Been a while since I have gotten to drive around, and it will be a while before I get to do it again. So when the opportunity presented itself I jumped on it, gassed up and packed up and drove on.
I would have loved to have spent longer out and about, but still had some adult things to do, so by mid afternoon I had to head back home. After 100 degree heat, angry stingy bugs, very suspicious people, and cockroaches, I was about ready to get back to my comfort zone.
So here are some pictures.
First place was a small town. I stopped mostly for this building, though there were a couple of other spots that I stopped at as well.
Building by
Road Extx, on Flickr
Found out a little about this store, back in 1994 our local newspaper interviewed the son of the man who owned the store. Per his son, "They had anything from aspirins to coffins, Dad was a dealer for John Deere horse drawing implements, all kinds of harness, and Studebaker wagons. Within the store, there was the post office and also an unincorporated bank, which became part of the problem when the Great Depression hit. There was also the matter of some $350,000 on the store's book in customer accounts, much run up during the 1925 drought when dad helped so many people who never overcame it."
I did in fact find out that the person's dad filed for bankruptcy in 1932.
The store was multiple buildings, not sure when this one was built for sure, but between 1901 and 1915 is the best guess I could give. It still has some of the iron rods hanging on the front that used to hold up a canopy. Building was in really good condition, and sealed up tight.
I do not know what this building was used for. It was in a clearing next to some old rail road tracks near downtown. Obviously a fueling station at one time, though unlike one I have ever seen.
Trio by
Road Extx, on Flickr
I am always a sucker for gas pumps.
Trio by
Road Extx, on Flickr
A quick walk around this location, another spot near the tracks downtown. I've no idea what this place was, the scale house and hoppers make me think that it might have been a facility for transferring grain/rice or other goods from trucks to train cars.
Scale by
Road Extx, on Flickr
Building was locked up, and still utilized for storage. I did not spend a lot of time here, mostly because I left my car running so the AC would keep blowing, I am delicate.
Poking around this old building I noticed the padlock was unlocked. As I was going towards it I also noticed the old timer watching me while leaning on his truck. So I spent some time just photographing the wall hoping he would get bored and leave. He did not. So here is a picture of the wall. (I actually like this pic though)
Door by
Road Extx, on Flickr
I love the bonuses that come from these trips. I had originally scouted out via google earth four communities to visit. While going from spot to spot I also come across the following locations.
This church, I will from here on out call it the Church of Wasps.
Church by
Road Extx, on Flickr
Church by
Road Extx, on Flickr
Church by
Road Extx, on Flickr
Church by
Road Extx, on Flickr
It did not look like there were still services being held there. But it looks like it had not been too long ago since it was used. A little dusty and the wasps have moved in. It is hard to tell from these pictures, but the pews inside this church were curved, first time I had seen curved pews in a church.
Another spot I happened upon, and one I found quite interesting. Driving down the highway there was a street sign that read something like "Charcoal Plant Lane" What? U-turn! Just over the raised rail road tracks was a short dirt road with a gate that had come off the hinges. Not sighting any signs warning me of a terrible fate I drove on in. One large building to the left, rail road tracks on the back side, and truck loading bays on the right side. There were two trucks backed up to the loading bays, both looked to have been there a while. There were piles of junk here and there, obvious that folks have dumped unwanted items here. Off to the right there were ten small structures that had me curious. Walked up to them and realized these were where the wood was burned down to create charcoal! I was pretty fascinated by them. I knew charcoal was made, but never gave it much thought. I geeked out pretty hard over this, and even more so when I saw that one of the structures still had wood stacked up ready for ignition. Some of it looked pretty fresh cut. So I am thinking who ever owns this location might still burn wood here.
Coal by
Road Extx, on Flickr
Coal by
Road Extx, on Flickr
Coal by
Road Extx, on Flickr
Other than that there were of course the houses, there are always houses tucked in the trees.
House by
Road Extx, on Flickr
House by
Road Extx, on Flickr
House by
Road Extx, on Flickr
House by
Road Extx, on Flickr
House by
Road Extx, on Flickr
This house was where a suspicious neighbor approached me. He obviously did not trust me, though I flashed my best smile!
House by
Road Extx, on Flickr
This house was behind another church I came across. I am guessing the pastor's house at one time. Church was locked up, and looked to still be in use.
And while I am not usually a fan of cemeteries, I liked this one with a single marker in it.
Cemetary by
Road Extx, on Flickr
A couple of play areas.
Swing by
Road Extx, on Flickr
This one behind one of the churches
Playground by
Road Extx, on Flickr
People choice Cafe? Looks like they made a new choice.
GoodEats by
Road Extx, on Flickr
I know my spelling is horrible, but I still get a kick out of misspelled signs.
Telivision by
Road Extx, on Flickr
As I upload these, I realize that I left some out. Sadly they are at my house on the laptop. I thought I had worked on my external drive that I currently have with me at the office. So I might add some more pics at a future date.
Thanks for looking!