Goodbye SS Independence

Originally uploaded by TunnelBug

These Detroit Rotograte Stokers work great at continuously discharging ash from the burning of coal. These stokers at the Great Western’s Longmont refinery were part of a much larger system of boilers that fed steam power for the entire factory (photo copyright Jon Haeber).
Editor’s Note: This is the final section of the series, “Sugar Refineries [...]

This is the historic Longmont Refinery today. Captured from the ground floor, this large format image shows exactly how many pipes, catwalks, and tanks occupy a typical refinery. Walking through a sugar refinery fills your mind with conjecture, shock, amazement, and curiosity — all at once (photo copyright Jon Haeber)

Editor’s Note: From the founding of [...]

The Santa Ana Winds are clearly evinced using an inadvertent smoke dye in the sky. These hot, dry winds are the cause of some of California’s — and the world’s — most costly wildfires (courtesy NASA/BBC).
I am a child of Southern California. Though I feel more out of place there than anywhere else [...]

The Longmont Sugar Refinery, once one of the Great Western Sugar Company’s largest factories — shuttered in 1978 (photo copyright Jon Haeber).
Editor’s Note: Yes readers! Once again, I’m bringing you a special series. This one’s about the sugar industry in Eastern Colorado. There are three parts. This is part one. Click on these links to [...]