ce0d61cd5d_b.jpg
47. More senior apartments
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3980806983_e41f4ff904_b.jpg
48. The Community Arts Center - the old Langdon Pratt Mansion originally built in the 1840s and restored in the 2000s (finished in 2007), a beauty.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/3981569140_f95d280555_b.jpg
49. The Center's next door neighbor. :(
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2638/3980808629_33a7589b08_b.jpg
50. Ernie Davis (great football player for thos unfamiliar) is a native son.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/3980808829_6007344621_b.jpg
51. Little place all by its lonesome.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/3980810091_051e4b2f79_b.jpg
Some abandoned public haousing.
52.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2529/3981570316_d30d5dc927_b.jpg
53.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/3980809615_c85d332782_b.jpg
54.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/3980809901_b990913d65_b.jpg
55.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3981571834_c3a0d9ed39_b.jpg
56.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2479/3981571646_069617ec31_b.jpg
57.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/3981571976_68ae0d50f9_b.jpg
Some pics of residential in the near west side.
58. Under renovation
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3981572194_d1c694f257_b.jpg
59. Completed renovation
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3981572444_94871708f1_b.jpg
60. This one is in need of renovation.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2630/3980811525_d0045cf33b_b.jpg
61.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2538/3981573038_4b66899064_b.jpg
62.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/3980811345_a6b6dd81dc_b.jpg
63. Back downtown
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3520/3980797717_0027322a15_b.jpg
64.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3980797263_8eaeb87377_b.jpg
65.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/3981558124_69343832f5_b.jpg
Hope you enjoyed the tour. :)
Here's other stops on the trip:
Syracuse, NY (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174164)
Watertown, NY (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174175)
Oswego, NY (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174179)
Oneida, NY (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174203)
Utica, NY (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174248)
Gloversville, NY (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174319)
Elmira Part 1 (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174434)
:D
