1/11/10

My World - Abandoned Homestead

During our Geocaching trip on the first day of the new year, we covered a good few miles on unpaved roads, heading out deep into the country. Down one of these roads, we came upon this abandoned homestead.

This is a common sight in our area, many of these homesteads have been left over the years, as families decided to move closer to the town and its conveniences. This particular one was at least 2 miles from any other homes we could see and surrounded by rolling pastures.

Most of the old homesteads I have seen here, tend to be one storey and made up of two or three rooms maximum, generally pretty small. But this one drew my eye as it's two storey and a more attractive design than others. I am certain its wonderful bay window and dormer in the roof were once a source of great pride for its owner.

I wish I could have seen it when it was loved, cared for and lived in. I can well imagine the owners loved to sit in their south facing bay window, and enjoy the view across their land.

We drove on but were stopped just a mile up the road by a gate. I wonder where else this little road would have led us if the gate had been open? I am guessing the view just over the brow of that hill would have been wonderful.

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28 comments:

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Ooh, so sad to see old homesteads' such as this, just abandoned and left to rot in the elements.
I always wonder who lived there, and what happened in their lives that made them pick up sticks and leave their homes and farms. History left blowing in the wind...
Great pictures as always Sarah !

Rajesh said...

Wonderful shots of dusty roads & old homesteads.

Lynn said...

Great photos! I love old, abandoned buildings. It is sad to see these places neglected but at the same time there's something a little bit poetic and "right" somehow, about nature slowing taking over what man has left behind.

Winifred said...

It is a shame to see it decaying like that. Must have been quite lonely there in what looks like the back of beyond.

eileeninmd said...

You did capture some neat photos of the roads and homesteads. They do make you wonder why it was just abandoned.

@eloh said...

Beautiful photos, sorry I missed you. Next time just beat on the wall... I'll make expresso.

Anonymous said...

Oh, now that sets the imagination galloping away with all the possibilities. A great, if a little melancholy, view into your world.

imac said...

What a wonderful post, leaves you wanting more with that gate shut.
Also the old house, what a tale it could tell eh.

Anonymous said...

It sure does make you wonder about the history and memories when you see an abandoned place like that. This one really does have a lot of character. Too bad it's in such disrepair - it would make a lovely little weekend retreat in such an isolated location.

Iota said...

If walls could talk, that house would no doubt have tales to tell.

Sherri said...

It always makes me sad to see an abandoned house. Then I start thinking about the people who must have lived there and about their lives. Thanks Sarah for sharing your picture and thoughts!

Kay said...

It's fun to imagine a family living in that house when it was new and cared for. However, it sure would have been lonely so far away from everybody without a neighbor close by.

Almost American said...

Somebody certainly put a lot of effort into that house! Thanks for sharing that! You don't see abandoned houses like that here in New England - they wouldn't last very long! You can find cellar holes and stone walls though .

Snippety Gibbet said...

I love old abandoned buildings. Some of my favorite dreams are made of these. Beautiful shots. jan

Erin said...

lucky you to get to explore this old lovely...we've a few of them around these parts but, there's some times so much overgrowth i am hesitant to go up to them (snakes and such)...so i admire them from afar :)
have a fab week sarah!

Jill of All Trades said...

That is such a cool thing. I love old buildings like that and it could be a neat thing to paint.

Trish ~ ♥ ~ said...

This old house tells quite the story!

Rinkly Rimes said...

Beautiful, but sad. I'm sure that old building would have some tales to tell.

Flea said...

Ooo. So sad to see a beautiful home abandoned like that.

Michael said...

I so love old homestead like these. Makes me think of the Laura Ingalls Wilder highway I got to traverse one summer way back. It was fantastic.

Megan, Life Revamped said...

beautiful shots!

' wonder who lived there?

LadyFi said...

Sad to see abandoned buildings... but still a decayed beauty there.

Carolyn Ford said...

I really like these finds...out in the country or open landscapes and suddenly a home or abandoned structure appears. What a great photo op! Nice post!

Daryl said...

Around these parts that would be listed as a 'fixer-upper'

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

When I worked in Western Oklahoma, I used to see lots and lots of abandoned homes and farms. Depopulation is kind of sad.

The homes are more attractive at least than abandoned mobile homes.

That gate looks like it leads to a gas well to me. If I was guessing.

Esther Garvi said...

Ah, the skies, the skies...!!! Love anything you show against that never ending horizon and deep blue!

Girl Tornado said...

I always wonder when I see old homesteads also, and we do have quite a few I've seen here in south central Kansas. Beautiful pics Sarah!

The Wine Guy said...

My grandmother and i used to drive all over the countryside near Lake Vincent, Higgins, etc looking for abandoned homesteads just like this. We'd carefully walk around the grounds, surveying the weathered, now gray wood, then slowly step inside. And try to see how life might have been for those that lived there "once upon a time".
I loved those adventures...thanks for reminding me.