Benson Mines is a long-abandoned iron mine near Watertown, NY.

The mine was shut down in 1978 and the buildings and have been left to nature ever since. It’s a great visualization of nature slowly reclaiming it’s land.

I stopped by with a friend on a rainy day on my way back to Rochester from the Adirondacks. The rain was moderate at times and the buildings were alive with the sound of dripping water.

Without further ado, the album:

Entrance⌗

Entrance to the facility - and my car!

Entrance to the facility - and my car!

Machine Shop⌗

Judging from the abundance of 440 volt hookups in the building, this likely was some sort of machine shop.

Judging from the abundance of 440 volt hookups in the building, this likely was some sort of machine shop.

Safety for All⌗

Safety for All

No Entrance⌗

Back door to the machine shop.

Back door to the machine shop.

Ore Silos⌗

Rusting silo between concrete silos for holding iron ore.

Rusting silo between concrete silos for holding iron ore. It looked like there was more machinery on top of the silos that had rusted away and collapsed.

Overgrown⌗

Tree blocking a doorway.

Tree blocking a doorway.

Garage Door⌗

Outside view of another building showing the decay of the area.

Outside view of another building showing the decay of the area.

Burned Steps⌗

Even older looking stairs - the mine has history back to the 1800s.

Even older looking stairs - the mine has history back to the 1800s, but this is probably not that old. The building on top of it appears to have burned, leaving behind electric wires and boxes.

Abandoned Excavator⌗

Likely a Massey Ferguson 450.

…With no bucket. Likely a Massey Ferguson 450.

Abandoned Excavator’s Engine⌗

Abandoned Excavator’s Engine

Machine Shop Roof⌗

Outdoor view of the first building, the roof on this side is nearly rotted through.

Outdoor view of the first building, the roof on this side is nearly rotted through. Most of the buildings were built with cinderblock walls, metal trusses, and wooden roofing.

Workshop⌗

Inside another building, some sort of workshop.

Inside another building, some sort of workshop.

Worker’s Desk⌗

Worker’s Desk

Transformer Gauge⌗

The guts of the transformer were missing, probably stolen by copper thieves.

The guts of the transformer were missing, probably stolen by copper thieves.

Office Building⌗

One of the few two-story buildings, with major fire damage inside.

One of the few two-story buildings, with major fire damage inside.

Another office⌗

Some sort of office area, completely rotted out.

Some sort of office area, completely rotted out.

Bathroom and Sink⌗

Likely decimated by vandals.

Likely decimated by vandals.

Outside⌗

The office/bathroom is inside this building.

The office/bathroom is inside this building, and the first building in the album is visible through the trees in the background.

Exit (Entrance)⌗

Exit (Entrance)

2025 Update⌗

Benson Mines has had a complete transformation over the last couple years. The site was sold to a new owner, who demolished almost every building, clearing the site. More recently, the site has been transferred to a new developer who plans to create a 12-megawatt solar energy generation facility! While it appears Benson Mines’ days as a mine are over, it will live on as a new and futuristic facility.