Mike
Photo by Mike
Exploring the Forgotten
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‘In this insightful interview, we explore the life of Mike, a photographer and urban explorer from Mt. Vernon, NY, who grew up in Virginia. His fascination with abandoned houses began in 2012, leading to hundreds of explorations. Mike shares eerie encounters, the thrill of discovery, and the challenges of navigating these forgotten spaces. His work captures the beauty and creepiness of these locations, inviting viewers to see the world through his lens while highlighting the stories behind abandoned homes.’
Background
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So, I was born in Mt Vernon, NY but we moved to Virginia when I was only two. I don’t remember anything about NY so Virginia is all I know and lived there most of my life. Growing up I lived in a single parent household with my brother David who went to join the army so for a long time it was just me and my mom. Just a quiet kid who was also a comic book nerd and had a big love for music. Currently living in Florida now but missing Virginia every day.
When did your interest in finding and exploring abandoned houses first ignite? What specific aspects of this hobby continue to captivate you?
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I got interested in abandoned houses right around October of 2012 specifically right at Halloween. Being a delivery driver I had routes to NC quite often and this one farmhouse in particular caught my interest. I snapped a photo of it and figured it would be cool to post for Halloween. It was my most liked photo at the time and that’s when I realized there might be something to this. Been hooked ever since.
Photo by Mike
Some of the specific aspects that still captivate me is the creep factor of the house or building. I get that people are curious about the history of some of these old places and I respect that, but it’s always been about the creepiness of some of these places. Some of these abandoned buildings appear very dark and I try to capture that in my photos and hope people see what I see…if I can find the history on a place I’ll try to share it but primarily it’s not my thing.
What strategies do you employ to locate abandoned houses? Do you conduct research on the history of a site before your visit, and if so, what does that process look like?
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As far as finding these places well I had delivery routes throughout NC and parts of Virginia that I wouldn’t have ordinarily driven to on my own. So, I loved my job! Because I knew potentially, I would be able to spot something especially taking backroads.
To date, how many abandoned houses have you explored, and can you share any standout experiences from those visits?
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The number of abandoned places? Good question...I don’t know to be quite honest lol! If I had to guess maybe in the hundreds...some places I would revisit over and over...I mean I do have thousands of photos so that number could be higher but truthfully, I’m not even sure.
In your experience, what do you think contributed to the abandonment of these once beautiful houses?
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As far as what contributes to the abandonment of these places…well like I said I’m not an expert on the history of these homes by any stretch but from various other pages I’ve seen on Instagram, maybe a death in the family and the house is passed on to relatives who can’t afford the upkeep and eventually the house falls into neglect and disrepair.
I’ve heard people say, “how can someone just abandon a place?” Well, I’m here to tell your life happens! My wife and I been in situations where we had to move because of financial reasons. Not saying we left homes to neglect but situations arise where sometimes stuff happens and you’re just trying to survive. I imagine this has happened with a lot of places and for whatever reason they couldn’t address it.
Photo by Mike
Can you describe one of the most intriguing, abandoned houses you’ve explored? What specific features or stories made it stand out to you?
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One of the most intriguing houses I’ve come across probably has to be the one in New Bern, NC. I actually heard noises coming out of it once like loud banging on the walls or door slamming...I was freaked out of my mind that day but instead of running away I just kept taking pictures lol...I experienced the same thing at another house in NC and that one I did hurry up and got in my car and drove away.
Thankfully these were one-time experiences and I’ve been back to both places.
Another house I seen something peek from behind the upstairs window and it saw me and it quickly ducked back behind the wall. It had big bulging eyes, and it was like light greyish in color almost white.
I don’t get drunk, and I don’t get high, so I promise this happened lol! My stomach must’ve dropped to the ground and I stood frozen there like maybe 6-8 seconds which felt like forever. Once I got my legs moving, I hurried to my car and never revisited that place again. I promise that is a true story. Also, in NC! All three of these places left me feeling uneasy lol! But sometimes certain places just have a bad vibe, and I feel uneasy quite often! Has to be those 70s and 80s horror movies I grew up on…But I love doing what I do.
Photo by Mike
What’s the most unexpected find you've come across during your explorations?
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The most unexpected thing I’ve come across? Maybe the carcass of a deer and one time of a dog but then again maybe that is to be expected sometimes especially if you’re in the woods I guess I haven’t come across too many challenges trying to find these places…being a route driver I found quite a few pretty easily just by virtue of being on the road so much.
What challenges or dangers have you faced while exploring abandoned sites? How do you navigate those risks?
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As far as danger goes, I try not to go into these places as to avoid danger lol! I travel alone a good majority of the time and all I was trying to do was make it back home to my wife. She has even come with me on a few of these places, but it is definitely not her thing lol! But I appreciate her being a trooper and putting up with me those times she travelled with me.
Anyway, I have heard of a few explorers passing away while exploring so it can be very dangerous. Be careful out there my fellow explorers. Another situation I was in I found myself exploring a house way off the main road and I thought I heard noises coming from inside (squatters maybe?) and I booked it out of there like Speed Racer. It had a long driveway and thankfully I was still in my car. Oh yeah, a few times people sent their dogs after me...once in Virginia and twice in NC and each time I was close enough to my car where no harm came my way. By the grace of God because I know He protects me…maybe I’m getting too old for this I wonder lol…
Photo by Mike
What’s the oldest abandoned house you’ve explored so far? Can you share its history with us?
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Two of the oldest places I’ve discovered were actually mills. Lancaster Roller mill in Virginia goes all the way back to the 1600s I wanna say? And Hobbs Mill also in Virginia which I just recently found out dates back to the 1700s. And the house in New Bern that I mentioned earlier goes back to the Civil War.
Being a route driver I’ve been to quite a few places up and down the east coast from Delaware to Georgia and currently in Florida. I hope to get to Alabama and Louisiana one of these days and Pennsylvania just from the places I’ve seen on YouTube. And eventually move back to either Va or NC. Those places are like heaven to me and always loved exploring there. When I was living there, I knew I had the best of both worlds, and I absolutely miss it…one day God willing.
Words of Wisdom
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Trust in the Lord…call on Him and seek after Him... I trust in the Lord Jesus, and I would just encourage others to do the same
To continue following our explorers Mike’s journey or simply want to reach out and say Hi, you can connect with them on the following accounts:
Instagram:
@mike.wil
@funky_abandoned
Facebook:
@Mike Wil
YouTube:
Bando Finder
PodCast
https://www.mixcloud.com/Oldskooldude4real/
Message from Explorer Mike
if you wanna hear me DJ and enjoy good music, mixes and blends 😉 And for anyone interested in prints: https://www.artpal.com/MikeWil
All of my fellow explorers on Insta! @backroads2abandoned @belindabrowncha @savinghistorichomes @southerngirldreaming @shes_got_an_old_soul @josephromeophotography @diaryof_abandonment @marshallpace @missus_mcg @cyndie.smith @memphisdog1 @cynvaughn @emsmoodyphotos @lindermantodd @tru.ecru.photography @staceeanna @hadrelius @alter_s.ray Everybody @backroad_visions @kapppy_
(too many of yall lol) Anybody I left out please count it to the head and not the heart..I’ve been inspired by many of you and I can only hope my work does the same..shoutouts to all my followers who have given me words of encouragement and just supported me throughout the years! God bless
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