Photographer Stumbled Upon An Empty Factory With Fascinating Contents

Throughout history companies have come and gone, even some of the most successful. Companies like General Foods and RCA, staples of the past, have gone completely extinct. Many other companies have joined the ranks of closed down companies, and The Lebow Brothers Clothing Company was one of them.

The Lebow Brothers Clothing Company began in 1950, and their factory in Baltimore, Maryland was wildly successful. The company produced thousands of top-tier men’s suits every single day. At that time, wearing a suit in the workplace and even casually was the norm, so there was clearly a demand for their products.

As office attire slowly became more and more relaxed in the 1960’s and 70’s, The Lebow Brothers Clothing Company began to gradually slow down. Eventually, they halted production altogether and officially shut down and abandoned the factory in 1985.

Matthew Christopher is a photographer most well known for his work in the Abandoned America series and book. Christopher recently visited The Lebow Brothers factory, and he was surprised to discover that there were hundreds of finished jackets left behind.

As Christopher entered the large factory, it could’ve easily been likened to entering a massive closet.

The styles are definitely out of date, but it’s amazing to see some of the jackets still in relatively good condition. Besides a likely odor, we’re guessing some of these jackets could go straight from the hangers to people’s closets.

The factory has obviously seen better days, but it’s interesting to see some of the equipment that was used to manufacture the suits. One can only imagine how the factory must have buzzed in its prime.

The immense amount of jackets left behind is mind-boggling. It’s difficult to understand why much of this stock couldn’t have been liquidated to at least earn somewhat of a return. Now they simply take up space in this deserted factory.

This jacket in the focus of the picture might make a nice outfit for a retro party, and if you don’t like that one it looks like there’s no shortage of options!

Some of the trench coats in this photograph look vaguely similar to styles that have been adopted in our modern time. It’s no doubt disappointing for The Lebow Brothers to see that some of the styles they produced have returned to become trendy once again!

If you’re anticipating a cold winter and have a limited budget, then it might be worth taking a trip down to Maryland. We’re sure that a coat or two gone missing will escape notice seeing as no one’s paying attention! The styles may have changed over the years, but who can complain about a free jacket?

Matthew Christopher’s other work for the Abandoned America series and his book is quite interesting. Much of his work can be further explored at his official website, and his book can be found on Amazon. Christopher also shares his work on his Instagram and Facebook accounts, so be sure to check out his photo’s and share with fellow history buffs!