Oink, oink! I really didn’t know what to expect when my friend invited me to check out an abandoned pig farm. In my mind, I was picturing wooden fences and rusted water troughs, a barn of some sort, or an area full of mud pits. Well, I was wrong.
The pig farm is located in Portugal Cove-St. Philips, Newfoundland. You’ll find it along a gravel road behind the “Tilt House Bakery”, off of the main road. It has not been in operation for two decades and all of the buildings (I counted 14 in total) are quite precarious. Windows are broken, ceilings are caved-in, and the electrical work is completely in shambles. Some of the buildings are almost entirely burned down, due to some naughty folks starting fires.
Currently, there is a wire fence around the farm to keep people safe and away from the structures. However, local graffiti artists (and people interested in abandoned places) have made their way through these barriers to see what’s inside. The fence certainly didn’t stop my friend and I from exploring the farm, either.
The first building we entered appeared to be an office of some sort, or perhaps a living space. We saw toilets and sinks, cabinets and desks, and even a room with clothing on the floor and empty shelves on the wall. The basement of this building was open and empty, aside from a few huge tires.
The next building was full of pig pens made of stone and metal. The floor was covered in debris, and it was evident that mother nature was trying to make her way through this place. Another building appeared to be the feeding area, which I believe was probably electronically operated. This was more modern than what I imagined for a pig farm, and I quickly realized how little knowledge I have with modern farming techniques.
My friend and I were careful with our footing inside these structures. There were nails, glass, and other substances on the floor, which could very well cause an infection of some sort. Also, reading “be nervous” written on the floor didn’t provide much comfort. Nevertheless, we wandered through the farm and enjoyed analyzing the graffiti and mechanical systems.
Now, I’m not sure how much longer this abandoned pig farm will be here. Locals want it torn down and removed entirely, due to the instability of the structures, and the fact that the farm can no longer be used. Unfortunately, that sort of process costs a lot of money, so, the wire fence is the temporary solution to keep people out.
If you’re interested in abandoned places, and happen to find yourself in this area of the island, then perhaps this location might tickle your fancy. However, please do be careful!
Whoa Dana 