Forgotten Architecture
  Preservation Through Exploration
 
 

International Fiberboard

R.I.P. 1951 - 2004

  

      For years the giant columns of cedar logs and the rickety buildings had intrigued and interested me when I saw drove past it or went to my dad's office that was on the back fence of the lot. So when its doors were shut for good due to the foreclosure its song of the siren enticed me to explore it and finally see what was inside.

      Putting my four hour spare to good use I decided to head out to International Fiberboard and see if entry to the building could be attained. The big blue building enticed me to come inside and so I did after much struggle and un-comfort. Inside the building was quite dark, dusty and damp possessing the smell of a wood shop with a only a small portion of the machinery in my line of vision.

      Climbing down the space from my entry I walked into the main line of machinery and dropped my jaw. Before me lay a long line of machinery and the accompanying components such as chemicals and lubricants still where the company had left it. In a small employee area the vials of chemicals such as Hydrochloric Acid were still in their place and remarkable still with their contents in them. The fridge that was no longer running emitted a foul smell as its contents which included some pizza pops were slowly decomposing.

      After going through the various log books in a desk that stated numerous fires at the plant I proceeded to the end of the plant where the table saws were located. There was not much to see aside from the huge piles of fiberboard dust so I walked along the other side of the hot press and two storage rooms. Both of these rooms were fully stocked and with a particularly amusing sprocket that was made by FAG.

      Continuing along the other side of the hot press a side area opened up containing various pieces of equipment, huge tanks of chemicals and a crap load of old telephone books. This area eventually brought you to the beginning of the hot press and into the offices area. Peering through the doorway my flashlight illuminated a fully stocked office complete with manuals, coffee cups and recently written notes. Beside this office was another one filled with even more manuals and gave the impression that this is where the plant engineer resided.

      Beside this office was the stairway leading to the second floor of the office which was arguably the most interesting part of the building. Much like the rest of the building everything was here, leather chairs, employee documents, computers and the coolest thing, a huge roll of caution tape.

      After spending nearly 45 minutes going through the office and its related documents I went down the stairs and into the employee room. There was a similar occurrence happening, everything in the lockers was still there including Goosebumps books from a Polson Elementary. Searching through the lockers ate up more time and before I realized it, my class was about to begin and so I said farewell.

      International Fiberboard was hit by arson twice, the first time in December of 2003 when the offices were burnt to the ground and the second time in September 2004 which sealed its fate and resulted in its immediate demolition. It was never abandoned but was in a state of receivership and as a result, the plant closed its doors one day without anyone knowing and being able to retrieve personal items. I will always remember this building as it was like a virgin waiting for someone to explore it, and thankfully I was able to do so before she was raped and killed in an act of brutal aggression.