Loleta Dairy - Main Building

Posted by Stephen Phillips (San Francisco, United States) on 21 September 2008 in Landscape & Rural and Portfolio.

Loleta, California

A large dairy plant once thrived here. It's for sale. Anybody?

When I first discovered this town - about 2 years ago - a small part of the dairy was still operating. Loleta Cheese was still being made and sold at a small retail store across the street.

The Cheese Store is still there - selling Loleta Cheese. Sometime in the past few months - the plant has gone dark. Completely.

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Comments (14)

Betty from New Jersey, United States

A very sad photo. At last we get to see the dairy, but dark and empty. Nice composition, well done.

21 Sep 2008 9:53am

Anthony Lambert from Bielefeld, Germany

Nice Architecture and great brickwork.

21 Sep 2008 10:35am

Kylie Greenan from Richmond, Australia

I agree with Betty, I get a really sad feel looking at this, shut up shop, probably gone forever, a place that once thrived now barred up and dusty...but you have captured all that well here, so emotive!

21 Sep 2008 11:04am

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Buy it Stephen, It would make a great photographic Studio, I can see a huge sign, Stephen's Studio...actually FOGGUY's Studio might do too

21 Sep 2008 1:37pm

@Lorraine: Oh, Lorranine - You humble me. Thanks for the suggestion. It would be such a thrill to do something along those lines. There is ample room to have an entire arts center here. The buildings combine to cover an area larger than a city block. Unfortunately - the costs would be astronomical. Merely retrofitting the structures to make them safe would require a huge investment.

I could easily live here.

Walter from Watkinsville, United States

Old buildings that were built for one purpose can be recycled for many years into many different things. An old dairy processing plant yesterday, tomorrow a photography studio. This is definitely a keeper that must be visited in 5 years to see who the new tenant will be and how it will change the face of the building. What a devastating day the front door had to change the lock and quit allowing the long time employees entrance to their jobs.

21 Sep 2008 3:47pm

@Walter: Sadly, I seriously doubt if it will be rescued. The buildings are in terrible condition - and this is earthquake country with the toughest building codes in the nation. And...

It was odd to run into a couple that was coming out of the Cheese store while I was shooting. We were lamenting the demise of this place; making suggestions of what could save it. The most probable (if the economy ever recovers) - would be a artsy-craftsy shopping center. I looked around and thought of the traffic and changes that would bring to this quiet little slice of heaven. The hotels, motels, gas stations, and fast food places that would spring up as this became a 'destination' - would ruin much of what's here.

Sometimes, we must be careful what we ask for...

Marcie from United States

Sad to see an old buidling no longer in use. Hoping someone buys it up and finds a constructive and adaptive re-use. Nice image!

21 Sep 2008 4:43pm

Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France

I agree with the great suggestion of Lorraine.... :-))
And thanks a lot for your kind compliments... they touch me.

21 Sep 2008 8:41pm

Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom

The studio idea sounds great, but what about a luxuary holiday center for all your AM3 colleagues..? surely you could ask federal reserve for a billion dollar loan - there are plenty of 'billions' getting moved around right now, lol.

I like this shot Stephen because i'm interested in industrial architecture. Designs and methods from back then look unfit for today's standards.

21 Sep 2008 9:22pm

alex centrella from California, United States

more great old buildings, i quess i am like Observing, ( ditto )

21 Sep 2008 9:28pm

Zygene from morlaix, France

Dans ma région aussi plusieurs entreprises ont fermé, il ne reste plus que les murs comme ici.

21 Sep 2008 9:32pm

@Zygene: Comme je l'ai observé plus tôt - une constante est le changement. Le plus triste partie de l'évolution de notre vie - est que la nature de ces vieilles institutions sont remplacées par des flocons âme homogénéisé.

willow from Chelsea, United States

This building is typical of so many in this area - seemingly forgotten and looking a little forlorn. I love to explore places like this and I would be so tempted to go inside. Great treasures are found in the oddest places...

21 Sep 2008 9:59pm