CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The forest land, which has belonged to the Lewis family since 1931, was once a general store during the Great Depression, and then a dealership selling used car parts. As the family accumulated more and more cars, the trees surrounding their business slowly blended with the rusting vehicles, creating a unique landscape that was part nature and part manmade. Old Car City gradually evolved into a very big, very old automobile junkyard.

Old Car City
White, Georgia
Oct & Nov 2018

EOS 5DIII, with both the EF 35mm f/1.4L USM and EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Old Car City by Paul Sager, on Flickr


In 2009 owner Dean Lewis, who grew up on the property, realized he could turn it into a tourist attraction because a lot of people shared his love of decomposing automotive carcasses.

Old Car City


Most of Old Car City is in a forest. All of the cars, over 4,000 of them, are at least 40 years old.

Old Car City


Most of the vehicles are from the 20th century, and the classic cars from the 1950s through the 1980s are arranged haphazardly.

Old Car City


For a car junkie, it’s a bit like walking the Louvre, if that famous museum had left the Mona Lisa outside for 25 years.

Old Car City


At one time, automotive junk yards dotted roadsides across rural America. These junk yards were considered an eyesore, so municipalities often forced the owners to put up fences so the public wouldn't need to witness the collection of wrecked cars as they drove past.

Old Car City


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olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Nice set, almost brings trears to the eyes of an old hot rodder. The flora and rusted hulk combo's are an interesting combination (to me). And never forget, rust never sleeps!

Many of my cars were restorations over the decades, all sorts, all conditions, and I did all my own work, mechanical, body and paint, interiors, electrical and torque and horsepower improvements. This place would be a gold mine. In my younger days it would not be unusual to find me creeping and crawling through a local junk yard, removing parts or whole cars/trucks/jeeps and haggling with the proprieter. It was hard work, but a very rewarding hobby. Some years it was the only way to improve my transportation. Was so muich more satisfying than making car loan payments. Built/resurrected some pretty cool cars.

Thanks for the stroll down memory lane!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Looks like nature is slowly eating them.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Another great set and story Paul. Great history write up.... All the images are fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

Raz Theo Loc: Music City

Nice shots, excellent commentary, Paul. I've been thru there a gazillion times but always had to stop and snap a few again, like they were gonna sell one before I got back. <:)
BTW, I think a cover shot or two would have been nice to provide a little visual context for those that haven't been there.
Thanks

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you olemikey, Longshadow, Frank, Raz! Hopefully, the several posts from OCC will inspire some visits for those in the Atlanta and / or Chattanooga area.

merrytexan Loc: georgia

very interesting narative and captions, and great shots!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you merrytexan!