The main reason for going was because I'm into urban exploration, and wanted to explore this factory for some time, and a public auction is a great (and legal) way to get in!
After walking around taking pics and seeing very few things I could actually use/afford, I noticed a Best padlock on a door, upon flipping it over, I saw it said royal McBee. Royal McBee was the original owner of the factory in the 50's to the 60's, they made Royal typewriters here, then moved out and GE took over in 1970 making HVAC motors. So, I stopped the first employee I saw, asked him about the lock, and was told he had no clue. I found some plant engineers and one of them told me to ask another employee who was working on some equipment. Upon asking this man, he wanted me to show him the lock, as he knew of no Royal McBee locks still there. I showed him, he tried his keys, which none fit (they have some of the original locks from royal's days) He asked his coworker if they had bolt cutters handy, and I mentioned that I'd want the lock intact. No bolt cutters were available, but he grabbed a hacksaw and a pry bar and commenced to wreck the hasp! The whole thing broke off the door, the lock fell off the hasp, and he picks it up and tosses it to me saying "Merry Christmas"!
I still think I got the coolest thing there, and it goes nicely with my existing lock I picked up at a garage sale.
The one that was in the factory is on the left, the one from the garage sale on the right. Core was lost to the second one (oops), and the core of the first I was able to pick to control and send off for decoding, so will have an original core with working keys.
So, thanks to some very nice employees, I got a cool lock and learned a good deal of history too, was a great day all in all.
