This is a sight you don’t get to see very often: an abandoned slaughterhouse. This Nebraska slaughterhouse, located in an undisclosed location “deep in the heart of the state”, was photographed by the talented Jim Sullivan. Check out more of his work on Places That Were.

1. The huge building is every bit the industrial behemoth you would expect to find at a meat processing facility. The building is looking a bit run down; who knows how long it has been out of commission?
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
2. The abandoned slaughterhouse and meatpacking plant has a somewhat gruesome history, but it's weirdly beautiful in its state of abandonment.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
3. Walking into the building is like walking back in time. The facility was no doubt an important part of the local economy when it was operational.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
4. The animals were held in this huge space before being slaughtered and processed. Various debris is strewn about, but there are no signs of the animals that passed through here.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
5. This narrow passage led from the holding area to the killing floor. It's not nice to think about, but it is rather interesting to see the equipment used in this industry.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
6. Plenty of equipment and other various objects were simply left behind when the facility was closed decades ago. It lends an eerie aspect to the place, as though operations have simply paused and the workers will return tomorrow.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
7. Having never worked in or visited an operating slaughterhouse makes it difficult to identify many of the objects left behind in this huge facility.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
8. These sinks are easily identifiable. They operate with foot pedals rather than hand-turned faucets...for obvious reasons.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
9. Leaving the slaughterhouse floor, a heavy door and stairs lead down to another level of the building. What could be behind this portal?
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
10. The stairs down look a bit ominous. We're not sure we would have had the courage to venture down there ourselves...
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
11. More machinery and heavy equipment occupy the lower level.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan

Related Stories

Most People Have No Idea There’s An Underwater Ghost Town Hiding In Nebraska

Most People Have No Idea There’s An Underwater Ghost Town Hiding In Nebraska

 15 Abandoned Places In Nebraska That Nature Is Reclaiming

15 Abandoned Places In Nebraska That Nature Is Reclaiming

 The Story Behind This Ghost Town Cemetery In Nebraska Will Chill You To The Bone

The Story Behind This Ghost Town Cemetery In Nebraska Will Chill You To The Bone
12. The ravages of time are evident in the water-damaged floors, the thick layers of dust, rust, and grime, and the occasional bit of nature that has found its way inside.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
13. There are unmistakable reminders here of what the facility was designed for. This conveyor belt went from the slaughterhouse to a huge warehouse that was possibly used for cold storage.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
14. You can guess what some of these objects were used for. Others are a little more obscure.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
15. The administrative side of the slaughterhouse is still outfitted as though the workers have just stepped out for the day.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
16. Chairs and desks still sit much as they did when the office workers were coming in every day to use them.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
17. We can imagine the workers filing in to store their daily lunches in these refrigerators...
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
18. ...and changing into their work clothes in this locker room.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
19. This time clock was once a daily stop for many workers. Now, it will never punch another time card.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
20. Notices and memos can still be found hanging from the walls. Safety instructions are still visible as well.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
21. This ancient computer is accompanied by training tapes. Was this where new employees learned their future trade?
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan
22. Slaughterhouses are the types of places most people never want to see. But in this case, the facility is a fascinating look into the past.
Places That Were/Jim Sullivan

The beef industry is vastly important to Nebraska’s economy and, like it or not, with this industry comes slaughterhouses. Regardless of the inevitable “ick” factor that accompanies a facility like this, there is definitely something fascinating about this abandoned structure. These pictures give us a wonderful opportunity to learn about the history of a facility like this.

Want more abandoned places in your life? Take our ghost town road trip to see entire towns lost to time.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Abandoned Slaughterhouse in Nebraska

Tori Jane | December 20, 2021

What are some genuinely haunted places in Nebraska?  

Nebraska is a state that most folks tend to overlook when they’re thinking about haunted places, but Nebraska is a state filled with history and everywhere you turn you’ll find an abandoned homestead or farmhouse.  Here are some some haunted places in Nebraska to visit: 

 

Where can I find some interesting, abandoned places in Nebraska?  

There are so many interesting abandoned places in Nebraska! If you want to keep it simple, you can always visit any of Nebraska’s countless ghost towns, which were each deserted long, long ago and now lay entirely dormant to decay over time. There are towns like Antioch, which still has some ruins standing, and Meadville, which is still utilized for its river access point. There are some towns where it feels pretty eerie just arriving there, and some that make you want to leave right away. Honestly, just take a drive down any dirt road – you're sure to find some abandoned delights no matter where you go.  

Related Articles

Explore Nebraska