Hyde Park Community
Explore the abandoned Hyde Park Community through the five immersive virtual tours below. Each interactive tour features multiple 360-degree panoramic images, carefully captured to provide you with an authentic sense of place and atmosphere.
As you virtually wander through each photograph, slow down and take in every hidden detail that tells the story of Hyde Park Community. These visual journeys offer an intimate glimpse into a neighborhood full of intriguing history, making it a perfect destination for urban explorers looking to uncover the forgotten corners of the city.
Click here to view it in fullscreen.
Click here to view it in fullscreen.
Click here to view it in fullscreen.
Click here to view it in fullscreen.
Click here to view it in fullscreen.
Hyde Park, a once-thriving African American neighborhood in Augusta, Georgia, now stands as a poignant testament to environmental injustice and community resilience. Established in the 1940s, this community faced decades of industrial pollution, leading to its eventual abandonment. For urban explorers seeking to delve into the remnants of abandoned places in Georgia, Hyde Park offers a profound glimpse into the socio-environmental challenges that shaped its history.
Origins of Hyde Park
In the 1940s, Hyde Park was developed as a residential area primarily for African American families. The land, characterized by its swampy terrain, was considered low-value, making it accessible to Black sharecroppers migrating from nearby rural regions. Under the oppressive Jim Crow laws, African Americans were restricted to purchasing property in designated areas, and Hyde Park became one such enclave. Residents built their homes, cultivated gardens, and fostered a tight-knit community despite the systemic challenges they faced.
Environmental Challenges and Health Concerns
Surrounded by industrial facilities—including a wood treatment plant, a brickyard, and a junkyard—Hyde Park was subjected to significant environmental hazards. Over time, residents reported unusual health issues, such as cancers, respiratory problems, and developmental delays in children. These health concerns were believed to be linked to contaminants like arsenic, lead, and dioxins seeping into the soil and groundwater from neighboring industries. Despite these alarming patterns, initial environmental assessments by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were inconclusive, often failing to recognize the severity of the contamination.
Community Activism and the Fight for Justice
In response to the environmental and health crises, Hyde Park residents mobilized to advocate for their rights. The Hyde and Aragon Park Improvement Committee (HAPIC), established in 1968, played a pivotal role in lobbying for infrastructure improvements and later for environmental justice. Their relentless activism highlighted the systemic neglect and environmental racism faced by the community, bringing national attention to their plight.
Relocation and Abandonment
After decades of advocacy, the City of Augusta initiated a relocation plan in 2011, aiming to move residents and repurpose the land for flood control. By 2018, the relocation was completed, leaving behind an expanse of vacant homes and overgrown lots. Today, Hyde Park stands abandoned, its empty streets and decaying structures serving as a somber reminder of the community that once thrived there.
Urban Exploration in Hyde Park
For those interested in urban exploring in Georgia, Hyde Park offers a unique opportunity to witness the remnants of a community profoundly affected by environmental and social challenges. Explorers can observe the deteriorating homes, community buildings, and infrastructure that tell the story of Hyde Park’s rise and decline. However, it’s crucial to approach such explorations with respect for the history and experiences of the former residents, acknowledging the complex narratives embedded within the abandoned spaces.
Conclusion
Hyde Park’s history is a compelling chapter in the broader narrative of environmental justice in the United States. Its current state as an abandoned neighborhood offers urban explorers a chance to reflect on the socio-environmental dynamics that led to its demise. As with any exploration of abandoned sites, it’s essential to prioritize safety, adhere to local regulations, and approach the experience with sensitivity to the community’s legacy.
If you enjoyed this blog post, you might be interested in learning about an abandoned Regal Cinema, the Mount Tom Ski Area in Massachusetts, or this old abandoned Oak Tree Church Bus.
A 360-degree panoramic image captured inside the abandoned First Mount Hermon Baptist Church in the abandoned Hyde Park Neighborhood in Augusta, Georgia.
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Equipment used to capture the 360-degree panoramic images:
- Canon DSLR camera
- Canon 8-15mm fisheye
- Manfrotto tripod
- Custom rotating tripod head
Do you have 360-degree panoramic images captured in an abandoned location? Send your images to Abandonedin360@gmail.com. If you choose to go out and do some urban exploring in your town, here are some safety tips before you head out on your Urbex adventure. If you want to start shooting 360-degree panoramic images, you might want to look onto one-click 360-degree action cameras.
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