Abandoned Barber-Colman Factory in Rockford, Illinois

The Barber-Colman Company built this factory complex in Rockford, Illinois, after founder Howard Colman and inventor W.A. Barber established the firm in 1894. The company grew into one of Rockford's largest employers, manufacturing textile machinery, gear-cutting equipment, clock movements, and later HVAC dampers and door operators sold worldwide. Barber-Colman's Rockford operations wound down through the late 20th century, and the company was sold off in pieces by the 1990s, leaving much of the sprawling plant vacant. The site has sat largely empty for decades, drawing preservationists and urban explorers who've documented its slow deterioration. Its rooftop water tower remains a landmark on Rockford's south side, a holdover from the company's manufacturing heyday.

Photo taken in February 2024.